SAAMI--Sporting Ammunition And The Firefighter

[Darrell]

Very interesting video of ammo behavior in various fire scenarios:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SlOXoww ... r_embedded

Found Via Southern Rockies Nature Blog. I wish I had a tenth of the ammo consumed in the tests!

[Netpackrat]

I wish I had a tenth of the ammo consumed in the tests!

Watching that made me sad....

[Darrell]

Yeah, over 400,000 rounds burned up or otherwise destroyed. Sheesh.

I've heard that if firefighters know you have quantities of ammunition stored in the home they'll stand back and let it burn. Don't know the truth of it, but going by that video, looks like there's very little actual risk from burning ammo.

[Yogimus]

my understanding is that the main risk isnt from the ammo itself, but the detonation of ammo CANS and secondary fragment hazards. Rapidly burning solids creating over-pressure in containers. Even vented containers can detonate if the venting is inadequate.

Those old 50 cal cans WILL explode if you seal em up with powder and burn em. (The lid can go pretty far, too)

[Steamforger]

I've heard that if firefighters know you have quantities of ammunition stored in the home they'll stand back and let it burn. Don't know the truth of it, but going by that video, looks like there's very little actual risk from burning ammo.

They attacked the fire pretty aggressively in my case. I did inform the FD there was ammo stored in cans. However, the fire itself was in the upper floor. The knowledge there was ammo stored on the premises didn't seem to deter them at all. They even brought my firearms out to me for safekeeping in my truck rather than let them stew in smoky/chemically water for more than a few hours.

[workinwifdakids]

Thank you for posting this. I forwarded it along to a firefighter buddy on a fairly large fire department. Perhaps he'll see to pass this along.