What Happens When Ammo Burns? Sporting Ammunition and the Fire Fighter | SAAMI.org

Published on November 28, 2012
Duration: 25:47

This video debunks common myths about sporting ammunition fires, demonstrating through extensive testing that cartridges pose minimal explosion risk. Even under extreme conditions like impact, crushing, or direct ignition, sporting ammunition does not propagate or cause mass explosions. Firefighters can safely approach and extinguish fires involving ammunition using standard methods, as projectiles have low energy and are easily stopped.

Quick Summary

Sporting ammunition does not pose a mass explosion hazard in fires. SAAMI tests show that even under extreme conditions like impact, crushing, or direct ignition, ammunition does not propagate or cause chain reactions, making fires involving it manageable for firefighters.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Ammunition Fire Risks
  2. 02:05Cartridge Impact & Penetration Tests
  3. 03:39Drop Testing: Ignition & Propagation
  4. 05:05Bullet Impact Chain Reaction Test
  5. 07:53Blasting Cap Ignition Test
  6. 09:53Mechanical Crushing (Forklift/Bulldozer)
  7. 12:19Bonfire & Mass Fire Tests
  8. 17:18Retail Store & Semi-Trailer Simulations

Frequently Asked Questions

Does sporting ammunition explode in a fire?

Extensive testing by SAAMI shows that sporting ammunition does not pose a mass explosion hazard. While individual rounds may ignite or rupture, they do not cause a chain reaction or detonation of surrounding ammunition, even in large quantities or under extreme conditions.

What is the risk to firefighters from ammunition fires?

The risk from sporting ammunition fires is significantly lower than commonly perceived. Projectiles have low energy and are easily stopped by standard building materials like sheetrock. Firefighters in protective gear can safely approach and extinguish these fires using conventional methods.

Can ammunition ignite from impact or crushing?

Tests demonstrate that sporting ammunition is highly unlikely to ignite from impact, even when dropped from 65 feet. Similarly, mechanical crushing by heavy machinery like forklifts or bulldozers rarely causes ignition, with most rounds simply deforming.

How does SAAMI test ammunition fire safety?

SAAMI conducts rigorous tests simulating various fire scenarios, including impact, drop tests, bullet impacts, blasting cap ignition, mechanical crushing, bonfires, and large-scale simulations in retail and transport settings to assess ignition, propagation, and explosion risks.

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