Permit for permanent storage and inspections

Apply for a permit from Tukes well in advance before building the storage facility. Tukes will organise all necessary hearings and request the required statements. The permit process can take up to eight months. A clear and complete application speeds up the processing of applications.

The applicant is free to decide the format of the application, but the application must still include the required documents and information. The application can be submitted electronically. If you submit your application as physical copies, please mail the application in five copies.

If the explosives to be stored will only belong to hazard classes 1.1 – 1.3, if the amount of explosives exceeds 10,000 kilograms or if more than 50,000 kilograms of hazard class 1.4 explosives will be stored, the storage facility is required to have a major-accident prevention policy (MAPP). Append the document and an internal rescue plan to your application.

If the explosives to be stored will only belong to hazard classes 1.1 – 1.3, if the amount of explosives exceeds 50,000 kilograms or if more than 200,000 kilograms of hazard class 1.4 explosives will be stored, the storage facility is required to provide a safety report. Append the document and an internal rescue plan to your application.

Append the following documents and information to your application for a permit for permanent storage:

  • the name of the party storing the explosives with business ID, and contact details with invoicing information
  • location of the storage, street address and coordinates
  • purpose of the storage
  • for temporary storages, information on the site the storage will be located on and the planned duration of storing
  • the type of the explosives to be stored, such as civil explosives, detonators, propellant powder, fireworks, cartridges
  • hazard classes of the explosives
  • amounts of the explosives
  • ownership information of the area
  • land use plans of the area
  • separation distances between the storage buildings and other surrounding sites, min 1 km radius
  • structure of the storage buildings
  • security and intruder alarm systems of the storage buildings
  • site plan with buildings
  • map of the area
  • hazard and risk assessment
  • possible electronic equipment in the storage and ventilation.

Permit decision for permanent storage and inspections

Tukes grants a permit for permanent storage if the planned storing meets the requirements. The permit can include conditions and restrictions for the storing. The applicant should carefully read the permit decision and the conditions set in it.

Before a permanent storage facility can be used, the party storing the explosives must request a commissioning inspection from Tukes.

After the commissioning inspection, Tukes conducts periodic inspections on the facility every 1 to 5 years. The frequency of the inspections is determined according to the amount of explosive material stored and the observations made during the most recent inspection. Tukes will contact the party storing the explosives for scheduling the inspections.

The party storing the explosives must inform Tukes of all changes in the storage facility’s surroundings, such as new buildings or roads being built. Tukes may have to reduce the allowed amount of explosive material if residential buildings or roads are built near to the storage facility.

During the commissioning inspection of a new explosives storage, Tukes will inspect the following:

  • compliance with the permit conditions
  • competence and consent of the party named responsible
  • the internal rescue plan
  • the facility’s guidelines for safe operation
  • warning labels
  • firefighting equipment

Permanent storing of explosives

Permit from Tukes
Apply for a permit from Tukes well in advance before building the storage facility.

Explosives stored permanently
Explosives that can be stored permanently are civil explosives, fireworks, propellant powder and cartridges.

Amount of explosive material
The allowed amount of explosives depends on the separation distances.

Number of storage buildings
The facility can have several buildings.

Tukes inspections
Tukes will conduct a commissioning inspection when the party storing the explosives requests it. Tukes will conduct periodic inspections every 1 to 5 years. Tukes will contact the facility.