Magazine FAQ
Select a question to see its answer. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, please contact us. Our subject matter experts will be glad to talk with you.
Is it necessary to place the magazine on a concrete or asphalt pad?
It is not necessary to place your Armag magazine on a concrete or asphalt pad, but these pads do enhance the leveling. At a minimum we recommend a compacted crushed stone base beneath the magazine. Should you choose to go with concrete we recommend a 6 in. – 8 in. pad. Check local building guidelines to determine if a footer is required and, if so, how deep the footer is to be.
How much maintenance should I expect to encounter over the life of the magazine?
Armag magazines very low maintenance. You will need to grease the door hinges regularly (2-3 times per year in mild environments and monthly in more extreme environments). A grease fitting is attached to the hinge making it easy to apply the grease deep into the hinge.
The paint should last 8-10 years in mild conditions. However, in extreme environments such as coastal areas, the life will be less. The best practice is to thoroughly inspect the exterior finish 2-3 times per year. Early detection of a problem will greatly limit the amount of maintenance needed to remedy the situation. Contact us with any questions.
How many pounds of explosives detonation is my magazine designed to withstand?
The most common misconception about magazines is that they are designed to contain a blast. Magazines are not designed to contain a blast. Instead, magazines are vaults that are used to safeguard the contents from theft and accidental detonation.
Armag Corporation has developed four magazines that are designed to reduce the blast radius (ESQD) in the case of accidental detonation. See our Advanced EOD Magazines, K9 Explosive Training Aid Magazines (CETASM), Grenade Storage Magazines and Earth Covered Magazines for more information.
For magazines that come with electrical components, what do I need to hook up power to it?
If your Armag magazine has electrical items installed by Armag, it will come with an external electrical disconnect panel installed. A licensed electrician should be contracted to bring power to the magazine. The power will be connected to our exterior mounted disconnect.
I don't see a magazine on your website that meets my unique needs. Do you offer customization?
Yes, Armag can customize the building to meet your needs. We understand the ATF and military safety regulations and will make recommendations that will keep your project in compliance. There are a variety of standard options that we offer and we are happy to discuss options unique to your needs. Contact us to discuss your application.
How is the magazine delivered and offloaded?
Freight to your site and offloading charges are the customer’s responsibility. We arrange the transportation for you and will add it to your invoice. Offloading equipment will be determined by the size of the magazine. Small magazines may be offloaded with a forklift while large magazines may require the services of a crane. Your Armag sales rep can help you determine which type equipment may be needed.
If a crane is required we recommend you contact a local rigging company and have them do a site survey before the load is shipped. The distance in which the crane will have to swing the load will have a significant bearing on the size of crane needed. Also, during the site survey the rigger will look for overhead obstructions (trees, power lines, etc). One should also know that trucks may be 75′ – 100′ long so you need to evaluate the roadway to determine whether there are tight turns in the road that the truck may not be able to navigate.
Is it necessary to ground the magazine?
Yes, to protect your Armag magazine against electrical strikes it will need to be properly grounded. A licensed electrician should be used to connect the ground brackets, cables, and rods (sold separately) to the magazine.
What are the ammunition & explosive storage requirements in the United States?
Armag meets or exceeds the requirements based on your application, whether it be military, law enforcement or non-government. So, you never need to worry when ordering from Armag. The detailed specs are available on the ATF’s website, there is additional information provided by the Whole Building Design Guide.
