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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 11Pt. 1Ch. 1§ 12000 Explosives Definition And Scope

§ 12000 Explosives Definition And Scope

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12000 Explosives Definition And Scope

Key Takeaways

  • •Explosives are things that blow up fast, like dynamite or fireworks that can hurt people.
  • •Even some stuff that doesn’t seem like explosives (like certain chemicals) can be called explosives if they can blow up when mixed together.
  • •Some things are NOT explosives, like regular bullets or shotgun shells.
  • •The State Fire Marshal can decide if something new is an explosive or not.

Example

You find a box of old fireworks in your garage and want to light them up for fun.

Those fireworks might be considered explosives under this law, and lighting them could get you in trouble because they can blow up and hurt people.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12000 Explosives Definition And Scope

For the purposes of this part, “explosives” means any substance, or combination of substances, the primary or common purpose of which is detonation or rapid combustion, and which is capable of a relatively instantaneous or rapid release of gas and heat, or any substance, the primary purpose of which, when combined with others, is to form a substance capable of a relatively instantaneous or rapid release of gas and heat. “Explosives” includes, but is not limited to, any explosives as defined in Section 841 of Title 18 of the United States Code and published pursuant to Section 555.23 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and any of the following: (a) Dynamite, nitroglycerine, picric acid, lead azide, fulminate of mercury, black powder, smokeless powder, propellant explosives, detonating primers, blasting caps, or commercial boosters. (b) Substances determined to be division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.6 explosives as classified by the United States Department of Transportation. (c) Nitro carbo nitrate substances (blasting agent) classified as division 1.5 explosives by the United States Department of Transportation. (d) Any material designated as an explosive by the State Fire Marshal. The designation shall be made pursuant to the classification standards established by the United States Department of Transportation. The State Fire Marshal shall adopt regulations in accordance with the Government Code to establish procedures for the classification and designation of explosive materials or explosive devices that are not under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Transportation pursuant to provisions of Section 841 of Title 18 of the United States Code and published pursuant to Section 555.23 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations that define explosives. (e) Certain division 1.4 explosives as designated by the United States Department of Transportation when listed in regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal. (f) For the purposes of this part, “explosives” does not include any destructive device, as defined in Section 16460 of the Penal Code, nor does it include ammunition or small arms primers manufactured for use in shotguns, rifles, and pistols. (Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 178, Sec. 37. (SB 1115) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative January 1, 2012, by Sec. 107 of Ch. 178.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

explosivesdetonationrapid combustionUnited States Department of TransportationState Fire Marshaldestructive deviceammunitionsmall arms primers

Related Statutes

  • § 12002 Local Explosives Ordinance Exemptions
  • § 12003 Fire Protection Authority Definitions
  • § 12006 Fire Safety Exemptions
  • § 12007 Local Issuing Authority Designation
  • § 12508 Permitted Exempt Fireworks

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 12000.
View Official Source