“...exceeded the quantity distance formula by being so close to a town....”
-
No such formula exists.
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
No BS to you - it does. For explosives, DoD develop quantity distance formulas years ago for high explosives based on how much explosives can be stored in a location based on how it’s stored, and the distances from inhabited buildings, roads, and other explosive sites that are in the vicinity that could propagate the original detonation.
http://www.atf.gov/explosives/how-to/explosive-storage-requirements.html
It isn't a 'furmula' per sey but guidance on storage of explosives certainly DOES exist. Down to the type of lock, hinges, doors, and of course distance.
Each type of explosive has a specific table of distance:
27 CFR § 555.218 is for storage of high explosives (including flash powder and bulk salutes), blasting agents, and display fireworks over 10,000 pounds.
27 CFR § 555.219 is for storage of low explosives.
27 CFR § 555.220 is for storage of ammonium nitrate and blasting agents from explosives or blasting agents.
27 CFR § 555.222 is for distances between fireworks process buildings and between fireworks process and non-process buildings.
27 CFR § 555.223 is for distances between fireworks process buildings and other areas.
27 CFR § 555.224 is for storage of display fireworks (except bulk salutes).