The Logistics and Regulatory Affairs Committee regularly offers its expertise to agencies on such important matters as the classification, labeling, placarding, and packaging of small arms ammunition. The Committee conducts tests in support of their views concerning the limited hazards associated with the storage and transportation of small arms ammunition and components. The harmonization of domestic and international regulations is a high priority and is an ongoing project. The video analyzes the characteristics associated with the small arms ammunition when it is subjected to severe impact and fire. When a primer ignites, it causes the propellant to burn which creates gases which, when under pressure in a firearm, send the bullet down the barrel.
Pressure created by the propellant being burned is what discharges a bullet.
As such, loose ammunition in a fire does not result in bullets being discharged because the propellant is not burning under pressure. The video, which has been widely circulated to fire departments, concludes that while ammunition produces a popping sound when it burns, there is no mass detonation of the ammunition, any projectiles are of low velocity, and there is no threat to firefighters in their standard turn-out gear .