Indoor Firing RangesTraining

Education

Recommended Practices

NAFA Firing Range Guidelines

Purpose

Scope

Background

Ranges Potential Health Issues

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) 50 micrograms per M3 / 8 hour period

Lead / Blood Poisoning Fatigue, Headaches, Sleepiness Metallic Taste, Poor Appetite, Uneasy Stomach Toxic by Inhalation, absorption or ingestion

Range Areas of Potential Lead

Shooters Station

Area 15’ Down Range

Target Area

Shooters Station

Point of highest airborne concentration

Each shot fired releases harmful gases

Area 15 Feet Down Range

EPA found greater than 90% of heavier dusts settle from air stream

Becomes extremely contaminated

Should not enter without protective gear per OSHA

Target Area

Fragmentation of lead from bullets is highest

Bullet Capture

Ventilating Ranges

50-100 fpm

Sufficient Levels of Outside Air

Negative PressureIn Range Area

Isolated Ventilation

Typical Range Diagram

System Designs

Single Pass SystemSimplest Design

100% Outside Air

Re-circulating System Filter & Re-introduced

Exhaust for Negative Pressure

Down Range -Filtered

Make-up Air 10% less than Exhaust

Filtration Requirements

Two Concerns for HVAC

Makeup Air

Exhaust Air

Makeup Air

ASHRAE Standard 52.2

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 14

Designed at 400 fpm

Exhaust Air

Re-circulated Air

Recommended MERV 14 Pre-filter

HEPA 99.97% per Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology

Filter Framing Systems

Molecular Filtration

Traces of Oxide Compounds Make-up Dilutes Gases Molecular Filtration Advisable on

Re-circulated Air Make-up Air of 30% Recommended to

Prevent Buildup of Nitrogen & Carbon

System Startup and Maintenance

NAFA Recommended Practice DOP Test HEPA Filter

Filter Service Filter Evaluation (gauges)

– Multiple gauges or Single Precautions & Employee Protection

– Wear Protective Equipment

– Never sweep as a cleaning method Filter Disposal

– Wrapped in two layer 6 mil poly & seal w/ duct tape

– Disposed of in accordance w/ local, state & federal regulations

Conclusions

The discharge of firearms in the confined space of a firing range releases significant particulate and molecular contaminants into the air

These contaminants can be very harmful to shooters and range employees

Well designed HVAC systems can greatly improve the safety of these spaces

System maintenance by qualified specialists is a key consideration to ensure a healthy environment in firing ranges