Indoor Firing Ranges Training Education Recommended Practices

NAFA Firing Range Guidelines l Purpose l Scope l Background

Ranges Potential Health Issues l OSHA n Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) n 50 micrograms per M 3 / 8 hour period l Lead / Blood Poisoning n Fatigue, Headaches, Sleepiness n Metallic Taste, Poor Appetite, Uneasy Stomach n Toxic by Inhalation, absorption or ingestion

Range Areas of Potential Lead l Shooters Station l Area 15’ Down Range l Target Area

Shooters Station l Point of highest airborne concentration l Each shot fired releases harmful gases

Area 15 Feet Down Range l EPA found greater than 90% of heavier dusts settle from air stream l Becomes extremely contaminated l Should not enter without protective gear per OSHA

Target Area l Fragmentation of lead from bullets is highest l Bullet Capture

Ventilating Ranges fpm Sufficient Levels of Outside Air Negative Pressure In Range Area Isolated Ventilation

Typical Range Diagram

System Designs  Single Pass System  Simplest 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 l Traces of Oxide Compounds l Make-up Dilutes Gases l Molecular Filtration Advisable on Re-circulated Air l Make-up Air of 30% Recommended to Prevent Buildup of Nitrogen & Carbon

System Startup and Maintenance l NAFA Recommended Practice n DOP Test HEPA Filter l Filter Service n Filter Evaluation (gauges) –Multiple gauges or Single n Precautions & Employee Protection –Wear Protective Equipment –Never sweep as a cleaning method n Filter Disposal –Wrapped in two layer 6 mil poly & seal w/ duct tape –Disposed of in accordance w/ local, state & federal regulations

Conclusions l The discharge of firearms in the confined space of a firing range releases significant particulate and molecular contaminants into the air l These contaminants can be very harmful to shooters and range employees l Well designed HVAC systems can greatly improve the safety of these spaces l System maintenance by qualified specialists is a key consideration to ensure a healthy environment in firing ranges

National Air Filtration Association l Over 210 air filtration manufacturers and distributors l United States and 10 foreign countries l NAFA Guide to Air Filtration l NAFA Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of Air Filtration Systems Manual l Website –