Indoor Firing Range Air Filtration Solutions

The firing range facilities are specially designed for the practice of weapons (pistols/rifles) for recreational and professional activities. In the Olympic games also shooting sport is one of the most popular sports. The firing range facilities are of two types.

• Outdoor Firing Range
• Indoor Firing Range

Handguns, long guns, shotguns, pistols/ rifles are the common weapons used in these kinds of activities.

Indoor firing range facilities are specially equipped with firing lanes, targets, bullet trap components and a ventilation system. The ventilation system must control exposure to pollutants. The ventilation system will also help in lowering shooters’ exposure to large quantities of airborne pollutants and other combustion byproducts.

The primary purpose of the ventilation system is to prevent the building of toxic gases (CO2, CO, NO) and particulates, such as lead and other discharge products.

The most significant potential source of airborne lead at the firing line is the, burning gunpowder acting on the exposed lead base of a projectile. The metallic lead in the projectile can also become airborne lead particles through heat from friction between the bore of the firearm and an unjacketed lead projectile. Downrange, lead may become airborne from splatter as projectiles strike backstops, floors, walls, or baffles.

Other areas of potential Lead concentration within a firing range:

Shooters Station: Shooters Station has the highest quantity of dust and pollutants in the air

Downrange Area: This is the place where 90 % of the heavier dust settles from the air stream

Target Area: Another location with high Lead rates is the Target Area.

In addition, maintenance or repair of the backstop or other range equipment may cause settled lead dust to become airborne. Improper cleaning of a range may also cause lead dust to become airborne.

Acute exposure to lead can lead to the following symptoms

• Fatigue
• Sleeplessness
• Metallic “Taste”
• Headaches
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Poor Appetite

In these circumstances, ventilation systems alone are not sufficient to control airborne particles. The recommended options include specialized air filters [AAF Air Filters] and a thorough audit of your air filtration system [AAF Air Filtration Audit].

By conducting this audit, we document your current state and advise you on how your facility could perform better, helping you save money, save time, and reduce risk.

Contact your AAF representative to schedule an audit and to find out how the insights from intelligent data tools, including TCO Diagnostic® and Sensor360®, can improve operational outcomes and save you time and money.