Building a gun range 2

[Iasonasx]

This may be a bit off the main focus of the group but I hope I can get some useful information. We were contacted to design an indoor gun range. I am wondering if there are any codes that we can apply or such specialized designs. Besides the idea of designing to safely contain bullets within a space, I wonder if we have anything special on materials to apply. I know it is vague but I have to start from some place so I will appreciate any useful input. Thank you!

 

[fel3]

In an earlier phase of my career I did a lot of civil design for correctional institutions, including designing outdoor firing ranges for a state prison and a federal prison, but no indoor ranges. Both agencies had design guidance for firing ranges, but I don't have them at hand. However, in my electronic archive, I found the Department of Energy "Range Design Criteria" document (see attached). There might be a newer version, so I suggest you search the DOE website.

A quick Google search for [indoor firing range design standards] turned up a bunch of hits that you might find useful, including:

https://www.wbdg.org/space-types/firing-range

https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/IFR_Criteria_0412.pdf

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"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill

 

[SSCon]

This video will give you a great start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHd7EnFtIak&t=2s

 

[WARose]

I've seen this used as a reference in many cases:

https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1409/ML14093A217.pdf

 

[masonrygeek]

As for codes, I'd go with this one:

https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufc_4_023_07_2008_c1.pdf.

The pub that WARose mentioned is probably a predecessor to this one.

The masonry industry has done some research on the bullet resistance of various concrete block walls:

https://ncma.org/resource/faq-22‐17/

and

https://ccmpa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CMRI.pdf.

 

[StrucDesignPE]

We had an RFP for an indoor range a few years ago, but never went anywhere. They were looking to use a bullet collection system or bullet trap.
Something like this:

https://actiontarget.com/products/tct/

or this:

https://www.range-systems.com/military/bullet-traps/

 

[GastonLagaffe]

I've been to a few indoor ranges that only allowed soft-point bullets. Presumably because the steel jackets will penetrate much farther / higher chance of ricochet. Probably worth clarifying with the client whether that'll be the case for their range. Though you may want to design for the "load case" of a bozo sneaking in with his .50 cal FMJ bullets.

Keep in mind that most information on bullet resistance will be based on simply stopping the bullet, not necessarily leaving the "stopping surface" undamaged. See:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqGf8pqCZi0

I'd imagine anything concrete / masonry is likely to have some significant spalling.

 

[fel3]

One other thing: pay attention to noise issues. A friend of a friend who lives in a nearby city has a house in a residential tract that backs up to a large commercial parcel. About ten years ago the developer built an indoor gun range on the part of the parcel that is closest to this person's house. The City and the developer had assured the residents that the building would be sufficiently insulated so that NO noise from gun firing would be heard outside the building. Our mutual friend, who had called me for tips to pass along for dealing with this problem, told me that every shot can be heard easily from the back yards of at least a dozen homes and even inside many of the closest houses.

On the other hand, there is an indoor firing range about a block from an office I used to work at. I walked by this building a few times and couldn't hear an gun firing from inside. One obvious difference that I know is the first building is a PEMB and the second building is masonry.

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"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill

 

[OHIOMatt]

I have designed several. It’s not too difficult. The NRA has some good references and literature. Things to keep in mind:
1. You will have steel plate baffles in the ceiling. This will add significantly to the dead load. Maybe 30 psf, depending on the supplier.
2. Ventilation requirements are pretty extreme. You will have a very large air handler that will push or pull air down range to prevent inhalation of lead dust.
3. We always use a concrete or solid grouted CMU side CMU side wall and back stop. These walls are not part of the main structure, as it is anticipated that they may receive damage over time.
4. Finally, make sure division of responsibility is clear. The selection of the bullet traps, baffles, and targeting system need to be coordinated for many reasons. Make sure you are provided with that information. Given the inherent risk in a structure of this nature, make sure you limit your liability.