ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN REVIEW OF AN INDOOR FIRING RANGE
Context
Indoor firing ranges have emerged as a popular option for training within the law enforcement industry because they offer protection from inclement weather and operate year-round under controlled circumstances. Trainers at indoor firing ranges are exposed to more significant environmental hazard exposure levels than those who operate at an outdoor range, including noise disturbance, dust, and lead. Their exposures are also greater than that of trainees, who come and go.
Challenge
Noise in indoor firing ranges is a significant hazard because it is not dispersed like in outdoor ranges. Even small-calibre weapons produce noise levels exceeding the occupational limit of 140 dB, with larger calibres often surpassing 160 dB. Such exposure impairs communication and can lead to permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, stress, high blood pressure, heart disease, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and gastrointestinal issues. Impulsive noise from firearms also creates percussion waves, which are more damaging to the inner ear than continuous noise. Both recruits and instructors are exposed to this noise from their weapons and others firing nearby. A law enforcement company requested an ergonomic design review of a new facility for environmental design recommendations to mitigate the work hazards, and optimise safety, health, and wellbeing of trainers.
Approach
A ViVA human factors and ergonomics senior advisor team member attended site to conduct a hierarchical task analysis and integrated cognitive, psychosocial, and physical risk assessment on the work of the recruits and trainers. ViVA reviewed scientific literature, relevant design standards, and the facility’s past engineering acoustic tests for sound levels and reverberation. They conducted semi-structured and unstructured interviews, surveyed staff, measured environmental work factors, and observed natural and simulated activities.
Outcomes
ViVA provided a person-centred and systems-oriented review of the acoustic treatments in the indoor firing range. The reported on communication, health effects, and hearing protection, recommending design parameters for firearm sound levels, reverberation effects, sound absorption, and trainer exposure limits.
Image credit: Hillcrest Indoor Pistol Club