13-96-1160 Enclosure requirements.

   (a)   A shooting range must be totally enclosed with contiguous walls, a ceiling, and a floor that separate the shooting range from the shooting range facility and any other uses located in the building. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the enclosure shall be penetration-proof for the heaviest caliber of ammunition used on the firing range fired point blank into the enclosure at 90 degrees to the surface. Enclosure walls, floors, ceiling assemblies, doors and opening protective assemblies for the shooting range shall be designed and constructed with materials and assemblies sufficient to stop all bullets fired or projectiles from penetrating beyond the shooting range enclosure.

   (b)   The rear wall shall be designed and constructed of materials, assemblies, and opening protectives strong enough to be capable of stopping a ricochet of a bullet, fragment or back splatter, from penetrating beyond the wall.

(Added Coun. J. 7-6-11, p. 3073, § 8)

13-96-1170 Ancillary spaces.

   Ancillary spaces shall be contiguous to the shooting range and directly support the operations of the shooting range. These spaces shall be separated from the shooting range with appropriate means to diminish contamination from the by-products of the shooting range and be protected from any projectiles straying from the shooting range.

(Added Coun. J. 7-6-11, p. 3073, § 8)

13-96-1180 Occupancy requirements.

   (a)   A shooting range facility occupancy classification shall be as provided in Chapter 13-56, based on the occupancy of the shooting range facility's ancillary spaces. The most restrictive ancillary space occupancy which is greater than 5% of the total shooting range facility area shall govern the occupancy classification.

   A shooting range facility shall comply with the applicable code requirements for the specific use of the space as determined by Chapter 13-56 and this section. The amount of area per person shall be determined by Sections 13-56-310 and 13-56-320, or as otherwise determined by this Article.

   (b)   A shooting range shall be a Miscellaneous type J occupancy. The occupancy calculation to determine the occupancy count of the shooting range shall be determined by calculating the amount of area behind the firing line between the firing line and the perimeter of the enclosure protecting the remaining shooting range facility from projectiles and dividing that area by 20 square feet. Where the firing line is not stationary, the area shall be based on the average distance between the extreme firing line locations and the perimeter of the shooting range enclosure.

   (c)   The occupancy count shall be used to determine the required number and size of the exits. The area between the firing line and the bullet trap/backstop shall be unoccupied and shall not be counted in the occupancy load calculations or be considered for exiting travel distance.

(Added Coun. J. 7-6-11, p. 3073, § 8)

13-96-1185 Height and area limitations.

   (a)   The height and area limitations of a shooting range facility shall be as provided in Chapter 13-48, and the occupancy classification of the shooting range facility shall be determined in section 13-96-1180. In calculating the maximum allowable height and area of the shooting range facility, the total area in the shooting range, including the area from the firing line to the wall behind the backstop/bullet trap, shall be included in such calculations.

   (b)   The maximum height of every shooting range erected or constructed within a new or existing building shall be one-story or 20 feet, whichever is less, and the maximum area shall match the limitations for H-3 garage classifications in Table 13-48-070.

(Added Coun. J. 7-6-11, p. 3073, § 8)

13-96-1190 Shooting range facility requirements.

   (a)   The shooting range facility must comply with all applicable code sections as determined by the occupancy classification. Where the ancillary spaces are under the direct control and management of the owner of the shooting range, no mixed occupancy separation is required between the shooting range and the ancillary spaces. Where the ancillary spaces are not under the direct control and management of the owner of the shooting range, or where the shooting range is constructed without ancillary spaces, the mixed occupancy separation shall be as set forth in Table 13-56-280. The shooting range occupancy classification to determine required mixed occupancy separations shall be Class E Business. The need for mixed occupancy separations is not determined by the amount of area occupied by the ancillary spaces as a percent of the total area of the shooting range facility.

   (b)   Exiting for the shooting range facility shall not be through the shooting range.

   (c)   (1)   The shooting range facility may include the following uses: office space, mercantile, training, classroom or spectator space, general patron use space, locker rooms including showers, range master booth, storage of ammunition, and storage of firearms.

      (2)   The shooting range facility shall include the following uses:

         a)   a shooting range;

         b)   security entrance;

         c)   toilet facilities in compliance with Chapter 18-29 and Section 13-96-1220; and

   (d)   All occupancies within the shooting range facility must be protected from any projectiles straying from the shooting range.

(Added Coun. J. 7-6-11, p. 3073, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-14, p. 83727, § 9)

13-96-1200 Shooting range requirements.

   (a)   Every shooting range shall be separated from the rest of the shooting range facility or other occupancies with a separation that prevents projectiles from straying from the shooting range.

   (b)   Every shooting range shall comply with the following:

      (1)   area requirement – the shooting range shall have minimum ceiling height of 8 feet. The area between the firing line and the rear wall shall be at a minimum adequate to accommodate a designated exit path beyond the depth of the area occupied by the shooting range patron and any appurtenances. The exit path shall be in addition to area required for shooting range patrons to easily and directly move from one shooting booth or shooting position to another along the firing line without disturbing another shooting range patron and the area required for the range master to monitor operations;

      (2)   sound control – the noise emanating from the shooting range to areas outside of the shooting range facility is subject to Chapter 8-32, Sections 8-32-010 through and including 8-32-170, Noise and Vibration Control. The maximum noise emanating from the shooting range facility shall not be more than 55 dB when measured from a distance of 100 feet or more from the source, or 70 dB when measured from a distance of 10 feet or more from the source. The shooting range shall conform to the requirements of The Occupational Noise Exposure Standard Section 1910.95 of 29 C.F.R. Part 1910 and shall be designed and constructed to contain noise generated from the discharge of firearms.

      (3)   special ballistic protectives – the shooting range shall have ceiling baffles, deflector plates and floor guards of appropriate materials, such as steel plate covered with wood or other materials, which are designed with sufficient bullet resistive strength, thickness, and configuration to function safely for the type and caliber of firearms and ammunition used within the shooting range. Such protectives shall be permanently located and anchored to protect the building structure, lighting fixtures, HVAC ductwork and appurtenances, plumbing hose bibbs, floor drains and cleaning apparatus, ceilings, target carrier apparatus or other range appurtenances or assemblies to protect against ricochets or back splatter and to re-direct the projectiles to the backstop;

      (4)   bullet trap/backstop – the shooting range shall have a permanent, fixed, proprietary manufactured bullet trap system capable of stopping and containing the bullets or projectiles from any firearms discharged at the shooting range. The bullet trap shall be designed and constructed of appropriate bullet resistive, durable materials, such as steel plate. The bullet trap shall be capable of functioning safely for the type, amount and duration of firearm usage at the shooting range. The bullet trap shall cover the entire space between the two side walls of the shooting range and provide complete coverage for all firing positions from floor to the underside of the structural ceiling assembly. Bullet trap systems which utilize rubber chunks, blocks, sheets, layered rubber, laminated carpeting or other materials potentially subject to combustion, shall be fire-treated to be fire-resistive and meet the flame spread requirements of Class 1, unless the building is equipped with an approved automated sprinkler system, in which case Class 2 requirements shall apply. Mobile or temporary bullet traps/backstops are prohibited;

      (5)   exit pathways – exits and exit pathways serving the shooting range shall not require occupants to pass beyond the firing line and cross through the firing range area. The area from the firing line to the back of the backstop/bullet trap shall not be included in the exiting travel distances. No exits shall be located in this area;

      (6)   no doors or windows downrange – no doors or windows shall be located in the shooting range in the space between the back face of the bullet trap to a point five feet behind the firing line located the farthest distance from the bullet trap/backstop;

      (7)   floors, ceilings, and walls – the floors, ceilings, and walls of every shooting range shall be constructed of smooth non-porous materials to facilitate effective maintenance and cleaning and removal of lead particulate.

      (8)   shooting booths – where shooting booth separations are provided, the shooting booth panels shall be constructed of permanently fixed, cleanable, non-porous materials. The shooting booths shall be constructed to provide an impenetrable protective barrier between people at the shooting booths and to protect against the effects of ejected bullet casings and muzzle blast;

      (9)   range master booth – where a range master booth is provided, the shooting range shall be limited in size to the area that can be directly visible to the range master at all times. The range master booth shall be constructed to provide:

         (i)   protection from any projectiles straying from the shooting range;

         (ii)   clear visibility of all firing positions at the shooting range;

         (iii)   ready access to the shooting range;

         (iv)   acoustical protection and separation for the range master;

         (v)   protection from exposure to lead particulate from the shooting range, as provided for in rules and regulations promulgated by the department of health; and

         (vi)   immediate access to and use of the shooting range communication system;

      (10)   removal of lead particulate – the shooting range facility shall be equipped with a lead particulate removal system, such as HEPA vacuum or other such system approved by the commissioner of public health, or a lead particulate removal system that removes the lead particulate using water; and

      (11)   if the shooting range facility uses a lead particulate removal system that removes the lead particulate using water, the shooting range facility shall have a floor drain at the backstop/bullet trap that collects lead and other hazardous waste material in a separate drainage system to an approved collection device or treatment system that complies with all applicable local, state or federal laws and standards.

(Added Coun. J. 7-6-11, p. 3073, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. II, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 1-17-13, p. 45370, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-14, p. 83727, § 9)

13-96-1210 Ventilation requirements.

   In addition to general building ventilation and heat requirements applicable to a shooting range facility, the shooting range shall be provided with an engineered ventilation and exhaust system that complies with OSHA Lead Standard for General Industry, 29 C.F.R. 1910.1025 and that prevents the build-up of noxious gases caused by the discharge of firearms. The shooting range ventilation and exhaust system shall conform to the following requirements:

   (a)   The ventilation air supply system shall provide a horizontal laminar air flow from floor to ceiling at the firing line of 75 fpm. The minimum allowable range laminar air flow shall be 50 fpm. from the firing line to the bullet trap. The laminar flow of air shall be directed away from shooters at the firing line downrange towards the backstop/bullet trap area.

   (b)   The entire shooting range shall be maintained at a slightly negative pressure with respect to adjacent areas to prevent the escape of contaminants from the shooting range. Exhaust air shall exceed supplied air by a minimum of 10%.

   (c)   The shooting range shall be designed and constructed with separation walls, doors, windows and assemblies with related gaskets and sealing materials sufficient to close off the shooting range from the shooting range facility and adjacent spaces to provide the air pressures required for the shooting range ventilation and exhaust system to operate correctly.

   (d)   Where a shooting range facility contains multiple shooting ranges, each shooting range shall be provided with a separate ventilation and exhaust system.

   (e)   The supply and exhaust systems shall be electrically interlocked to turn on each system at the same time.

   (f)   The shooting range ventilation and exhaust system shall be a totally separate system isolated from any other ventilation and exhaust system which serves the ancillary spaces of the shooting range facility or building.

   (g)   The ventilation and exhaust system shall be commissioned prior to initial operation and a regular schedule of maintenance and system adjustment shall be included in the description of the ventilation and exhaust system as part of the permit application. For purposes of this subsection (g), “commissioned” has the same meaning ascribed to that term in American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers Guideline 0-2005. The shooting range ventilation and exhaust system shall be operated and maintained in conformance with the submitted schedules and procedures.

   (h)   The shooting range ventilation and exhaust systems shall be either:

      (1)   a 100% total exhaust/purge system utilizing 100% fresh make up air. All air from the shooting range shall be completely exhausted. The exhausted air shall be filtered and cleaned to remove lead particulate before exhausting to the open atmosphere. Twenty-five percent of the airflow shall be exhausted 15 feet downrange from the firing line and the other 75% shall be exhausted at the apex of the backstop/bullet trap. The ventilation system shall operate at one fan speed only and shall be designed and provided with automatic sensors and controls, where required, to monitor and ensure the performance and safety of the system; or

      (2)   an air cleaning re-circulation system that re-circulates up to a maximum of 75% of the air and cleans and exhausts a minium of 25% of the air in the shooting range. The air re-circulation system shall be designed and provided with primary and secondary filters, high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, electronic precipitators or other air filtering and cleaning technology, as reviewed and approved by the commissioner pursuant to subsection 13-96-1210(k), to remove lead particulate from the re-circulated air before re-introduction into the shooting range. System exhaust fans may operate at variable speeds. The ventilation system shall be designed and provided with automatic sensors and controls, where required, to monitor and ensure the performance and safety of the system.

   (i)   New technology or designs for shooting range ventilation and exhaust systems not authorized in this code shall be reviewed and approved by the committee on standards and tests prior to installation.

   (j)   All other ventilation, refrigeration and heating systems for the shooting range facility shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 18-28.

   (k)   The shooting range shall be provided with heating and cooling for the comfort of shooting range patrons and staff. Where the heating or cooling system is not a component of the ventilation and exhaust system, such as radiant heating or geothermal sourcing, one heating or cooling system in the shooting range facility is permitted.

   (l)   All ventilation and exhaust equipment, ducts and appurtenances shall be located and installed to allow ready maintenance and inspection.

(Added Coun. J. 7-6-11, p. 3073, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 9-8-11, p. 7262, § 4)