Editing Shooting range (section)

==Type==
In urban areas, most shooting ranges will be at indoor facilities.  Indoor ranges offer [[shelter (building)|shelter]]ing from inclement weather conditions and can be operated around the clock under a controlled environment.  Outdoor shooting ranges are typically found away from populated areas due to concerns of [[gun safety|safety]], [[noise pollution]] and [[soil contamination]].

===Indoor range===
[[File:Floor and sectional diagrams of a typical indoor firing range.jpg|alt=Floor and sectional diagrams of a typical indoor firing range showing the various elements of the range - firing lanes, bullet trap, wall baffles, control room or station, and any adjacent facilities such as offices, weapon cleaning room, or classrooms|center|thumb|600x600px|Floor and sectional diagrams of a typical indoor firing range in the United States<ref name=":0" />]]
Indoor shooting ranges are usually constructed as standalone structures, though they may be housed in larger buildings in isolated areas such as the [[basement]].  The basic components of most indoor ranges consist of firing lines/lanes, [[shooting target|target]]s and a [[bullet trap]]/"backstop" (which prevents [[stray bullet|stray shot]]s and [[overpenetration]]s).  Design considerations may vary depending on planned use but they all must address the basic requirements for operating the range safely, and that is provide ballistic protection, safety controls, proper ventilation, acoustic isolation and appropriate lighting.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Kardous|first1=Chucri A.|last2=Murphy|first2=William J.|date=2010|title=Noise control solutions for indoor firing ranges|journal=Noise Control Engineering Journal|language=en|volume=58|issue=4|pages=345|doi=10.3397/1.3455050|issn=0736-2501}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.slideshare.net/wilbur15/gsa-indoor-firing-range-design-criteria-v2-0-jan-2011|title=Guidance Document - Indoor Firing Ranges - Design and Operations Criteria |publisher=Oneida Total Integrated Enterprises |date=Jan 2011 |via=SlideShare |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215063445/https://www.slideshare.net/wilbur15/gsa-indoor-firing-range-design-criteria-v2-0-jan-2011 |archive-date= Feb 15, 2023 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/05/f1/Range_Design_Criteria.pdf|title=Range Design Criteria|publisher=Department of Energy Office of Health, Safety, and Security|date=2012|access-date=Jul 11, 2018}}</ref>

==== Structural components ====
[[File: Small firearm training at an indoor firing range.jpg|alt=Indoor firing range showing walls, ceiling baffles, and bullet trap|thumb|Indoor firing range showing walls, ceiling baffles, and bullet trap]]
Firing range walls are usually constructed of [[poured concrete]], [[precast concrete]] or [[concrete masonry unit|masonry block]]s. The walls must be sufficiently impenetrable and provide adequate ballistic protection from stray shots and back-splatter.  Floors are constructed from dense [[reinforced concrete]] with a smooth surface finish and are usually slanted slightly from up range (shooter positions) toward the backstops downrange to allow for better maintenance and cleaning.

Indoor range roofs are constructed from steel joists or precast concrete panels with a smooth flat surface that will redirect misfired bullets, facilitate maintenance, and prevent [[lead]] buildup.  Roof baffles are installed at a 25–30 degree angle to protect ceilings, lighting fixtures, ventilation ducts, and any other unprotected element from stray bullets.  Baffles are typically constructed of armored plate steel covered with fire-rated plywood.  Deflectors are similar to baffles, but are not usually covered with plywood; they can be installed either vertically or horizontally and are used to redirect stray bullets from unprotected fixtures and elements inside the firing range such as doors, windows, and ventilation registers.  Shields are constructed of plate steel and plywood.

The central controls for the firing range equipment, communication, lighting, and security are housed in control rooms or stations.  The range master, who is in charge of range operation and management, operates the controls. The control station must provide the range master with an unobstructed line of sight of the firing lanes and all shooters. Control stations are usually constructed of concrete blocks with bulletproof observation windows.

Backstops and [[Bullet trap|bullet traps]] are used to absorb the energy from the [[projectile]] and capture it to prevent overflight beyond the range area. Bullet traps come in a variety of designs and are usually constructed of impenetrable metal plates.  The thickness of the plates and the materials used depend on the velocity and energy levels of the projectiles to be fired in the range.  The majority of modern bullet traps are made up of angled hardened steel plates that redirect bullets into other metal plates, releasing their energy.  The plates must be resistant to penetration, abrasion, and metal fatigue.  The traps direct the spent bullets to a collection area in front of the trap or, for high-energy projectiles, at the back of the trap.

Many indoor ranges provide additional spaces such as a cleaning room for weapons, a classroom, restrooms (including shower facilities), office areas, lounge area, or storage and maintenance rooms.  Passageways are used to physically isolate the firing range from the adjoining areas.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

==== Physical components ====
[[File:Shooting Room.JPG|thumb|An indoor shooting range with overhead target carriers]]
Some shooting ranges are equipped with shooting booths to provide shooters with a defined private area and to reduce potential hazard from misfires and prevent ejected cartridge cases from hitting/distracting adjacent shooters.  Shooting booths are made of partitions or panels which can be acoustically treated to reduce the [[health effects from noise|unpleasant effects of noise]] on surrounding bystanders.  The booths are sometimes equipped with communication or target-operation equipment; target or booth lighting controls; shelves for holding weapons and bullets, or to prevent shooters from going downrange; and equipment for practicing shooting from behind a barrier.  The firing line, usually marked red or orange, runs along the downrange edge of the shooting booths.  Some ranges have motion detectors that can set off an alarm when a shooter passes this line during shooting.

Target systems consist of a [[shooting target|target object]] and optionally a target carrier system and a target control system. Some ranges utilise [[electronic scoring system]]s which do not require paper targets to be placed downrange. Targets for indoor ranges are usually a paper sheet or piece of corrugated cardboard with a printed image, either a [[bullseye (target)|bullseye]] or a [[silhouette]].

Target carrier systems allow a range to operate more efficiently and safely by transporting targets between the firing line and the target line, so the shooter does not have to wait for a "ceasefire" and physically walk downrange to examine and set up the target. This is particularly useful on commercial and "self service" ranges. The target control system allows the range master to control the operation and movement of the targets through a central control station in the control booth. Some ranges provide local control modules that can be operated in the shooting booths.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Many smaller clubs or competition ranges may not bother with target carriers as shooters fire in timed details anyway, and match targets will be collected for scoring at the end of each detail. Electronic scoring systems are increasingly common on such ranges, which eliminate paper targets and manual scoring.

==== Operational components ====
[[File:Shooting range Glock.jpg|thumb|Indoor pistol shooting range]]
A critical component in the design and proper operation of an indoor ranges is the [[ventilation (architecture)|ventilation]] system.  Proper ventilation reduces shooters' exposure to airborne lead particles and other combustion byproducts.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Gregory, Anthony M.|date=March–April 1990|title=Risks of lead poisoning in firearms instructors and their students |via= Environmental Health & Safety, The University of Texas at Austin |url=http://www.utexas.edu/safety/ehs/msds/lead.html|url-status=dead|journal=The Aslet Journal|volume=4|issue=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820115007/http://www.utexas.edu/safety/ehs/msds/lead.html|archive-date=2008-08-20|access-date=2009-01-17}}</ref>  Ventilation systems consist of supply and exhaust air systems and associated ductwork.  Supply air can be provided through a perforated wall plenum or radial air diffusers mounted at ceiling height.  Airflow along the firing line should be no more than  0.38&nbsp;m/s (75 feet per minute, fpm) with a minimum acceptable flow of 0.25&nbsp;m/s (50 fpm).  Air is typically exhausted at or behind the bullet trap.  Some firing ranges are designed to have multiple exhaust points downrange to maintain downrange flow and desired velocities at the firing line.  The exhaust system should be designed to provide minimum duct air velocities of 12.70 – 15.24&nbsp;m/s (2,500 – 3,000 fpm).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acgih.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/industrial-ventilation-a-manual-of-recommended-practice-for-design-28th-edition|title=Industrial Ventilation Manual, 28th Edition, Table 3–2}}</ref>  The equipment and designs for the ventilation systems are varied, most firing ranges have one supply and one exhaust fan, however, some have multiple supply or exhaust fans.  Very often, the air-flow rate required by the firing range and space constraints for the fans dictate the number and types of fans.  Most firing ranges have systems that supply 100% outside air to the firing range and exhaust all of the air to outside the building; but, some firing range ventilation systems are designed to recirculate some of the exhaust air to the supply air system to conserve energy especially in extreme climates.  The exhaust air is always filtered before being exhausted outside the building or recirculated to the supply system.

Lighting in the range consists of control booth, uprange area, shooting booth, and downrange lighting systems.  Control booth lighting is usually manually controlled and consists of general lighting and low-level lighting used during particular shooting conditions.  Lighting uprange of the booths is general ceiling-level lighting and can usually be controlled manually or from the central controls.  Lights downrange of the firing line are usually spotlights used to illuminate the targets at various distances downrange of the booths.

Safety control systems are installed to protect the shooters during range malfunction or emergency situations.  Such systems may include warning lights, alarm bells, and air-flow and filtration monitors.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

==== Airgun ranges ====
[[File:2022 European Commonwealth Shooting Championships 10 metre range.jpg|thumb|Temporary 10metre range for the 2022 CSF(ED) Championships in a Cardiff sports hall.]]
Due to the lower power of most airguns, it is often possible to operate airgun ranges safely in multi-use and improvised spaces. This is particularly true of [[International Shooting Sport Federation|ISSF]]-oriented airguns which are limited to muzzle energies of 6ft-lb.

Suitable ranges can be set up in sports halls or function rooms, using simple wooden backers, pellet catchers or lightweight ballistic curtains to protect the wall behind. Although safe handling practices for lead pellets must be followed, the lack of combustion gases negates the need for the high-performance ventilation systems required on conventional indoor ranges. Such arrangements are particularly common for major championships. Few locations could justify the expense of maintaining a permanent range with 80+ firing lanes, but such a range can be set up temporarily in large sports halls or exhibition centres. This is the approach taken by major European events such as [[InterShoot]], [[RIAC]] and the Welsh Airgun Championships.<ref name="Background">{{cite web |title=Background |url=https://intershoot.nl/content/background |website=intershoot.nl |publisher=Stichting InterShoot |access-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227144855/https://intershoot.nl/content/background |archive-date=27 February 2023 |language=English |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Outdoor range===
[[File:Tontaubenschießstand_Schlosspark_Plaue_2.jpg|thumb|Clay pigeon shooting stand of 1900 at [[Plaue, Brandenburg|Plaue Castle]] (Germany)]]
[[File:Outdoor shooting range.jpg|alt=Outdoor firing range|thumb|Outdoor firing range]]
Outdoor shooting ranges are used for [[long range shooting|longer-distance shooting]] up to or exceeding {{convert|1200|yd|m}}.  Training might also specifically require exposure to the elements such as wind, dust and rain. Outdoor competition shooting is preferred under benign weather conditions, although conditions may change, competition is only abandoned when safety becomes an issue.

Outdoor ranges are designed to contain all fired shots.  This necessitates a high retaining wall behind the target line called a backstop or stop-butt, comprising an earth mound, [[sandbag]] barrier or specially designed funnel-shaped traps to catch and prevent misaligned shots, errant projectile ricochets, or shots going beyond the bounds of the shooting range.  Most outdoor ranges restrict the maximum caliber size and/or projectile energy based on the design specification of the range.  Some target-shooting ranges have separate facilities devoted to the use of higher-powered firearms such as [[.50 caliber]].

[[File:Sydney International Shooting Centre 12.jpg|thumb|Protected firing point at Sydney International Shooting Centre, built for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games]]
Outdoor ranges may be partially enclosed and so have some features in common with indoor ranges, for example the [[British Armed Forces]] '''barrack range''' has a roofed firing point and normally has 360° walls.  As its name suggests, it is generally found in military bases rather than in the more remote areas common to outdoor ranges.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/138226/JSP403_Vol2_Chap08_DLRSC.pdf|title= JSP403 - Defence Ranges Safety|website=MoD|language=en-uk|access-date=2017-09-12}}</ref> Outdoor ranges for [[International Shooting Sport Federation|ISSF]] and [[Shooting at the Summer Olympics|Olympic shooting]] events often have heavily sheltered firing points to protect athletes, spectators and media from inclement weather as well as housing the sophisticated electronic target systems.

Several studies of outdoor ranges have shown that prolonged exposure to lead and noise can cause health problems, particularly among employees and instructors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ranges/|title= Indoor Firing Ranges - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|website=CDC|language=en-us|access-date=2017-02-08|date= 2018-08-13}}</ref>

Due to their larger area and more "open air" nature, outdoor ranges need less cleaning and maintenance than indoor ranges.  However, despite  the  natural ventilation of outdoor firing ranges, some outdoor ranges have ballistic baffles overhead, and concrete walls and structures on the sides that can cause the air to stagnate and lead to increase exposure to lead and noise.

Consequently, operators of outdoor ranges might consider adding sound transmission barriers, absorptive materials, and natural vegetation to lessen noise emission.  Fans pointing downrange can provide air movement away from shooters to lessen lead exposure.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2013-104/|title=CDC - NIOSH Publications and Products - Reducing Exposure to Lead and Noise at Outdoor Firing Ranges (2013-104)|website=CDC|language=en-us|access-date=2017-02-08|doi=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2013104|year=2012|doi-access=free}}</ref>

;Air rifle
:Outdoor air rifle ranges can have a fixed distance such as {{convert|10|m|yd|0}} or {{convert|25|m|yd|0}} or be an area for the practice of the sport of [[field target]] shooting, where reset metal targets are placed in natural surroundings at various distances and elevations, with a pellet trap behind the target.

;Small-bore rifle
[[File:Malcolm Cooper 50Metre Range, Lord Roberts Centre.jpg|thumb|[[National Smallbore Rifle Association|NSRA's]] Malcolm Cooper 50 Metre Range on [[Bisley Camp]], UK]]
:Small-bore ([[.22 Long Rifle]] caliber) rifle ranges are typically {{convert|50|m|yd|0}} to accommodate the Olympic [[50 metre rifle prone|50 m Rifle]] event, but they can extend to {{convert|200|m|yd|0}}. These ranges are found around the world as part of various cadet shooting programs, sometimes reduced to {{convert|25|m|yd|0}}, or in American parlance "the thousand-inch range".<ref>{{cite book|page= [https://archive.org/details/gunnersglory00john/page/194 194] |author=Clark, Johnnie M. |title=Gunner's Glory: Untold Stories of Marine Machine Gunners|url= https://archive.org/details/gunnersglory00john |url-access= registration |publisher= Ballantine Books|date= 2004|isbn=9780345463890 }}</ref> Often called "'''miniature rifle ranges'''", they featured as training establishments for initial military marksmanship training using lower-cost ammunition imparting less recoil or for entertainment [[carnival game]]s.

;Full-bore rifle
:Target shooting range for larger-caliber centerfire rifles are no shorter than {{convert|100|m|yd|0}}, except in the case of "Zero" ranges used for setting or checking the zero of sights using special "ladder" targets. "Zero". Military ranges are typically at least {{convert|500|-|1000|m|yd|0}} to safely accommodate the range of most rifles. Public ranges can be as long as {{convert|2000|yd|m|0}} and typically accommodate hunters and sportsman participating in sports such as [[300 m Standard Rifle]], [[metallic silhouette]] or [[benchrest shooting]].

;Shotgun
[[File:2012-05-28 Fotoflug Cuxhaven Wilhelmshaven DSCF9619.jpg|thumb|Clay pigeon layouts for Skeet and Trap shooting]]
:Specialist ranges cater for various [[clay pigeon shooting]] events and require special layouts and equipment.

===Archery ranges===
[[File:Archery range, Doha.jpg|thumb|Archery range in Doha, Qatar]]
Oftentimes the same range is made available to both bow and gun shooters.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} However, there are many ranges that have been made available exclusively for [[Archery|archers]], which lack the backstop to safely contain bullets<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestrecurvebowguide.com/archery-range-finder-usa-map |title=US Archery Ranges Map|website=BestCurvebowGuide.com}}</ref> The most popular types of archery ranges include 3-D ranges, field ranges and indoor ranges.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}