Sound Management for Outdoor Shooting Ranges. Michael Smillie BCWF

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1 Sound Management for Outdoor Shooting Ranges Michael Smillie BCWF

2 Issue Public encroachment leading to: Increasing amounts of noise complaints More outdoor ranges being shut down due to noise issues

3 Why Take This Seriously? Within someone's legal boundaries to move into proximity and file complaints All outdoor ranges are at risk Clubs could face serious costs, and jeopardize their ability to remain in operation

4 Close to Home Salt Spring Island Rod and Gun Club Granted limited injunction requiring action to be taken for mitigating sound and remediating lead Law cited with respect to nuisance -the unreasonable interference with a persons enjoyment of their land or physical damage to their land

5 Considerations Gun clubs need to adopt to their changing neighborhoods Purchase land if at all possible, leasing puts you more at risk

6 Noise Exposure Levels Heard by the human ear db moderate to faint db loud to very loud db threshold of discomfort db threshold of pain db loudest recommended exposure with hearing protection 150+ db painful acoustic trauma

7 Noise Standards Canada has no standards for noise management practices at outdoor shooting ranges Suggested standards of 65 db or lower bordering inhabited areas Average of district noise level bylaws 140 db or lower bordering uninhabited areas Loudest recommended exposure

8 Noise Standards City of Victoria daytime bylaws 60 db in a quiet district 65 db in an intermediate district 70 db in an activity district

9 Good News! There is technology available to meet the suggested standards, but it does not come without cost

10 Meeting the Suggested Standards Measuring current sound levels Hire an acoustical engineer Purchase sound level meter

11 Meeting the Suggested Standards Measuring current sound levels Test from multiple locations Repeat testing on a consistent basis Test during peak hours and special events Keep records of sound levels

12 Noise Mitigation Solutions Proactive and continuous public relations efforts Complete eradication of noise is impossible Maintaining good relationships with neighbors is extremely important

13 Noise Mitigation Solutions Restrictions on certain loud firearms or attachments Reduction in range operating hours Special considerations for firearms with significantly high impulse noise expulsion.338 Winchester Reduce overall range hours Restrict hours of certain ranges where noise control is more difficult Trap ranges

14 Noise Mitigation Solutions Directional range layout alterations Simple Low cost Immediate benefits Submerged ranges Simple Low cost Immediate benefits

15 Barriers Noise Mitigation Solutions High frequency reduction of db Low frequency reduction of 2-5 db

16 Noise Mitigation Solutions Sound attenuating materials Line firing shacks with material such as QBO blankets Collapse up to 90% of the noise sourced from within

17 Noise Mitigation Solutions Trees and Vegetation Trees scatter and absorb sound Reductions between 3 and 30 db per 100 meters of dense forest

18 Noise Mitigation Solutions Baffle Systems Reflects and absorbs sound Costly, yet highly effective Tube Ranges Muzzle blast volume reduction of db Decreases noise level exposure to adjacent shooters

19 Suppressors Noise Mitigation Solutions Currently illegal in Canada Quite possibly the most effective, practical, and feasible method for noise mitigation

20 Suppressors Noise Mitigation Solutions Requirement in many European countries Recommended by many law-enforcement and military professionals as the best option

21 Distance and Sound Propagation Distance is your friend Sound dissipates at a rate of 6 db each time the distance from the source is doubled

22 Assess sound levels Recommendations Recommended standard of 65 db or less at property lines bordering inhabited areas Assess current financial situation Fully baffled range with barriers and firing sheds Costly, highly effective Basic range layout alterations Low cost, moderately effective

23 Recommendations Make public relations and community engagement a priority Offer neighbors benefits Reduced membership prices etc. Encourage law enforcement to make use of your range Assists in protection of the public, increasing standing in the public eye

24 Recommendations Have an issues management plan in place Who is the complainant? Can it be worked out? Is the club violating a noise ordinance?

25 Documentation is available to help achieve these standards

26 Be Proactive Should you get shut down due to a noise complaint Serious costs could be incurred Other serious issues may arise

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