Lead Removal – Firing Ranges
Firing ranges have been growing in popularity as more people want to better understand how to properly and safely utilize their firearms. Also, in order for police forces, security guards and the military to continually improve performance, they need better access and training.
Virginia offers several types of firing ranges:
- Open to the general public
- Enhanced training facilities built for police, military and security operations.
- Private gun clubs.
When in operation, all of these facilities will generate some amount of lead contamination.
In outdoor ranges the embankment or structure behind the targets can accumulate fired lead bullets. It is best to have a periodic maintenance schedule to prevent any leaching of the lead from these structures into the surrounding soils. Remediation on typically earthen embankments involves digging into or removal of portions of the soil and sifting out the lead bullets.
Indoor firing ranges will require a more extensive cleaning. The horizontal and vertical surfaces around the shooting area will accumulate lead dust discharged from the rounds being fired. Most modern ranges have an advanced air filtering duct system which will require removing the filters contaminated with lead, cleaning the surrounding surfaces and replacing with new air filters. Typically, a lead remediation company will develop a process to sift thru the different products or medias that these ranges have behind the targets. The collected lead from the fired bullets will be safely disposed of in a proper landfill.
Many new firing ranges have made significant improvements to both the lead bullet retrieval system and the control of lead dust in the air of these facilities. The new technology of so called “Bullet Banks” capture the spent bullets in tanks or containers. They also incorporate a direct link to the ventilation and exhaust system, so that clean air can be provided back into the shooting area.
All lead should be removed using specifications determined by the state or county for safe remediation and disposal. OSHA provides a specific standard (29-CFR 1910.1925) for determining airborne exposure to lead.
Waco has many years of experience cleaning and maintaining lead in firing ranges, both private and public. We ensure that all members of our teams have the proper annual Lead certifications that are required. We have dedicated HEPA vacuums for lead and utilize all the best practices for safe removal and disposal of lead.
Waco currently maintains schedules for the quarterly, annual or semi-annual cleaning of the following facilities:
VCU Police Security Center – Richmond, Virginia
Richmond Police Training Academy – Richmond, Virginia
Albemarle County Firearms Training Center – Charlottesville, Virginia
Contact Waco today, for safe, cost-effective maintenance of lead in your firing range facilities.