Saturday, 23 June 2007
As part of its continuing effort to reduce the level of sound generated as a result of club activities, we have just installed sound absorbing materials on the walls and ceiling of 100 yard shooting position number 1. This is the first of several tests which are going to be made to find the most effective means of reducing sound levels on the 50 and 100 yard ranges, for the benefit of our neighbors and for shooters on the ranges. Next we will measure the sound levels from a high-power rifle fired from shooting position number 7 to obtain baseline data. Then we will measure sound levels from the same rifle fired from shooting positions number 1 and 2. The sound level measurements will be taken from 200 yards south of the 100 yard firing line, 10 feet south of the shooting position, inside the shooting position, and downrange at the 100 yard target line. Other measurements will be taken north of the club on 13th Avenue, in the southeast corner of Tofte Farms, and on Alder Creek Lane south of the club's property. The results of these tests will be posted on the web site after the data is collected.
The material that was installed today is called "Fireflex", and is manufactured by Netwell Noise Control, of Plymouth, Minnesota. Their web site is http://www.controlnoise.com/ for anyone interested in more information. The material is a relatively soft melamine foam in an egg shell pattern, about two inches thick, which has a Class A fire rating, and is not damaged by water (although its ability to reduce sound levels is considerably effected when the material is wet). The material is said to be able to reduce the level of sound by 50% under ideal conditions.
If you use the 100 yard range, please let either Dahle Gubele or Doug Phaneuf know if you notice any difference in the amount of muzzle blast you hear or feel if you shoot in either position 1 or one of the other shooting stations. We are concerned both with how well the material reduces sound levels, and how well the material holds up to general use.