Gun Range Noise

If you enjoy frequenting the local gun range or maybe you just live by one, you can appreciate the necessity for sound control.
The impact blast from firing a weapon at a shooting range can represent a severe hearing loss threat to its operator, and trigger complaints from unhappy neighbors.

The soundproofing materials used must be impervious to smoke and gunpowder residue and must be resilient (able to take a round without disintegrating) and easy to clean. Some folks feel that convoluted foam mat (bedding or egg crate foam) will work in such applications. This is a completely wrong assumption because convoluted foam is an open celled foam and has no sound proofing qualities whatsoever. Providing an adequate soundproofing treatment will require a specialist who can assess your operation and recommend a fix accordingly.

For instance, with outdoor shooting ranges, suspending QBO sound control blankets around the firing station area will help contain the noise and protect neighbors near and far, as well as control the exposure levels to the operator firing the weapon.

QBO Blankets are sound control blankets used for outdoor soundproofing treatments, high moisture environments, and strong UV ray exposure. These acoustical blankets are comparable to the QBV blanket, but the skin is upgraded to a silicone facing, which repels moisture and heat. The QBO noise control blankets are a classic sound enclosure treatment for stationary outdoor noise sources such as loud pool pumps and noisy air conditioners. They are suitable for use in hearty industrial applications or lighter residential sound control treatments. By adding grommets the top and bottom of these waterproof sound blankets, they can easily be added to an existing frame or fence system.

For indoor shooting ranges, the QBS blankets can suspend from the top of the wall around the perimeter of the room to guard against the bleed of noise out. FireFlex panels can be adhered to the ceiling to help absorb the energy trapped in the room.

With indoor shooting ranges you are dealing with high decibel levels and generally hard reflective surfaces all around the gun range. Sound absorption can be added to the walls of the shooting range to lower the reverberation (echo) level within the room. Sound barriers can also be added to indoor shooting ranges to lower the sound that is traveling through the walls and ceilings to outside sources such as neighbors. When building an outdoor shooting range you can use acoustical blankets to reduce noise levels at the property line.

What is the acoustic result? Applying a sound barrier treatment to surrounding walls can trigger the 12-15 dB drops. Applying absorption panels to within the room's interior will protect the operator of the weapon by reducing the sound reflections inside the room.


Mark Rustad is President of NetWell Noise Control, based in Minneapolis, MN. Founded in 1991, NetWell is a leading supplier of ceiling tiles, acoustic products, soundproofing treatments, and online acoustical consulting services. NetWell’s sound management skills are packaged into the industry’s premier website. For more information, please visit eSoundproof.com. Discover first hand why so much of NetWell’s business stems from the referrals and repeat orders they receive from satisfied clients around the world.