If you are a law enforcement agency or military body in need of a high quality firearms shooting range, ISOPOL is the answer.  Here is why ...

• ISOPOL firearms shooting range does not pollute the environment
• You can install your ISOPOL firearms shooting range in 7 days
• Move your ISOPOL Firearms shooting range where you need it!
• ISOPOL Firearms shooting range is safe, probably the safest range you will ever own!
• ISOPOL Firearms shooting range is dynamic, tactically realistic and superbly equipped!
• Your ISOPOL Firearms shooting range grows with you--easily and quickly
• ISOPOL Firearms shooting range is a source of pride

A review prepared by Stephen M. (Skip) Hartnett, one of the leading USA experts in firearms ranges. 
Skip is a private consultant, and volunteer NRA range technical team advisor.  

The text is reprinted verbatim and unedited - Start of Review

General Overview

The evaluation of the ISOPOL RANGE System is based on a physical inspection of two operational ranges in Italy being used by Italian Military Forces. 

In addition to the physical inspection of the ranges a review of the Italian Government’s Regulatory Agency’s requirements governing the construction, materials, and operating standards for indoor ranges was made and compared with USA Industry Standards and those of OSHA and the EPA.  The Italian standards are equal to or exceed the standards that regulate indoor range operations in the USA. 

This report will address specific areas of the range components but will not address specific comparisons between standards of the Italian Regulatory Agency and those of the EPA or OSHA. 

The overall evaluation of the ISOPOL Indoor Range System is that it meets current industry standards and in most cases exceeds those standards. It is a well designed and engineered range system with the latest technology enhancing user friendly and safety throughout its construction and operation. 

The materials used in the construction are of the highest standards and the construction of the system is supervised under strict quality control and testing. Each range system upon completion is set up and tested by company technicians prior to leaving the factory and upon set up at the user’s site the system is once again tested by company technicians prior to turning it over to the client. In the case of the Italian Government’s procurement of an ISOPOL system, it is then thoroughly tested by the government’s regulatory agency prior to final acceptance.

Sound Abatement

The range control booth is equipped with full electronic centralized controls for the entire firing line for ease of observation with minimal effort.  

Additionally individual communication between the range control and each firing point is made possible with shooting ear protection equipped with receivers or microphones. 

Range Master Control Room

The range master has total control of the firing line at all times. 

The target system is also controlled by the range control booth and can allow individual control to each firing point, but also has an over ride capability. Lighting is another control factor that can be set and controlled by the range master. 

The ISOPOL range control systems are all easily monitored as well as operationally friendly and not overly complex to the designated and trained operator. 

The full range of electronics leaves nothing lacking in the safe operation of the firing range other than the normally required direct and constant supervision of the range master and instructors of the firing line.

The modular self contained range concept in itself is an innovative engineering marvel that could meet the requirements of remote sites or even be installed in an urban area, if that area is not specifically restricted to its operation. 

The system has the capability to be tailored to the client’s specifications to include the number of firing points (four to eight) and the range configuration (from 10 to 100 meters). Generally speaking most ranges fall within 25 meters to 50 meters for US markets.

A generator system can provide an independent power source or can be hooked up to local power and used as a back up system. 

The plumbing facilities are all self contained, but they also have the capability of being hooked directly to a septic system or local sewage disposal system. 

The lobby or reception modules can be tailored to the client’s specifications to include office spaces, class-rooms or even a merchandise area. 

The ISOPOL system also can be easily modified to meet current American Disability Act Standards for commercial range usage.

Ventilation system

The ventilation system is unique in itself in that it consists of one preheated intake filtered unit automatically controlled from sensors in the firing range as well as the range control booth with a two speed operational motor. 

This was previously described above, but based on the sensors read outs the speed of the intake is controlled by the monitors at each firing point within the range and the master console in the master firing control booth.

As smoke and other contaminates reach a given level the higher speed will then come on to remove the smoke and contaminates until a satisfactory level is reached and then revert to normal operating speed.  The range master can also control this manually should he determine the need before the sensors relay the info to the automatic control. 

This system is classified as a "Total Air Exhaust System", in that all air from the range is continuously being exhausted and replaced by 100 percent fresh air.  The exhaust consists of 3 separate units placed forward of the firing line at predetermined distances from 10 meters, 30 meters and just forward of the bullet trap. 

Filtration is accomplished on both the intake and exhaust units by special filters that have been developed by ISOPOL and their supplier. The filters consisted of two large filters per unit; one is a pre filter and a second stage or final filter. 

It should be noted that the efficiency of the filters being used removed the contaminates to a level of acceptance that HEPA filters were not necessary. Each filtration unit is equipped with a Magnehelic Air Filtration Gauge that measures the amount of contaminates in the filter and indicates when it is necessary to change the filters. 

Neither of the ranges visited required an additional air conditioning system due to the climate where they were located, however, this could be an easy add on to the existing system if a necessity or requirement. 

There were several small individual air condition units in the administration areas, but usage data or out put of the units was not a consideration. Overall it is opinioned that the ventilation and filtration system meets 29 CFR 1910.1025 OSHA General Industry Standards for lead. 

The measured Laminar Flow, or non turbulent flow and micron data provided by the Italian Government Regulatory Agency are included in this assessment based on the test of the latest operating unit, and fall within the acceptable allowable limits.

Target retrieval system is once again a standard type within the industry of electrical systems found in numerous suppliers and in itself is not unique. 

It has an option much like other systems to have turning targets and timed fire on the targets.  One of the options available is that of an electronic target system that provides real time hits displayed on a screen in the shooting booth or a vocal evaluation of the impact point of each round through the shooter’s and/or trainer’s protective headphones. 

This certainly would be of interest to law enforcement as well as competitive shooters. The track and mobile unit of each retrieval system are placed where they are not exposed to any shooter of the firing line and not easily susceptible to being hit by a stray or errant round. 

The only exposed portion is that of the vertical rod and target holder and this is again acceptable and within the norm and constructed of aluminum which is less expensive to replace...

Bullet trap or containment system in itself is not a unique design or adaptation compared to a number of other designs in the industry. 

The system consists of a 10 mm or ¼ inch ballistic steel vertical backstop and a series of vertical 6 mm ballistic side containment traps.  Each trap is filled with a non-combustible material similar to the coverings on electrical wiring. The front edge of the trap is covered with a sheet of self sealing rubber material that is also certified as nonflammable.

There are several other layers of similar material that front the seal of the bullet trap and provide additional stopping action. 

The ranges are rated from 9mm NATO, 5.56mm NATO and 7.62mm NATO rounds. The final seal/covering over the front of the bullet trap has been estimated to take approximately 1 million rounds before replacement.  

Data varies on the other outer layers of round absorbing materials but is still within acceptable replacement and maintenance schedule. 

Mining of lead and cleaning of the traps is performed from the top of the individual bullet traps with the use of a HEPA Vacuum system.  The media (1 to 1.5 millimeters electric wiring quality rubber grains) contained within the individual bullet traps is extracted and then the lead is mined from the bottom of the trap. 

The lead migrates to the bottom of the trap through gravity and settles at the bottom. After the lead is mined, the entire trap is vacuumed to remove any lead particles and dust contaminates.  Since the mining process was performed by government contracted agency, no data was obtained from the current users, but hazard material regulations are as strict as USA in handling the lead and other contaminates. 

The system is deemed as industry acceptable.  Maintenance between the firing line and the bullet trap appears to be within acceptable standards.  From the firing points extending for 30 meters on the final layer of the 10 mm ballistic steel floors is a hard composite rubber tile, this too is fire retardant; the tile is approximately 12 inches by 12 inches and interlocks together almost virtually seamless. 

The tiles have 1 mm projections on the back that stand off from the flooring acting also as a sound absorber. User data indicated that twice a month the tiles were removed and the entire area was once again vacuumed utilizing a HEPA Vacuum System. 

The entire area was vacuumed on a weekly schedule of maintenance, which is also within a reasonable expected maintenance period of through cleaning.

The text is reprinted verbatim and unedited - End of Review

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Safecity will conduct a free Police approved and nationally recognised Certificate IV in Security Firearms Instructor Course and a free Range Safety  Manager Course for yourself and your staff (up to 6 instructors).

The course will be conducted at your ISOPOL Range upon commissioning.