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Indoor Firing Range
Hand-shoveling spent bullets and sand from a bullet trap
Remediation Photos
Related Services
Former gun ranges in the basements of National Guard armories contained hazardous lead dust and bullet fragments, as well as some asbestos. MARCOR's four-person crews decommissioned 37 outdated/ disused ranges in the State of Pennsylvania. Work at each gun range required a site-specific work plan based upon size, configuration, and type/location of environmental hazards. The work was performed on a time-and-materials basis plus a fixed daily rate. MARCOR worked closely with the consultant and the National Guard representative at each location to perform the work efficiently, cost-effectively, and with minimal disruption to facility operations.
Background
The Pennsylvania Army National Guard currently has over 180 facilities throughout the State of Pennsylvania. At least 50 of these are armories dating back to the 1940s. Many of the old armories contained basement-level firing ranges, which had been used for a period of just a few years for some to over 20 years for others. Most of the ranges were closed in the 1980s and early 1990s; however, analyses of the sand present in range bullet traps indicated lead concentrations as high as 40 percent. Also, in the mid-1990s, investigations for the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) showed that nine locations contained various types of ACM in light fixture heat shields, pipe insulation and fittings, window caulking, duct transition cloth, and ceiling tiles.
In September 2002, a major consulting/engineering firm was contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under a Total Environmental Restoration Contract (TERC) to visit each range, sample the areas for lead, develop an appropriate remedial strategy for each range, and then remediate the lead and asbestos. MARCOR was hired as a subcontractor to perform the remediation work at 38 ranges under the supervision of the consulting firm. The ranges varied in size from 15' x 63' (945 sq. ft.) for the smallest to 7,500 sq. ft. for the largest.
Description of Work
MARCOR followed a site-specific work plan for each location. Work included manual and vacuum extraction of lead bullet fragments, sand trap and backstop removal, HEPA vacuuming, HVAC cleaning, wet wiping, and asbestos abatement. Due to the potential for hazardous dust generation during the lead removal process, MARCOR operated a negative air pressure system and used a fine water spray to keep dust to a minimum. Asbestos abatement was also performed within negative air containment.
All solid wastes generated during the work were stored in DOT-approved containers and labeled as appropriate. The containers and bulk wastes were staged in the location designated by the USACE Resident Engineer and facility POC. Decontamination water generated during the work was consolidated into DOT-approved 55-gallon drums and samples collected for total lead and extractable lead analyses. Sampling and disposal of wastes were performed by others. (Disposal method for wastewater varied with local regulations.) MARCOR also washed down the walls with a surfactant and painted them with a single coat of a lead-barrier type white latex primer.
For additional information, call MARCOR's corporate headquarters at 1-800-547-0128 or send email to info@marcor.com.
