Application Solution of PVC Foam Board in Shooting Ranges

I. Characteristics and Suitability of PVC Foam Board

• Material Properties: Lightweight, high hardness, impact resistance, water/moisture proof, chemical corrosion resistance (e.g., to gunpowder residues), and easy to process (cut, drill, bond).
• Safety Features: Smooth and dense surface reduces 碎屑 (debris) splashing upon bullet impact, minimizing secondary injury risks; non-flammable, complying with fire safety standards.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Lower cost than metal or bulletproof glass, with a service life of 5-10 years and minimal maintenance (can be directly washed to remove stains or ballistic marks).

II. Application Solutions for Different Shooting Range Areas

1. Target Walls and Frame Systems

• Structural Design:
  • Use 20-30mm thick PVC foam board as the base layer, with a 5-10mm thick high-density PVC overlay to enhance impact resistance.
  • Target frames adopt modular PVC foam board splicing for quick replacement of damaged sections (recommended single panel size: 60cm×90cm for easy disassembly).
• Functional Advantages:
  • Bullets embed in the foam without ricocheting, leaving clear ballistic marks for score judgment; the foam layer absorbs partial shooting noise.

2. Ballistic Buffer Zones (Safety Barriers)

• Installation Plan:
  • Install 15-20mm thick PVC foam boards on the rear and side walls of shooting positions, fixed with metal frames to form a 3-5m high vertical buffer.
  • Use 30mm thick foam boards for floor buffers, covering the shooting area to prevent ricochets or cartridge case splashes.
• Technical Parameters:
  • Can withstand continuous firing of 9mm pistol rounds (muzzle velocity 350m/s) and .22 rifle rounds (400m/s). Replace each panel after ≤50 rounds/㎡ impact.

3. Soundproofing and Vibration Damping

• Composite Structure:
  • Attach a 5mm thick soundproof rubber layer to the inner side of PVC foam boards, and cover the outer side with perforated PVC panels (5mm holes, 20mm spacing) to form an "energy absorption-sound insulation" system.
• Effect: Reduces shooting noise by 15-20 decibels, minimizing environmental impact.

4. Markings and Zoning

• Custom Applications:
  • Cut PVC foam boards into shooting distance markers (e.g., 5m, 10m, 15m lines) for ground/wall fixation, ensuring wear resistance and visibility.
  • Create detachable partition barriers (e.g., novice/professional zones) with safety instructions or ballistic diagrams printed on the panels.

III. Installation and Maintenance Standards

1. Installation Process

1. Substrate Treatment: Level the wall/floor, removing oil and debris.
2. 龙骨 Fixing (龙骨 = Keel): Use aluminum alloy keels (60cm spacing) to build a frame for uniform load-bearing.
3. Board Splicing: Connect PVC foam boards with mortise-tenon joints or special PVC glue, keeping gaps ≤2mm to prevent bullet penetration.
4. Edge Reinforcement: Wrap metal corner guards around board edges to avoid cracking from long-term impact.

2. Maintenance Tips

• Daily Inspection: Check the surface weekly; replace panels immediately if impact craters exceed 10mm depth or penetrate the board.
• Cleaning Method: Wipe with a neutral detergent and soft cloth to remove gunpowder residues; avoid strong acids/alkalis to prevent aging.
• Lifespan Management: Perform a full strength inspection every 2 years, and replace high-frequency shooting areas (e.g., 10m targets) in advance.

IV. Safety Specifications and Certification Standards

• Ballistic Rating: Comply with European EN 1522 or US NIJ 0108.01 standards; choose PVC foam boards with impact resistance ≥Level ⅡA.
• Fire Requirements: Boards must reach fire rating B1 (difficult to ignite) and pass local fire department inspections.
• Ventilation: Pair with mechanical ventilation to prevent performance degradation from long-term exposure to gunpowder gases.

V. Cost Budget Reference (for 100㎡ shooting range)

VI. Alternative Solutions and Risk Warnings

• Material Comparison:
  • Metal target walls (e.g., steel plates): 3x higher cost, higher ricochet risk, requiring additional bulletproof glass observation windows.
  • Wood fiber boards: Poor impact resistance, prone to moisture deformation, lifespan only 1-2 years.
• Risk Warnings:
  • Never use low-density PVC foam boards (density <40kg/m³), which may allow bullet penetration;
  • For high-power rifle areas (e.g., 7.62mm), stack 2 layers of PVC foam boards or combine with bulletproof steel plates.