Range Fire!

12 July 09 Indoor range fire, from a friend in TX: "We experienced a range fire at a popular, commercial, indoor range last week during a pistol match. To say the fire got out of control fast would be an under-statement! Polyethylene (PE) foam had been sprayed on downrange walls for sound abatement, and it had, over a year, much accumulated unburned powder impregnated into it.

A small flame spontaneously erupted on the floor, in a crack where unburnt propellant had accumulated. An ember went airborne and made contact with the PE foam on the wall. Ten seconds passed from the moment of ignition of the powder on the floor to ignition of the entire PE-foamed wall. Within fifteen seconds, flames raced across the foam-covered ceiling to the opposite wall, also covered in powder-impregnated PE foam! A volume of heavy, black smoke immediately filled the range. It was noxious and blinding! One shooter did locate, and attempt to use, a large, dry-agent extinguisher. However, this extinguisher proved useless, as the fire was already out of control.

This range had removed all PE foam some time ago, because of fire danger. But, range 'management' changed a few months later, and someone made the decision to put foam back on walls and ceiling. No one was hurt, but the range and building are extensively damaged." Comment: Foam may be marketed as "non-flammable," but that status changes when it is impregnated with unburnt propellant! Unburnt propellant needs to be regularly removed from indoor ranges. When it is allowed to accumulate, disaster awaits, as we see! /John