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Hesco barriers for a shooting range come in different types, and these are the important factors to consider when installing or purchasing them. The differences in the type of barrier include the height, type of fill material, and modularity.
They serve some purposes when used at the military base and construction sites as a means of protection against enemy fire and projectile or blast effect.
In a shooting range, the barriers are used to not only protect the shooters inside the range but also give them the best conditions to improve on their shooting skills.
Standard barriers
These barriers have a mesh made of steel wire, while the body is made of a sand-filled fabric bag that is very tough and sturdy to ensure that the sand does not spill over whenever it is shot at or undergoes a blast effect. Standard aterials used in filling the barrier include sand, gravel, or earth.
Heavy-duty barriers
The heavy-duty barriers have a thick and strong wire mesh and heavy-quality bags to give any military facilities the desired protection against gunfire and explosion. Depending on the thickness of the fill material, these barriers can be stacked to increase the level of security needed.
Barrage barriers
The barrage type is designed to facilitate the installation process by allowing the operator to connect the barriers in a series to provide a compact and stable protective wall. They are necessary when under heavy fire, as they provide a quick, efficient, and easiest way to survive until help arrives.
As with many military technologies, Hesco barriers have been adapted for use in industrial applications to improve workplace safety and reduce the risk of accidents that may damage the facility or harm the workers.
Flood control
HESCO barriers were originally intended to hold back floodwaters. However, industrial facilities now commonly use them to protect their structures from inundation by water or surge waves. Factories, power plants, and other industrial complex situated near bodies of water often use HESCO barriers.
Containment of hazardous materials
Industrial shooting ranges usually involve the use of or exposure to dangerous chemicals. Any leakage or spillage of these chemicals can have serious environmental effects.
Occupational safety experts then use HESCO barriers to create a temporary containment area that can trap hazardous materials and prevent them from entering waterways or exposing workers to health risk.
Blast protection
Like military facilities, many industrial complexes are also at risk of bombing or explosion, even not at the same level as in a shooting range.
A HESCO barrier surrounding a potential blast site, such as a fuel storage tank or chemical warehouse, helps protect workers or equipment away from the center of the explosion.
Debris management
A HESCO barrier can also be used to control flying debris within a shooting range, where tall vehicles drive at high speeds.
By surrounding these areas with barriers, any loose objects that could cause injury or damage will be trapped safely within the confines of the barrier walls.
Bullet containment
Comparative to other industrial applications, only a few and rare uses of HESCO barriers exist on shooting ranges. Nevertheless, due to their sturdy and durable construction, these barriers are effective.
A properly designed and installed HESCO system will help contain all bullets fired on the range, minimizing environmental contamination and reducing safety risk to personnel off the range.
For optimum performance and reliability, a shooting range HESCO barrier is constructed from a heavy-duty woven geotextile infill container. Unlike other barriers, this is made from sand, which is the only fill material that is to be used. It is also connected by a strong and tough steel wire to form a cubic structure resembling a mesh.
Although the barriers are tough and long-lasting, they are reasonably easy to install.
Preparation
The first step is to choose the wall size to build and prepare the ground so it is flat and even. The sand that will be the fill material needed for the walls was then placed in the barriers.
Frame assembly
The next thing to do is fix the steel frames together like a big mesh puzzle. A special wire locks the frames at the corners where they connect.
Wall construction
Once the frames are ready, barriers are placed next to each other to start building the wall up. Ensure they are straight and level. As the wall rises, sand was added in stages to keep the structure firm as it went higher.
Securing the wall
Apart from adding sand, others were added too – wire ties were used to fasten wall frames together tightly, while stakes were driven into the ground at the wall base to prevent tipping over.
Proper care and work are needed for longer-lasting barriers.
Regular inspection
Check on any damage from the weather, use, or pests. Look for holes, tears, or loose wire. Don't forget to check if the fill is spilling out anywhere, too.
Cleaning
Watch out for dirt, plants, or other stuff building up on the barriers. Clean the mesh and other parts to keep them in good shape. This also helps the barrier look nice and neat.
Repairs
Use only the manufacturer's suggested materials to fix damaged parts. Consider patches to cover small holes or tough replacements for damaged mesh.
Reinforcement
As time passes, the fill within barriers may compress and require more sand or fill material. Add sand as needed to maintain the structure's height and sturdiness.
At a shooting range, the main purpose of the barriers is to blow up in a controlled way. Therefore, choosing the right size barrier for that job is critical. Barriers should be big enough to contain any explosion that may happen fully.
A shooting range barrier is filled with sand, which is arguably the most effective fill. Sand not only provides structural support but also acts as a cushion to absorb blast energy. This helps mitigate the impact of explosions on the surrounding area.
The wire mesh is another crucial factor. This is because the mesh holds the barrier shape, and without it, the whole unit may come tumbling down. In the shooting barriers, a thicker gauge of wire will be tougher and more durable, while in a barrage type, the fine wire is pretty much laced to ensure it is as compact as possible.
While all the factors discussed above are critical, the fill height of the barrier is the most important element. In most cases, the higher the barrier, the better the protection against blasts.
Often, no. The barriers contain any hazards created on the range itself within its confines. This helps keep bullets and other projectiles away from people outside the range.
If well-maintained and taken care of, the barriers pose no risk whatsoever. In fact, they protect individuals from a lot of dangers. However, care should be taken on what goes inside the barriers as they can be projected out, and anything inside them can affect a person's well-being.
The barriers also pose a risk, but there are measures likewatches that a person can take to minimize this risk so that the barriers don't become a threat. This includes regular checks on them, cleaning them, and painting them so that animals don't inhabit them.
