Introduction to

Range Safety and

Surface Danger Zones
Overview of AR 385-63/MCO 3570.1B
and DA PAM 385-63
Range Safety Regulations
and Guidelines
AR 385-63 Regulatory Policy Guidance
MCO 3570.1B

Published as Joint Army Regulation/

Marine Corps Order

DA PAM 385-63
Technical Guidance
DA PAM 385-63
Safety: Range Safety
Department of the Army Pamphlet 385-63
Headquarters, Department of the Army
Washington, D.C. 20310-0200

Table of Contents
Safety Considerations
Chapter 1.
Chapter 2.
Introduction
Ranges
and SDZ Construction
Chapter 3. Ammunition
Chapter 4. Firing
Chapter 5. Targets
Chapter 6. Small Arms
Chapter 7. Grenades and Grenade Launchers
Chapter 8. Antitank Rockets
Chapter 9. Recoilless Weapons
Chapter 10. Mortars
Chapter 11. Field Artillery
Chapter 12. Tank/Fighting Vehicle Gunnery
Chapter 13. Aviation Gunnery
Chapter 14. Air Defense Artillery Weapon Systems
Chapter 15. Antitank Guided Missiles
Chapter 16. Chemical Agents and Smokes
Chapter 17. Mines, Firing Devices, Trip Flares, Simulators, and Explosive Charges
Chapter 18. Laser Range Safety
Chapter 19. Live-Fire Exercises
Appendix A. References
Appendix B. Batwing Surface Danger Zones
Appendix C. Surface Danger Zone Design
DA PAM 385-63

Chapter 1. Introduction

Deviations
Range Safety Program Guidelines
Guidelines for Range Safety Certification Programs

A deviation is a departure from the

requirements in DA PAM 385-63
and the policy in AR 385-63/MCO
3570.1B, Range Safety.
Granting of Deviations
Deviations may be granted based on critical
mission requirements which conflict with
regular standards in accordance with
AR 385-63/MCO 3570.1B
Scope of Deviations
Deviations are limited to the following:
 Reducing SDZ dimensions when terrain,
artificial barriers, or other compensating
factors make smaller SDZs safe
 Modifying prescribed firing procedures to
increase training realism
 Allowing personnel who are not directly
participating in the training within the SDZ
SDZs That Extend Beyond
The Installation Boundary
Deviations applied to SDZs that extend beyond
installation boundaries must be based on the
following:
 Ability to contain projectiles, hazardous
fragments, laser beams, and both vertical and
horizontal ricochet within the installation
boundaries and areas under military control
 Probability of hazardous fragment
escapement mush not be greater than
1:1,000,000 (10ˉ6)
Request for Deviation
 Description of the specific condition requiring
the deviation
 Statement as to why a deviation is necessary
and impact on training if not granted
 Description of the existing conditions and
anticipated hazards, subsequent hazard
analysis, and risk analysis
 Control measures taken to eliminate hazards
and/or minimize risk and residual risk level
DA PAM 385-63

Chapter 1. Introduction

Deviations
Range Safety Program Guidelines
Guidelines for Range Safety Certification Programs

Range Safety Responsibilities of:

Installation Commander
Installation Safety Manager
Installation Range Control Officer
Battalion/Squadron Commander
Unit Commander
Officer in Charge (OIC)
Range Safety Officer (RSO)
DA PAM 385-63

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Ranges
Chapter 3. Ammunition
Chapter 4. Firing
Chapter 5. Targets
Restricting access to impact areas
Posting warning signs and markers
Controlling other range usage
Coordinating use of special use airspace
Coordinating use of navigable waterways
Safety requirements for indoor firing ranges
DA PAM 385-63

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Ranges
Chapter 3. Ammunition
Chapter 4. Firing
Positioning and issuing ammunition and explosives (A&E)
Chapter 5. Targets
Qualification and restriction of A&E
Suspension of A&E involved in malfunctions
UXO (dud) and misfire procedures and reporting
Disposition of A&E involved in malfunctions and accidents
Destruction of UXO (dud)
Police of the training complex
Army requirements for ICMs and submunitions
DA PAM 385-63

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Ranges
Chapter 3. Ammunition Moving targets
Chapter 4. Firing Airborne and ground targets
Chapter 5. Targets Waterborne targets
Radio controlled targets
Aerial targets
Ballistic Aerial Targets (BATS)
DA PAM 385-63

Table of Contents (cont.)

Chapter 6. Small Arms

Chapter 7. Grenades and Grenade Launchers
Chapter 8. Antitank Rockets
Chapter 9. Recoilless Weapons
Chapter 10. Mortars
Chapter 11. Field Artillery
Chapter 12. Tank/Fighting Vehicle Gunnery
Chapter 13. Aviation Gunnery
Chapter 14. Air Defense Artillery Weapon Systems
Chapter 15. Antitank Guided Missiles
DA PAM 385-63

Table of Contents (cont.)

Chapter 16. Chemical Agents and Smokes

Chapter 17. Mines, Firing Devices, Trip Flares,
Simulators, and Explosive Charges
Chapter 18. Laser Range Safety
Chapter 19. Live-Fire Exercises
Chemical agents
Riot control agents (RCA)
Smoke
Smoke pots
Oil smoke candles
Safety Considerations
 Establish a minimum safe distance for friendly
troops for protection from downwind vapor
hazards
 Use of Riot Control Agents (RCAs) in training
is limited to CS, CSX, CS-1, CS-2, and CR.
All other RCAs are prohibited for training use
 CSX, CS-1, CS-2, and CR no longer in training inventory
 Establish minimum safe distances to heavily
traveled installation roads, railroad right of
ways, airfields, or inhabited areas when using
RCAs
 Personnel will carry a protective mask when
participating in exercises that use smoke.
DA PAM 385-63

Table of Contents (cont.)

Chapter 16. Chemical Agents and Smokes

Chapter 17. Mines, Firing Devices, Trip Flares,
Simulators, and Explosive Charges
Chapter 18. Laser Range Safety
Chapter 19. Live-Fire Exercises
General
Firing devices
Charges
Mines
Trip flares
Simulators
DA PAM 385-63

Table of Contents (cont.)

Chapter 16. Chemical Agents and Smokes

Chapter 17. Mines, Firing Devices, Trip Flares,
Simulators, and Explosive Charges
Chapter 18. Laser Range Safety
Chapter 19. Live-Fire Exercises

Fundamentals
Range usage
Force-on-force tactical exercises
LASER
 LASER - Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation
 A laser is a device that amplifies light
Laser Hazards
 Lasers produce light Fire or skin hazard or a
beams of varying Class 4 diffuse reflection hazard
intensity Direct beam viewing is
Class 3 hazardous
 Categorized in
Emit visible laser beam;
accordance with the
Class 2 extended viewing is
emitted power hazardous
 Class 1 represents Emit no harmful
Class 1 radiation
the weakest laser
 Power gets progressively higher through Class 4
Laser Range Safety
 Fundamental concept is to prevent direct or
collateral injury or damage resulting from
laser use
 Definitive guidance for laser operations,
characteristics, and general procedures are
found in MIL-HDBK-828A and Joint Pub 3-09
 Tactical lasers are treated as direct-fire
weapons. Precautions associated with direct-
fire weapons shall be applied to all lasers
operated on military ranges
Surface Danger Zones (SDZs)
The ground and airspace designated within the
training complex (to include associated safety
areas) for vertical and lateral containment of
projectiles, fragments, debris, and components
resulting from the firing, launching, or detonation
of weapons systems to include explosives and
demolitions
Safety of Personnel and Property
The purpose of an SDZ is to designate areas
that protect personnel and property from the
following dangers:
 Projectile Impacts
 Dispersion
 Ricochets
 Fragmentation and Debris
 Backblast
 Hazardous Overpressure and Noise
SDZ Incorporating Danger Areas

Fragmentation,
Debris

Ricochets

Projectile Impacts,
Dispersion of Rounds

Backblast,
Overpressure,
Noise Hazards
Designated Areas
An SDZ clearly delineates:
 Where personnel may operate, move, and
engage targets
 Limits of fire
 Areas for target placement
 What type of protection must be afforded
personnel in specific areas
 Areas off-limits to personnel
Factors Affecting SDZ
Dimensions
 Type of Weapon/Weapon System
 Type of Ammunition
 Target Impact Media
 Terrain
 Altitude
DA PAM 385-63

Safety: Range Safety

Department of the Army Pamphlet 385-63
Headquarters, Department of the Army
Washington, D.C. 20310-0200
• Prescribes Safety Precautions
Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction • Details SDZ Requirements

Chapter 2. Ranges
Chapter 3. Ammunition
Chapter 4. Firing
Chapter 5. Targets
Chapter 6. Small Arms
Chapter 7. Grenades and Grenade Launchers
Chapter 8. Antitank Rockets
Chapter 9. Recoilless Weapons
Chapter 10. Mortars
Chapter 11. Field Artillery
Chapter 12. Tank/Fighting Vehicle Gunnery
Chapter 13. Aviation Gunnery
Chapter 14. Air Defense Artillery Weapon Systems
Chapter 15. Antitank Guided Missiles
Chapter 16. Chemical Agents and Smokes
Chapter 17. Mines, Firing Devices, Trip Flares, Simulators, and Explosive Charges
Chapter 18. Laser Range Safety
Chapter 19. Live-Fire Exercises
Appendix A. References
Appendix B. Batwing Surface Danger Zones
Appendix C. Surface Danger Zone Design
Distance X
Determined by weapon/weapon system and
type of ammunition being fired/launched

Distance X -- The maximum distance a projectile (to

include guided missiles and rockets) will travel when fired
or launched at a given quadrant elevation with a given
charge or propulsion system.
 DA PAM 385-63 Table B-1
SDZs for direct-fire weapons without explosive projectiles
Caliber Impact Media Distance X
Earth/Water 1073
Shotgun 12-Gauge Slug
Steel/Concrete 1073
M9 Pistol Earth/Water 1800
9mm M882 Ball
MP5 Machinegun Steel/Concrete 1800
.45 Caliber, M1911 Earth/Water 1690
.45 Pistol Pistol/SMG Steel/Concrete 1690
Earth/Water 3100
5.56mm, M193 Ball
Steel/Concrete 3100
M16 & M4 Rifle 5.56mm, M196 Earth/Water 3100
M249 SAW Tracer Steel/Concrete 3100
Earth/Water 3437
5.56mm, M855 Ball
Steel/Concrete 3437
M240 & M60 Machinegun Earth/Water 4100
7.62mm, M80 Ball
M14 Rifle Steel/Concrete 4100
.50 Caliber, M858 Earth/Water 700
Ball, Plastic Steel/Concrete 700
.50 Caliber, M860 Earth/Water 700
Tracer, Plastic Steel/Concrete 700
M2 .50 caliber Machinegun Earth/Water 6100
.50 Caliber M2 AP
Steel/Concrete 6100
Earth/Water 6500
.50 Caliber M2 Ball
Steel/Concrete 6500
Trajectory of a Round - M855

Maximum
Effective Range
(Area Targets)

800m
Maximum
Effective Range Distance X
(Point Targets)
3,437m
550m
SDZ Shapes
Examples of SDZs for several different
weapons/weapons systems
Basic Cone SDZ
Single firing point, single target
Distance X

Firing Point
Cone SDZ
Multiple firing points, multiple targets

Targets

Firing Points
Basic Batwing SDZ
Single firing point, single target

Distance X

Firing Point
Batwing vs. Cone SDZs
 Batwing SDZs provide for greater
containment of all ricochets
 Target impact media affects dimensions of
SDZ ricochet area
 Computer simulation models, based on and
validated by actual weapon system firing,
generate ballistic “footprints” which are the
basis for batwing SDZs
Batwing vs. Cone SDZs
 Batwing SDZs should be considered when
designing ranges that involve fire and
movement, or where ricochet hazards outside
the range complex boundary may endanger
nonparticipating personnel, or the general
public
 Where batwing SDZs have already been
applied or can be employed without
significant impact on range operations, the
batwing SDZ should be implemented
Batwing SDZ
 Ballistic footprint represents
actual weapon system
performance
 Does not include 5° dispersion
for human sighting error and
inherent weapon system
characteristics
 Provide greater containment of
ricochets at closer ranges
 Lateral SDZ requirements are
generally greater at shorter
ranges because of higher
projectile velocities.
Batwing SDZ
Single firing point, multiple targets

Distance X

Target Area

Firing Point
Movement Box SDZ
Multiple firing positions, fixed or moving targets

Distance X
Movement Box
Indirect Fire SDZ - Mortar
Single firing point, single target area

Fragmentation from
exploding projectiles
Distance X/Max Range

Target Area

Firing Point
Indirect Fire SDZ - Artillery
Single firing point, single target area

Fragments, debris, and

Distance X

components from
exploding projectiles

Safe area for overhead fire of

unprotected personnel

Muzzle debris, overpressure,

blast, hazardous noise

Firing Point
Special SDZ - TOW

Firing Point
Composite SDZ
Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise - CALFEX
Range Safety Questions
Range Operations Team
Live Training Division
U.S Army Training Support Center
TRADOC Program Integration Office - Live
ATTN: ATIC-TPIO-LTL
Building 2787 Harrison Loop
Fort Eustis, VA 23604
(757) 878-5944
DSN 826-5944
rangesafety@atsc.army.mil