Overview
ISO 17201-6:2021 - Acoustics: Noise from shooting ranges - Part 6 specifies methods for recording the time history of sound pressure close to shooting or small detonations to determine exposure to impulsive sound. It applies to shootings with calibres under 20 mm and explosive charges under 50 g TNT equivalent, and covers both indoor and outdoor shooting-range locations where people (shooters, instructors, bystanders) may be present. The recorded time histories serve as the basis for further analyses (e.g., sound exposure level, peak level, A‑duration).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope of measurement: Close-to-source sound pressure histories for shooter and other persons’ exposure at locations of interest.
- Measurement system: At minimum a pressure-type microphone with preamplifier plus a digital data-acquisition and storage system capable of reliable recording and later processing.
- Performance/classification: System shall meet Class 1 frequency-response limits (IEC 61672-1) using Z‑weighting.
- Microphone requirements: Use working-standard pressure microphones (IEC 61094-4); WS3‑P is preferred over WS2‑P because of reduced angle‑of‑incidence effects in the frequency band of interest.
- Dynamic range and overload: The standard recognises very high peak sound pressure levels (peaks can exceed 154 dB at close range) and places requirements to avoid microphone/preamplifier overload and to keep noise floor low relative to measured peaks.
- Signal handling: Defines discrete‑time concepts (sampling, sampling interval/rate, samples), requirements for data acquisition, field calibration, wind‑screening, microphone orientation, cable length, and data storage.
- Documentation and evaluation: Procedures for documenting range layout, source description, measurement locations, weather/ambient conditions, and guidance on data evaluation and uncertainty estimation. Informative annexes cover slew‑rate limits for impulses and calculations with discrete‑time data.
Practical applications and who uses it
- Acoustic consultants and environmental engineers assessing on‑range exposure and mitigation options.
- Occupational health & safety professionals evaluating shooter exposure and compliance with hearing protection/limits.
- Range designers and operators using measurements to guide layout, shielding, or operational rules.
- Researchers studying impulsive sound characteristics, instrument manufacturers validating measurement systems, and regulatory bodies developing or enforcing sound exposure criteria.
- Use cases include measurement for prediction, evaluation, comparison, control and research of impulsive noise at shooting ranges.
Related standards (normative references)
Keywords: ISO 17201-6:2021, shooting ranges, acoustics, sound pressure measurements, impulsive sound, muzzle blast, peak sound pressure level, sound exposure level, WS3‑P microphone, Class 1, data acquisition, sampling.
Open preview (PDF)Acoustics — Noise from shooting ranges — Part 6: Sound pressure measurements close to the source for determining exposure to sound
