Chapter 2 · Course Construction, Equipment and Modification · p.11
2.1General Regulations
Physical Construction – Safety considerations in the design, physical construction, and stated requirements for any are the responsibility of the host organization subject to the approval of the Range Master. Reasonable effort must be made to prevent injury to competitors, officials and spectators during the match. Course design should prevent inadvertent unsafe actions wherever possible. Consideration must be given to the operation of any course of fire to provide suitable access for officials supervising the competitors.
Safe Angles of Fire – Courses of fire must always be constructed to ensure safe angles of fire. Consideration must be given to safe target and frame construction and the angle of any possible ricochets. Where appropriate the physical dimensions and suitability of backstops and side berms must be determined as part of the construction process.
Minimum Distances – Minimum distances for any metal target or metal hard cover are specific for that firearm type, in feet:
Barrier Handgun or 23 26 Shotgun Plates (bird & buckshot) 16 19 Shotgun Poppers (bird & buckshot) 16 19 Shotgun (slugs) 147 150 Rifle 147 150
Where possible, this should be done with physical barriers. If Fault Lines are used to limit the approach to metal targets, they must be placed in such a way that the competitor may inadvertently fault the line and still be outside the minimum distance. (See Rule 10.5.16) Care should also be taken in respect of metal props in the line of fire.
Stage designs must be configured in so that firearms, when staged or abandoned, are pointed downrange, and positioned in such a way that no person is ever allowed or required to pass in front of the muzzle of a staged firearm.
Target Locations – When a course is constructed to include target locations other than immediately downrange, organizers and officials must protect or restrict surrounding areas to which competitors, officials or spectators have access. Each competitor must be allowed to solve the competitive problem in his own way and must not be hindered by being forced to act in any manner which might cause unsafe action. Targets must be arranged so that shooting at them on an “as and when visible” basis will not cause competitors to breach safe angles of fire.
– Where possible, the range surface must be prepared prior to the match, and be kept moderately clear of debris during the match to provide reasonable safety for competitors and officials. Consideration should be given to the possibility of inclement weather and competitor actions. Range Officials may add gravel, sand or other materials to a deteriorated range surface at any time and such range maintenance actions cannot be appealed by competitors.
Obstacles – Natural or created obstacles in a should reasonably allow for variations in competitors’ heights and physical builds and should be constructed to provide reasonable safety for all competitors, Match Officials and spectators.
Target Placement – Care must be taken with the physical placement of a cardboard target to prevent a “shoot through.”
When cardboard and metal targets are used in close proximity in a , care must be taken to minimize the risk of splatter from metal targets.
When Poppers are used in a , care should be taken to ensure that the location or foundation area is prepared to provide consistent operation throughout the match.
Static IPSC cardboard targets must not be presented at an angle greater than approximately 45 degrees from the vertical. No- shoot static IPSC cardboard targets may be presented at any angle.
Appearing scoring targets should be designed and constructed to be obscured to the competitor (during the ) prior to activation. If the entire target is not obscured, it may be shot at any time during the course of fire, whether activated or not.
2.1.8.4.1 Level I matches are encouraged but not required to comply with this requirement. The Written Stage Briefing must specify any targets that must be activated before being engaged.
All berms are “off limits” to all persons at all times, except when access to them is specifically permitted by a Range Officer. (See Rule 10.3.1.)