P-385-63 Range Safety Pamphlet Download

Chapter 1 Introduction 1–1. Purpose This pamphlet provides minimum requirements for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps Range Safety Programs pre- scribed in Army Regulation (AR) 385–63 and Marine Corps Order (MCO) 3570.1C. It also establishes standards and procedures for the safe firing of ammunition, demolitions, lasers, guided missiles, and rockets, and the delivery of bombs for training, target practice, and to the extent practicable, combat. 1–2. References Required and related publications and prescribed and referenced forms are listed in appendix A. 1–3. Explanation of abbreviations and terms Abbreviations and special terms used in this pamphlet are explained in the glossary. 1–4. Deviations a. Deviations from range standards or procedures contained in AR 385–63/MCO 3570.1C and this document may be granted based on critical mission requirements. Risk management will be integrated into the deviation process. Deviations are limited to— (1) Reducing surface danger zone (SDZ), laser surface danger zone (LSDZ), and weapon danger zone (WDZ) dimensions when terrain, artificial barriers, or other compensating factors make smaller danger zones safe. (a) Deviations applied to danger zones extending beyond authorized range impact area(s)/installation boundaries must be based on the ability to sufficiently contain projectiles, hazardous fragments, laser beams, and both vertical and horizontal ricochets within the authorized range impact area(s)/installation boundaries and areas under military control (for example, leased land or training areas acquired through memorandum of agreement or memorandum of understanding). (b) For the Marine Corps, deviations for danger zones extending beyond the installation boundaries must be validated by Commanding General (CG), Training Education Command, Range and Training Area Management (RTAM) Branch, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC), 3300 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134–5001 using the Probabilistic SDZ Tool. (2) Modifying prescribed procedures for a munitions’ use appropriate for a state of training of participating personnel to increase training realism. (3) Allowing personnel not authorized by chapter 3 of this pamphlet within the danger zone, unless prohibited. b. At a minimum, all deviation authorizations will contain the following, as appropriate: (1) Statement citing chapter, paragraph, and subparagraph of the specific condition requiring deviation, and the name and number of the operational range, training facility, or maneuver area involved. (2) Description of the existing condition and anticipated hazards, subsequent hazard analysis, and risk analysis. (3) Statement as to why a deviation is necessary and impact on training if not granted. (4) Control measures taken to mitigate hazards and/or minimize risk and residual risk level. (5) Installation and unit standard operating procedures (SOPs) governing the specific operational range, training facility, or maneuver area for which the deviation applies. (6) Scaled topographical map depicting SDZ and requested deviation. (7) Map coordinates of the firing position(s), target location, and quadrant or elevation of fire, if required. The firing position(s), direction of fire, and danger zones will be plotted on the scaled map with distances shown in meters (m). (8) Computer-generated danger zones and terrain profiles created using the Range Managers Toolkit (RMTK) may be submitted with deviation requests in lieu of developing them through manual means, if deemed appropriate by the senior commander (Army)/installation commander (Marine Corps). These computer-generated danger zones and terrain profiles must be developed using the current approved version of the RMTK. Danger zones and terrain profiles must depict the gun target line (GTL), the left and right limits of fire, the relative elevation of the weapon system being fired, the target, and the natural terrain backstop or artificial barrier, as appropriate. Risk-management principles will be applied in determining if alternate danger zones are applicable. c. Requests for deviation shall originate from the unit or activity conducting the event or the installation Range Management Authority (RMA) (Army), Range Control Officer (RCO) (Marine Corps). The installation RMA (Army), RCO (Marine Corps) makes the initial judgment regarding the suitability of a proposed deviation prior to submission to the approving authority. Requests will be coordinated through the appropriate chain of command. For the Army, coordination will include both garrison and mission safety offices, legal review, environmental, and public affairs offices, as appropriate. d. Deviations are valid for 1 year or less. e. Deviations shall not be applied to other Federal agency directives, such as airspace or water traffic requirements. f. Army commands (ACOMs), Army Service component commands (ASCCs), and direct reporting units (DRUs) 1 DA PAM 385–63 • 16 April 2014