Original Agreement

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE OP-FOR AIRSOFT CLUB AND THE BRITISH COLUMBIA AIRSOFT CLUB AND THE FRASER VALLEY AIRSOFT ASSOCIATION FOR THE UNIVERSAL ENERGY LIMIT SPECIFICATION (UNIVERSAL FPS)

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INTRODUCTION

Airsoft clubs in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia recognize the need for standardized muzzle energy limits for airsoft rifles. Standardizing the values for muzzle energy limits throughout the region will allow players to use the same rifles with any club's events or activities without requiring any adjustment. Today's growing airsoft community has highlighted the need for clubs to work together to regulate themselves as well as maintain and enforce safety and conduct rules.

To provide players with standardized muzzle energy limits, also known as “FPS limits”, Lower Mainland airsoft clubs have worked cooperatively to develop a set of Universal Energy Limits. This system defines common forms, establishes standard protocols and assembles established energy values that can be applied by all clubs.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Universal Energy Limit or Universal FPS is to provide a uniform set of gun energy limits that will allow players to customize their guns and remain certain that the customized gun will be treated the same at every club event and activity. However, MED’s or Minimum Engagement Distance is not covered in this and is up to each club to decide their own MED.

SCOPE

The scope of the Lower Mainland Universal Energy Limits protocols includes airsoft clubs throughout the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District.

DEFINITIONS

Muzzle Energy: The energy that spherical plastic airsoft ammunition carries as it leaves the muzzle end of the airsoft gun barrel.

Muzzle Velocity: The velocity at which spherical plastic airsoft ammunition leave the airsoft gun barrel, depends on unit mass of the ammunition.

BB: One of the pieces of spherical plastic airsoft ammunition.

Standard BB: Spherical plastic ammunition with specified unit mass of 0.20 grams.

POLICY

The Universal Energy Limit will be used to classify players weapons for use at airsoft events and activities. Club directors, admins, field marshals, players, and airsoft fields are authorized to use the Universal Energy Limit system. Use of the Universal Energy Limit will follow the procedures outlined in the Universal Energy Limit Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

USER PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS

By signing this agreement each club agrees to apply the Universal Energy Limit and instruct every new field marshal in the use of the forms and protocols.

MAINTENANCE

Each club will be responsible for maintaining a record of the Universal Energy Limits Standard Operating Procedures.

OVERSIGHT

Oversight of the Universal Energy Limit system is administered through the directors and admins of the participating clubs. Any issued affecting policy, recommendation, and/or subsequent change that alters the purpose of the Universal Energy Limit will be implemented only after a consensus is reached by the club directors and admins.

Accordingly, each club must establish oversight authority and the level of delegation in reference to use of the Universal Energy Limit for themselves.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOP COMPLIANCE

It is the responsibility of club admins or directors to ensure that the Universal Energy Limit system SOP's are followed when necessary and to ensure that club admins and field marshals are trained appropriately.

UPDATES TO THE MOU

Updates will take place after the directors and admins meet and gain consensus on proposed changes. This ad hoc committee is then responsible for deciding the best possible method of disseminating the changes to all affected clubs. If a proposed change or technical upgrade to the Universal Energy Limit system degrades the capability or changes the purpose of the system, a new signature page verifying the understanding of changes may be needed.

EFFECTIVE DATE, PERIODIC REVIEW, WITHDRAWAL AND TERMINATION

This MOU shall take effect upon the date of the last signature. The member clubs will conduct a formal review of this MOU at least every 5 years. This MOU may be terminated at any time by mutual written agreement of the agencies. A member organization may withdraw from this MOU with 180 days written notice to the remaining member organizations.

UNIVERSAL WEAPONS CLASSES

Knife

• No Projectile or Throwing
• Soft tapping motion only
• MED 0 ft

CQB weapon

• Full Auto, Semi Auto and Pump-Action
• Maximum Velocity of 330fps
• Pistols
• Shotguns
• SMG’s or Submachine guns

Fully Automatic weapon

• Full Auto or Semi Auto
• Maximum Velocity of 400fps *Note: +/- 15 fps for margin
• Any AEG or GBBR rifle format

DMR Rifle

• Semi Auto Electric, Semi Auto Gas or Bolt Action
• Mandatory Sidearm Weapon or CQB Weapon
• Maximum Velocity of 450fps

Level 2 Sniper (BA certification sniper level 2 required)

• Bolt Action
• Mandatory Sidearm (CQB Weapon)
• Maximum Velocity of 500fps

Level 3 Sniper ( BA certification sniper level 3 required)

• Bolt Action
• Mandatory Sidearm (CQB Weapon)
• Maximum Velocity of 550fps

UNIVERSAL ENERGY LIMIT SPECIFICATIONS (UNIVERSAL FPS) STANDARD VALUES

Gun Class	Muzzle Velocity (0.20 g BB)			Muzzle Energy Equivalent
	! Minimum	Maximum	Tolerance
Knife	0	0	0	0
CQB or Sidearm	n/a	330	0	1.00 J
Automatic	330	400	+15	1.48 (+0.12)
Sniper
DMR (Sniper 1)	420	450	0	1.90
Bolt Action (Sniper 2)	451	500	0	2.30
Bolt Action (Sniper 3)	501	550	0	2.80

Notes:

1. Tolerance only applies to settlement of newly installed springs and other mechanical modifications. Over long term, users are expected to ensure their guns achieve the limit on subsequent tests.
2. Engagement distances are at the discretion of the member organizations.
3. Designated Marksman and Sniper Rifle users are required to carry a secondary weapon in either the Sidearm or Automatic Electric Gun class.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

Gun Testing Procedures:

Automatic Electric Gun or AEG

1. Confirm that the gun has its Hop-Up mechanism retracted
2. Load 6 – 0.20g BB's into the magazine.
3. Shoot the BB's through the chronograph aperture as per specification of chronograph manufacturer and note the velocities.
4. Average the velocities. This is the gun's Muzzle Velocity.
5. Note player identification, gun type, and average muzzle velocity for all tests.

Gas Blow Back Rifle

Use the AEG procedure. Further research is required to evaluate environmental sensitivity of gas weapons.

EXPRESS FORMAT:

1. Confirm that the gun has its Hop-Up mechanism set to shoot the BB in a straight trajectory.
2. Load 6 – 0.20g BB's into the magazine.
3. Shoot the BB's through the chronograph aperture as per specification of chronograph

manufacturer and note the velocities.

1. Average the velocities. This is the gun's Muzzle Velocity.

Gun Classification Procedure:

• Classify all guns based on the measured Muzzle Velocity.
• Ban from use all guns exceeding the standard maximum value shown for a Sniper Rifle.
• Activity or event host must use their own discretion to classify guns that exceed the Automatic Electric Gun limit but fail to achieve the Designated Marksman Rifle minimum and may place the gun in either of the gun classes for the event or activity.