Does public receptor cover only buildings on a property or the entire property? If the owner of the land next to my site restricts access to the land, is it still a public receptor?
Public receptors are not limited to buildings. For example, if there are houses near your property, both the houses and their yards are considered public receptors because it is likely that residents will be present in one or the other at least some of the time, and, in fact, people are likely to be in more danger if they are outside when a release occurred. The ability of others to restrict access to an area does not change its status as a public receptor. You need to consider whether that land is generally unoccupied. If the land is undeveloped or rarely has anyone on it, it is not a public receptor. If you are not sure of the land’s use of occupancy, you should talk with the landowner and the community about its status. Because it is the landowner and members of the local community who are likely to be affected by your decision, you should involve them in the decision if you have doubts.