Texan78 Posted October 24, 2008 Posted October 24, 2008 Ok for awhile I have been trying to introduce Flames into my displays. Mostly for Halloween but I am doing the Disneys "Beleive in Holiday Magic" for Christmas and I have a perfect spot for these and was wondering if LOR can control them? They are fully DMX 512 and the fuel sorce is contained in the base of the unit. You can get the flames in different colors. I just came across these from a friend so it is to late to add this year since the programming is done for this year. So if these will work with LOR I wanted to use them as I have a perfect sport for them. Before you ask they are dirt cheap and you will have a heart attack like I did when you hear the price.Here is a video of them in action... This is actually perfect because this song is in part of the Disney song I am doing.
iresq Posted October 25, 2008 Posted October 25, 2008 If they are DMX capable, then probably yes. Go ahead, give us the heart attack. I check their site, not a lot of info. I find it interesting that they are advertising these as dmx controllable as dmx protocol is not approved for pyrotechnics.It would be cool to have a few to play with.
Texan78 Posted October 25, 2008 Author Posted October 25, 2008 The company in the video is not where I bought them from. It was just a video that shows what they do. I bought them from another place and they ship from a slow boat from China for $160 a pop.You are right dmx protocol is not approved for pyrotechnics. In this case I am not sure if they are truly classifying this as a traditional pryo device though. These are only 2 channel fixtures armed and fire. Even though DMX doesn't have error checking I have witnessed several of these controlled by DMX without error. I think Charles Belcher might be able to add more clarification since he uses something simliar in a display he does for the Texas State Fair. I think the ones TSO use are DMX as well.
Garry Posted October 25, 2008 Posted October 25, 2008 These are NOT pyrotechnic devices!They are Gas Flame Projectors which have their own fire code rules and regulations. You will need to keep the public from them as they are automatically controlled. I do pyrotechnics for a living and we use those types of equipments in specific venues in conjunction with other devices in shows.Those things need protection/fences/barricades and have environmental requirements. Check with your local and state fire marshals before running them. They may require you to have special insurance for their usage also. DMX can control them as it is just an on/off control as the flame projectors itself need to have all of the required gas controls and fail safes. You will need to disarm the flame system before you first turned your lighting system on. Be careful with the imported equipment! They have to have the required piping, gas valves, and correct electrical code controls. This becomes the responsibility of the importer/owner of the equipment. DMX and LOR system usually flash all of the channels and circuits which may fire these when you first initiate your programs. That is okay if it is just lights, but no good if it is fireworks, pyrotechnics, lasers, and gas flames as they the show is over before it gets going!:shock: We use multiple hybrid firing systems for all of this, with spotter watching for an all clear signal before arming the controls and doing any testing.
Paul Roberson Posted October 25, 2008 Posted October 25, 2008 Copied this from the site you posted.Professional stage effect device,producting simulated flames that give you an experience of strong visual empowerment and create for you an aboriginal ferventflaming world!It has two control modes MX512 and wire-control.What exactly is "simulated flames"?
iresq Posted October 26, 2008 Posted October 26, 2008 Per NFPA 1126: Standard for the use of Pyrotechnics before a Proximate Audience1.5.48 Pyrotechnic Device. Any device containing pyrotechnicmaterials and capable of producing a special effect asdefined in this standard.1.5.49 Pyrotechnic Material (Pyrotechnic Special EffectsMaterial). A chemical mixture used in the entertainmentindustry to produce visible or audible effects by combustion,deflagration, or detonation.1.5.50 Pyrotechnic Operator (Special Effects Operator). Anindividual who has responsibility for pyrotechnic safety andwho controls, initiates, or otherwise creates special effects.If it looks like a pyrotechnic device and it smells like a pyrotechnic device....For those that suggest it is not, please provide the appropriate clarifying information.Being in the fire department, I can tell you that your local jurisdiction having authority (JHU) would probably be very interested in your use of these devices. You can read 1126 and decide if its worth the effort.http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/pdf/1126.PDFWith that said, I would sure like to have a few of these!A quick search found this requirement for Clark County Nevada. Just and FYI:http://fire.co.clark.nv.us/(S(abfcfe2termp5i45oe5imrub))/Files/pdfs/OpenFlame.pdf
Garry Posted October 26, 2008 Posted October 26, 2008 I beg to differ with you.Look at the scope of NFPA #1126 - 2001 as I have copied the scope here for you: Committee Scope: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on the controlled useof flame, pyrotechnics, or other means of special effects for entertainment, exhibition, demonstration, orsimulation before a proximate audience; and the design, fabrication, installation, testing, control, operation,and maintenance of user equipment, fuel storage, and sources for special effects before a proximateaudience.This Committee does not have responsibility for documents on hazards other than those involving a proximateaudience and the life safety considerations of the audience. Flame is listed as its own item followed by pyrotechnics.Please read NFPA #160 for more information on gas controls. I use to be a principal member of this committee during the 1990’s.That means I help write that code. If you read ALL that I posted you should be able to understand it then! I still am a principle member of 5 other NFPA fire codes which include but not limited to NFPA #1123 and NFPA #1124 which both deal with Pyrotechnics, & Fireworks. Both of these codes are in cycle revision at this time. In fact we just had a meeting in Minneapolis MN 2 weeks ago on both of those codes.
Richard Hamilton Posted October 26, 2008 Posted October 26, 2008 Oh my goodness. You might be opening up a can of safety and legal worms. I tend to agree with Jeff on this one. I've got some experience with these sort of things. We called them a generic name of "Fire Canons". Even I would not attempt to use these things in my display and I've done some pretty strange stuff ;-)If you plan to go ahread with using them,. please check with local authorities first.
FBW4 Posted October 26, 2008 Posted October 26, 2008 I would not use them but I HAVE used them for indoor controlled displays.Couple of notes- NFPA is not the prevailing code for ALL municipalities. Many municipalities that DO use NFPA for life/safety codes STILL classify a flame device for theatre as a SPECIAL EFFECT and do not require it to meet the full scope of the pyro sections of the different NFPA references.So it varies. And there is NO ONE good answer for all municipalities. EXCEPT: Don't EVEN THINK ABOUT using that in an outdoor show with a live audience without two firetrucks, spotters, deadman controls, fences, guards, EMT standby service, emergency shut-offs, and about 40 million dollars worth of liability insurance. (not a broker- you may really need more than 40m- consult YOUR broker:))But one person trying to classify it as a certain type of device against ONE code. If it fits THAT criteria, then under THAT code it is that device. But there are HUNDREDS of codes and within a 40 minute drive of my city are 13 other municipalities that ALL use different codes. It makes it hard to keep up with them all. i do agree that NFPA has been the MAJORITY prevailing codes adopted by cities for life saftey. But even the cities use that code differently. NFPA has no authority to enforce codes. They just write them for people to adopt. And they do a good job. That said- not everyone uses them, and the ones that do don't always use them the way they are written.I think the theme here is right... that it is too dangerous to even think of for a residential show. Cool as heck... but dangerous.RW
iresq Posted October 26, 2008 Posted October 26, 2008 As is often the case with NFPA, the standards are not real clear. Take the following from 160:1-1.3This standard shall not apply to the following: Flame effects produced solely by pyrotechnic special effects devices 160 does not offer a definition of pyrotechnic special effect device. 1126 does as noted in my previous post. There are many NFPA standards that would also apply (NFPA 30 – flammable and combustible liquids, NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code, NFPA 59a Storage and handling of LNG, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, etc).Having just read both standards, NFPA does not make a clear classification either way. It is important to remember that NFPA is recommended guidelines. Each jurisdiction will decide how to handle these devices. Some small towns might say, sure just don’t hurt anybody, while larger jurisdictions might hold you to 1126, 160, or similar standards. It will all depend upon local fire code.In addition, by their very nature, these devices could be deemed an attractive nuisance making the owner/operator solely and strictly liable for their use. This would eliminate any and all defenses such as trespass, assumption of risk, contributory negligence, etc.So it really does not make much of a difference if you call it a pyrotechnic or flame effect before an audience, the bottom line is these things are dangerous and you should fully understand your obligations and liabilities before using.That being said, I still would like a pair (just for my own personal enjoyment )
Garry Posted October 26, 2008 Posted October 26, 2008 On 1 on my many trips to China a few years ago I seen those flame shooters in China and I would never use what they had back then, just too dangerously made!We do use USA made Flame Projectors in some of our shows. In fact we even have 1 mounted on an early 1950’s fire truck. :cool:What better place to be used is on a Fire Truck, that is driving in Parades?Note: We all have all licenses, Permits, Insurance, Spotters, fire protection equipment, fire People, and the blessing of the local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).That is my day job and/or night job.Final word: These are not toys and you do need all the above listed credentials and years of experience. Not to be used by the average home owner!In fact these items are now illegal to be used even in China because of an accident a few weeks ago in a night club that had a lot of carnage.:(
Texan78 Posted October 26, 2008 Author Posted October 26, 2008 I didn't mean for this to start a debate but was just curious if LOR could control these. For clarification I did not get this from the site listed in a previous post. They were purchased from a American company they are just made and shipped from China. They are not AC powered just strictly DMX.I don't know what the codes are for these but as Gerry stated and from the impression I got and was told these are not a pyrotechnic device but more of a special FX device. It is my understanding you had to be licensed to purchase any thing pyrotechnic related. With this I did not need it as I told it was not a pyrotechnic device. That is just what I was told from an expert and not from personal experience.I do not plan to use these in a reckless manner and extreme caution and safety will be used with them. I plan on putting them on top of my Aluminum carport which is 10' in height and is 20' from the street with no obstruction around them or above them. They will only be used for a very small portion of the show with only maybe 10 blasts every 20 minutes. Gerry was correct when he said they are a simple on/off control as that is what is says in the manual as well. 2 channels which consists of armed and fire.The fire dept is at the end of my street 3 blocks from me and I have several really good friends in that dept. I took them down there to show them and the captain told me he did not see any restriction in using them and they did not appear to fall under a pyrotechnic device. He did tell me this much that he wanted to come down to inspect the set up once I did place them before I used them to make sure they were not any potienal dangers surrounding them that could cause problems indirectly from using them. Other then that he requested that if I was going to be using a external tank with the units that each unit be equipped with a one way valve between each device and the tank if I was using a external tank and not the internal fuel tank as demoed to them. He also requested that I not use them if the wind is over a certain speed. That is not a problem seeing I have a on site weather station which is very high tech in regards as it is an offical reporting station for NWS office and the fallback station for my city. So being able to monitor the weather conditons will not be a problem since I even have a professional Lighting detector, host the GR Level 3 feed for my cities OEM as well as other skywarn services and devices on site as well. Other then that he saw no problem in them as they were nothing more then a high tech propane BBQ grill. This is coming from a department that has a ISO Class 1 Rating which is a very high national honor to have and only a handfull of departments in the nation have this rating. So I value there opinion on this with those regards.I wish Charles would see this post since I would like to hear is feedback on it since he uses flame projectors in public displays where the crowd is surrounding the focal point and the devices are within 30' of the crowd and you can feel the heat when they come off them they are so close and these are no where in the ball park or size scale of what he uses.
melwelch Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Well being one of the few to have designed and made these to be controlled by LOR, I guess I am the expert... No DMX is required. Each one costs about $60 to make..Some here have really over reracted to the use of flame projectors... The addition of flames to my display has had a very positive response from my fans... I do think mine are any more dangerious than a standard Tiki torch...
Paul Roberson Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 melwelch,Nice job! Looks like you were the first (or one of the first) to have these in a display.Very cool !! or hot !!
Garry Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Melwelch,Before you call yourself an expert, you should check out your local fire code, building code, police department, special FX code, theater code, local license board, and your home owner insurance policy.We never said you could not do this with LOR!We just said it not Legal and Safe to do so as LOR does not have all of the “REQUIRED” safety devices & systems integrated that are needed in its system as it doesn’t need it to just light lights!We are just trying to protect the uneducated and your well being/home/friends/viewers. We are just trying to share our knowledge with you.It is a great effect as we do it all the time with the correct control systems, correctly made devices, in legally produced licensed shows, with the correct insurance policy, and controlled venues.Good luck!!!!!PS: Your far right hand flame is lagging and or misfiring! Either it is on the end of your gas supply line and your gas pressure is lower, or the updraft air currents in the corner are affecting it performance?
melwelch Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Well with over 30 years experiance I think I have it under controll... http://flashcannon.com/I was one of the pioneers of stage pyrotechnics...
Garry Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Well that said made me feel a little better.I have 45 year experience and I will share with you just 1 of our web pages www.pyro-pro.com
Texan78 Posted October 29, 2008 Author Posted October 29, 2008 I am just curious, besides the fact it is fire. What makes these flame projectors "unsafe" to use? Not dangerous, but unsafe to use? The units I have are not has big as the may look. It only shoots a flame about 3-4'. If they are placed where people can not walk up on them or near them I would think they should be ok. I don't think they are anymore unsafe then a BBQ grill and even my local Fire Station said that as well. I see these units used all the time in Haunted Houses and what not and they are in very close proxemity of guests.melwelch, those are really nice. There is a discussion on one of the Halloween forums with your display and people are trying to figure out how you did it. I played around with an idea similar to yours many years ago. I just never got around to trying to improve it.
melwelch Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Texan78 thanks for the nice comments... I still say mine are no more unsafe than a standard Tiki torch....Could you give me a link to the forum you referenced...Thanks
Texan78 Posted October 29, 2008 Author Posted October 29, 2008 I kind of have to agree but I am no expert at all. Just from a amateur eye though they don't look all that dangerous.They deleted the tread like they always do with topics like that and homemade fog juice as well.
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