Forums > Social Discussion > written fire safety test?
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All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
so there are 2 friends of mine in vegas who want to create a fire troupe and want me to be part of it. i'd love to be part of it and have a group to practice with again. the problem is there are differing approaches to fire spinning within our group...
last night there was an underground desert party that we were all at. since it was way outside of town in the canyons, it was fairly windy. one of the guys is completely reckless in general with his attitude towards spinning. it was risky enough to be doing poi and staff, but he decided to do some fire breathing as well. we were out in the desert, 30 miles at least from the nearest town, tons of dry brush around. he didn't have any saftey precautions set up, nothing. and he's breathing fire with the wind at like 15-20 mph. he ended up getting blowback, and the fire wrapped around the back of his head. he didn't even notice. when i told him about it, his response was "well did it look cool?"
i've lectured him dozens of times about fire safety, and he never listens. he has some good talent, but he spins because he wants to look cool. he has no interest in promoting the art, only himself. he doesn't care about safety issues whatsoever.
my close friend who is organizing the troupe and was the one who asked me to be part of it feels the same about this other guy's recklessness. but it's his best friend so i know he's gonna be reluctant to take much action about it. i told him last night that if this other guy continues to be careless about it, i won't be part of the troupe.
i know it's the right decision, no question. but what i was thinking about was do you guys think that it would be a good idea to have a fire safety test for your troupe. by that i mean, if you're starting your own troupe and ask people to join or other people ask to join, do you think it would be a good idea to create a fire safety test that each person would have to study for and pass before being able to join your troupe?
i know it won't necessarily stop people from not being safe, and you should have other rules related to that, but this way you know that each person at least has the information necessary in critical situations.
what's your guys' opinions?
so there are 2 friends of mine in vegas who want to create a fire troupe and want me to be part of it. i'd love to be part of it and have a group to practice with again. the problem is there are differing approaches to fire spinning within our group...
last night there was an underground desert party that we were all at. since it was way outside of town in the canyons, it was fairly windy. one of the guys is completely reckless in general with his attitude towards spinning. it was risky enough to be doing poi and staff, but he decided to do some fire breathing as well. we were out in the desert, 30 miles at least from the nearest town, tons of dry brush around. he didn't have any saftey precautions set up, nothing. and he's breathing fire with the wind at like 15-20 mph. he ended up getting blowback, and the fire wrapped around the back of his head. he didn't even notice. when i told him about it, his response was "well did it look cool?"
i've lectured him dozens of times about fire safety, and he never listens. he has some good talent, but he spins because he wants to look cool. he has no interest in promoting the art, only himself. he doesn't care about safety issues whatsoever.
my close friend who is organizing the troupe and was the one who asked me to be part of it feels the same about this other guy's recklessness. but it's his best friend so i know he's gonna be reluctant to take much action about it. i told him last night that if this other guy continues to be careless about it, i won't be part of the troupe.
i know it's the right decision, no question. but what i was thinking about was do you guys think that it would be a good idea to have a fire safety test for your troupe. by that i mean, if you're starting your own troupe and ask people to join or other people ask to join, do you think it would be a good idea to create a fire safety test that each person would have to study for and pass before being able to join your troupe?
i know it won't necessarily stop people from not being safe, and you should have other rules related to that, but this way you know that each person at least has the information necessary in critical situations.
what's your guys' opinions?
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
SILVER Member
Sweet talented nutter
2,615 posts
Location: Brisbane Oz, Australia
Sweet talented nutter
2,615 posts
Location: Brisbane Oz, Australia
Posted:
Don't go there this a bad thing to be involed in will he look cool if he losses half his lung? on stage performing.
Problem with people / society is your guilty by association
Didn't arristotle Quote
"you learn more about someone in a hour of play then a lifetime of discussion"
Puk waiver (i could of said plato but he plagerised arristotle all the time).
Don't go there this a bad thing to be involed in will he look cool if he losses half his lung? on stage performing.
Problem with people / society is your guilty by association
Didn't arristotle Quote
"you learn more about someone in a hour of play then a lifetime of discussion"
Puk waiver (i could of said plato but he plagerised arristotle all the time).
that shrewd and knavish sprite
Called Robin Good Fellow ; are you not he that is frighten of the maidens of the villagery - fairy
I am the merry wander of the night -puk
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
So how are you going to write a safety test? And should we share it with the fire community at large so that maybe all troupes have this option available?
Here are some things to brainstorm over:
*When to use a wet towel vs. a fire extinguisher
*Distance from a fuel can that is safe for fire.
So how are you going to write a safety test? And should we share it with the fire community at large so that maybe all troupes have this option available?
Here are some things to brainstorm over:
*When to use a wet towel vs. a fire extinguisher
*Distance from a fuel can that is safe for fire.
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
Pooh-Bah
1,662 posts
Location: Bristol
1,662 posts
Location: Bristol
Posted:
i think it's a really good idea. If nothing esle it shows potential members that you are serious about saftey and that if they're going to join then messing around with fire and endangering people isn't what you consider a joke.
what would you do if they failed the test? would you give them the chance to do it again? we had to do a similar test before we could work in the workshop at guildhall, and they basically told us the answers first - cos it's more important to know about safety than to prove you're clever.
i think it's a really good idea. If nothing esle it shows potential members that you are serious about saftey and that if they're going to join then messing around with fire and endangering people isn't what you consider a joke.
what would you do if they failed the test? would you give them the chance to do it again? we had to do a similar test before we could work in the workshop at guildhall, and they basically told us the answers first - cos it's more important to know about safety than to prove you're clever.
I had a dream that my friend had a
strong-bad pop up book,
it was the book of my dreams.
GOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Posted:
Maybe you would be better off with a Fire Safety Contract. Something where people are taught all the safety rules, then asked to sign to say that they understand them and will abide by them. If you want you could test that they know the rules, then if they flout the rules you then have a right to ask them to leave.
Maybe you would be better off with a Fire Safety Contract. Something where people are taught all the safety rules, then asked to sign to say that they understand them and will abide by them. If you want you could test that they know the rules, then if they flout the rules you then have a right to ask them to leave.
Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
I prefer Skuld's idea.
Personally, I won't allow someone to perform at a gig I'm organizing if they don't follow baic safety measures....and I won't perform with a group if they appear unsafe.
I've got a reputation for being very safety aware, and have a set of minimum safety requirements I use when I pull together a gig. I'm a hard a$$ when it comes to safety at one of my gigs, but it will reflect on me if someone doesn't spin safely.
I'm not always the one in charge, or organizing the gig...and in situations like that, I evaluate what safety measures are in place. If I don't feel enough is being done, then I approach the person who is in charge, and ask if we can do more. Usually, they are approachable. If they aren't, then I won't spin.
In your case, pounce, I'd think long and hard about spinning with them. IT sounds like your Vanity Man will get a lesson in humility one of these days, and it will be a painful one. No one is exempt from the basic safety measures...no one, no matter how good they are. Unless everyone in your group agrees to use basic safety requirements, then I wouldn't spin, but that's just me. If the guy in charge can't see the importance of that, and lets his friendship with Vanity Boy jade him, then he needs a kick in the pants.
My opinionated 2 cents
I prefer Skuld's idea.
Personally, I won't allow someone to perform at a gig I'm organizing if they don't follow baic safety measures....and I won't perform with a group if they appear unsafe.
I've got a reputation for being very safety aware, and have a set of minimum safety requirements I use when I pull together a gig. I'm a hard a$$ when it comes to safety at one of my gigs, but it will reflect on me if someone doesn't spin safely.
I'm not always the one in charge, or organizing the gig...and in situations like that, I evaluate what safety measures are in place. If I don't feel enough is being done, then I approach the person who is in charge, and ask if we can do more. Usually, they are approachable. If they aren't, then I won't spin.
In your case, pounce, I'd think long and hard about spinning with them. IT sounds like your Vanity Man will get a lesson in humility one of these days, and it will be a painful one. No one is exempt from the basic safety measures...no one, no matter how good they are. Unless everyone in your group agrees to use basic safety requirements, then I wouldn't spin, but that's just me. If the guy in charge can't see the importance of that, and lets his friendship with Vanity Boy jade him, then he needs a kick in the pants.
My opinionated 2 cents
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
SILVER Member
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
ya i totally agree. i definately will not associate myself with them if safety is not a first priority.
a safety contract sounds like a great idea. as far as the test goes, i would start first by teaching any new person about safety: show them articles on this site, explain safety precautions, refer them to various materials. and then i'd give them the chance to take the test. if they fail, then i probably would give them another chance to study and take it again. but i wouldn't allow anyone to spin fire with me/my troupe without passing the test first.
as far as what would go into the test, i think getting suggestions from this community would be preferable. i'm sure there are plenty of good questions/scenarios that you all could come up with. and i'd be more than happy to put it all together and then make it available to HOP. heck, if malcolm feels it's a good idea, maybe it could even be included in the articles section.
so send me your ideas, questions, scenarios, whatever you think should be included. you can post it here or send me a PM. i'll work on it and write up a draft, and probably post it back up to get some feedback.
ya i totally agree. i definately will not associate myself with them if safety is not a first priority.
a safety contract sounds like a great idea. as far as the test goes, i would start first by teaching any new person about safety: show them articles on this site, explain safety precautions, refer them to various materials. and then i'd give them the chance to take the test. if they fail, then i probably would give them another chance to study and take it again. but i wouldn't allow anyone to spin fire with me/my troupe without passing the test first.
as far as what would go into the test, i think getting suggestions from this community would be preferable. i'm sure there are plenty of good questions/scenarios that you all could come up with. and i'd be more than happy to put it all together and then make it available to HOP. heck, if malcolm feels it's a good idea, maybe it could even be included in the articles section.
so send me your ideas, questions, scenarios, whatever you think should be included. you can post it here or send me a PM. i'll work on it and write up a draft, and probably post it back up to get some feedback.
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
I think safety always comes first.
Always.
Which is why I was slightly confused a HOPper when they told me not to smoke near the paraffin container.
We all know the flash point of paraffin is low enough, so that you have to hold a light near to it for a few seconds for it to warm up enough to be able to ignite.
A ciggerette is not nearly hot enough to raise the temperature substansially enough for the paraffin to ignite. If a ciggie was droped into the paraffin, the cigerette would go out. This is why you *can* put out your wicks by dunking them in paraffin.
I personally have *never* seen the fumes from paraffin ingite the conatiner of paraffin, even from staffs or poi.
So what did I do wrong?
I think safety always comes first.
Always.
Which is why I was slightly confused a HOPper when they told me not to smoke near the paraffin container.
We all know the flash point of paraffin is low enough, so that you have to hold a light near to it for a few seconds for it to warm up enough to be able to ignite.
A ciggerette is not nearly hot enough to raise the temperature substansially enough for the paraffin to ignite. If a ciggie was droped into the paraffin, the cigerette would go out. This is why you *can* put out your wicks by dunking them in paraffin.
I personally have *never* seen the fumes from paraffin ingite the conatiner of paraffin, even from staffs or poi.
So what did I do wrong?
110% MONKEY EVERY TIME ALL THE TIME JUST CANT STOP THE MONKEY
3,149 posts
Location: London
3,149 posts
Location: London
Posted:
indeed you *can*...
but REALLY not a good idea. I've seen it done quite a bit with no problems.
I've also seen it go dangerously wrong once.
Written by: UCoF
This is why you *can* put out your wicks by dunking them in paraffin.
indeed you *can*...
but REALLY not a good idea. I've seen it done quite a bit with no problems.
I've also seen it go dangerously wrong once.
"Switching between different kinds of chuu chuu sometimes gives this "urgh wtf?" effect because it's giving people the phi phenomenon."
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Ive also seen it done dangerously once too.
It was ucof Chris around my house.
Tut Tut.
Ive also seen it done dangerously once too.
It was ucof Chris around my house.
Tut Tut.
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
When NYC came to Sheffield he was a little alarmed at how I wasn't concerned at being near my fuel with lit wicks.
Apparently the fuel they use in America is more volatile (white gas?) than the paraffin I was using.
Given that some people use fuel that is more explosive than paraffin it's a good idea to get into the habit of not approaching fuel comtainers with lit poi or whilst smoking.
When NYC came to Sheffield he was a little alarmed at how I wasn't concerned at being near my fuel with lit wicks.
Apparently the fuel they use in America is more volatile (white gas?) than the paraffin I was using.
Given that some people use fuel that is more explosive than paraffin it's a good idea to get into the habit of not approaching fuel comtainers with lit poi or whilst smoking.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
SILVER Member
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
ya, white gas is definately more volatile. i keep my fuel in an old paint can, and i always close the lid immediately after soaking my wicks. i sometimes use lamp oil which wouldn't be as dangerous to go near with lit wicks, but i tend to use white gas more often. you never really know what fuel people use out here cause it varies with the different people i've spun with. so regardless, i make sure to keep lit wicks/cigarettes/etc. away from where the fuel is sitting.
ya, white gas is definately more volatile. i keep my fuel in an old paint can, and i always close the lid immediately after soaking my wicks. i sometimes use lamp oil which wouldn't be as dangerous to go near with lit wicks, but i tend to use white gas more often. you never really know what fuel people use out here cause it varies with the different people i've spun with. so regardless, i make sure to keep lit wicks/cigarettes/etc. away from where the fuel is sitting.
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
It's been at the back of my mind that the day will surely come when someone turns up at a poi meet with a container of petrol.
A recent post in the poi moves section by a newbie who's been using petrol, not knowing how dangerous it is, has made this scenario seem very plausible.
Of course if anyone happens to be nearby with lit poi then people are going to really get hurt.
Which is more good reason to stay away from other peoples fuel, and to not assume that everyones using paraffin.
It's been at the back of my mind that the day will surely come when someone turns up at a poi meet with a container of petrol.
A recent post in the poi moves section by a newbie who's been using petrol, not knowing how dangerous it is, has made this scenario seem very plausible.
Of course if anyone happens to be nearby with lit poi then people are going to really get hurt.
Which is more good reason to stay away from other peoples fuel, and to not assume that everyones using paraffin.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
That is indeed a very valid point my friend,
I however have never seen anyone in London use anything apart from paraffin.
The person I am referring to was opening their bottle of paraffin (with the cardboard seal still intact so i know it was paraffin and not simply a refilled container)
That is indeed a very valid point my friend,
I however have never seen anyone in London use anything apart from paraffin.
The person I am referring to was opening their bottle of paraffin (with the cardboard seal still intact so i know it was paraffin and not simply a refilled container)
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Remember kids....
Non-Https Image Link
Remember kids....
Non-Https Image Link
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
SILVER Member
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
just an update for ya...
i brought the idea up with my troupe, and the guy who has been organizing it thought it was a really good idea. so we are currently reading up on everything we can, and are going to being composing the test shortly. i still would love any input anyone would like to send our way, and i will post it up once we are finished for others to give us some feedback.
just an update for ya...
i brought the idea up with my troupe, and the guy who has been organizing it thought it was a really good idea. so we are currently reading up on everything we can, and are going to being composing the test shortly. i still would love any input anyone would like to send our way, and i will post it up once we are finished for others to give us some feedback.
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
"if i jump in the fire, will you?"
633 posts
Location: USA, wishing I was in SA
633 posts
Location: USA, wishing I was in SA
Posted:
it all depends on what mix you have . i use 50% white gas (parrifin) and 50% lamp oil , so nothing is going to go wrong there!
it all depends on what mix you have . i use 50% white gas (parrifin) and 50% lamp oil , so nothing is going to go wrong there!
i like breaking the Law 
, of Gravity !
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