Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 21

Thread: Smoke machines and fire alarms

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    8,648

    Default

    my brother just got a hazer, we were fire alarm testing and it set off our fire alarm

    but that was right under it, with the hazer aiming at it
    Eat Sleep Lase Repeat

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Rotorua New Zealand
    Posts
    528

    Default

    Hi,

    Just a thought. I have a contract doing the electronics and Technical events for a resonably large events centre... here in NZ..liek Theatre, Auditoriums, Conference rooms etc etc.

    We have the ability and regularly (like most weeks) "isolate" a particular area.. we have also "event mode" which will give warnings to duty staff but not sound the alarms for a pre-determined period.

    Some of our shows, like the Ten Tenors etc use haze, smoke etc without this isolation option, this would not be possible.

    Suggest you contact the Venue Tech manager and see if they have this function available. Sometimes there is a fee as there has to be someone 'on gaurd' during such an isolation.

    Cheers

    Ray
    NZ

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charleston, SC
    Posts
    2,147,489,553

    Cool

    I once did a show for my cousin and her kids in a hotel room. I was concerned that my fog machine would set off the smoke alarm, so we covered the smoke detector in the room with a wet towel and were just fine.

    Not sure that such a remedy would go over really well for a comercial gig though! Maybe you could contact the local fire marshal and ask him for advice...

    As for a hazer not setting off the smoke alarm - don't bet on it! Even oil-and-compressor-based hazers can trigger an alarm. It's true that heat-based cracking units (foggers or hazers) have a better chance of triggering the alarm, but I've heard of DF50 units setting of smoke detectors before.

    Adam

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    145

    Default

    In my former life (one which I enjoyed much more!) I was the Stage Manager / Lighting Designer for a couple theatres. We had all sorts of shows come through those venues... A lot of them used standard glycerol smoke machines and CO2 smoke machines. Never had a problem with either of them tripping the smoke alarms at either venue. And sometimes the smoke machine operators got a bit carried away and it was so thick you couldnt see your hand in front of your face. Hehe.

    We never used hazer's, so I cannot comment on them.

    I believe both venues used standard ionization based smoke detectors. It's entirely possible that optical based detectors could be more sensitive to smoke/fog, especially if it's laid in pretty thick...

    Brad

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Under a rock in Cambridge UK
    Posts
    1,353

    Thumbs up We have lift off

    Thanks for all the replies...
    I finally got to see the venue and they have an optical and heat sensing fire alarm. Apparently they can't disable the room and can't disable either function of the alarm...

    So I got my water based hazer and glycerole based fogger and filled the room with really thick smoke, both running flat out... And guess what?

    No alarms were triggered

    Now I am a happy man, it's going to be one helll of a party as I am doing the music lights and lasers.... What could be better than a night of your favourite tunes and your favourite hobby all rolled into one?

    Mark

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Yorkshire, UK
    Posts
    4,585

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Insanity View Post
    Thanks for all the replies...
    I finally got to see the venue and they have an optical and heat sensing fire alarm. Apparently they can't disable the room and can't disable either function of the alarm...

    So I got my water based hazer and glycerole based fogger and filled the room with really thick smoke, both running flat out... And guess what?

    No alarms were triggered

    Now I am a happy man, it's going to be one helll of a party as I am doing the music lights and lasers.... What could be better than a night of your favourite tunes and your favourite hobby all rolled into one?

    Mark

    Nice one Mark, pleased you got it sorted. It sounds like you're in for a great night

    Jem
    Quote: "There is a theory which states that if ever, for any reason, anyone discovers what exactly the Universe is for and why it is here it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another that states that this has already happened.”... Douglas Adams 1952 - 2001

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    1,127

    Default

    BTW: Since we are on the topic. And you will laugh at Floridas stupidity on the issue but its a law.

    The state of Florida requires one fire extinguisher per smoke machine right next to each machine regardless of output or if it is a hazer or smoke machine. Not because it sets off alarms, but because it produces "smoke". You know what they say, where there is smoke, theres fire. I had a fire marshal almost shut down an event because of it.

    And since we are on the topic of Florida and dumbness. A certified Florida electrician must be present at all times a laser is present, to plug up, unplug and stand by the thing while its on. Even if the laser simply plugs up to a 110v circuit.

    I forgot to mention this to people involved with FLEM but it applies to commercial and private events. The fire marshal was nice enough to show me both of them in the books so I know its true.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    7,067

    Question

    Does that mean I need to become an electrcian fpr the projector next to me?
    Love, peace, and grease,

    allthat... aka: aaron@pangolin

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    1,127

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by allthatwhichis View Post
    Does that mean I need to become an electrcian fpr the projector next to me?
    lol, technically yes. doubt u will have an enforcement team bust in your door with a search warrant though.

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    7,067

    Lightbulb

    Quote Originally Posted by dream beamz View Post
    lol, technically yes. doubt u will have an enforcement team bust in your door with a search warrant though.
    Unless I project it through the back window on to my privacy fence 50 feet away... which I only do, once or twice a month, when I can catch a good foggy night.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •