Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this issue is coming up more and more in the newly constructed high school theatres that I’m working in, and administrators aren’t that keen on shutting down the smoke detectors (or putting them in test mode) for plays. In the last 3 theatres I managed we simply had a No Fog Machine policy.
All is not lost though – we did allow ground fog (mostly dry ice). You can find a suggestion for policy wording in my High School Theatre Safety Manual, but in short, here it is (feel free to appropriate):
Fog Machine Policy
Most smoke detectors are designed to measure particles in the air and risk being set off if the smoke level from a fog machine gets too high on stage. Therefore smoke machines and hazers are not permitted in the theatre.
Dry ice and ground fog may be safe as they tend to gravitate downwards, but if you chose to use dry ice and/or ground fog, you do so at your show’s own peril. If they set off the fire alarm, the theatre must be completely evacuated (performers, crew, staff and audience), and permission must be given by the Fire Department before anyone can re-enter the building. In that case, your show will most likely be shut down for the remainder of that performance.
_____________________________________________ ____________________
Signature of User Representative Date
- Indicates that this notice has been read and that User accepts all risks.
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Beth Rand
High School Theatre Management Coach
Next HS Theatre Management online course starts March 27 - spaces still available.
Author of "High School Theatre Operations" and "High School Theatre Safety Manual"
www.PRESETT.orgWoodinville, WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-01-2017 05:24
From: Christine Dougherty
Subject: Fog machine- fire alarm help
We spent a lot of money renting a good quality fog machine for our show The Little Mermaid. The first two weeks we practiced with it, no problems. Now we are setting off the fire alarms. Trying to work things out w putting it on test, but admin is not happy. Uhg. Anyone have any tips to prevent fire/smoke alarms. We had new roof put in over summer and they switch from heat sensor fire alarms to smoke alarms. This is why we are having this problem for the first time.
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