Hi all,

Recently i noticed a lot of members are into fire magic. Me too, love fire magic. But there are some things to watch out when fire is used. I know i sounds quite naggy sometimes.... :lol: ......anyway these are 2 articles from www.themagiccafe.com, which are must read.

Flash Paper and Pyrotechnics:

Every year thousands of people are either seriously injured or killed attempting to manufacture or create their own flash paper, flashpots, smoke effects or fireworks.

Because of the obvious dangers in such a foolish endeaver, we strongly recommend you purchase such items from your favorite dealer, or hire a licensed professional to create the effects for your program or show. Never attempt to create your own flashpaper or other such items, be safe and stay alive!

This article was contributed by Steve Brooks, manager of the cafe.



Here the 2nd article contributed by Bill Palmer, a cafe member,
I have noticed recently that more and more people are posting things to this forum that are apparently in violation of the forum rules.

I'm not a moderator of the Magic Café, so I am speaking strictly for myself, but I cringe anytime I see certain kinds of posts, especially those that seem to ignore basic rules of fire safety. I have been accused of being overly cautious. This may be so, but it is based on harsh reality.

When you start asking about how to make sparks fly out over the heads of the audience, consider this. It only took a few sparks to set the night club afire that burned down in West Warwick, RI. You can't "un-burn" a building. A hundred people were killed and another 200 injured as a result of that fire.

A second matter is this: many of the people who are posting questions (and answers) about various and sundry chemical preparations are ill-advised to do so. I have forgotten most of the chemistry I had in high school and college, but I do have chemists with whom I consult before I brew up a concoction to use in a show. Many of our posters have had NO training whatsoever. Some of the chemicals we used 30 or 40 years ago are illegal to purchase over the counter and may be lethal, carcinogenic or have other very seriously damaging consequences if used improperly.

And some are proprietary, which means that revealing what they are on this OPEN FORUM is just as serious as revealing how any illusion, trick or sleight is done.

Please consider all of this when posting.



hope it helps,
yujie

Another few pointers from a semi-reformed pyromaniac...

1. Always conduct your "experiments" on non-flammable surfaces, eg. glass or metal (I use those aluminium block-candle stands from ikea) and

2. MAKE SURE THERE IS NO FLAMMABLE MATERIAL IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY

3. If experimenting outdoors, do so on tiled surfaces or on bare ground (soil, rock etc), and outdoors, rule 2 this includes stuff like dry leaves, etc. Factor in other conditions such as wind etc.

4. Have a contingency plan, how to contain the fire if it gets out of hand, how to put it out etc.

more advice from a full-time pyromaniac.

due to numerous experiences with a butane tank, always point the gas with the wind. not with the wind blowing into ure face. also once you smell gas, STOP!!! many of my friends never take note then got the hair on thier arms burnt. oso, brooms work well for putting out non-liquid fires.

woah!! fire magic .. haha.. saw some over the internet .. the effects are cool.. wow.. playing with fire can be dangerous sometimes yeah? :lol:

You won't be able to order many of the effects until you're 18 years old. You gotta learn how to think responsibly first.

:lol: haha.. i only like to see fire magic..... =)) nv thought of doing it.. haha .. nice effect ma..

do it on the MRT... the old people will get heart attack...

doin fire magic on stage is extreme cool!!! first do inviso torch then later light a candle and float the fire, muhahahaha lastly turn the fire into a fire pheonix, then make it disappear! nice!!!

If ya were to ask me on fire magic, I would say don't try this at home. Go to a friend's place. Hahaha.... :lol: Anyway I nearly set my room on fire once... the flame burnt some paper on my table. Always have a fire extinguisher near you just in case. I believe the post office do sell them, those mini portable ones.

Hey!!
Fire magic is really beautiful!!If u are below 18 yrs old, maybe u can try flash papers!!If chemical is involved, beware of environmental issues and oso pollution things!!haha!!Safety 1st!!haha! :)

if u are into fire magic....
i suggest 'fire wallet' and 'flash paper'
this two is good though.

saw this topic and i have something to ask....i've seen signs over websites that fire stuffs like flash papers and stuff are not sold to any1 under 18....any dealers sold any to minors yet?is it really "illegal"?

Fire Magic :P i had saw it on stage before.. the effects are cool.. but the smile is bad. <_<

And using fire can be dangerous sometimes, as i live near Bt Ho Swee when i was a kid. <_<

Scarly, those know about the fire at Bt Ho Swee will understand me. ^_^

Safety always come 1st!!

M.A.D. B)

Talking about fire magic...

Here is my experience and suggestion..

Always Always bring along a handheld fire extinguisher.

Its always Play safe than sorry.

Imagine that u done something wrong, terribly wrong in a ballroom or dinner and dance show. and u burn the stage. If u have a handy extinguisher around u might save the day.

If you did not bring around the fire extingusiher, and u might get the situation worst. Even might stop the whole show or even worst the fire gets bigger.

So you will never know comes next. Be prepare and smart.

As for gettting fire extinguisher. Get those which is able to cover fire A, B and C.

This plays safe that the fire extinguisher is ready to extinguish all sort of fire.

Carbon Dioxide is the more preference extinguisher but a bit expensive than other liquid or power type of extinguisher.



Before you go to the place and perform fire acts... Acknowledge that you will be doing what. But not try to make things secretive and do the act with out letting the authourities/organiser/magnagement knowing.

They might stop your act. So beware.


Watch out for celling toos..althought the management allows you to perform fire acts but...Becare ful of low celling, look out for sprinklers..
As you will never know when you will activate the shower party.

Children Show...try to reduce these fire act in Children shows. As it creates a bad image to children that they might learn from what u done. It seems harmless to you but the children might think the same.

Throwing and flash bombs or flash paper around ...Especially with sparkle addicitive. Look for the distance between you and the crowd / audiences. I believe you would not want someone to call 995.

You might be giggling that this would not happen but it did.

Finally, practice practice and practice fire acts before you hit the road.

Regards
Symmatrix

just tell you what i did.. really really dumb.. i was playing with my butane gas.. being the pyromaniac i am... i was refilling a lighter...
but i forgot dat i had a aroma lamp nearby.. so imagine..
VOOM !!!

hand hair all gone.. head hair slightly burnt and a whole wad of flash paper...

lesson learnt: dun put flamable things around naked flame.. :huh:

Wow, that load of Flash Paper is gonna cost you a bomb, but glad to know that you're still able to type that out. ;)

Heard a story before that someone backstage burnt down one of JC Sum's sets at one of his stage shows before. Something about setting the backdrop on fire.

Always exercise caution when handling fire, money and women. B)

Mr Aloy, just wanted to know why women??haa... B)

Ouch.
I was thnking about getting into fire magic but now, maybe not. I'll stick to eating glass. Seriously..

:blink: :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink:

I think if you're eating glass already, fire magic should be a breeze for you.. Eat fire maybe? :lol:

how would you know...eating glass might be easier than swalloing fire lol....

The chemicals coating the glass isn't safe for health and... Fire eatting, aiyah, get blisters only lor. :ph43r: Don't try any of these at home!!!

Ya, agree tt fire magic is not easy. Started with Pyris and its not all tt "cool". getting used to the heat is a must. Not careful, you'll end up with some painful burns and blisters too.

Having fun with pyris? ^_^ Use the 3 second rule... fire always has an element of danger but the illusion effect is always, well, usually cool. I mean, hot. :g:

Haha. So are you? HEE HEE! oops. Yeah, Pyris is fun, almost useable in any situation where u jus need a small flame to spice things up.