Smoke, Haze Machines

[Tommo DJ]

Not sure if this has ever been covered, and it may seem a strange question, however could anyone tell me if the haze/smoke machines set off any fire alarms, or has it happened to anyone :confused:

Do many of you use these machines at weddings, some birthday parties, or do you ask the customer if they mind having one :D

[Babybob]

They can set off fire alarms as they emit smoke...;)
I always ask the venue if they are allowed, many venues have sensitive smoke alarms so the old smoke machine is used less and less.

[SC Events]

Hiya,

I use an OKish ProSound 800W Smoke Machine (from Maplin's of course! :D ),
but I always ask the customer if they want it/or the venue will allow them.

I always try to use it if I can, not too much though, just enough to make the lights look really effective!

Scott.

[Penfold42]

I went to see a venue tonight ...."No smoke."


...as it stains the walls.....:confused:
New one on me.

[Need4Sound]

I'm sure it's been covered many times on here, however I can give you my most recent experience.

We played a combined 16th and 18th last Saturday. The venue said we could use a smoke machine and for a couple of hours all was good. We then started to wind up the music (they wanted some hardcore) blasting plenty of smoke and 10 minutes later............... power off, smoke alarm!! Annoyed the gaffa quite a lot, said sorry but he did give permission and he didn't say take it easy. 5 minutes later fire engine arrives, another appology.

So I guess the lesson is, even when you can use a smoke machine (which is not very often these days) take it easy, a few blasts but no fog!!

Richie D.
Need4Sound

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It depends on the type of alarm, whether it is smoke or heat and how sensitive they are, but yes, both smoke and haze machines can set them off.

The last time I used a smoke machine was about 5 years ago in a council run venue. I rang the council and asked permission to use one, which they agreed to. It was a teen party, so I really needed to use it.

On the night, the fire alarms were going mad and in the end, we had to turn it off.

Haze is generally better than smoke as it is thinner and not so dense.

[Babybob]

My wife used to be like haze.....aaaa the memories.

[Tommo DJ]

Wow thanks guys seems like they are more trouble then they are worth, was just thinking about making my lights look a little better, but after your problems the last thing i want is firemen at a wedding lol :eek: maybe a ladies hen they would not mind :D

[Shaun]

I've only set off a fire alarm the once. Gig at the local football grounds function suite. 4 fire engines arrived in less than 4 minutes - Impressive! :D


My wife used to be like haze.....aaaa the memories.

Charming.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Haze is generally better than smoke as it is thinner and not so dense.

Just to go a bit further. Ive never known haze machines to set off alarms that smoke machines do. Its all because, like Daz said, the effect is alot thnner. Haze machines can "crack" the carbon into smaller particles and therefore sensitive alarms arnt set off with haze.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have yet to have a problem with alarms when using my Haze machine. Even with the really dense haze solution. I do like the quick distribution of smoke machines but it's obvious to see. With the haze machine you hardly notice it's there and it does the job of picking out the beams of light really well.

[[email protected]]

It does amaze you when newer venues are designed and built they don't take into consideration that haze adds to the atmosphere and enhances lighting.

It's also quite ironic how much it varies from venue to venue. I have a mate that runs a function band and did a few gigs at The Savoy a couple of years back, they set up, ask the function manager if they can isolate the fire alarm in the suite, they say yeah no problem, and they can use smoke and haze. now if there was a fire i would imagine it would cost 10's of millions to put right, you go to your local venue that would cost 2.50 to rebuild if a fire occured and they look at you like your the devil, no you must NOT use haze, we'll all burn in hell if you plug it in. :shrug:

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Just wondering what kind of legal minefield you let yourself in for when you ask the venue to "disabled" fire alarms?

[Vectis]

I rarely come across a venue that disallows smoke & haze, although to be fair most of them don't know what haze is :bang: and after a bit of a physics lesson any reticence is lost.

There's probably 3 or 4 venues on the whole island that blank refuse it, mostly council owned premises.

I've set fire alarms off with too much haze before now, but I always make a point of asking whether the alarms are local and can be easily reset. If the alarms are remote, then more often than not I won't take the chance. But again, this amounts to a very small %age of venues.

[[email protected]]

Just wondering what kind of legal minefield you let yourself in for when you ask the venue to "disabled" fire alarms?

I wouldn't like to guess, however, when i have asked previously if i can use a hazer it's either a plain and simple no, or a yes but we'll need to isolate the fire alarm, i guess at that point i haven't asked them to turn it off, i've just asked if i can use the hazer and they've took the decision to isolate.

It's been a steady decline at venues where you can get away with using them, except for marquee bookings

[rob1963]

Not sure if this has ever been covered, and it may seem a strange question, however could anyone tell me if the haze/smoke machines set off any fire alarms, or has it happened to anyone

It happened to me shortly after I'd started mobiles back in the mid 80's.

I'd just bought a new toy...a le Maitre pyrotechnics system, and some cartridges with gave off a green mushroom of smoke.

I was doing the Christmas party for my local Sainsburys & decided to give the system a go. I pressed the button & a big mushroom of green smoke appeared, which looked fantastic.

About 30 seconds later, I heard what sounded like a continuous school bell ringing, and after about 5 minutes, half a dozen burly firemen rushed in.

Within about a minute of their arrival, I'd located & started playing a certain record by "The crazy world of Arthur Brown", and luckily they saw the funny side.

Ever since then, I've been very wary of using smoke machines, which is probably why mine hasn't even left the wardrobe for at least 5 years.

[Vectis]

wardrobe

Huh? :confused: :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :)

[ppentertainments]

Haze does seem to be the way forward. If you do use a smoke machine try placing a fan on top of the machine to quickly disperse any smoke preventing you using too much.

[rob1963]

wardrobe


Huh? :confused: :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :)

You know...wardrobe...a place where people keep clothes...










































...and disco equipment! :D

[Corabar Steve]

Huh? :confused: :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :)

Rob lives in Narnia

[sleah]

Just wondering what kind of legal minefield you let yourself in for when you ask the venue to "disabled" fire alarms?

Ah now I can answer this one!
To be clear, there is no legal requirement (as such) to have a fire alarm. It is like PLI/PAT, a requirement of the insurance company. However it may also be a condition of any lisenses the venue may hold.

Disabling a fire alarm system is a big no-no (except for servicing). However, disabling smoke detectors in an occupied area (i.e. function room) is perfectly acceptable.

The reason the Savoy isolated the smoke alarms is because they are well informed and trained. Plus it's just plain common sense.
The person who isolates the detectors is also responsible for ensuring they are re-activated if they system does not do it automatically after a preset time.

Think about it. In the event of a fire in an occupied function room, will it be the smoke detectors that trigger the fire alarm system?:confused:
I bloomin well hope not!:eek: That's because someone will be aware of the fire long before the detectors will pick anything up, and raise the alarm.

Reasons for refusal to isolate detectors are:
1 Can't be done - the detectors cannot be isolated.
2 Don't know how to do it - very likely in many cases:(
3 Person won't take responsibilty for doing it - fair game I suppose.
4 Person cannot be trusted with responsibilty - it happens...
5 Pure bloody mindedness - bet that's rather common.
6 Jobsworth - that applies to 2,3 and 4. Fair enough!



Rob lives in Narnia

Quick Steve, quick. Mind you, Rob did leave both doors wide open and pegged back:D:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Someone break out the Turkish delight, quick. :sj:

[tc1ooo]

I've tried 6 different smoke / haze machines on my house smoke detectors, they all set them off. I was hoping the Neutron Star hazer wouldn't... but that did as well.

[sleah]

I've tried 6 different smoke / haze machines on my house smoke detectors, they all set them off. I was hoping the Neutron Star hazer wouldn't... but that did as well.

Bear in mind you are in a much more confined space and probably closer to the detectors.
All fog/haze will set off detectors, it's more about will there be enough concentration arriving at the detectors to trigger them.:(
Haze will take longer as it's not as dense as fog.:)