Frank Colson on tue 3 jul 07
Might help if you simply do "Smokless Raku",sessions!! Everything is the
same firing tec., but there is no, zap, "smoke " in post treatment. This
is not speculative, it can be done and has been done! Just go to:
www.R2D2u.com and get the dope! Remember, everyone else (fire officials)
believe that "where there is smoke, there is fire"! It ain't necessarly
so!
Frank Colson
----- Original Message -----
From: "William & Susan Schran User"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 5:37 AM
Subject: Re: fire marshal blues/raku
> On 7/3/07 11:37 AM, "Sean Burns" wrote:
>
>> I am set to do a raku session at my summer camp gig. I am running a
>> ward raku burner/propane(40Lb. tank)and a gutted paragon kiln for the
>> system and have all the safety gear- tested a firing - and it works.
>> Recently the fire code has become a nightmare for the camp as backlash
>> from "The Station" incident in Rhode Island has really set the local fire
>> officials on high alert- there are surprise walkthroughs and so on-
>> What I need is some useful replies to standard safety issues
>> surrounding a raku firing from a non-potter - paranoid authority type
>> persona perspective as well as just a concerned well meaning official.
>> Ie- distance from building structures- placement
>> explosions
>> fumes
>> I respect you as an artist but...your a pyro
>> common misconceptions
>> common sense
>
> Some things to consider:
>
> Fire Marshall may have issues with a larger propane tank, might want to
> consider using smaller 20# tanks.
>
> Create a raku arena in an open area clearing ALL combustibles. Best would
> be
> like a beach. Rope off the area of activity.
>
> Have a couple of ABC fire extinguishers at the site.
>
> Use a post reduction method that creates the least amount of smoke as you
> are able. Cans upside down, edges sealed in sand work well.
>
> Invite the Fire Marshal out before hand to show him/her what you are
> doing,
> point out the safety features on the gas line, etc. then ask for any
> advise
> demonstrating that you want to create a safe, fire free environment.
>
>
> --
> William "Bill" Schran
> wschran@cox.net
> wschran@nvcc.edu
> http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
>
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William & Susan Schran User on wed 4 jul 07
On 7/3/07 11:37 AM, "Sean Burns" wrote:
> I am set to do a raku session at my summer camp gig. I am running a
> ward raku burner/propane(40Lb. tank)and a gutted paragon kiln for the
> system and have all the safety gear- tested a firing - and it works.
> Recently the fire code has become a nightmare for the camp as backlash
> from "The Station" incident in Rhode Island has really set the local fire
> officials on high alert- there are surprise walkthroughs and so on-
> What I need is some useful replies to standard safety issues
> surrounding a raku firing from a non-potter - paranoid authority type
> persona perspective as well as just a concerned well meaning official.
> Ie- distance from building structures- placement
> explosions
> fumes
> I respect you as an artist but...your a pyro
> common misconceptions
> common sense
Some things to consider:
Fire Marshall may have issues with a larger propane tank, might want to
consider using smaller 20# tanks.
Create a raku arena in an open area clearing ALL combustibles. Best would be
like a beach. Rope off the area of activity.
Have a couple of ABC fire extinguishers at the site.
Use a post reduction method that creates the least amount of smoke as you
are able. Cans upside down, edges sealed in sand work well.
Invite the Fire Marshal out before hand to show him/her what you are doing,
point out the safety features on the gas line, etc. then ask for any advise
demonstrating that you want to create a safe, fire free environment.
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Lynne and Bruce Girrell on wed 4 jul 07
Bill Schran wrote:
>Invite the Fire Marshal out before hand to show him/her what you are doing,
>point out the safety features on the gas line, etc. then ask for any advise
>demonstrating that you want to create a safe, fire free environment.
You have already attracted the attention of the fire dept., so this could be
one of the most important things that you do. There are safe ways to do
unsafe things. For example there are safe ways to set off fireworks and safe
ways to handle toxic chemicals. So what you want to emphasize to the fire
marshal is that you want to run a safe operation and that you need to know
from him what it will take to do it properly.
If you have not already done so, right off the bat I would also show him the
results - some of your (or your friends') best pieces - to demonstrate that
there is value in allowing you to do this thing. Otherwise, there is little
incentive for him to give permission. "Dear Mr. Fire Marshal, here is what I
want to be able to do. I need your help to do it safely."
Keep in mind that safe operations are not always convenient operations. You
may not like some of the restrictions or you may be required to buy some
$afety gear (do you have a pilot and BASO on your burner?). And I wouldn't
be surprised if you are required to run black iron pipe for your fuel lines.
But the alternative is not doing it at all.
Do keep in mind Bill's other excellent suggestions, especially about making
the area as fire resistant as possible.
Try to think of as many things as possible that could go wrong and come up
with a way to address each one. Could you, for example, shut down the
propane instantly if something went wrong? Talk with your propane supplier.
They have a lot of suggestion about safe handling of propane and, since they
want you to buy their product, they have an incentive to help you meet the
fire regulations. When you talk with the fire marshal, let him bring up the
scenarios (don't offer them - you may may bring up something that he hadn't
thought about) and when he does, tell him what you have thought of to
address that situation and ask if that would work for him or if he has a
better method.
Keep emotion out of it. Stay in problem solving mode where you and he are
working together to find a way to do something useful/good/important despite
the fact that it entails handling some dangerous materials.
Best of luck
Bruce Girrell
Oh, and by the way, assuming that you do get the necessary permissions, it
wouldn't hurt to present a piece of your work to the fire marshal to thank
him for his "assistance", no matter how difficult he has been.
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Sean Burns on thu 5 jul 07
>Bill Schran wrote:
>
"Dear Mr. Fire Marshal, here is what I
>want to be able to do. I need your help to do it safely."
>
>Bruce Girrell
>> assuming that you do get the necessary permissions, it> wouldn't hurt
to present a piece of your work to the fire marshal to thank >him for
his "assistance", no matter how difficult he has been.
>
> Thanks guys- You mentioned a couple things I had not thought of-
like having a handy fire extinguisher-duh- but mostly taking the upfront
approach- which is what I have done up to this point and will continue to
do. I have a large combustable free area to work with and will try to keep
the smoke down - maybe I can get the fire marshall behind the tongs-
Thanks again
Sean Burns
Williamsburg, Ma.
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