fog on stage

[techieman33]

I would really appreciate your help on this one, we are doing the show Anton in Show Business. In the opening we were planning to use a fog machine with a fog chiller, but during rehersal today, we set off the fire alarm, they installed a new system over the summer, and almost anything will set if off, we've tried dry ice, but the building is so dry it dissapears almost instantly, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. we open wednesday.

[j_blinker]

Have you considered a hazer?

[techieman33]

that, wouldn't work, i should have explained we wanted it to stay on the floor.
i should also include that it's a rosco 1500, and rosco fluid.

[Mayhem]

Whenever I have to take smoke into a venue (I run a mobile DJ & Lighting service), I always ask if the smoke detectors in the immediate area can be disabled for the duration of the show. If not, I then see if the alarm can be operated in silent mode.

In most cases, this call can be made by the building supervisor or duty manager. In the US however, you may need to seek the advice of a fire marshal or similar.

I hope this is helpful

[SPLORCH]

Im not sure if this would work but try using a lower density fog fluid. I know there are products out there that are called "molecular fog fluid" or somthing along those lines.
Theater Ninja

[digitaltec]

Going along with Mayhem, you can ask to have have to fire alarms put on test or silent. Depending on how your school runs they usually have to pay a fire fighter to be on call during the run of the show or have someone be in the fire pit so when an alarm goes off they can check the area then if it is a true fire, then they will have to call it in.

By turning the fire alarms onto test, what it does is when an alarm goes off, the fire department ignores the alarm unless someone calles it in. To do this, usually you have to call the fire department and tell them a code that is set up with them.

[Too_Tall]

The fire alarm is a pretty important thing to keep in mind, my school forgot all about it and was testing the fog maching and the firefighters were there withing 5 minutes. Another thing, most are looking for a cheap way to do low lying fog and not the expensive way, but our school did the expensive way. We have someone at out school that does the professional lightings for the president and many concerts across america and we used their hazer. It was ok but did not stay low, it filled the entire area and adventually left the theatre through the ventalation shaft. Haze doesn't set off fire alarms but fog does, so be aware before doing it.

[dvsDave]

If you can cool the fog by routing it through a chest of ice, then the fog won't rise.

[JahJahwarrior]

I think some fire alarms are more sensitive than others...in my youth group. once i was cleaning a fog machine (they tell us to run some vinegar through them to kinda clean it out, you endup with some diluted fog fluid in the thing, not all vinegar and not all fog fluid, so it doesn't gunk up or anything.) (supposedly) in a back room and the door shut, unbeknownst to me. (usually the machines are cleaned outside) the room filled with fog....man, i was so scared the alarm would go off! i grabbed a box fan, opened the door, and stood there tryng to blow the fog out for maybe 10 minutes, i was so scared...but, it didn't go off......go figure.

[len]

The best way is a Low Smoke Generator, which you may be able to rent. But bring your checkbook. Also, you'll need a tank of liquid nitrogen or CO2, which you can get from a welding supply house.

As for shutting off alarms, etc. better check with your facilities manager before you start with that stuff.