Advertisement
This thread looked the most dead, so I thought this would be the best place.
I've done some crazy fire stuff in the past, but I was looking for statistics for keeping an extended fire close to the head. As part of an act, I want to be able to have several feet of wicking attached very close to the top of my head. I figure a fire stunt thread would have the most info, but I haven't found one of those yet.
I was thinking of starting by insulating a nomex cap, but I was wondering if anyone had many specifics on any of the following: a way to calculate average temperature over time of the various fuels on various wickings; insulation properties of nomex and other fabrics.
I'm not going to flat out light my head on fire, but I would like to approach this as safely as possible regardless. And if it works, I'll be ready to post some crazy pictures!
I've done some crazy fire stuff in the past, but I was looking for statistics for keeping an extended fire close to the head. As part of an act, I want to be able to have several feet of wicking attached very close to the top of my head. I figure a fire stunt thread would have the most info, but I haven't found one of those yet.
I was thinking of starting by insulating a nomex cap, but I was wondering if anyone had many specifics on any of the following: a way to calculate average temperature over time of the various fuels on various wickings; insulation properties of nomex and other fabrics.
I'm not going to flat out light my head on fire, but I would like to approach this as safely as possible regardless. And if it works, I'll be ready to post some crazy pictures!
posted by:
|
Boston
|
Advertisement
Advertisement
-
Re: Lighitng myself on fire
Mon, March 30, 2009 - 11:45 AMRule #1 Don't do it.
Rule #2 If you must do it, NOTHING gets tied on, buckled on, etc. You want to be able to remove it with a single finger flip.
Rule #3 Test everything off, before on. Cantaloupes make great heat substitutes, examine thoroughly after testing.
Rule #4 Have copious, well trained, spotters.
Flame heat trials are here:
www.nafaa.org/trials.html -
-
Re: Lighitng myself on fire
Mon, March 30, 2009 - 12:15 PMExactly the kind of thing I was looking for Tedward! Thanks again. And in truth, I'm probably making it sound much more dangerous than it actually is. I just want to take the number of precautions necessary and treat it like it's ten times as dangerous as I can imagine.
I figure I'll have to test the heat resistance/ heat dispersment of the various materials myself. Thanks for the cantaloupe idea. Do you know where to get color change heat sensors as well? I know they make them, just not how to search for them.
And you never have to worry on the spotter count. I usually keep that one in spades. Safety first, second and third, then talk it up like it's bigger than it actually is. -
-
Re: Lighitng myself on fire
Mon, March 30, 2009 - 12:27 PMWell, when you said "head" and "nomex" two things popped into mind:
1) my first trial run of my wings with cross straps holding them on, 45' of wicking, a gallon of lamp oil and questionable winds. There's nothing like the sound of "so, should we put you out now?" trickling through the roar of the 30' column of lame encircling you.
2) A fire breathing accident that was aggravated by a boa that was tied on and became the source of the flame.
And of course, the next thing was that nomex, in it's pure form, melts and burns at 500 degrees. NomexIII is mostly Kevlar, but you never know when someone says "nomex'. -
-
Re: Lighitng myself on fire
Mon, March 30, 2009 - 2:03 PMDefinitely safer than that. I'm thinking more along the lines of 2' of wicking attached to a wire frame, kept off the head attached to, but not touching a nomex skull cap with plenty of insulation (not sure on that part yet), placed on the head securely without actually being attached. Will be quickly removable, and it will only be a minor part of the performance before being extinguished. And I'm working with the most competent fire safety person I know, so I know she won't greenlight this unless it's fairly foolproof. 'Cause I am a pretty big fool.
I'll have to check on the differences of the cap I'm planning to use and Nomexill. That might be another addendum.
-
-
-
