Safety
How a show is planned
Fire performance should look effortless.
The preparation behind it is anything but.
Before every performance, the space is assessed for audience distance, surfaces, overhead clearance, ventilation, fire detection systems, escape routes and suitable fire-safety equipment.
Different acts also behave very differently indoors.
Traditional wick-based performances such as fire spinning, fire swords and fire eating produce combustion gases and require good ventilation. Sensitive smoke and fire detection systems may also react to them, which makes venue assessment especially important.
Fire bubbles and the gas flamethrower setup work differently and can often be used in indoor environments where traditional wick-based fire is less practical, provided the venue and performance area are suitable.
LED, pixel props and leviwand offer another option when open flame is not appropriate at all.
After more than twenty-five years of performing with fire, safety is not a separate checklist added to the show.
It is built into how the show is planned.
Every venue is different. Every fire act is assessed accordingly.
Indoor and outdoor, act by act
| Act | Suitable for | Requirements | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Spinning | Indoor* · Outdoor | Ventilation · Suitable clearance · Venue assessment | *Indoor use depends on ventilation, fire detection systems and venue conditions. |
| Fire Eating | Indoor* · Outdoor | Ventilation · Fire-safety assessment · Suitable audience distance | *Indoor use depends on ventilation, venue conditions and fire detection systems. |
| Fire Swords | Indoor* · Outdoor | Ventilation · Suitable clearance · Venue assessment | *Indoor use depends on ventilation, fire detection systems and venue conditions. |
| Fire Bubbles | Indoor* · Outdoor | Controlled performance area · Venue assessment | *Indoor suitability is always assessed for the specific venue and production conditions. |
| Flamethrower | Indoor* · Outdoor | Controlled area · Venue assessment · Appropriate clearance | *Indoor suitability is always assessed for the specific venue, audience layout and production conditions. |
| LED & Pixel Performance | Indoor · Outdoor | Suitable performance space · Controlled lighting preferred | |
| Leviwand | Indoor · Outdoor* | Low ambient light preferred · Suitable performance space | *Outdoor use works best after dark or in controlled lighting conditions. |
| Characters & Atmosphere | Indoor · Outdoor | Depends on costume, props and performance elements used |
What we need from you
- Indoor or outdoor — and if indoor, ceiling height and ventilation
- Type of fire detection in the room, and who manages it
- Size and layout of the performance area
- Expected audience size and how close they will stand
- Contact for the venue’s fire safety responsible
Nothing on this page is a guarantee for a specific venue. It’s where the conversation starts.
