Safety Protocols

for a UCD Juggling Society Fire Show

As outlined in the UCD Juggling Society's Fire Show Safety Manual, all potential performers at our Fire Shows must be graded and trained by our designated Trainers as outlined in our How To Fire Juggle page.

Roles

All of these roles must be filled and each person must be aware of not only their own role but also those of the other particpants before a Fire Show may take place.

• Event Manager: The overall organizer of the Fire Show.
• Fire Marshal: An experienced performer who will oversee the performance.
• Stewards: Assist the Event Manager before, during and after the performance. There must be a minimum of 4 stewards at any one time:
  • 1. Crowd Control: Stewards given the role of Crowd Control will prevent spectators from engaging in dangerous behavior and in the event of an emergency will instruct spectators in the safest course of action.
  • 2. Performance Area: Stewards in the Performance Area will help the performers with their performances, they will both light props and in the event that the performer needs assistance they will extinguish them using a damp towel.
  • 3. Fuel Storage Area: Stewards in the Fuel Storage Area will monitor the fuel, making sure that no flames are near the Fuel Storage Area, no unauthorized people are within the fuel storage area and in the event of a fuel spillage the alerts people by shouting the Safety Word. In the event that the fuel soaking bucket needs refilling this Steward will attend to it.
  • 4. Auxiliary Stewards: Available to relieve other Stewards in the event of them no longer being able to fulfill their duties. When they are not needed they will either be located within the Fuel Storage Area, aiding the Fuel Storage Area Stewards, or within the spectating area, aiding the Crowd Control Stewards.
• Performers: Engage in the performance aspect of the Fire Show in the designated Performance Area only and are responsible for the fueling of their own equipment prior to their performance.

Before The Show

• A Safety Word, e.g. “boardroom”, is defined and all persons involved in the running of the Fire Show are made aware of it.
• Each prop is to be checked by the Event Manager to be in accordance with the checklist outlined in our Safety Statement.
• Performers need to be aware that they may stop at any time.
• Performers should make the Event Manager and all Stewards aware of the general layout of their performances.
• Performers should engage in a “dress rehearsal” during the day to get used to performing with flames under the same safety conditions they will experience during their performance.
• Emergency contact details and existing medical conditions should be kept by the Event Manager and be available in the event of an emergency.
• The Event Manager is to contact campus services to ensure first aid is available from UNICARE should it be needed.

Fire Safety Equipment

• Phone: Used for contacting security staff on campus in the event of a medical emergency. Always in the possession of either the Event Manager or a Steward of their choosing.
• Water Source: Either a continuous source of water, e.g. a tap, or a reservoir of water meeting the requirements of the performance.
• Suitable Fuel: Depending on the performance either Kerosene or Paraffin, never Petrol.
• Fuel Container (Jerry Can): A container specifically designed for storage of liquid fuels.
• Soaking Container: A container deep enough to fully submerge the wicks of the props in fuel prior to the performance.
• Damp Cotton Towel: Used for smothering props to remove remaining embers after performances and for quick extinguishing in the event of an emergency.
• Fire Extinguisher: Two types; a dry powder extinguisher for use on ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and flammable gases but cannot be used on people and a foam extinguisher which can be used on ordinay combustibles and flammable liquids but can also be used on people.
• Funnel: For returning unused fuel to the Fuel Container after the performance.
• Sand/Salt: Spread on the ground to absorb fuel spills.
• Fire Blanket: Used to extinguisher people in the event of a terrible accident.
• Barriers: Used to prevent audience members from invading the performance area.

Performance Area

• The Performance Area must be outside in a spacious area away from any fire hazards e.g. fuel storage areas, dry tree cuttings.
• The Event Manager is to decide on an designated performance area (minimum of 10m² in the event of an emergency, which will be known as “no man’s land” (minimum of 4m between the perimeter of the performance area and the audience area). This total area is to be designated by barriers and the inner performance area is to be designated by a marker (e.g. a rope) on the ground which performers are under strict instruction not to cross.
• The Event Manager and stewards are to ensure that fire exits are kept clear at all times.

Fuel Storage Area

• The Event Manager is to designate suitable fuel storage and fuel removal areas with appropriate lighting, no nearby heat sources or fire hazards, on level ground, not a walkway, away from gates or doorways, on a noncombustible surface and free from debris.
• The Fuel Storage Area is a no smoking area.
• The Fuel Storage Area is to be attended at all times by a steward who may only leave after they have been relieved by another steward.
• Only performers, stewards and the event manager are allowed within 2m of the Fuel Storage Area.
• Fuel should be stored in its transport container until it is being used.
• Fire Safety Equipment should be quickly accessible in the event of a spillage.
• The Event Manager is to ensure that only the appropriate fuel is used, that the fuel is stored in an appropriate container, that all Fire Safety Equipment is available and Stewards are trained how to use it.
• The Material Safety Data Sheet for the fuel should be available and read by the Event Manager, Stewards and Performers.

Emergency Procedures

In The Event That A Performer Sets Themselves On Fire:

• The Event Manager or Stewards shout the Safety Word.
• If the performer is in need of further assistance they shout “HELP”.
• If it is clear that they are unable to extinguish the flames by themselves a Steward will approach the performer with a damp towel while shouting “INCOMING”.
• The wet towel is used to smother the flames if the fire persists a fire blanket is used.
• The performer will stop, drop and roll if necessary.
• The foam fire extinguisher may be used on the performer.
• The performance may only continue after the Event Manager has given the go-ahead.

In The Event Of A Burn:

• Inform campus services, request first aid attention and carry out all instructions given by campus services.
• In the event that campus services are out of contact dial 999.

In The Event Of Fuel Entering The Eye:

• Inform campus services, request first aid attention and carry out all instructions given by campus services.
• In the event that campus services are out of contact dial 999.

In The Event That Fire Spreads Off the Prop And Onto Property:

• Inform campus services, they will be the ultimate authority in the event of an emergency.
• Spectators and Performers should be removed from the area.
• A dry powder fire extinguisher should be used to put out the flames.

In The Event Of A Fuel Spill:

• The Safety Word is called out and all flames are extinguished.
• The spillage is soaked up using sand/salt.