Flashpaper Origami Workshop

[Quidam]

This is one of those "Oh Cool!" ideas I've had for years but have not yet made real. I hope to this year, but it occurs to me that flashpaper might not be legal on the playa, with the ban on fireworks & the like.

Does anyone know if a flashpaper origami workshop would get shut down by the law?


Quidam

Prometheatrician & Hypercube Wrangler

[Dork]

Fireworks are not allowed because they throw flaming moop all over the place. If your flash paper burns completely, stays under your control, and doesn't pose a danger to participants I see no reason it would be disallowed. There's certainly no lack of controlled flame out there.

Just how completely does that stuff burn? How would you keep the unburned paper from being carried away by the wind?

[Fex]

Flashpaper virtually ceases to exist once it flares. The ash left behind is probably on the order of about 1/20th what an equivalent size square of cigarette paper would leave. And once it's lit, there's no such thing as unburnt flashpaper... the stuff's mostly chemical accelerant with just enough fiber to hold it together. Apply spark and wave goodbye if you have time.

To my knowledge flashpaper wouldnt fall under pyro rules except maybe in California (where, according to a Hollywood FX friend of mine, you need a license to buy sparklers). Flash powder requires a license because you're mixing and thus "manufacturing an explosive compound", but flash paper burns so quick and generates so little heat it doesn't get much attention.

Of course my understanding may be outdated by a few years. With the way the Patriot Act is headed you'll probably have to register your fucking Zippos in a cpl years.

[Teo del Fuego]

wow, you are one creative Mo-fo! I wish I had thought up the flash paper and gyro orb thing. Good luck!

[Toolmaker]

A cool but dangerous idea. Please use caution when storing flash paper. I don't remember the flashpoint but keep in mind during the day temps can reach 110+. Also consider doing the ignition enclosed as to contain the ash and LNT.

[Quidam]

A cool but dangerous idea.

Which makes it just the thing for Burning Man!

Thanks for the words of caution- I plan on having all the relevant data (flashpoint, etc) before pulling the trigger, as it were. I also plan on doing ash tests- supposedly flash paper is as close to LNT you can be and still be burning something.

[dragonfly Jafe]

...Also consider doing the ignition enclosed as to contain the ash and LNT....

Flash paper is about as close to LNT as anything associated with fire can be. Far less than fire spinning or sparklers, for instance. Far safer also (it is routinely used indoors for magic shows, for instance).

I would not hesitate to use flash paper effects at BM (without even asking for a liscence) as long as a safe distance between the crowd is maintained and you do not store too much in any one place.

[Toolmaker]

...Also consider doing the ignition enclosed as to contain the ash and LNT....

Flash paper is about as close to LNT as anything associated with fire can be. Far less than fire spinning or sparklers, for instance. Far safer also (it is routinely used indoors for magic shows, for instance).

I would not hesitate to use flash paper effects at BM (without even asking for a liscence) as long as a safe distance between the crowd is maintained and you do not store too much in any one place.

I am not bothered by the ash.. I should have clarified.. my concern was for hot ash or embers flying about near "residential" areas of the community. After doing a little reading I found that it burns out complete and has no hot embers of any significance to start a fire. I could not find the ignition point however, hopefully it is stable at 110+.. it would look really cool and be a great participant oriented burning. Best of luck with it.

[Ugly Dougly]

Ah, artistic commentary on the transitory nature of reality.

Or something cool to burn?

[CapSmashy]

http://www.theatrefx.com/msds_fp01_02_03_07_08.pdf

Flash paper/nitrocellulose MSDS.


Flash point is 335 degrees F

The magic sites that sell it ship it wet and say to air dry before use.

So maybe layer a the flash paper in a cooler with wet paper towels to keep it wet for transport and storage?

[MikeVDS]

The magic sites that sell it ship it wet and say to air dry before use.

Be careful. By wet, do they mean water-wet or X flammable liquid-wet? The chemical that makes it flame may evaporate which would give it a short shelf life "dry". I have only seen that stuff used on Mr. Wizard when I was young, so I really have no idea, but it's something to look into.

[Token]

The magic sites that sell it ship it wet and say to air dry before use.

Be careful. By wet, do they mean water-wet or X flammable liquid-wet?

Water wet. Nitrocellulose is flamable on its own and does not need an accelerant.