Fire performance fuel observations

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This article is written for the benefit of other recreational and professional fire performers worldwide.

My name is Dan Miethke. I’ve worked with fire for over 20 years, consulting for both Cirque du Soleil and Franco Dragone during the creation of shows involving fire.

I’ve performed with fire all over the world and had to develop a keen understanding of different fuel availability and safety. I’ve talked to other performers from many countries and looked at what they use.

My conclusion is that the safest fuels regarding exposure / toxicity are the isoparrafin range marketed as ISOPAR by ExxonMobil.

“Isopar fluids are high-purity synthetic isoparaffins with consistent and uniform quality, thanks to selected feedstocks and controlled manufacturing processes…  Essentially odorless, improving comfort for both workers and end users…  Extremely low aromatic content to minimize risks from exposure”

There will be other substitutes for ISOPARs made by regional companies but ISOPARs are well known and used in various industries worldwide.

ISOPAR is available in a range of flash points.

ISOPAR C -8c

ISOPAR E 7c

ISOPAR G 41c

ISOPAR H 54c

ISOPAR L 64c

and upwards to 129c with ISOPAR V.

For the purposes of fire performance ISOPAR E and ISOPAR G should cover all common situations or effect desires.

ISOPAR C might be desired in very cold climates, though with the lower flash point has increased storage risks. ISOPAR L can be used in situations where a combustible fuel (flash point greater than 61c) rather than a flammable fuel is necessary for legal/OH&S requirements.

ISOPAR E will burn/react similar to Colemans, Zippo Lighter Fluid, Essence F etc.

Lighting very quickly, evaporating off props after fuelling, not causing slippery stages, burning on costumes for a few seconds with a heavy prop hit, requiring some extra safety precautions in handling and transport.

ISOPAR G will burn/react similar to Lamp oil, Paraffin, ShellsolT, Kerdan etc.

Longer lasting, takes a few seconds to light, spray off will be a little slippery, wont burn on you if you hit yourself, vapours are not a serious fire hazard during fuelling.

The advantages of ISOPAR G to the other fuels mentioned is it WILL evaporate off props eventually, a few hours to overnight or more depending on temperatures.
It WILL evaporate off stage surfaces, but rather than in a few seconds for ISOPAR E it will take ISOPAR G a few minutes before a fine stage spray will disappear. This advantage of ISOPAR G makes it desirable from a cleanliness and environmental point of view.

 

AVAILABILITY

The ISOPARs are available in 20L drums from some distributors in some countries, i.e. Australia, but in most countries a 200L drum purchase will be required.

This makes it worthwhile for recreational or domestic performance use. For international performances alternatives will often be required though it is worth noting that various ISOPARs are sold as professional fire fuels in juggling stores worldwide.

 

SAFETY

A Chemical Exposure Monitoring Report was conducted for the fire act I was performing during my years at Cirque. Personal exposure monitoring of the artistes and technicians was conducted with body mounted devices. The main fuel used was ISOPAR G.

All the personal exposure readings were less than the occupational exposure limits, except for short periods during prop extinguishing.

The report indicates the highest exposures are when props are ‘spun off’ or extinguished, still hot with the fuel vaporising but not combusting. This period holds the largest risk of inhaling a high amount of fuel vapour.

For fuelling I recommend a clear squeeze bottle with measured amounts of the fuel (applicator measuring bottle). This is actually quite easy to figure out for your props and eliminates the need to spin off. With a little practice this can also eliminate stage spray off, reducing slip hazards. Start with 25ml for small wicks, 75ml for large wicks.

For extinguishing simply leave your props wrapped in wet towels after extinguishing and take them somewhere ventilated to air out after a show. Leaving them wrapped during the rest of a performance is also good standard practice to ameliorate a vapour re-ignition.

I have read various reports on isoparrafin exposure over the years and they all seem to indicate quite high levels of exposure are needed for serious effects, with most being reversible on cessation of exposure.

 

SAFETY OF COLEMANS

Coleman fuel is used widely in the USA. The following are excerpts from various reports or studies I have come across:

“Coleman fuel is a mixture of cyclohexane, nonane, octane, heptane, and pentane.”

“Coleman Fuel is representative of a class of commercially available petroleum-based products that are often marketed under the following names: Amsol 10, Kensol 10, White Gas, VM&P Naphtha, Ozark Trail, Camp Fuel, and Coleman Fuel (brand).“

“These products are complex mixtures of light hydrotreated petroleum distillates containing up to 25% n-hexane, 15% cyclohexane, and less than 0.001% benzene by weight.”

“Repeated exposure to Coleman Fuel and its constituents, such as n-hexane, over a period of weeks to months can result in neuropathy, damage to sensory and motor nerve cells. Effects include burning, numbness, or tingling in the feet, legs or hands, paralysis, and even permanent brain damage. Prolonged exposure may also damage the kidneys, liver, and respiratory system.”

“The 10-hour Time-Weighted-Average Occupational Exposure Limit for n-hexane, which comprises up to 25% of Coleman Fuel, is 50ppm (180 mg/m3). The 8-hour Time-Weighted-Average for n-hexane is 500 ppm (1800 mg/m3).”

Although I have used, and will use Colemans and similar fuels again I do not consider myself a ‚heavy user‘. I believe ongoing exposure due to recreational or repeated long term professional use does pose unnecessary risks with safer substitutes available.

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