Create practical fire effects

This standard is about designing and producing practical fire effects.
It requires knowledge of ignition and extinguishing methods and the health and safety management which surrounds this work. You must be fully aware of the procedures and protocols around igniting, controlling and extinguishing a practical fire.

This standard is not concerned with explosive fireballs; these fall under the auspices of pyrotechnics.

This standard is for those who create practical fire special effects.

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1. create practical fire effects that meet the brief, budget and production requirements
2. survey, recce and document locations to confirm their suitability for fire effects
3. use the most appropriate materials to create fire effects
4. discuss and agree all aspects of designs to key production personnel
5. exchange clear information with all departments involved with effects
6. source, purchase, transport and store regulated materials in compliance with current legislation and regulations
7. consider sustainability and the environmental impact of the effects
8. provide guidance on all health and safety aspects of effects and their materials to appropriate heads of department and production personnel
9. confirm there is adequate provision for cast and crew safety in line with legislation and regulatory requirements including fire cover, fire detection isolation, fire watch periods,
10. employ crew with the required skills and experience for the job
11. maintain records of materials used, transportation and storage as required
12. liaise with relevant bodies and enforcing authorities to ensure legislation and regulations are adhered to
13. advise relevant people when Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required
14. check and confirm that suitable and competent fire cover is present
15. record all aspects of risk assessment and management providing documentation as required
16. check and confirm that all materials used are disposed of in line with legal and production requirements
17. confirm that locations are returned to their required state
18. provide alternative solutions within budget and schedule when effects cannot be produced to original design or budget

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1. script breakdown, budget and schedule for the fire effects
2. the range of practical fire effects and how to achieve them
3. the steps taken to create a stunt body burn
4. current health and safety legislation, regulations and industry standards for creating practical fire effects
5. the role of the art department and construction in creating flame retarded sets
6. the environment in which the effect is being tested and executed
7. the fire prevention and retarding requirements
8. the various methods of ignition and extinguishing
9. the fume extraction and ventilation testing required
10. the properties of the different flammable materials available, how to use them and their disadvantages
11. how flammable materials can be sourced or manufactured
12. how to use hoses, connections and valves and outlet devices for fire effects
13. the correct procedures for transporting and storing flammable materials
14. how to communicate evacuation procedures and maintain escape routes in case of emergency or accident
15. how to detect and isolate a fire
16. the different equipment used for different scale fires
17. safe operating positions for cast and crew on set
18. the appropriate levels of special effects staff coverage to ensure the safety of cast and crew
19. how to employ crew with required skills and experience ~~or~~ including third party specialists to work collaboratively within a team
20. the items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to distribute and to whom
21. the importance of liaising with local fire officers and when to do so
22. the importance of maintaining a fire watch
23. how to monitor CO2 levels and potential leakage
24. what can be achieved by post production and visual effects for the effects required

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3

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2027

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Current

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Original

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ScreenSkills

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SKSPSFX5

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Special Effects Trainee, Special Effects Technician, Special Effects Senior Technician, Special Effects Supervisor

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physical special effects; design; plan; effects; create; practical fire effect; PPE; production; safety requirements; script breakdown; budget; third party specialist; risk assessment; emergency;

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