Controlled Burn

Let’s now move from the micro level of costume design (ie specific properties of the fibers) to the macro level as we consider the larger elements of an outfit and their effect on Vision, Mobility, & Protection. 

Vision - Masks add a lot of flair, as do eye patches, cowls/hoods, goggles, and numerous other head adornments.  When you are moving fire through a circular space all around you though you need to have 360 degrees of awareness.  Moving into space that is occupied by a person or a flame is probably not what you want.  Really, you could probably do fine without being able to see directly in front of you.  The danger lies in compromising your peripheral vision.  Consider this correlation between movement and awareness when planning both the choreography and costumes for a performance.

Mobility - The ability to maneuver without obstruction all the parts of your body and the entirety of your fire tool(s) not just your feet.  We love straps, buckles, corsets, platform shoes, trench-coats, tail-coats, tails, petticoats, flowing dresses, outlandish head-gear, wings, tight fits, tall hats, and all sorts of other aura occupiers.  But, if these accouterments sticking out from your person have the potential to become obstructions in the path of your limbs or their fiery extension(s), it might be worth considering the results of such collisions in advance.  As fire performance often incorporates the complicated weaving of multiple limbs, it is worthwhile to consider how your costume will allow for all necessary contortions.  Regarding footwear, is it surely footed on all surfaces?  What works on the playa might not be kosher on loose gravel or wet grass.

Protection - Will what you’re wearing protect your skin, eyes, and hair from a fiery fuel transfer?  How about if some hot metal presses into you by mistake?  Or the impact from a tool spinning out of control?  It may not even be your mistake that results in your potentially getting hurt.  Consider the other performers that will be sharing your space and realize that each one is a whole new set of variables that increases the chances of a new scar.  Safety glasses might look dorky, but some people won’t go without them because they’ve experienced fuel-in-the-eye syndrome from someone near them spinning out to leave flaming tracks on the ground.  Gloves reduce dexterity but can be significant protection against the flame off a large sword (and fingerless gloves actually don’t compromise sword handling much at all).  Bandannas, buffs, hats, and other head-coverings give great protection for your hair as well as increased confidence.  Design it to stay on your head and you might forget it’s even there!

You know us, we’re not judgmental.  Wear whatever you like, just consider considering some of the many safety aspects of your new fire performance duds before lighting up.  Maybe simulate some of the SNAFU situations during the outfit’s dress-rehearsals.  We hope to see you RAWKin’ the flame couture style soon.

The flame dances around you as the audience, transfixed by the spectacle, secretly hopes for the horror that can ensue at any moment.  That inescapable instant when you finally screw up and light yourself on fire …

How bad will the damage be?  Well, that depends in part on what you’re wearing.  As was mentioned in the introductory post, it’s great to wear mind-blowing performance outfits but it’s equally important that whatever you wear whilst lit be chosen with the safety benefits and disadvantages in mind.

Fire “Safe” Fabrics – Unless you plan to rock a silver foil space-suit like the firemen who tend to the man-burn, you’re going to be at some risk of getting burnt no matter what you wear.  By judiciously selecting fabrics we can avoid potential dangers.  The first of these being the fabric melting and fusing onto your skin (an inherent danger with synthetic fabrics and some blends).  Polyester, rayon, spandex, nylon, latex, etc., all of these are made from chemicals that will readily burn and melt.  A companion danger to the “shrink-wrap” effect is the possibility of the fabric being so combustible that once lit, the fabric itself acts as fuel and continues to burn on its own!  These are not urban myths but phenomena we have experienced as fire performers.

If these dangers concern you, there are several methods of addressing them.  The first is to choose natural materials such as cotton/denim, linen, silk, wool, felt, leather, or other animal skins.  Certain synthetic materials that have been designed for fiery endeavors such as Nomex and CarbonX can also be safer choices.  Further, synthetic/natural fiber blends aren’t necessarily dangerous.  If the percentage of synthetic materials in the blend is low (say, less than 15% it’s really at your own discretion) then the material will probably react to flame in a way similar to 100% natural fiber.  Another alternative is to wear the unsafe material after treating it with one of many spray-on fire retardant chemicals (Warning: these chemicals cause skin irritation with most people).  Also, while the lining of a garment should be of some concern, it will likely not come into contact with open flame and should therefore only warrant serious consideration if you foresee the outer shell heating up to a dangerously high temperature.

When evaluating the safety of a fabric, consider more than just the fibers.  Just as music is a combination of silence and sound, so too the truth of flame feeds upon both fuel and air.  That’s right, the volume of air-gaps within the weave of the fabric can turn a seemingly fire “safe” natural fiber fabric into a flesh melting inferno.  That gauzy head to toe ensemble might create just the right ethereal performance vibe, but it will burn quickly.  Tightly woven fabrics are much less susceptible to ignition.

Think we’ve covered every material related safety aspect?  We wish!  Leather is a great insulator and even though it won’t burn easily, the flesh it’s covering can’t cool down and will boil.  The loose strands at the bottom of a worn denim jean pant leg can ignite, burn slowly, and end up singeing your booty!  Again, these are facts.  Our source is Controlled Burn, a large group of fire performers with a decade of experience.