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Thread: smoke anyone!

  1. 11-20-2012, 05:51 PM #1
    Cool breze's Avatar
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    smoke anyone!

    Is their any issues with duct mount smokes in clubs and such shuting down units with smoke machines in use. I need to put 6 in a skateing rink.
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  2. 11-20-2012, 07:05 PM #2
    chillerout1
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    most smoke machines are not really smoke it is dry ice and water
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  3. 11-20-2012, 07:06 PM #3
    chillerout1
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    but cigarrette smoke is different it really is smoke
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  4. 11-20-2012, 07:29 PM #4
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    Some smoke machines use Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, and Distilled Water (theatrical smoke).


    These, obviously, don't set off smoke detectors (or they wouldn't work in theaters...).
    Which makes more sense to you?
    CONSERVATION - turning your thermostat back and being uncomfortable. Maybe saving 5-10%
    ENERGY EFFICIENCY - leaving your thermostat where everyone is comfortable. Saving 30-70%

    DO THE NUMBERS! Step on a HOMESCALE.
    What is comfort? Well, it AIN'T just TEMPERATURE!

    Energy Obese? An audit is the next step - go to BPI.org, or RESNET, and find an auditor near you.
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  5. 11-20-2012, 08:33 PM #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by tedkidd View Post
    Some smoke machines use Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, and Distilled Water (theatrical smoke).


    These, obviously, don't set off smoke detectors (or they wouldn't work in theaters...).

    Can you explain. I've had steam set off detectors as well as dust. What is different about "fake smoke"?
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  6. 11-20-2012, 08:37 PM #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2sac View Post
    as well as dust
    Ah yes good old dust setting off smoke alarms.. You try to be the good guy and brush off a dirty return grill in a store only to set off the fire alarm and they evacuate the whole shopping mall.

    Nope never done that before.
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  7. 11-20-2012, 08:45 PM #7
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    2sac, I can't, sorry. Just know I use "zero toy" smokers to sniff out air leaks (with a blower door) and you can hold them up to smoke dterctors and they don't go off.

    I think it's basically low temperature steam.

    DONT do that with caustic smoke pencils, they WILL trigger alarms.
    Which makes more sense to you?
    CONSERVATION - turning your thermostat back and being uncomfortable. Maybe saving 5-10%
    ENERGY EFFICIENCY - leaving your thermostat where everyone is comfortable. Saving 30-70%

    DO THE NUMBERS! Step on a HOMESCALE.
    What is comfort? Well, it AIN'T just TEMPERATURE!

    Energy Obese? An audit is the next step - go to BPI.org, or RESNET, and find an auditor near you.
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  8. 11-20-2012, 08:47 PM #8
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    well...... I have..... way to many times....lol ..... fire department gets over it eventually.......
    it was working.... played with it.... now its broke.... whats the going hourly rate for HVAC repair
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  9. 11-20-2012, 10:43 PM #9
    MicahWes
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    To provide an answer for your original question, you will have to do some homework. Most theatrical fog machines use a water/glycol or a mineral oil mixture to produce fog. It is vaporized and discharged through a nozzle where it immediately condenses to fog. Water/glycol fog is much less likely to set off fire equipment compared to oil based. The main thing is what type of smoke detectors are present in the space. If they are the optical kind which sense particles in the air, you may have issues. If they are ionization type sensors, you will most likely have no problem at all. Of course, there is the possibility that the space has both!
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  10. 11-21-2012, 08:33 AM #10
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    Thanks to all for the info. has been some time sense i jacked with a detector. I just dont want that late nite saturday call!!!
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