Floasis

Fire Safety & Shared Responsibility

Fire is part of our art, but safety comes first. Floasis supports safer fire practice through planning, attentive safeties, controlled fuel handling and respect for local restrictions.

Use this page as a quick reference. For detailed guidance, use the linked safety resources.

Before lighting fire: check current fire restrictions, venue requirements and event-specific instructions. In an emergency, call 000.

Fire Status Check

Check the relevant fire-ban area for a WA suburb or postcode. Fire conditions and restrictions can change. Always confirm directly with Emergency WA, DFES, and the relevant local government before lighting fire or planning fire performance.

Total Fire Bans follow local government boundaries, not postcode boundaries. This tool resolves your suburb or postcode to a likely local government area.

Enter a suburb or postcode above to check fire-ban and fire danger information for that area.

This tool is informational only. It does not replace Emergency WA, DFES, local government advice, permits, venue rules, or event safety approval. Floasis is not the authority for fire-ban decisions.

Before You Light Up

  1. Check the space

    Make sure the performance area is clear, the audience is outside the safety boundary and you have a clear way in and out.

  2. Check your prop

    Inspect wicks, fasteners, chains, connectors, grips and handles. If something is loose, damaged or worn, do not light it.

  3. Check your fuel

    Know what fuel you are using. Fuel only in the designated area and keep fuel away from flame, spectators and smoking.

  4. Remove excess fuel

    Do not light a dripping prop. Use measured fuelling or capture excess fuel with an appropriate spin-off method.

  5. Have a safety

    Do not light without an attentive safety or spotter who knows how to respond and has suitable extinguishing equipment ready.

  6. Spin what you know

    Fire is not the time to learn a new trick. Use movements and equipment you already control confidently.

  7. Be fit to perform

    Do not perform or safety while impaired, excessively fatigued or otherwise unable to react safely.

Read more → Fire Performer Safety

Fuel Safety

Fuel needs its own controlled area.

  • Keep fuel away from the audience and performance area.
  • Keep containers closed when not in use.
  • No smoking, vaping or ignition sources around fuel.
  • Supervise the fuel area.
  • Remove excess fuel before lighting.
  • Avoid spraying fuel onto the ground or surrounding area.
  • Clean spills and fuel residue.
  • Check the Safety Data Sheet for the fuel being used.

Better fuelling starts with using less

The Master Flow Arts Fuelling Hierarchy favours measured fuelling over repeatedly dipping and spinning off excess fuel.

Measured fuelling reduces waste and fuel spray. Where measured fuelling is not practical, use a controlled method that captures excess fuel rather than spraying it into the environment.

View Fuelling Hierarchy(opens in a new tab)View Fuelling Tests(opens in a new tab)More Fire Safety Resources(opens in a new tab)

External resource — Master Flow Arts

Read more → Fuel Safety & SDS

Safeties & Spotters

A safety is there to watch the performer — not the show.

They should:

  • Stay attentive to the performer.
  • Know the performance area and audience boundary.
  • Recognise when intervention is required.
  • Know how to extinguish the props being used.
  • Have suitable safety equipment ready.
  • Watch for tangles, dropped props, clothing ignition and audience intrusion.
  • Know the emergency plan.

Larger or more complex performances may need additional safeties or dedicated crowd-control support.

Read more → Safeties & Spotters

Clothing & Hair

Choose clothing with flame, heat and entanglement in mind.

Avoid

  • Loose or dangling clothing
  • Fluffy or fuzzy materials
  • Loose accessories
  • Materials that melt when heated
  • Unsecured long hair

Tighter-weave natural fibres, leather and purpose-made flame-resistant clothing may provide better protection, but no costume makes fire performance risk-free.

Rehearse in the clothing you intend to perform in.

Read more → Fire Performer Safety

Performance Area

Before fire starts, establish:

  • A clear performance area
  • An audience safety boundary
  • A separate fuelling and spin-off area
  • A prop extinguishing area
  • Accessible safety equipment
  • Clear entry and exit paths
  • Emergency access

Check for overhead hazards, vegetation, decorations, flooring, trip hazards, ventilation and anything else that could ignite or interfere with the performer.

Indoor fire requires particular attention to ventilation, alarms, suppression systems, ceiling clearance and venue approval.

Read more → Fire Performance Planning Checklist

Safety Equipment

The equipment required depends on the performance and venue. Fire operations should have suitable:

  • Fire blankets or safety cloths
  • Fire extinguishing equipment
  • First aid supplies
  • Burn supplies
  • Fuel spill management
  • Communication between safety personnel

Safety equipment should be accessible and the people expected to use it should know how to use it.

Choosing a safety blanket

Different blankets behave differently around flame, heat and fuel.

There is no single material that is ideal for every task. Consider whether the blanket is being used to extinguish a wick, respond to clothing ignition, protect from heat, or manage fuel-contaminated equipment.

View Fire Blanket Comparison(opens in a new tab)

External resource — Master Flow Arts

Burn First Aid

Cool it first

If someone is burned: cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes.

  • Remove jewellery or clothing near the burn if it is not stuck.
  • Do not apply ice directly to the burn.
  • Do not deliberately burst blisters.
  • Cover appropriately after cooling.
  • Seek medical attention for serious burns or when unsure.

Deep burns, significant burns and burns affecting areas such as the face, hands, feet, genitals or airway need medical assessment.

In an emergency, call 000.

View Burn Management for Fire Performers(opens in a new tab)

Fire Performance Planning

For organisers, fire should be planned before performers arrive. Confirm:

  • The venue allows the proposed fire activity
  • The performance and audience areas are suitable
  • The fuel area is controlled
  • Appropriate safeties are available
  • Performers and equipment are suitable
  • Extinguishing equipment is available
  • First aid and emergency access are available
  • Fire restrictions and local requirements have been checked
  • Everyone understands the emergency plan

Download checklist — coming soon

Planning fire performance?

Talk with Floasis early so safety expectations, roles, space, fuel, and responsibilities can be discussed before the event.

Collaborate with Floasis

Fire Safety Resources

Fire Performance Safety Checklist

A practical venue and event checklist covering the performance area, fuel holding area, equipment, performers, safeties and emergency planning.

Coming soon

Fire Blanket Comparison

A comparison of different blanket materials and their strengths, limitations and uses around fire performance.

External resource — Master Flow Arts

View comparison(opens in a new tab)

Fire Performer Safety

More detailed guidance covering performers, props, costumes, safeties, performance areas and fuel management.

Read detailed guidance

Important

This information is general fire-performance safety guidance. It does not replace training, venue requirements, permits, local laws, Safety Data Sheets, medical advice or directions from emergency services or the relevant authority.

Looking for broader flow arts safety topics? Visit Safety & education