Two New ESTA Fog And Smoke Documents Available For Free Public Review

The public reviews run through March 17; when March 18 starts, the reviews are over. The first is a reaffirmation of the existing ANSI E1.5 - 2003, Entertainment Technology - Theatrical Fog Made With Aqueous Solutions Of Di- And Trihydric Alcohols. The standard describes the composition of theatrical fogs or artificial mists that are not likely to be harmful to healthy performers, technicians, or audience members of normal working age, which is 18 to 64 years of age, inclusive. It is limited to those fogs and mists made from a solution of water and one or more dihydric or trihydric alcohols, and is intended to be applicable in theatres, arenas, and other places of entertainment or public assembly.

The second is a new draft standard, BSR E1.29 - 20XX, Product Safety Standard for Theatrical Fog Generators That Create Aerosols of Water, Aqueous Solutions of Glycol or Glycerin, or Highly Refined Alkane Mineral Oil. The draft standard is intended to help guide product safety testing laboratories in evaluating fog-making equipment for design or construction defects that might create unacceptable hazards. It is based on ANSI/UL 998 - 2006, Humidifiers, and offers some additions and modifications to the requirements in that UL standard. Products covered are theatrical fog generators rated 600 V or less, and intended for use in professional theatrical entertainment, film, and video production, theme parks, and fire safety training.

In addition to being asked to review the documents to see if they offer adequate advice, reviewers are asked to notify ESTA of any protected intellectual property in the draft standards. ESTA does not warrant that its standards contain no protected intellectual property, but it also does not intend to adopt any standard that requires the use of protected intellectual property, unless that property is necessary for technical reasons and can be licensed and used by anyone without prejudice or preference for a reasonable fee.

For more information, please contact:

Karl G. Ruling, Technical Standards Manager, ESTA
875 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1005
New York, NY 10001
1-212-244-1505
Fax 1-212-244-1502
[email protected]