Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Hazer and Fog Machine Safety

Steve Sherrick

Steve Sherrick

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Messages
7,275
Reaction score
54
Points
48
Location
Boston
In researching haze machines for some upcoming shoots, I came across these documents from the Actor's Equity and it gave me some pause.

https://www.actorsequity.org/resources/producers/safe-and-sanitary/smoke-and-haze/finalreport.pdf
https://www.actorsequity.org/resources/Producers/safe-and-sanitary/smoke-and-haze/

I'm still going through the fine details but wanted to know what everyone's thoughts are on these and whether you are following these guidelines and regulations? There's a lot in there and I have to admit, I've never seen anyone use one of the monitoring devices they talk about.
 
you guys live in a crazy country...
180 pages to fire up a smoke machine,
safety officers if you have a talent in high heels,
and during the lunch break its ok to buy a sub-machine gun
 
Martin Konrad said:
you guys live in a crazy country...
180 pages to fire up a smoke machine,
safety officers if you have a talent in high heels,
and during the lunch break its ok to buy a sub-machine gun
Click to expand...

Yep pretty much
 
Martin,

The report is not meant to be a manual for the use of smoke machines. It is a detailed report on the possible effects of aerosols and recommended procedures including the methodology used. This issue is not trivial if you are working on a theatrical or studio based production where you are exposed to this stuff for ten hours a day for possibly months on end. Steve, in relation to your question the report seems to be most concerned about theatrical productions where exposure is long term. I personnally would only be concerned if you have children on set, working in a closed set, planning on a pea soup effect and/or your going to need the aerosols over a long period. I would defer this question to your producers.
 
What are your favorite machines? I've used this one on past shoots.

https://www.reelefx.com/product.1

Not familiar with the Rosco V-Hazer or others. I'm not sure of some of the brands that may have been used on sets where I was not directly involved with the fog/haze machines.

Best Hazer?

Best fog machine?

Hybrid?

Thanks!
 
I see the DF-50 on set often
 
Steve Sherrick said:
What are your favorite machines? I've used this one on past shoots.

https://www.reelefx.com/product.1

Not familiar with the Rosco V-Hazer or others. I'm not sure of some of the brands that may have been used on sets where I was not directly involved with the fog/haze machines.

Best Hazer?

Best fog machine?

Hybrid?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The DF-50 is a classic hazer, total workhorse.

For foggers, the most commonly used brands are Look Solutions and Hazebase, however I've seen Antari used as well.
 
Has anyone used the Rosco Mini-V Fog Machine?

Also looking at purchasing a fog machine for smaller indie shoots.
 
I believe sets in NY are now technically supposed to have a fire-department representative if they are doing any haze. A permit is supposed to be obtained, regardless. This is seldom the case on smaller shoots, but there are regulations that are meant to be followed, mainly for the reasons Tom pointed out above.
I did an outdoor night shoot in Vancouver about four years ago, and we had an A-list talent walking through a hedge maze. Overhead crane backlighting a lot of haze in the maze. When she arrived on set, she asked the SFX guys to see the specifications and health/safety certification of the haze machines before she would continue with the shoot. The crewmember laughed a bit when asked for the paperwork, and preceded to discount her concerns. She got very serious, spouted-off a long list of reasons why it's important, and refused to shoot until she could talk with the producers and AD to get the proper paperwork on the haze we were using.

Long story short, the hazers were safe and approved, but all this to say that if an actor feels uncomfortable with atmosphere, they can (and have rights to) delay your shoot.
 
Last edited:
Adam Carboni said:
I believe sets in NY are now technically supposed to have a fire-department representative if they are doing any haze. A permit is supposed to be obtained, regardless. This is seldom the case on smaller shoots, but there are regulations that are meant to be followed, mainly for the reasons Tom pointed out above.
I did an outdoor night shoot in Vancouver about four years ago, and we had an A-list talent walking through a hedge maze. Overhead crane backlighting a lot of haze in the maze. When she arrived on set, she asked the SFX guys to see the specifications and health/safety certification of the haze machines before she would continue with the shoot. The crewmember laughed a bit when asked for the paperwork, and preceded to discount her concerns. She got very serious, spouted-off a long list of reasons why it's important, and refused to shoot until she could talk with the producers and AD to get the proper paperwork on the haze we were using.

Long story short, the hazers were safe and approved, but all this to say that if an actor feels uncomfortable with atmosphere, they can (and have rights to) delay your shoot.
Click to expand...
As someone who has a fairly strong chemical sensitivity, I try to be aware of these things when it comes to filming conditions. Hence my posting this thread, as my research was showing that if the wrong products are used, can cause issues on set. I've been on a lot of sets that have given me problems, but I know I'm more sensitive than most so I was curious as to whether certain haze/fog systems could contribute to that discomfort. I'm also sensitive to strong paint smells, certain adhesive products, things of that nature. And I can usually detect natural gas before the detectors. :-)

Seems like the DF-50 is still one of the better options.
 
Living in Los Angeles is worse for your lungs than using one of these mineral oil foggers for a few hours or days etc.

: )
 
Martin Stevens said:
Living in Los Angeles is worse for your lungs than using one of these mineral oil foggers for a few hours or days etc.

: )
Click to expand...
I use to have asthma and lung infections all the time in la area in 60's and 70's, havent had a problem in last twenty years (air quality is much better). But every now and then theres a inversion where air quality drops, i have also noticed this happens in cities like salt lake. At minimum foggers and such should not be used on low air quality days.
 
Is there any hazer liquid that will not leave anything after it beeing used? Im intrested in a smaller Hazer first and later get something like a DF-50 Diffusion Hazer.


DF-50 Diffusion Hazer
DIFFUSION(tm) haze is totally odorless and can only be detected visually. No sore throats, funny smells, or burning eyes.
- Safest, cleanest, and most efficient hazer for the entertainment industry.
- Haze fluid is odorless and leaves no residue when used properly.

I dont want to mess up any set or anybodys home (or my camera gear).

Also, does all hazers trigger fire alarms?
 
Joel Arvidsson said:
Is there any hazer liquid that will not leave anything after it beeing used? Im intrested in a smaller Hazer first and later get something like a DF-50 Diffusion Hazer.


DF-50 Diffusion Hazer
DIFFUSION(tm) haze is totally odorless and can only be detected visually. No sore throats, funny smells, or burning eyes.
- Safest, cleanest, and most efficient hazer for the entertainment industry.
- Haze fluid is odorless and leaves no residue when used properly.

I dont want to mess up any set or anybodys home (or my camera gear).

Also, does all hazers trigger fire alarms?
Click to expand...

The good hazers should leave little to no residue. If there is anything, easy enough to wipe down. I can't speak for ones that use different fluids. The DF-50 has never left anything that I could tell on my lenses or cameras.

You do have to be cautious with alarms. If they are sensitive and you are filling the room with a lot of haze, they could trigger. Definitely something to figure out well before actual day of filming as that could ruin your day.
 
Funnily enough, Shane Hurlbut just talked about this recently... and apparently the DF50 is *not* SAG certified, so you may want to re-think that (or at least confirm/doublecheck) if you’re doing gigs with union talent.
 
Mike P. said:
Funnily enough, Shane Hurlbut just talked about this recently... and apparently the DF50 is *not* SAG certified, so you may want to re-think that (or at least confirm/doublecheck) if you’re doing gigs with union talent.
Click to expand...

Are any of them SAG approved? The DF-50 is approved through Actors Equity.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top