Flames
The amount of flame permitted in a TV studio is limited. Expensive floors, fire alarms and sprinkler systems restrict its use. Nevertheless by employing lighting effects, smoke and controllable flames it is possible to create realistic fire sequences.
Flame forks
Made from metal tubes these can be constructed in fan shapes or as tubes with drilled holes. Coupled by industrial-rubber hoses to a bottled gas supply they are used to provide controllable flame wherever required. To obviate the risk of flash-over it is wise to have each flame fork ignited by an operator only as it is turned on. If this is not practical, it is feasible to have smaller pilot jets independently fed and positioned below the main flame forks.
Flame drum
For some years the effect of flickering flames was achieved by shining a powerful light through a revolving drum of clear plastic on which had been painted sloping black lines. The effect of the lines criss-crossing each other produced an upward flickering movement which looked quite convincing.
Lighting effects
Lamps with revolving discs (gobos) which give a variety of effects are now universally available. The flame effects are, like the flame drum, mechanical but acceptable. Better are the effects created by runs of lights that travel sequentially. Using two or more lines operating at different frequencies, these produce a random effect that is nearly perfect.
Flaming brands
These should be made of an incombustible material (fireproofed wood is permissible) to which has been attached bound cotton waste. The business end should be soaked in kerosene and allowed to stand upside down until all free liquid has drained off. Metal handles should not be used because they transmit heat.
Practical flames can be introduced anywhere in the set if flame-forks (1) are used. Their effects can be heightened by using the flame drum (5), a rotating cylinder of clear plastic on which is painted sloping shadows. A lamp shone through the drum produces cross-modulation of the clear patches, giving the effect of flames wreathing upward. For hand-held torches (2), impregnated cotton waste may be packed into a short length of metal tube. An alternative head (3) comprises a thick stump of candle set inside a cylindrical lamp-wick. Back lit smoke (4) can seem to be a fierce conflagration when used with models.