FLASH PAPER is white sheets of highly flammable tissue paper. Leaves no residue. Suitable for magicians. We recommend use by professionals only. Store in cool, dry area away from heat. when shipped it is wet for safety and to comply with DOT regulations. To use, remove from bag and air dry for 24 to 36 hours. Available in 3 sizes: 8"x9", 9"x17", 17"x29". USE AND STORE WITH CARE. A State of California Pyrotechnics License is required if purchased in California. A State of California Pyrotechnics License is required if purchased in California. This material is hazardous.

A brief question about flash paper: Has anyone used it in an area with low(ish) ceilings, smoke alarms, and sprinkler systems? I've an idea for an effect with it but my venue is pretty much what is described above. Last thing I want to do is cause an indoor rainstorm!

But what an ending to your routine jaxonlee!
only joking. I have never had a problem with low celling alams but we have different specifications on this side of the pond.

Flash paper will set off resedential smoke detectors. I don't know how sensitive the sprinkler system would be.

Illegal in LA, all I kno

Sprinkler systems usa a fusable link that requires about 800 degrees of constent heet to melt it, when it is melted the valve is opened.....

I don't think there is any way to set off a sprinker system using flash paper in the same room.

Today's flash paper is not the same as the flash paper of before WWII. While dangerous to use and requiring practice (like all other good magic effects)it usually needs a real source of ignition (match, candle flame, cigarette, glow plug, etc.). Spontaneous combustion is possible, but rare. The old flash paper was so sensitive that body heat could set it off. You can read about those sorts of effects in books written in the 20s and 30s of the last century. Those effects don't work with today's paper.

I don't believe the exploding car story, but if the story could be dated to the 1930s it would be more plausible.

I do a routine in my Human Sexuality class in which I burn several pieces of flash pad paper (on a theme of teenage sexuality and playing with fire) lighting the papers from a candle. Then I vanish the candle.

Ed

Sorry about digging the thread up, its quite old as I see.

Anyway, how is it with Flash string? Is it as flammable and dangerous as flash paper?

Do you think its safe to dry some flash string and carry it in your pocket? I mean, it doesn't ignite if it rubs against itself or stuff, eh? I strip mine so its one eight of a thread, like double as thick as sewing thread.

I can see its quite flammable, if I light a lighter and hold it like 10-15 cm away from the end of the thread, it starts burning slowly. Not with a WOOF and vanished in one second like it does usually but goes up sloowly.

Just wondering so I know.

I'm gona try that lol...

Flash string burns slower than flash paper because there is less of it exposed to oxygen. It's the same reason flash cotton that's been puffed out burns faster than flash paper.

If you strip the string it will burn faster than the thicker thread.

I've kept flash string in my pocket for a whole day without any problems, just make sure you stay away from a heat source that could light it. I've never had it self ignite from friction... that would be a lot of friction.

I normally use flash string with some sparkle additive to make it look like a fuse. The sparkle slows down the burning time even more (although it's still faster than the "cartoon" fuses you see ).

If you want more information on flash products I would suggest the book Special Effects With Fire & Smoke:
A Technical Manual from a company called Theatre Effects (http://www.theatrefx.com/). It's a great little book that answers a lot of your questions.

What's the deal with flash pads then, out of curiosity? As far as I know, they aren't shipped wet, and they CAN be shipped via UPS/Postal Service, can't they? I'm not looking at all to get seriously into fire magic right now (no flash pots/cord/etc.) but I would like to use a card effect or two that needs (I presume) flash paper of some sort. It seems like flash pads would be ideal though, but how do those compare to flash paper?

I'm a fire official in Ontario, Canada. Flash paper, cotton, string etc. is Not illegal to use here. In fact in Canada for one to be able to use pyrotechnics one must be certified by the Ministry of Natural resources - Canada. However, right in their certification manual under the heading, "who does not require certificatio" it states -" performers such as magicians, who only use flash cotton,flash paper, flash string and sparkle string".
This is up to date info - I was just on a 2 day course for this 2 weeks ago. Hope this info helps.

I was interested in purchasing some flash paper and asked a grand master magician at his store that judged at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, USA about the legalities of pyrotechnics like flash paper. He said I could not buy it without a pyrotechnic license. He said in Los Angeles County it is totally banned for used except by Lance Burton when he visits the Magic Castle. In a near by county, Riverside, flash paper can be used but with permits and permission from the Fire Marshal. To purchase you may need a pyrotechnics license and in venues you may need insurance that costs a lot!

Looks like pyrotechnics is not worth the trouble these days because of continuous laws, regulations, and mishaps.

So much for the good old days of magic. A balloon pop just won't replace the glamore though!

I can see how safety should come first for the audience though.

Like mom always said, "Don't play with matches!"

I don't see how it can be illegal tho,

my friend brought some into school, and we were playing with it burning em in our palms, and you can barely feel it.

Although it looks a fierce flame, it isn't very hot.

I always get mine shipped thru priority mail, not wet and no flammable imprint on the package...I keep the stuff in a fireproof safe, in a cool spot...

I havent seen anywhere in england to buy it (no shops)

Online dealers have made flash paper plentiful. Even if it is considered illegal in a county, perhaps in a public arena, I would believe that it could be used with permission anywhere.