adam2

The 28 volt mercury lamps were of low wattage, about 4 watts IIRC. Used behind a suitable filter so as to give primarily ultra violet light and used to light the cockpit of aircraft. The absence of visible light enhanced night vision, pointers on instruments and important controls were marked with fluorescent paint that glowed under the ultraviolet light. Worked well, the main drawback was that if the pilot wore a white shirt as was customary, this garment might fluoresce brightly and distractingly. Even a white vest under a dark coloured shirt could be distracting. More of an eastern european idea, western military powers and airlines favoured dim red illumination. fleabay link, 28 volt mercury lamp https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112625706207?hash=item1a3903e4df:g:HLYAAOSwxzdZ-gPc

Agree that CP lighting are useful, link in an earlier post. Another supplier worth trying is International lamps, they have a not very helpful website, but telephoning can be better, 01279 224466. International lamps are very competitive on price and keep a good range of hard to find lamps, not just theatre types but d0m3stic and industrial. I have no connection with either of the above. And dont forget fleabay, all sorts of oddities may be found. Including 28 volt mercury vapour lamps ! Yes a discharge lamp that runs from only 28 volts without any voltage increasing circuitry. For a bonus point, does anyone know for what these were used ?

Whilst I stand to be corrected, my understanding was that the exemption for places of worship only applies to permanently installed generators for back up power, or indeed for full time power in places without mains power. A hired generator does IMHO need white diesel, even if hired to a church. Anyway, all but unusually large and complex churches manage with candles in the absence of electric light.

My understanding is that white diesel would be required for the generator in either of those situations.

The alternatives that I was thinking of include. Mains power instead of generator power, greener and cheaper, it will in many cases become economic to provide larger mains supplies in places that host outdoor events. And of course economy in electricity consumption to reduce generator diesel fuel used. Battery fork lift trucks and other plant could replace diesel in some circumstances, and again economy and prudent use of diesel powered plant, no more leaving it running all day to save starting when needed. I do not believe that showmen, fairgrounds and the like should be allowed to use red diesel. That would cut out a lot of arguments about what fuel is to power different parts, "white only, throughout, no argument"

Members may recall the murders of two young girls in Soham, some years ago. At the time I had a trainee working alongside me who had a VERY unfortunate resemblance to the murderer, my workplace was raided by the police seeking to capture the trainee. It was soon realised that the actual murderer was safely behind bars and that the very similar appearance of our trainee was simply an unfortunate coincidence. However a multi tool was found in his pocket, and he was charged with this. Acquitted by the crown court, on the grounds that the multi tool was a work tool, and that he was AT WORK AT THE TIME and not in a public place. Expensive in time off and in legal expenses, but you cant appeal against an acquittal. The police declined to return the confiscated tool on the grounds that they had a "zero tolerance of the carrying of knives" And that this policy was not affected by court judgments.

Costs will indeed increase, but I support this measure due to environmental concerns. The higher running costs of diesel burning plant and machinery will hopefully prompt more careful use, and greater consideration of alternatives. AFAIK, red diesel fuel will still be permitted for DOMESTIC heating but not for oil burning heating in non domestic premises.

Well yes, but presuming standard UK mains supply, which in the UK IS a reasonable assumption unless stated otherwise.

Many good points made in earlier posts, to which I would add, start learning basic electrical theory and practice. At 14 years I doubt that you will be allowed to do that much, but ideas vary in this regard. Try to learn the following, not by rote, but with understanding. How many 1 kw lanterns on a 10 amp dimmer, again not just "by rote" but WHY. What size cable for a 15 amp extension lead, and WHY. How to wire plugs, and what size fuse to use. And related questions. If you see something that you are CONVINCED is dangerous, then report this to the person in charge. If not certain, then ask the question via this forum or otherwise.

Architectural floodlights probably have too wide a beam. If nothing sophisticated is needed, I would consider automotive LED spotlights. Should be reliably weatherproof, 12 volt or 24 volt DC supply is safer (you will still need mains voltage, but only to one or two power supplies, not to a number of lamps. Many of these lights are a wide flood beam, but narrow beam versions exist. Suggest a browse on fleabay for "LED vehicle spotlights" or perhaps "Yacht/boat LED spot lights"

Where I live we had a power cut for a couple of hours. Telephone and internet service ceased after about 20 minutes. This was not due to lack of power at my home since both the router and the cordless telephone base unit are connected to a UPS. I therefore presume that the power to a street side cabinet failed. Cellphone service was not available for a couple of days. In case of fire or sudden illness this could be most serious even at home. For a place of public assembly the risks would be greater. Larger venues at least should perhaps consider a satellite telephone, householders in remote places might wish to consider amateur radio equipment, and power supplies for same.

Most of my home is lit with home made 12 volt DC Christmas lights. Buy a load of the very cheap ones that work from 3 AA cells, discard the battery boxes and connect three sets in series. take care to preserve correct polarity. It is most important that all three of the series resistors remain in the circuit. These resistors are generally either in the battery box or in the wiring near the first lamp. The light output will be the same as that produced with FRESH AA cells, and much better than obtained from well used AA cells. Protect each group of three strings with a very small fuse, such as 150ma. No need for a fuse holder, simply solder the fuse in place and cover it with heat shrink. Protect the main feed from the battery with say a 3 amp fuse. Alternatively discard the supplied battery box and use three D cells instead., again keeping the original resistor. D cells cost about twice as much as AA but contain about eight times the energy. The light output with FRESH D ells will be only marginally brighter than with AA cells, but this "fresh battery light output" will be maintained for much longer rather than fading within a few hours.

All the other energy retailers that went bust ceased trading and their customers were transferred by OFGEM to alternative suppliers. This one is different as "bulb" will continue trading under government subsidy and control. Dom3stic gas and electricity consumers are protected from market prices by the government "price cap" for now at least. I doubt that this can continue forever. Non d0m3stic users are already having to pay market prices when a fixed price deal ends or when the supplier goes bust and the new supplier charges a market price. The current free market price for electricity is about 60 pence or more a unit, compared to about 12 to 15 pence a unit charged a year or two ago. This has clear implications for entertainment venues when considering replacement equipment.

Whilst d0m3stic gas and electricity consumers are protected from market prices by the government "price cap" this does not apply to business users. The going rate for electricity is now about 60 pence a unit, payable when a fixed price deal expires, or when the supplier goes bust and the customer transfers to an alternative supplier at market prices. Prices are broadly similar in most of Europe. Indeed, very expensive UK electricity has been exported to France where prices were even higher. At present it can be cheaper to use a diesel generator than to buy electricity at the prevailing market price. About 20 gas and electricity retailers have now gone bust and rumours continue to circulate that one of the major energy firms are about to fail.

That sounds possible, and most unwise. "Recreational shooting" is very popular in the USA, and can be done safely. IMHO any such recreational shooting on or near a film set should use guns and ammunition that are kept completely separate from props and be non interchangeable. Guns not connected with the production should be kept locked up when not in use. In the absence of a proper gun cupboard, a locked vehicle is better than nothing. And anyone handed a gun that is said to be safe, should confirm the fact by PERSONAL INSPECTION.

Thanks for the above post and link, that I believe is the tragedy of which I was thinking.

I agree, and the earlier reports of this tragedy suggested that a blank round was fired with tragic results. Later reports however suggest that the gun contained a live round. Blank rounds are much less dangerous than live ammunition but should still be kept secure and used with great care. A blank round is unlikely to kill unless at very close range. ISTR a case some years ago in which an actor fired a handgun loaded with blanks at their head, at close range. The blast killed them due to a fractured skull.

If the action had no requirement for live rounds, then I agree that no such should have been on or near the set. However I believe that under certain circumstances, that the firing of live rounds may be permitted for realism. Under such circumstances, extreme care is needed to ensure that live rounds are only supplied when required and are removed and locked away when not required. I would however expect that anyone handed a gun that is stated to be empty, or to be loaded with only blank rounds, should point the weapon in a safe direction whilst confirming the facts for themselves. I have lawfully used a shotgun, and would treat such a weapon as being loaded until PERSONAL INSPECTION showed it to be empty. No matter whom assures one that a gun is safe, personal inspection is advised. In the USA, firearms are widely used for self defence and other purposes and their might be a risk of over familiarity. Accidents have previously occurred on film sets but are rare. Accidents involving guns in the home are regrettably common.

This report about such matters may be of interest. My link It discusses the possible need for backup arrangements, but only for "vulnerable" or "at risk" d0m3stic users with little mention of entertainment venues. I have very little faith in cellphones during any out of course event as the network tends to be swamped by the extra call volume. I also have little faith in batteries provided and "maintained" by third parties such as telecoms suppliers.

Various reports state. Early reports implied some mechanical failure that caused scenery "to fall" Later reports imply that the scenery was being lowered in a controlled way as was intended, but that the actor "went in the wrong direction" and into the path of the descending scenery and was trapped under the descending scenery. The victim was crushed, and despite efforts made by persons nearby, and the prompt arrival of ambulance personnel, could not be saved. Very sad indeed. news report Please be aware that these are early reports and later reports may give more detail.

This has not gone away and has indeed worsened. UK wholesale natural gas is now trading at THREE times the previous record and at over SIX times the normal price for the time of year. Many gas and electricity retailers have gone bust, and more are expected to fail in the coming days. At least one "major" energy supplier are reported to be in trouble. D0m3stic gas and electricity consumers are protected against market prices for now, but businesses may have to pay a market price.

A "deal has been done" whereby the government are going to subsidise the re-opening of the fertiliser factories which would otherwise have uneconomic due to the high natural gas price. This will of course increase supplies of carbon dioxide to near normal levels. The food and drink industry will probably be a higher priority than theatres etc, but a general easing of supply will help.

Another report here. BBC news gas shortage Focuses on food supply and uses of carbon dioxide in food processing, mainly to stun animals and for food packaging. If the shortages becomes serious, I suspect that the food industry will be near the top priority and that entertainment will be near the bottom.

Or simply go back to the old days when most packaged carbon dioxide was produced by Distillers PLC, a company noted for the manufacture of distilled spirits. It is not the actual distilling that produces carbon dioxide, but the prior step of fermentation. To make say whiskey, a mash is fermented is a similar way to the brewing of beer, this produces a great amount of nearly pure carbon dioxide. This is then distilled. In years gone by the gas from the fermentation tanks was captured, purified and put into cylinders or bulk tanks for sale. Since demand for spirits is fairly stable this gave a reliable carbon dioxide supply. It was then found that carbon dioxide as a by product from fertilizer production was cheaper. This is a less stable supply since fertilizer production is firstly seasonal and secondly related to natural gas prices.

Since I started this thread, gas prices went even higher and have now moderated a little. Todays price is still about double the previous peak. This may represent the "new normal" The previous peak price was 82 pence a therm and was only for a day or two. This peak is far higher and has already been higher for much longer. The price has been over 100 pence a therm since July 28. Very substantial retail price increases seem certain for both natural gas and for electricity which is largely produced from gas. Even a fixed price tariff offers no protection if your chosen supplier goes bust, as several already have. I would again urge that urgent attention be given to energy efficiency in entertainment venues and other workplaces.