Cardboard Maroons, bomb tank?

[madorangepanda]

Firstly, I'm going with the manufacturers (Le Maitre) advice on this, which is to use a bomb tank.

 

It makes no difference to the production whether or not it is used.

 

But, I have seen conflicting information from sources other than Le Maitre about the use of a bomb tank with cardboard maroons.

 

So for information only. Could anyone clarify this for me? As I was under the impression that cardboard maroons could be used without a bomb tank.

[Brian]

So for information only. Could anyone clarify this for me? As I was under the impression that cardboard maroons could be used without a bomb tank.

You need a bomb tank.

 

Where did these people who suggested you didn't need one suggest you put the maroons?

[madorangepanda]

Where did these people who suggested you didn't need one suggest you put the maroons?

 

They never said, hence the confusion.

[pshughes]

You need a bomb tank.

 

I have personal experience of a misfire that embedded multiple pieces of cardboard below the skin from quite a distance.

 

At that speed and energy, shrapnel is shrapnel. Be it lead, steel, cardboard or paper, it's just as dangerous.

[kerry davies]

Definitely a tank.

They can, under the right circumstances, start a really nice fire besides blinding careless crew and actors.

[paulears]

In my younger days (well, actually 5 years ago, and I should have known better) I was too lazy to use a bomb tank sitting in the store, and for just one maroon, not even a big one) I decided to use a galvanised, brand new, dustbin that was in the wings already. It split the dustbin straight down the seam. One of those incidents that really brings home how dangerous exploding devices can actually be and how the inconvenience of a real heavy bomb-tank is NOT overkill.

[dbuckley]

I've sucessfully used a lemaitre small maroon in a dustbin, a long long time ago. Totally changes the nature of the sound, it sounds like you hit the dustbin with a stick really hard, more of a clang than a bang.

 

A maroon without a surrounding tank is a dangerous thing. I was going to explain how I know, but perhaps I better not.

[Seano]

You need a bomb tank.

Definitely a tank.

a real heavy bomb-tank

A maroon without a surrounding tank is a dangerous thing.

 

So can one of you lot explain the somewhat ambiguous phrasing on LeMaitre's website?: "Theatrical Maroons are available in standard plastic, for use in a bomb tank, or in cardboard."

 

Oh and this:

.. lead, steel, cardboard or paper, it's just as dangerous.

Is a bit silly imo. Yes, of course they are all dangerous - but it would be overstating the case to say they're all equally dangerous.

[the kid]

Question - Concussion v's maroon ? are concussions basically maroons?

[rossmck]

So can one of you lot explain the somewhat ambiguous phrasing on LeMaitre's website?: "Theatrical Maroons are available in standard plastic, for use in a bomb tank, or in cardboard."

 

Their product safety data sheet for "Plastic and Cardboard Maroons" states "Must be used in conjunction with a Le Maitre Bomb Tank"

 

But, yes, you should use a bomb tank.

[Brian]

Question - Concussion v's maroon ? are concussions basically maroons?

No.

 

Two major differences...

 

1) A concussion is designed to fit into a concussion 'pot' which is a stonkingly heavy bit of steel with a whole bored in it just the right size to take the device.

 

2) The effect - a concussion has much more of a 'boom' noise whereas maroons are more of a 'crack' or 'bang'.

[Seano]

But, yes, you should use a bomb tank.

Yep, I'd kinda picked up on that, ta.

 

Doesn't address my question though.

 

If the (apparently erroneous) idea that cardboard maroons don't necessarily need to be in a bomb tank is out there, might the phrase:

"... available in standard plastic, for use in a bomb tank, or in cardboard." be the source?

 

What's that about? Simply a grammatical error, or something else?

[pshughes]

... but it would be overstating the case to say they're all equally dangerous.

 

You are correct but...

 

Only in the same way that a .22 is less dangerous than a 9mm hollow point, or loosing an eye is less dangerous than loosing an arm.

 

My profile reads: "Working in the industry - Pyrotechnician" and I make my living managing the risk associated with things that go boom.

 

Perhaps I overstated my case, they of course are not equally dangerous or equally life-threatening. But they are equally unacceptable when it comes to a professionally produced 'safe' theatrical effect.

[madorangepanda]

Thank for the info guys, as I previously stated, we will be using a bomb tank.

 

I think what I have been told arises from the ambiguous wording on the Le Maitre website;

 

"Theatrical Maroons are available in standard plastic, for use in a bomb tank, or in cardboard.

 

Cardboard Maroons (or non-fragmental) are manufactured in a cardboard casing."

 

Whereas the safety data is much clearer.

 

I will fire off an email to them so that they can clear it up.