PLACEMENT-ANNOUNCE #5, '08http://www.burningman.com/calendar/

-- WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? GUIDE FINAL REMINDER

-- COMEON BABY, LIGHT MY FIRE . . . BUT SAFELY!

-- REMEMBERING BURNERS LOST - DUE JULY 20

-- FREE TICKETS . . . TO BURNING MAN . . . . . . 2009

-- THUMPA-THUMPA-THUMPA-THUMPA OR SSSHHHHH?

-- ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER

-- NEED A (110 TON) LIFT?

-- THE "IT'S ALMOST THE EARLY ARRIVALS ANNOUNCEMENT", ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Hello from the swamped Placement team! -

 

Seven hundred and seventy-eight.

We are reviewing 778 sets of Placement questionnaires, layout plans, and Leave No Trace plans.

In laymen's terms, that's "like a gazillion".

We think that's about sixty more than last year. Most of you followed directions and labeled your layout plan with your camp name BIG along the upper 11 inch edge, then added your contact info. Thank you. The expanded Leave No Trace plans were much better too.

Hey, we've had hardly any camps with the wrong info on the web listing, no crazy self-replicating camp records, and virtually no 'temporal anomalies'! This is due to the good folks on our questionnaire tech team like Loopy, Poe, Bliss, PQ and led by Camera Girl. You see, a whole gang of these geeks descended on our database issues waayyy back in November '07, and opened a can of whoop-ass on all our bugs.

So thanks to them all, and now on with our show . . .

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WHAT?, WHERE?, WHEN? -- NOW!!!

The on-line Playa Events Calendar is filling up with all your parties, events, gatherings and happenings .

 

Deadline for inclusion in the WHAT WHERE WHEN Guide -- the printed hardcopy filled from Playa Events online Calendar, and handed out to everyone when they arrive -- is . . . July 20th OR 1400 entries, which ever comes first!

That entry count limit is new this year, so get your events in!

Remember, we will add your playa address for you before it goes to press.

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FIRE SAFETY AND GUIDELINES

Yes, this is Burning Man. Fire plays a big part in the event. So does fire safety and common sense. This is something taken very seriously, so please read these guidelines carefully.

This message comes from the Fire-Safety team. For any questions, you

can contact them directly at davex@burningman.com They are glad to

help, and have tons of good advice.

Fire Safety In Your Camp

Fire in theme-camps is a very serious thing and we caution you to take care in the planning of any open flame in theme-camps. There must be someone who is responsible and present at all time to monitor any fire in your camp and be prepared to completely extinguish it if wind conditions kick up. At least 5 gallons of water must be kept close for this purpose.

Part of the fun of Burning Man is gathering around a fire at night, meeting folks, sharing a story, enjoying the warmth. As nice as that sounds, there's a lot of responsibility involved, too. Do we really need a fire in every camp? If you can do without it, save yourself the trouble and responsibility and gather around someone else's fire. The ability for the Black Rock City Emergency Services to provide fire- control services would be stretched to the breaking point if multiple fires broke out in a severe windstorm.

Please remember that any fires found unattended or without water nearby -- or burning in an unsafe manner -- will be extinguished and the materials and equipment confiscated. This could also have a big affect on your camp's status in the future.

- Dave X

Fire Safety Manager

Burning Man

 

Fire and open flame present a unique set of challenges on the playa.

Wind is an ever-present aspect of the Black Rock desert, and with little warning, can blow sparks and embers from fire-barrels and across our city great distances until they settle against something (tents, shade structures, camping gear, art works, etc).This is VERY scary in a tent city!

Wind is also a factor with tiki-torches, candles and taller flame effects -- and precautions should be taken to prevent these things from being knocked or blownover. A sufficient perimeter should be kept clear of all flammables. To help you prepare to have open flame or flame effects in your camp, here are some guidelines to help keep everyone in Black Rock City safe.

OPEN FIRE WITHIN THEME-CAMPS ----

1. No fire vessels (like fire-barrels) or open fires shall be left

unattended. At least one camp member will be designated fire-tender and be within visual distance at all times. If found unattended while lit, open flames may be extinguished, and burn-barrels and equipment may be confiscated if there is sufficient hazard.

2. Fire vessels shall be secured and constructed in a way that the bottom surface is at least 6" from the playa to prevent baking or scarring of the playa surface.

3. If winds pick up, all open fire must be put out immediately and

fire vessels must be extinguished if they begin to throw sparks.

4. Open fire structures above 10 feet tall shall be secured from the

wind and the safety perimeter increased appropriately.

5. Open fire or fire vessels must be extinguished at the request of

any Ranger or Emergency Services personnel.

6. A 20' zone around the fire must be free of any flammable

materials such as, but not limited to; cloth, paper, tents, plastic, etc.

7. A supply of at least 5 gallons of water must be kept on-hand to

extinguish the fire in case of high winds or other hazards. Winds can blow embers and sparks a long distance down the playa!

8. All liquid-fuels such as gasoline and diesel that are stored in

camp must be kept at least 50' away from any source of flame. Please check out the guidelines for the storage of fuels on the Burning Man web site.

9. Burning of large art installations is not allowed in any camping

area.

10. A special note about starting fires with gasoline. Gasoline is a

very dangerous fuel to use to start fires -- explosive vapors can build up instantly as it is applied -- when the fire is lit, it can flash and burn you!

Note:

All camps that have Open Fire are asked to check in at the Artery in center-camp to receive an inspection from a Performance Safety team member.

FLAME EFFECTS AND PROPANE GAS FLAMES WITHIN THEME-CAMPS ----

A Flame Effect is defined as any device that is automated, switched, pressurized or having any other action other than simply being lit on fire.

1. No large-scale flame effects using 40 or more gallons of fuel.

2. No pressurized liquid-fuels are to be used within the camping area.

3. All fuel lines are to be manufactured and rated for LP gas.

Compressed air hoses are not an acceptable substitute for LP gas line and will not be approved.

4. Flame Effects shall be secured and constructed in a way that the

burning surface is at least 6" from the playa to prevent baking or scaring of the playa surface.

5. A 20' zone around the Flame Effect must be free of any flammable

materials such as but not limited to; cloth, paper, tents, plastic, etc.

6. No Flame Effect shall be left unattended. At least one camp

member will be designated fire effect operator and be within visual distance at all times. If found unattended while lit, flame effects may be extinguished and equipment may be confiscated if there is sufficient hazard.

7. A supply of at least 5 gallons of water must be kept on-hand to

extinguish the fire in case of high winds or other hazards.

8. If winds pick up, all Flame Effects must be put out.

9. Any towers or artwork that incorporates fire shall be secured

from the wind and safety perimeter increased appropriately.

10. Flame Effects must be extinguished at the request of any Ranger

or Emergency Services personnel.

11. An appropriate safe perimeter will be maintained at all times to prevent injury to participants.

Note:

All camps that have Flame Effects are asked to check in at the Artery in center-camp to receive an inspection from a Performance Safety team member.

FIREWORKS

We all love a good fireworks show, but the use within the camping area is a violation of common sense. Sparks and fire could ignite flammables in the camps and be difficult to fight and dangerous to campers.

As part of our event stipulations with the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), the use of ANY pyrotechnics that are not part of a pre- registered and approved art project is forbidden and may result in steep fines and/or arrest from the BLM and or Pershing County Sheriff and possible ejection from the event.

Again, for any questions, contact the Fire-Safety team directly at davex@burningman.com

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REMEMBRANCE PLAQUE NAMES DUE JULY 20

Since 1996, An anonymous burner has created a plaque to commemorate members of our community who have passed away. This tradition continues to honor people who have impacted our Burning experiences and participated in making Burning Man happen. This is a call out to you, our community, to please let us know of any burners lost who you feel should be added to the Remembrance Plaque.

Please send just their name, exactly as you would like to see it appear, to:

remembrance@burningman.com

Submissions should be received by July 20th

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GREEN CAMPS - FREE TICKETS

Got LNT? Got Green? Is your camp working on ways to leave no trace and reduce your carbon footprint at Burning Man? or Doing something interesting with renewable energy, reuse, recycling, conservation?

Then you may be a candidate for Free Tickets to Burning Man 2009!

Each year the Earth Guardian's hold a Camp of the Day Contest. You can also nominate your camp for the Camp of the Day Award! If you are chosen one of our winners, your camp will receive two tickets to Burning Man 2009!

Applications can be downloaded at

www.earthguardians.net and click on "Camp of the Day Contest"http://www.burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/securing.html

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AMPLIFICATION

The playa is a natural amplifier and it doesn't take much to produce a large amount of sound. Bass travels multi-directionally and cannot be absolutely contained with any structures. This gives sound as an art form an unfair advantage over other art forms. Burning Man is dedicated to radical self-expression, but it is also dedicated to creating community. We all must find a way to get along with our neighbors. As a community, we need to work together to keep sound at desirable levels. This means that everyone involved is personally responsible for how they affect everyone else's experience.

Your informed choice of a camping area can help you have the kind of sound experience at Burning Man you desire. Large Scale Sound Art is placed along 2:00 and 10:00. The Esplanade and it's near blocks are louder than deep in the city with a few exceptions, so don't camp on Allante if you want things on the quieter side. Center Camp is a relatively quiet night time zone.

THE DEEP END theme camp is loud during daylight hours.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ZONE and HUSHVILLE camps like a quieter experience and would love quite neighbors who don't have generators.

WALK-IN CAMPING across K-car road at the back of the city is very quiet at night (Away from the 2:00 end, of course!) If your neighbor believes your sound is too loud, you must work with them to find an acceptable volume. You will need to check in with those that you are camped near to find out what other events are planned and work with them to create a schedule. With these actions you should be able to handle all of your own sound issues. If everyone works together there will be no need for Black Rock Rangers to monitor sound Sound Policy -- The following four rules make up our basic sound policy:

1. Neighbors should talk to one another when sound becomes problem and try to resolve the issue through direct communication.

2. Large-scale sound installations MUST be located along the streets 2:00 and 10:00. They may express themselves at unlimited volume unless the community complains.

3. A maximum power amplification of 300 watts is permitted behind this Large-Scale Sound Art Zone in greater Black Rock City.

4. Any concerns about sound will become a concern of the Black Rock Rangers if a complaint is made within a few hours of the conflict.

Concerns about excessive sound can result in:

a.) volume check and mediation between camps,

b.) volume check and a final warning on complaints,

c.) disabling of equipment.

NOTE: Rangers will not take action on issues of taste.

LSSA --

All large-scale sound art systems will be located along the streets 2:00 and 10:00 (the two outermost edges of our city). Like all theme camps, these camps will be encouraged to be as creative and interactive as possible. The primary rule is that all speakers MUST be turned away from greater Black Rock City toward the open playa at all times.

Placing a large vehicle directly behind speakers does WONDERS to keep sound from moving back into Black Rock City proper. If you drive a large truck to the event it must be placed behind the sound system.

Elevating the speakers off the ground is also highly recommended.

Mutant Vehicles --

All sound regulations apply to mutant-vehicles driving through our city and on the open playa. Please watch your volumes as you drive by performances or events in progress or through the city proper.

. . . and please remember to pack some GOOD EARPLUGS to be on the safe and sane side!

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STRUCTURES AND TOWERS

Large structures need to be secured properly. All designs are strongly advised to include safety provisions. For more on this, please check

out:

 

Remember, any structure that could hold many people should be monitored to make sure that weight loads are not exceeded. They should also be built with separate entrances and exits. Anything over 15 feet high and anything made of scaffolding should be carefully considered for safety. It is always helpful to get a structural engineer to look over your design before arriving on the playa.

Towers are great for climbing and will attracted great interest. You should be prepared to monitor your towers and make them inaccessible when you can not.

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WANNA SHARE A CRANE WITH ROOT SOCIETY?

Speaking of large structures, frequently they need a large crane for setup. Root Society theme camp has asked us if we know of any camp that would like to share the expense of having and using a 110-ton crane? So now we're asking you. Write sweetthang@burnngman.com -- who is heavily into heavy equipment --- and she'll pass it along to the proper party.

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ALMOST EARLY ARRIVALS

Not yet, but we'll announce the process very soon. Please stop sending us names and counts for the moment. We actually don't want names at all. And please stop trying to subscribe to last years early arrivals email list. Jeeze! What, got ants in your pants?!

So, not till we say "Simon says send us your counts", with all the whens and hows.

Stay tuned!

The 2008 Placement Team:

Abdullah, Baulknaub, Douglas, FakeJake, HepKitten, Manflesh, Retro, Sacred Flame, Scar, Shadow, and Sweetthang.

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