Organising a fire show is more than booking an artist and hoping it turns out beautifully. Behind every spectacular act sits a layer of planning, coordination and safety work the audience never sees, and shouldn't have to see. As an organiser, it helps to know in advance which questions will come your way, what you arrange yourself, and what a professional team takes off your hands. In this guide we walk through the key points to consider, from venue choice to permits and planning, so you can approach your event with confidence.
The first step: what do you want to show?
Before we talk about square metres and fire brigade protocols, there's a more important question: what should your fire show do for your event? A short, intimate freestyle act at a corporate event for up to a thousand guests calls for something completely different than a large group production with pyrotechnics and lighting for an outdoor festival. That choice steers nearly every decision that follows, from the space required to set-up time. We're happy to help you weigh this up on our shows page, and also in our blog on choosing the right show. The sharper the starting point, the smoother the rest of the process runs.
Venue and space requirements
Outdoor venues are nearly always ideal for fire shows. Open air means better ventilation, no ceiling holding in the heat, and more margin around the artists. That said, indoor work is certainly possible, provided the right conditions are met.
What we factor in for every venue as standard:
- Surface area and safety margins. Every show has a minimum required floor area, plus a safety perimeter to the audience and obstacles. Those margins aren't negotiable, they protect everyone.
- Ceiling height. For indoor shows we look at the height to the ceiling, sprinklers, beams and cabling. Flames rise with heat, so there must be enough free space above the artist.
- Surface. A stable, non-flammable floor is important. Wooden stages, carpets or artificial grass call for extra preparation or protective layers.
- Ventilation. A fire show produces smoke and vapour. For indoor shows we check whether ventilation is sufficient, and whether smoke detectors can be temporarily bypassed in consultation with the venue.
- Flammable elements nearby. Décor, curtains, dry plants or hanging fabrics: anything within the safety perimeter is mapped out in advance.
We come on site well in advance to walk through the venue together, and where possible we adapt the show to your space. Have a unique location? A rooftop terrace, a floating stage or a castle garden? No problem, bespoke work is part of what we do. Explore our installation solutions for inspiration.
Permits and regulations in Belgium and the Netherlands
Honestly: there's no off-the-shelf answer to the question "do I need a permit". It depends heavily on the type of venue and the municipality where your event takes place.
In broad strokes:
- Private venues (corporate sites, event venues with their own operating licence, private gardens) often already have a framework within which fire shows are permitted. The venue operator must always be informed and give their approval.
- Public space (squares, parks, streets) almost always requires coordination with the municipality and sometimes a separate permit.
- Fire brigade. Some municipalities or venues want the local fire brigade to be informed in advance, especially for larger productions or indoor venues. That's not a hurdle, more a sign of due care.
Our firm recommendation: always check with your municipality and venue operator what applies in your specific situation. Regulations vary by municipality and can change, so we're cautious about quoting fixed rules or amounts that may later prove inaccurate.
What we do for you: if needed, we provide all the documentation the fire brigade or municipality may request. Think of an overview of the liquids used, our safety measures, certificates and insurance. You're welcome to put us in direct contact with your venue staff or the local fire brigade, and we'll handle the technical side directly.
Safety: what a professional fire show covers as standard
Safety at a fire show isn't about a single measure, but a whole chain of choices that together keep the risk manageable. What's included as standard?
- Insurance. A professional fire artist works with liability insurance tailored to event work. Always ask about this, with other suppliers too.
- Fire extinguishers and fire blankets within reach during every act, even short freestyle performances.
- Safety perimeter with clear demarcation for the audience. We're happy to think along about how to integrate this elegantly into the atmosphere of your event, with torches, candles or subtle markers.
- Quality of the liquids. We work exclusively with the purest fuels, for the wellbeing of our artists, your guests and the surroundings. Cheaper alternatives produce more smoke, patchy combustion and more residual liquid on the ground.
- Technique and training. The difference between a skilled fire breather and an amateur lies in the atomisation: the finer the liquid is misted, the more complete the combustion and the fewer drops fall to the ground. That's not just visually better, it also limits slip hazards and minimises residue.
- Wind, wind and more wind. Wind is the most important weather factor at a fire show. Our artists always perform with their backs to the wind, so the flame moves away from the face, and they continually scan for flammable elements in the wind or heat path. In strong wind we adapt the show, or propose an alternative moment in consultation. We also factor in rain and extreme cold.
- First-aid readiness. The team knows what to do if something happens. Not because we expect it, but because being well prepared is part of working professionally.
What can you prepare as the organiser?
We do most of the work. But there are a few points where your preparation makes our job much smoother:
- Power supply. For larger productions with light, sound and pyrotechnics we need enough power points in the right places. We send a technical overview in advance.
- Access route and parking. Our technical equipment arrives in a van or lorry. A smooth access route and a parking spot close to the set-up zone saves a lot of time.
- Communication with other suppliers. Caterers, DJs, lighting technicians: let us know who else is on site. Sometimes we need to align our set-up or the show moment with the dinner or a speech.
- A point of contact on the day itself. One person on your side with decision-making authority makes last-minute coordination much easier.
