RECOMMENDED:

Watch the ground clearance! Keep side skirts and any flammable materials off the road in case you run over a torch. 10" or 250 mm seems to be a good figure. THIS APPLIES EQUALLY TO WALKING PARTIES WHO ARE PUSHING OR CARRYING THINGS.

GOOD IDEA:

Watch out that you don't "design-in" any trip hazards on the floor.

ESSENTIAL:

Plan out your emergency escape routine, and make sure all the FLOAT STEWARDS know what to do if you have to clear the float.

SOME NOTES ON ELECTRICITY:

ESSENTIAL:

Use 110 volt equipment if you can. Circuit breakers or fuses are only designed to protect the equipment, not people. All 240 volt generators should have an ELCB or RCCB device fitted RIGHT BY THE GENERATOR if you want to give the best protection.

ESSENTIAL:

Generators must be INSTANTLY accessible, even if you mount them under the float like many builders do.

ESSENTIAL:

Don't coil leads, they can overheat.

RECOMMENDED:

Don't have unprotected light bulbs OUTSIDE the line of the float, they can hit trees and other vehicles.

GOOD IDEA:

Co-opt an electrician into your working party!

ESSENTIAL:

Do not re-fuel your generator in the middle of the Procession. Make sure you have filled everything up before you start, if you need to re-fuel your generator do it at the turnaround point, and always have a POWDER TYPE fire extinguisher at hand.

SOME NOTES ON ORGANISATION ON THE NIGHT:

ESSENTIAL:

The Bonfire Society provides a limited number of MARSHALLS, but we should not leave it all to others and must look after our own. Each party should provide at least 2 of their own ADULT walking STEWARDS, wearing fluorescent waistcoats and with fancy dress limited to that which will NOT restrict their movement. (This is in addition to the FLOAT STEWARDS who should be allocated to ride on the floats.

RECOMMENDED:

If your party is more than 50 strong, then you need more STEWARDS.