Generator Policy 

The Use, Care, and Feeding of Your Generator at Alchemy

Generators are a powerful tool for making Alchemy the fun and engaging event that we all know and love, yet with great power comes great responsibility. When used correctly, generators help create the lights, sounds, and comforts we have come to rely on. Generators also create hazards we must avoid to ensure the safety of all participants, as well as ambient noise and exhaust we need to be conscientious of for the comfort of our fellow Alchemists. Alchemy has set forth the following guidelines that we ask you to be mindful of.

Powering Up, Alchemy Style!

The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. To mitigate these risks, we ask that anyone operating a generator on site:

  • ALWAYS follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your generator. Regularly clean and maintain your generator, ensuring that all components are in working order, including any safety features like grounds or spark arrestors.

  • NEVER run a generator inside or immediately next to tents, yurts, canopies, or any other structures where people are living and working.  Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless, and deadly gas, is a significant component of exhaust, and can be deadly if a generator is used improperly. 

  • ALWAYS place the generator as far from other camps and participants as possible, with exhaust directed away from each. The use of a sound shield or baffle box is an excellent way to be mindful of and redirect both the noise and exhaust the generator is creating.

  • NEVER refuel a generator while it is running. Fuel spilled on hot surfaces can easily ignite or explode. Allow the generator to cool before refueling.

  • ALWAYS store fuel in an approved safety canister at least 10 ft away from your generator (and any other source of ignition). Safest practices for fuel storage include keeping fuel canisters out of direct sunlight and placing them in secondary containment in case of rupture.

  • NEVER operate your generator in rainy or wet conditions.

  • ALWAYS Plug electrical devices directly into the generator, or use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected electrical device loads.

  • NEVER overload your generator. This increases risk of fire, noise, and pollution.

  • ALWAYS have an ABC class fire extinguisher nearby and in clear view.

Lighting the Void While Clearing the Air 

From the entrancing sounds of DJs sharing their art to the delicious aromas of theme camps preparing food, Alchemy in full swing can be a sensory delight. The endless drone of a noisy generator, not to mention the nose-curling odor of its exhaust, dampens the vibe for all of us. To mitigate these harms, we ask that anyone operating a generator on site be mindful of the following:

  • Power On, Power Off: Only run generators when they're truly needed, and switch them off when they're not.

  • Power Sharing is Caring: Let's spread the love (and the watts)! Consider coordinating with neighboring theme camps, sharing power instead of multiplying the generator hum.

  • Quiet is Key: To keep your camp's power from harshing your mellow, consider the impact of the decibel rating of your generator and be mindful of the impact it has on your camp and surrounding participants.

  • Muffled Melodies: We ask that you surround your generator with a sound shield or baffle box to direct noise and exhaust skyward or earthward, not outward towards the event, camps, or participants. Generator usage should also harmonize with the current Sound Policy. Numerous designs for DIY baffle boxes are available online, with some resources linked below.

  • Inverter Generators: We request participants place inverter generators 30-feet away from crowds and pedestrian traffic. For smaller camps without enough space within their placement to meet this request, we ask that you use best efforts to minimize the impact of your generator.

  • Portable/Open-Frame Generators: We request participants with open-frame style generators place them 50-feet away from crowds and pedestrian traffic. For smaller camps without enough space within their placement to meet this request, we ask that you use best efforts to minimize the impact of your generator. Open-frame generators should be surrounded with an effective sound shield or baffle box. Please also be mindful and comply with volume restrictions in the sound policy as referenced above.

Helpful Links 

Buyer's Guide of best 10 generators in 10 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQsNeBCWi60

Quick baffling with insulation or wood:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUjM_uOSAXk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zwc5mdEbDI

Baffle Boxes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cVZCqcPeR4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erA944a9Bvc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qPRIq-9U-4