Facility Recommendations for Having Whitlow Enterprises Conduct Smoke School at Your Plant

Sometimes plants like to have private smoke schools at the plant if they need to train 14 people or more. if you don't have 14 people to train, but you would like to see a Whitlow smoke school in your area you could get together with some of your friends at the other plants in the area. You can participate in the   Refer a Friend to Smoke School program.

These are the facilities we like to use at smoke school. They are not mandatory, we just like them. We like for people to have the optimum conditions for reading opacity so they will pass the test quickly and get back to the job. These conditions involve sun position, winds, background, comfort, shade, and shelter from rain and snow.  We like to set the stage for smoke school.

We strongly suggest that you consider having the smoke school at a plant recreation area or at a city park or state park near the plant. This is recommended- not required. These areas usually have picnic shelters to protect you from the sun and the rain. They also have picnic tables for you to eat lunch. The parks usually have plenty of trees to use for contrasting background for reading opacity of smoke on cloudy days. These areas are usually quieter and safer than the routine plant areas. We like to make your employees feel comfortable and relaxed during smoke school. We rely heavily on two-way communications with a public address system and walkie-talkies to conduct smoke school. We want to make the test as easy as possible for each attendee to pass on their first attempt. In smoke school, location is everything. Well you also have positive attitude, and operator experience. This is a suggestion- It is not a requirement. Please continue reading.

Please be on the lookout for a great place to have smoke school, that provides adequate classroom and field-testing locations.

Some suggested locations for schools are:

Plant recreation areas or camp grounds.

Plant picnic grounds

City Parks

State Parks

Recreation Centers

Private secluded residents

Hunting and fishing lodges

Dude Ranches

We will come to your plant if you choose not to use the above areas. The following are required for smoke school.

An area where flammable materials are allowed to be burned.

Security. The smoke generator and its components cost about $30,000. It has flammable materials. The smoke generator will be set up the day before smoke school starts and will be left there several days. The area should be resistant to thieves and curious children. 

Electricity- One or two 110 volt power outlets on separate 20 amp breakers.  The smoke generator has a 150 foot extension cord and must be within that distance from electrical power.

A background- A smoke reader must stand at least 34 feet from the stack.  When facing the smoke generator smoke stack, the reader should hold his or her arms straight out to his or her sides. The sun has to be behind his or her arms.  When the smoke reader looks over the top of the 12 foot stack he or she should be able to see a background of either a tall building, or some tall trees.

A open area for sitting and watching- Smoke readers must change locations during the day to maintain a position with the sun to their backs. Shade trees would be nice.  Suggestion: A covered area would be nice. You could use a porch, or a maintenance shed with wide doors to keep you dry if it should rain. We bring tarps in case you do not have a covered area.

Shelter from thunder storms nearby is essential.  We do smoke school come rain or shine. However we need a shelter to avoid lightning until the storm is passed.

Restroom facilities are a must.

An area where we are not likely to receive complaints from other employees and your neighbors- Smoke school uses diesel and toluene which is either evaporated or burned to make black and white smoke.  It produces a smell that is offensive to some and smells like money to others. The generator should not be set up in areas near an air conditioner vent or open windows or doors.

Convenient Free parking- Ample parking I suspect most of our schools should be 20 to 40 people.

A classroom. We use our laptop and computer power point slide show. A screen and tables would be nice.

Insurance

We prefer to set up smoke school in an area that is free of any significant hazards that our insurance company may not appreciate. They would like for us to know the limits of liability required if we set the school up inside the plant.

Give us a call or email and describe the ideal location of smoke school. You never know, you may get a bingo. Contact us Or you can email us at smokeschool@yahoo.com