KILN PROCEDURES
Kiln Procedures
The Kiln Co-ordinator’s objective is to keep the club kiln in good order as the kiln is the most expensive piece of equipment the club owns.
The Kiln Co-ordinators will take all care with all members work but take no responsibility and reserve the rights to refuse any items which they feel may cause problems during the firings.
Please note: Once the pieces are bisque fired please glaze as soon as possible.
Once glazed fired please pay and collect as there is limited space.
Uncollected pottery will become the property of the club if not collected with in 3 months and will then be sold in the gallery to pay for the firing costs.
Construction
The construction of the piece is very important to the firing procedure.
♦ All pieces must be stable and able to stand and not fall over in the kiln during the firing procedure.
Any additions to the piece must be attached securely by scoring and using slip.
♦ Kneading the clay well will disperse any air bubbles. Air bubbles can cause the piece to blow up in the kiln which could cause damage to members pieces/shelves/elements. that may be trapped.
♦ All sculpture work should have plenty of air holes and all precautions have been made to avoid air pockets that could cause any explosion during the firing. Drying pieces slowly is necessary.
♦ It is important to know the type of clay being used and to the temperature it needs to be fired and the glaze fit. If there is any problem occurring with the clay as well it is best to ask or contact the supplier.
♦ If ever in doubt it is far better to ask than having to have pay for the grinding of the kiln shelves or having to pay for new shelves or worse yet having to pay for kiln repairs.
Work for Firing Policy
All work must meet acceptable standards to help us to protect the kiln/shelves/
members work.
♦ All pieces must be 100% dry before placing it out on the bisque shelf (Blue Shelves).
♦ All pieces must be marked /stamped with initials or name on the bottom of your work. Please fill in how you mark your work in the“name mark book”. This helps the kiln co- ordinator know your work to enter into the firing cost book.
♦ Firing forms need to be filled out correctly and left with the piece on the shelf.
♦ Note: For mid fired pieces to have glazed there is a special shelf marked mid fired only.
♦ The club does not accept wet work.
♦ All caution must be taken when glazing all work.
♦ Work will not be fired with glazed bases.
♦ †The base must be clean of glaze at least 5mm from the base.
♦ †Any test pieces and recipes must be checked with the kiln co-ordinator and must be clearly marked as test piece and applied to an appropriate test piece.
Loading the kiln is a big task so all this helps it to run smoothly .
Kiln Safety Policy Terms & Conditions
♦ Firings will only be done when there is a full kiln load. The kiln co-ordinators will decide on this.
♦ Firings times to be organised by the kiln co-ordinators.
♦ The kiln will not be fired if there are storms forecast.
♦ Works for SPC Exhibitions take first priority.
♦ A whole kiln load can be booked ie for a full kiln load price applies. (Price on kiln cost firing sheet)
♦ The kiln is to be loaded and unloaded by the kiln co-ordinators and other potters with permission at the discretion of the kiln coordinators.
♦ NOTE: No club members are to commit to firing work for non-members.
♦ Work for non-members All inquiries regarding having work fired through the club kiln must be directed to the kiln co-ordinators. An extra firing cost applies for non members.
♦ Children’s work: Children who have been supervised by a member may have pieces bisque fired only. The pieces will need to be scored and slip applied so they are well attached and stable.
♦ The kiln will be locked for safety reasons during firing.
♦ The kiln needs to cool down after the firing and the door can only be opened by the kiln co-ordinators. (Recommended by Woodrow not before 50 degrees.)
♦ If the kiln is opened before the required temperature it may cause cracking of the pieces and disappointment and it is also not good for the elements.