Freezer Burn Mutant Vehicle Operation Policy

Revised: Apr 2023

What is a Mutant Vehicle?

A Mutant Vehicle is a unique, motorized creation that shows little or no resemblance to their original form, or to any standard street vehicle. Mutant Vehicles are radically, stunningly, (usually) permanently, and safely modified from their base vehicle. Sometimes the whole vehicle is made from scratch. And sometimes, they are just a necessity for mobility and accessibility.

All motorized vehicles being used on the Fraya (outside of entry and exodus) are considered Mutant Vehicles and must meet the onsite inspections required. Mutant Vehicles include (but are not limited to) Art cars, Mobility vehicles (work trucks, personal golf carts, mobility scooters) or Pleasure craft (one-wheels, gasoline or electric bikes, segways, etc). Each Motorized vehicle requires its own registration. The DMV may decline a license to a vehicle if there is a demonstrable safety concern.

Mobility and Pleasure Crafts

Mobility and Pleasure crafts are allowed at Freezer Burn, but must also be registered through the DMV, and they must also apply for day and night licenses. Mobility and Pleasure crafts can always be decorated, but that must not exceed the ability of the device to perform the duties that they are intended for (if it is used for mobility for example, a occupant must be able to easily get in and out). Both are also allowed to have amplified music, but music must not exceed what would be considered a normal car stereo Wattage & volume level.

Operating Requirements

Only drive vehicles licensed or allowed to drive in Freezer Burn
Vehicle must have good working brakes
Operators MUST be sober
No driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Abide by all applicable federal and Provincial laws, including all open container laws (no open containers within reach of the driver)
Drive at a speed of 5 kmph or less (less if in hazardous situations such as tight crowds)
Give the right of way to pedestrians, bicycles, and emergency services vehicles
No driving in pedestrian-designated areas
Stop immediately upon being hailed by any Freezer Burn Staff member, Ranger, or law enforcement officer
The vehicle design should have sturdy side railings and stair railings (if applicable).
There should be no sharp or protruding objects.
Having a fire extinguisher and First Aid kit on board is highly recommended.
The vehicle should have a safe access area and procedures for loading and unloading passengers.
For vehicles that are large or in instances where the driver does not have a clear view of the front and back of the vehicle, walkers/spotters must be used at all times when the vehicle is in motion
Follow all driving instruction after weather events
Obey sound policies
Abide by additional guidelines set forth by Freezer Burn Production Committee

License Types

All Licensed Mutant Vehicles may receive one or more of the following licenses, but must adhere to the standard Policies in place (Amplified Sound policy, Open Fire Policy, etc)

Mutant Vehicles granted night licenses must be RADICALLY illuminated. This requires far more thought and implementation than running lights and a few blinkies. The vehicle should cause people hundreds of feet away to squeal in delight and amazement, or be aware that you are there.

Amplified Sound

An Amplified Sound system is subject to an on site inspection, and all Amplified Sound must be approved by the Chief Sound Marshal before the event.

Mutant vehicles must comply with the sound policies of the separate areas of Freezer Burn. When the vehicle is in the sound camp area, it must comply with the sound policies and quiet times for the sound camps. When the vehicle is in the general camping area, it must comply with the sound policies and quiet times of the camping area.

Flame Effects

Any Mutant Vehicle wishing to use flame effects must have the flame effect system inspected at the venue. Mutant Vehicles that fail the flame effect safety inspection will not receive an operating license for the vehicle. Only propane gas is permitted for use as a flame effect. Liquid fuel such as gasoline, diesel, naphtha, liquid paraffin, etc, is prohibited.

All valves, fittings, and hoses, must show a visible CSA mark of certification. Components must also be designed for use with propane gas.
All hoses should be routed inboard and away from hot exhaust pipes or manifolds. All fuel sources and lines should be protected from potential damage due to a collision.
Fuel tanks should be placed where they are protected from collision or from participants stepping or standing on them.
A 1/4 turn shut off valve needs to be located where the driver or Flame Effects operator can reach it quickly in the event of an emergency.
The flames from your device must exit at least 10 feet from the highest point of potential head height. Exceptions to this will be made on a case by case basis.
Flames must exit at an angle greater than 45 degrees from horizontal.

DMV Fire Safety

All participants using combustible fuels in an art car (for flame effects and/or engine power) at Freezer Burn must educate themselves about and comply with appropriate practices for storing and handling these materials.

Store fuel away from any running generator.
Do not fill the tank on a mutant vehicle or generator that is running.
When transferring fuel, use a pump. Never try to start a siphon using your mouth. A mouth full of gas or diesel could be fatal to you. For health reasons, wash hands after fueling.
Keep all equipment used for petroleum storage and handling in good condition. Watch for leaks, deterioration, or damage.
If fuel is spilled on your clothing, move away from any ignition source, and allow the clothing to dry. Use waterless soap for hands. If fuel should splash in eyes, use water to flush.
Be aware of static electricity that can build up on you and or a container. Any spark can ignite gasoline vapors. Always fill containers on the ground, not in vehicles.
Always use a bonding strap when transferring flammables and combustibles between containers.

Using Compressed and Liquefied Gasses

All gas cylinders must be stored in an upright position and fastened securely to prevent tipping or shifting.
All cylinder valve caps are to remain on the cylinder valve assemblies unless the cylinders are in use with plumbing or regulators.
A main shut off valve (Key Valve) must be marked so that anyone could shut off the gas supply in the event of an emergency.
Individual propane cylinders larger than 100 lb are not permitted.
A maximum of 600 lb of propane is allowed on a mutant vehicle.
A maximum of ten propane tanks of any size are allowed, as long as the total propane content does not exceed 600 lb.
Acetylene gas is not permitted for flame effects.
Oxygen tanks are not permitted for flame effects.

Using Liquid Fuels

All containers for liquid fuels must be clearly labeled identifying contents and hazards. Original labels are preferred.
Unattended fuel containers must be kept in an area marked as a fuel storage area. The signs should be clear enough to prevent anyone from smoking, creating flame or creating sparks anywhere near the fuel containers, even if the containers themselves are not completely visible. Fuel depot areas are not provided by the festival. Anyone bringing fuel must create their own fuel depot, or make plans to share one with someone else. Fuel may also be stored in the box of a truck, as vehicles are parked safely away from the camping area.
A sufficient amount of dry chemical fire extinguishers must be kept visible and available near the storage location of any liquid fuel.

Note: A petroleum, flammable liquid, fire burns at the surface of the material, as it is vaporized by the fire or ambient heat. Applying water merely spreads the flaming liquid over a wider area, where it evaporates more rapidly, intensifying the fire. The best way to put out such a fire is to cut off its air supply or interrupt its chemical chain reaction. The smothering agents commonly used for petroleum fires are carbon dioxide (CO2) and dry chemical powder extinguishers. Both are effective for flammable liquids, but dry chemical is better for outdoor use because it's not subject to wind, has a longer range and can extinguish pressurized leaks of gas and liquid. For good all-around fire protection, use an ABC or all-class fire extinguisher. In sizing your extinguisher, consider that for every pound of chemical in the extinguisher, you will have roughly one second of spray time. A ten pound extinguisher will provide about ten seconds of spray.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Department of Mutant Vehicles.