Firing Slips FAQs
Based on our recent change to requiring firing slips for every piece that Members wish to fire, we discovered there is some misinformation about firing and why we have implemented this new system. We have therefore gathered these frequently asked questions and provide them here with the answers so that everyone has a better understanding.
What is Low-fire?
Low-fire, also referred to as △05 is the temperature on the Orton cone scale of 1888ºF. We also refer to this as Bisque firing.
Do Students still have to keep track of their firing in their class binder?
Yes! The Firing Tracking Binders are for the Admin team to be able to track how much work you fire. The slips are to show the staff that the work has been measured and is accounted for.
If I have several pieces that are the same size, do I have to fill in a slip for each piece?
No, you can fire multiple pieces with a single ticket, if they are the same size (and shape) and are stored together on the shelf. Please do the math for all the pieces and add the number to the box. Studio Techs fire a lot of work, and we just ask that you take the guess work out for us. When in doubt, do multiple slips.
Why did you make this change?
Unfortunately, many people were not accounting for their work on the firing shelves. Many didn’t know that the work had to be measured for every firing, including refires. The Techs loading the kiln had no idea whether things were accounted for or not. This system enables the studio to account for all pieces going into a kiln.
Isn’t that a lot of work for Staff?
Absolutely. But we think it is worth it.
What happens to the slips after I put them on my piece?
We arrange them alphabetically and send them to the Admin Staff who check them against the book (for Students) or charge your account (for Members).
What are the green slips for?
The green slips are a Staff-to-Staff communication that the work was accounted for and the slip filed, but left out of the kiln – think multiple pieces that all didn’t get in, or a piece that went in (the slip filed) and then removed for a better fitting piece (yes, this happens).
What happens to my piece if I don’t have a slip on it or if the slip is incomplete?
It doesn’t get fired. We remove it from the firing shelf (in both electric and gas kiln yards) to a rack that sits just to the right of the vertical forklift that goes to the mezzanine. If your work ends up here, please just measure it and place it back on the appropriate glaze/bisque shelf – with a completed slip! Please legibly print your first and last name. If you don’t, your slip will be considered incomplete and won’t get fired.
If you have any other questions please ask.