Apparently, someone just did.
I don't really care one way or the other. I just think it's interesting how dismissive DJs are about the care of other people's property, and despite all the defensiveness - still no one using these appears to have ever bothered to read the products MSDS form.
$12,000.00 is a serious charge and unlikely to be born from a "petty" concern.
I'm not being dismissive, I'm still waiting from the OP to see if he can elaborate as to what type of damages we're referring to. He said ground into the surface. It doesn't sound like the hardwood was scratched up when I hear that. It may just mean they can't get it out (which then I ask do they just sweep, or do they vacuum. Here, many venues use $3000 wet vacuums on their wood floors before and after each event). Was it directly from one specific event, something that has happened over time as a result of allowing sparklers to be used, a burn mark, etc.
To break it down further...
- If it was a result of over time... then perhaps the venue is not effectively cleaning the remnants of this product, and as you said, is being abrasive over time being left on the floor, especially if it's just broom swept.
- If it's the result of one event... was it just the dust itself that they didn't like...and used it as an excuse to say we need to refinish all our floors... even though there was no literal damage. This is what my first thought was from firsthand experience, seeing that no damage has been done in the 100+ times I've used it.
- Perhaps it was a burn mark... that's a legitimate reason for concern. This means the dj isn't operating his units properly. Perhaps they're not being cleaned well at the end of each event and the material is clumping together and essentially a hot metal ball(s) hit the ground and caused burn marks. Or perhaps they're using the knock off ones where there isn't a temperature monitoring system and are shooting them prematurely, which can also have the same effect. The venues around here that require an underlayment around the units all have had that issue and because they have carpets, they have burn marks. A handful of venues here only allow units with the temperature monitors.
Lastly, I do have a pretty decent understanding of what you're referring to and have read the products MSDS form a number of times (although it's been a while). It is why I follow the proper protocols as best as possible when using them, invested in the units that have the monitoring systems (I originally had the knockoffs for a couple of months and didn't want to risk malfunctions when shooting) and have invested $1000 in the class D sodium chloride extinguisher which I bring to my events. But in addition to that, I do have quite a bit of first hand experience, which counts for something, and perhaps why I have a hard time understanding what damage occurred as a result of 1 dj using them at 1 event, especially when used properly. Rick, who also uses sparks, also assumed the complaint was simply dust related as that is petty much the only complaint I ever see venues make about them and how they get everywhere.
I've learned one thing though, different fire departments instill different views on these to their local venues/vendors. In New England the fire dept is VERY against this effect. In NJ and most PA counties, these are viewed very favorably and many venues have even invested in them (and follow virtually no protocols lol). In July, I did an event at a community center who never saw these. I told them it was safe and they won't have any issues with them setting off alarms or anything catching fire. To be safe they called the local fire marshal who also confirmed it is safe and they had nothing to worry about. Two different fire marshals, two different opinions.