Fires on farms are very dangerous and scary situations. The best course of action is taking steps to prevent any fires before they start. When that is not possible, a good emergency plan, working fire extinguishers and your local fire department are key to getting the fire out quickly and safely and for minimizing loss.
Emergency response plan
It is important to create and post an emergency response plan. This should include floor plans with exit routes, designated safe meeting locations and emergency contact numbers. Ensure that fire extinguishers and emergency lights are available and in working order. Make sure that all employees are aware of the emergency response plan and know where all the extinguishers are located and how to use them. Complete practice fire drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.
As part of your planning measures, you can also have your local fire department come on-site to assist with your emergency response plan, including the placement of your fire extinguishers.
To help avoid a fire, precautions should be taken to eliminate or reduce the main causes of fires on farms. These causes include mechanical or electrical failure, misuse of ignition sources or equipment, deficiencies in the design and construction of the structures and the improper storage of hay.
Implementing standard best practices is key to helping prevent a fire from starting and to minimize the impact if one does occur. Some of these best practices include:
- Good housekeeping – Minimize clutter, remove highly combustible materials, sweep up floors, clean dust and debris from equipment and only smoke in designated outdoor areas.
- Limit temporary electrical equipment – Any equipment that is not hardwired is considered temporary. Make sure all temporary equipment is unplugged and put away when not in use. Do not use damaged extension cords or outlets. Do not overload extension cords. Consider hard-wiring equipment such as fans and heaters.
- Inspect electrical systems – Regularly inspect electrical equipment to ensure it is not overheating or damaged. Use equipment designed for humid and corrosive environments. Keep combustibles away from electrical equipment.
- Perform hot works safely – Complete hot work projects such as welding, using a torch or grinding in well-ventilated areas with no combustibles close by. Always have a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Maintain heaters – Improperly installed or maintained heaters are a common cause of barn fires. Maintain heaters regularly to ensure they are working properly and there is no damage.
- Store motorized equipment and livestock separately – Store motorized equipment and complete maintenance work, including repairs and oil changes, in a designated building, separate from livestock housing.
- Store combustibles and livestock separately – Store combustibles, such as hay and liquid fuel, in a designated building. This will reduce the risk of a fire spreading throughout the barn if a fire event happens.
Unfortunately, you may do all the right things to prevent a fire, and a fire may still occur. In the event that a fire does occur, it is important that you have the right type of fire extinguishers, available in all buildings and on all equipment, to tackle the fire before it gets out of hand.
Extinguishers should be visible and maintained in good working order. They should be inspected monthly, as well as annually to ensure they are properly charged and ready for use.
Spontaneous combustion and hay fires
Always keep in mind that hay with a high moisture content is at risk of spontaneously combusting. Hay that is too wet will heat rapidly, and if there is no way for the heat to escape, the temperature will rise. If temperatures get over 130°F (55°C), a chemical reaction will occur creating flammable gases. If these gases come into contact with the air, they will ignite.
Fire is possible in loose, baled or stacked hay stored inside or outside but often poses the most risk in storage areas with stacks of baled hay. Hay becomes a fire hazard when the moisture content is 20% or higher in small, stacked bales and more than 18% in stacked large square or round bales. Hay fires most often occur within six weeks of baling.
Reducing the risk
The best way to prevent fires is curing hay to the proper moisture level before storing it. Weather conditions during curing have the greatest influence on achieving the proper moisture concentration. Ideal hay-curing weather is slightly windy with a relative humidity of 50% or less. There is also specialized hay equipment that increases crop-drying rates to help reduce the hay’s moisture level.
Remember to check your hay moisture levels regularly. If you identify a strong musty or slight caramel odor, it is possible that the hay is heating. At this point, you will need to start monitoring the hay’s temperature. To do this, insert a probe into the haystack and record the temperature.
If the temperature of the hay is above 175°F (80°C), it means a fire is imminent. Call the fire department immediately. Do not attempt to move the hay as this may expose the overheating hay to oxygen, resulting in a raging fire. If hay is stored in a building with livestock, remove the livestock.
Fighting a fire
If a fire does occur and it is in a building, turn off the electricity but only if it can be done safely. Notify other workers and evacuate the building. Call the fire department right away. Provide as much detail as possible regarding the location and address of the fire. Go to your nearest designated safe meeting location.
Unless it is a small controlled fire, do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself. Do not be a hero! Never reenter the building or area or try to use a fire extinguisher. Do not reenter a building or area with a fire to retrieve equipment, livestock or for any other reason.
Work with the fire department and monitor the wind direction. Watering the roof of an adjacent structure downwind may be required. Follow all instructions from the fire department before reentering the building. Keep a watch for secondary fires.
Remember to only attempt to put out a fire if it is small, controlled and safe to do so. Do not be a hero. Never risk your life to go into a burning structure to remove any items, equipment or livestock.
References omitted but are available upon request by sending an email to the editor.
