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These costs include those associated with building structures, but not equipment, agricultural product and livestock. Luckily, to date, there has not been loss of human life associated with any of these fires.

Figure 1. Historic barn on fire, picture courtesy of John Johnson.

Question: What are the primary causes of preventable fires?

The Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal has provided data for the cause of fires for the years 2004-2007. In each year, the leading causes for preventable, determined fires were:

Question: What are the primary sources of ignition?

The data suggests that the primary sources of ignition fall within the following classes:

Question: Why is electrical distribution equipment such a common cause of ignition?

The insurance industry, along with the Electrical Safety Authority has investigated this matter. The corrosive environment found inside livestock barns, has been determined to be the leading cause of degradation or failure of electrical equipment. The degradation is typically corrosion of the exposed metal components, i.e. wires, connections, etc. The corrosion increases the resistance at these points reducing the flow of electricity through the circuit. More importantly, the increased resistance results in more of the electrical energy being converted to heat. As the corrosion levels continue to increase the heat generated can rise to ignition temperatures of materials surrounding the equipment.

Figure 2. Barn on fire, photo courtesy of Randy Drysdale.

Question: What steps can be taken to minimize or eliminate the leading causes of ignition in new and expanding livestock barns?

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) issued Bulletin 22-3-1 in July 2008 requiring all electrical equipment installed in animal confinement areas in barns meet the requirements of Category 1 locations (high humidity) and Category 2 locations (corrosive liquids and vapours). Their bulletin also specifies types of material required in these locations, for example; copper conductors and cable assemblies.

The ESA is also requiring that all non-essential equipment and equipment incorporating over current devices be installed in locations separated from the livestock confinement areas and supplied with clean, dry temperature controlled air. See www.esainspection.net for more information.

The construction of separate electrical/mechanical rooms to house electrical service panels and similar equipment is a best practice because it achieves the following:

Question: What equipment maintenance steps can be taken within existing livestock buildings?

Regular inspection of electrical and mechanical equipment by a qualified electrician to check for signs of deterioration and/or corrosion of equipment in livestock confinement buildings. All items that are deemed to be unsafe or questionable should be repaired or replaced immediately.

Question: What general maintenance steps can be taken around existing livestock buildings?

Regular housekeeping activities around buildings to remove potential combustible materials. Examples include; mowing of vegetation around buildings, regular removal of rubbish inside and around buildings, etc. As well, all trees that are in close proximity to the structures should be trimmed or removed.

Proper siting and management of on-farm fuel storage facilities away from buildings. This ensures flammable vapours released during refuelling of vehicles or filling storage are not drawn into the farm buildings but dissipate into the atmosphere.

For information on other general maintenance/fire prevention steps that can be taken in and around farm buildings, refer to the following Communiqué from the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.

Figure 3. Infrared picture of electrical box components. This picture appears courtesy of Randy Drysdale.

Question: What steps can be taken to minimize fire spread in large farm buildings to aid firefighters in containing and extinguishing the fire?

The inclusion of effective fire stops in large farm buildings and the provision of an all season road around the entire building site to allow good access for fire fighting equipment are two initial steps that can be taken.

The National Farm Building Code of Canada (NFBCC) specifies a maximum floor area for farm buildings with low human occupancy. For a single storey barn, the maximum floor area is 4,800 m² (51,600 sq ft). For a two storey barn, the maximum floor area is 2400 m² (25,800 sq ft). Compartment size must be restricted to these sizes by incorporating appropriate fire separations having a rating of at least one hour.

The NFBCC (1995) also specifies that concealed spaces in ceilings, roof or attics shall be separated by fire stops so that no dimension of such space exceeds 30 m (100 ft).

The Ontario Building Code prohibits the use of exposed foamed plastic insulation on interior surfaces of buildings. This combustible material must be covered or protected by an appropriate fire rated material if it is employed in a building.

An all season roadway capable of supporting weight of heavy equipment should be constructed around the farm building site and maintained so that it is accessible 365 days of the year.

All buildings should be equipped with a minimum five pound ABC fire extinguisher at each exit and in all mechanical and feed rooms. If there is a standby generator housed in the building, the room housing the generator should be equipped with a minimum 10 pound ABC fire extinguisher.

Please refer to the following OMAFRA fact sheets for additional information on building code regulations:

Question: Will the committee produce more information? And if so, what can I expect them to be about?

Information produced by the committee will explain several best practice options that you can implement during new construction or renovation of farm buildings to:

Figure 4. After the fire. Note the size of the excavator in relation to the barn. This picture appears courtesy of Randy Drysdale.