Barn Fires

practice of an evacuation plan for your facilities this includes human and livestock evacuation involve your local fire department whenever possible.
Enforce a strict No Smoking policy in and around your structures.
Ensure all family and staff members are trained on safe use of equipment especially actions such as ensuring vehicles and equipment are cool before storing and welding tasks are handled properly and safely.
Medium Cost include all Lower Cost items plus
Ionization smoke alarms.
Regular technical and electrical inspections by your provincial safety authority.
Removal of all extension cords and replacement with professionally installed outlets.
Installation of lightning rods.
Higher Cost include all Lower and Medium Cost items plus
Sprinkler System.
Onsite water storage.
Hose cabinets.
Monitored fire alarm system.
Video surveillance.
Fire Safety for Everyone
Regardless of your financial situation there are a number of things you can do to improve fire safety at your farm
Do not allow smoking in or around barns or near any flammable farm materials.
Situate manure piles at least 10 meters away from barns to reduce the chance of combustion.
Ensure hay and straw are properly dried before storing in the barn and monitor their temperature regularly.
Keep dust and cobwebs to a minimum.
For horse barns leave horses haltered or hang halters and leads on stall doors where they are easily found should evacuation be required.
Question andor remove unknown unlicensed and unauthorized persons from the premises.
Regularly check all appliances wiring electrical equipment and heatproducing materials and equipment to ensure everything is in safe working order.
Repairreplace any frayed or damaged wiring as soon as it is identified.
Never refuel engines inside a building or while the engine is running or hot.
Extension cords should only be used temporarily and should be removed after use.
Park equipment and vehicles indoors only after they have cooled down.
Ensure all buildings and vehicles have fire extinguishers and that everyone who frequents your property knows how to use them.
Help Is Available
Does your facility have a fire safety plan?
Do buildings containing animals have an evacuation plan?
Are you your family members employees and frequent visitors trained in fire safety?
Do they know what to look for when touring the barn or operating equipment and vehicles?
If a fire started would everyone know what to do?
Your local fire department can help you answer yes to these questions. Most fire departments will have fire prevention or public education personnel who can work with you and many will do so for a reasonable fee or no fee at all.