Fire Prevention Measures for Equine Facilities

Fire is a serious threat at equine facilities. Many equine facilities use highly combustible items such as hay and gasoline in daily operations which increases the risk of starting a fire. Combine that with horses flighty prey animals sensitive to their surroundings that can be severely injured by fire and fire safety becomes a high priority for facility management. Most barn fires are preventable and thoughtful management can help reduce the risk of incidence. Additionally preparation can help decrease losses in the unfortunate event of a fire igniting. This fact sheet provides some easy steps that you can incorporate at your facility to prepare for and prevent fires.

Preventing Fires
Fire requires three things to begin a fuel source an ignition source and oxygen. We cannot control the oxygen in the air but we can reduce fuel and ignition sources by managing our horse facilities with fire safety in mind. Many things present on a horse farm can lead to fire such as heaters hay and cobwebs. Reducing the chance of fire requires forethought about what is around your facility that might serve as fuel or an ignition source. Here are a few items to think about and ways to reduce fuel and ignition sources.
Do not allow smoking at your equine facility.
Make sure signs are posted throughout the facility and that the rule is enforced. Ensure all boarders students family members and visitors know about this rule and will comply.
Hay is extremely flammable and bales should be monitored for moisture and heat.
When hay is baled too wet excessive microbial respiration results in heat buildup and makes combustion possible during the first six weeks of storage. A hay moisture tester can tell you the moisture level of your hay. Knowing moisture level is particularly important if you purchased hay soon after it was

baled. Ideally hay moisture should be less than 15 percent for horses. Hay is best kept in a wellventilated dry storage area where it is lifted off the ground by pallets. Monitor heat accumulation in your hay. Multiple tools are available for temperature monitoring including probes and thermometers. Internal temperatures of 150F to 170F are dangerous and could quickly lead to combustion. If you detect this temperature leave the hay where it is move a safe distance away and call 911 immediately.
Store your hay in a separate building away from where horses are housed ideally downwind of the barn.
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