Most barn fires happen in the winter, and the Ontario government has recently released new videos to reduce that risk across the province.
"Barn fires that result in the loss of livestock, buildings and equipment can be devastating," according to a statement from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). "Most barn fires occur during the winter months and we want to help reduce the potential for these losses."
That's why OMAFRA has released three new videos this month, to help farmers reduce the risk of barn fires - based on input from a new Barn Fire Risk Reduction Advisory Panel, with representation from farm commodity organizations, insurers, Ontario Fire & Life Safety Educators (OFLSE) and fire departments across the province.
While barns tend to have low human occupancy, the cost in terms of livestock loss and dollar value can be high – especially with today’s trend toward larger commercial barns and livestock operations.
According to the safety educators group, Ontario experienced 753 barn fires in the five years from 2013 to 2017, with losses approaching $180 million. There was only one human fatality, and 39 human injuries in those five years – but thousands of animals were lost.
Bradford West Gwillimbury Fire Chief Kevin Gallant noted most of the barn fires that he has attended in BWG involved barns used for storage, maintenance or repair of equipment.
“Either that, or abandoned properties,” Gallant said. But he has sharp memories of attending a barn fire in Hillsburgh, when he was fire prevention officer with the Erin fire department.
That blaze killed a number of race horses, that had been relocated following a stable fire at the Woodbine racetrack.
Even when animals can be rescued from a burning barn, “a lot of times, the injuries are so severe they have to be put down,” said Gallant.
According to the Alberta Office of the Fire Commissioner, it can take “only three to four minutes from the start of a fire (for the barn) to be filled with smoke;” and less than six minutes for a barn to be completely engulfed in flames.
The current focus is on ways to prevent barn fires, identifying key causes and finding solutions.
Often, the cause of a barn fire cannot be determined because the blaze has been too intense and destructive – but where a cause can be found, 40 per cent of those fires can be blamed on mechanical and electrical failure, including electrical short circuits, ground faults, and failure of automatic controls on equipment.
It is the corrosive environment that exists in livestock barns – the high moisture and humidity levels, the presence of gases like methane, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia from urine and feces – that can corrode electrical fittings. Corrosion results in increased resistance, leading to overheating - and fire. Even barns less than five years old can fall victim to corrosion.
Ensuring that wiring is protected by moisture-resistant conduits, replacing incandescent light bulbs with cooler LED lighting, and carrying out regular thermographic inspections of ceiling-mounted outlets, light fixtures and electrical panels can help prevent barn fires.
Another common cause: misuse of sources of ignition, including careless use of smoker’s materials, but also unattended heat lamps, and use of welding and other equipment near flammable and combustible materials.
OMAFRA and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office recommend making barns No Smoking areas, and ensuring that combustibles are removed and fire extinguishers are on hand whenever ignition-source equipment is in use. Even something as simple as sweeping up loose hay and straw, removing cobwebs, and keeping fuel away from ignition sources can reduce the danger.
For new barns, construction recommendations call for firewalls and fire separations, alarms and sprinkler systems, but Gallant noted most upgrades are too costly for the average farmer.
After all, he pointed out, “farmers are exempt under the Ontario Fire Code, as long as they are engaging in farming operations.”
“A lot of the riding stables, they’ve done a lot of things to make sure their electrical is upgraded. A lot of the higher end barns have put things in place,” but he acknowledged it might not be practical for the average barn.
In those situations, good housekeeping, good maintenance, and a good smoke alarm system can be key to preventing losses.
Rural barns will always be at risk. Not only are they usually constructed of combustible materials and contain combustible materials, they tend to be located in rural areas far from both fire stations and a reliable water supply.
According to OFLSE, it can take 2,273 litres of water per minute to fight a hay bale fire. The BWG department’s tanker trucks can hold 6,819 litres and 11,365 litres of water, respectively – enough for almost 10 minutes of firefighting capacity, before additional water is needed.
The same limitations face rural homeowners, leading Gallant to advise that “the most important thing that anybody can do is ensure that they have working smoke alarms on all levels of their houses and that you’ve already developed an escape plan… because you only have minutes” from the sounding of the alarm to development of a fully-engaged fire.
He encouraged all families to practice their escape plans, “especially if you have children. Make sure those children know where you’re meeting outside, and they know that they don’t go back into the house.”
Some fire departments offer a rural farm inspection program. At this time, Bradford West Gwillimbury has limited staff – “I’ve only got two inspectors,” said Gallant – but BWG Fire & Emergency Services will work with farmers on fire safety plans, when requested.
Ontario Fire Marshall Ross Nichols agreed.
"Fires in farm buildings are tragic incidents that can result in the unnecessary loss of animals and extensive property damage." Nichols said. "Approximately 170 barn fires, including structures housing animals or storing equipment, are reported to the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management."
However Nichols disagreed that barn fires are more prevalent at any one particular season of the year, when incidents are averaged out over time - which is why, he said, "it is important that owners and operators remain vigilant at all times in order to eliminate potential fire risks in all farm buildings, including barns and stables."
Prevention and preparedness are always crucial. For more information, see Ontario.ca/preventfarmfires.
