One frequent cause of barn fires in the winter months occurs when someone attempts to thaw frozen water pipes. The American Red Cross has information about preventing frozen pipes in the first place, and tips on thawing those pipes if they do freeze. The fact sheet is directed to homes, but the information definitely applies to barns also. Take a few minutes to read the American Red Cross Fact Sheet: Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes before you take your tools to the barn.
Nancy Jaffers has written an article that brings up some important points, especially regarding the loss of electricity. For example, how would you supply water to your horses if you’re on a well? Nancy points you to some good solutions to problems you’re likely to experience if your area is hit with a tornado, wildfire, or other natural disasters. You can read her excellent article at http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2013/02/when_an_emergency_looms_horseo.html . Nancy’s articles appear every Sunday on-line at http://www.nj.com/ in the equestrian column she writes for nj.com.
From: Laurie Loveman [mailto:laurie@laurieloveman.com]
If you have a run-in shed in your pasture, there is always a danger that the shed, possibly being the tallest structure in the area, may be hit by lightning. Run-in sheds can be grounded; discuss your options with a licensed lightning protection installer.
Trisha Keller lost a beloved horse to a lightning strike. After reading her letter to the Editor of The Horse in June, 2012, I contacted her and she was kind enough to provide this account:
“I just thought that I would share with you my experience with our shed in response to your article “Run-In Shed Rundown”. An early afternoon this past July, in Southeast WI, we experienced a short 10 minute storm that brought with it unexpected lightning. When there are storms in my area and I am home I will always bring my horses into their stalls. On this occasion there was no warning of a pending storm until it had already hit my area and moved on towards Milwaukee. After the storm, my mom went out to check on the horses and to her detriment she came upon our two horses in their shed, one dead and the other fighting for his life. She immediately called me as I have worked on horse ranches as a Breeding Manager for 5 years and have experienced many disasters and fatal circumstances. I was over an hour away so she had to handle this on her own which was extremely hard for her as she has never had a horse die before.
For those folks who are planning a new barn or upgrading electrical components in your existing barn: Steve Corcoran checked the current National Electrical Code and reports that discussion with the electrical engineering department at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicated that any outbuilding where livestock MAY be held, fed or treated, classifies that building as an agricultural building and the highly corrosive environment created by the combination of moisture and livestock manure creates the presence of a possible electrical shock/fire safety hazard, so non-metallic conduit is required.
Please consult your local fire safety inspector to make sure you’re in compliance before you begin construction or refitting.
Michelle Staples, author of “Save Your Horse! A Horse Owner’s Guide to Large Animal Rescue” (www.saveyourhorse.com) sent this information from a student in one of the classes she teaches:
“At two of the larger barns I know, they did a safety audit as they used to mix baking soda with sand and keep it in 5 gallon pails throughout the building. The understanding was that baking soda also smothers a fire like sand but it is a lot lighter in weight and if a younger person or small adult discovers a fire, they can handle the weight of the baking soda/sand bucket. One hundred percent baking soda works well, too, but should be covered to protect it from moisture. Sand keeps the baking soda stable, but the bucket should also be covered.”