BARN FIRES

You know the terrifying risk of a barn fire. The thought of it happening to you probably sends a chill down your spine.

In December, the nightmare came true for a livestock farm in BC. The barn should have burned to the ground. It didn’t, and the reason the barn and animals survived might surprise you. Read on to find out how you can protect yourself too.    

THE PROBLEM

In Ontario alone there are an average of 71 barn fires a year resulting in about $18.5 million in losses. They can have devastating consequences. One fire alone can cause the death of hundreds of animals and millions in rebuilding costs.

Livestock operations are inherently prone to fires. Day-to-day activities naturally create situations in which fires can start and spread quickly. Barns are often filled with highly flammable materials that burn fast and hot. Corrosive gasses generated by livestock, like methane and ammonia, erode electrical equipment. Stored hay is like a tinderbox, especially when it’s near vehicles, electrical circuits, or extension cords.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) attributes one of the leading causes of barn fires to design, construction, and maintenance deficiencies. The larger a structure, the more difficult it is to extinguish a fire. Large wooden structures present the highest risks. Traditional timber barns are some of the most dangerous. 40 percent of cases there is a complete loss of buildings and their contents.

Even the most diligent farmers can fall victim to a fire. Inspecting electrical systems, replacing worn out equipment, and regularly removing garbage can help prevent ignition. But even these strategies won’t eliminate all risk, especially in wooden barns. 

THE WECOVER SOLUTION

On a chilly December evening in British Columbia, a cattle barn caught fire. It should have been the worst-case scenario. But this time, the story didn’t end in tragedy.

Photos and story referenced from The Chilliwack Progress

Instead of spreading through the entire building the fire burned through the fabric roof and vented excess heat. The animals in the barn were led to safety and firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the fire.

Most conventional barns have a deadly combination of wood that acts as fuel and a roof that traps heat, making fires far more likely to spread. Metal-framed buildings, and WeCover’s Fabric roofs used in their barns, are much more fire resistant.

When materials stored in these buildings ignite, the fire melts through the fabric roof and creates a natural vent. Because the steel frame is flame retardant, the building isn’t contributing to the heat and spread of the fire, but actually deterring it. WeCover offers a flame retardant fabric upgrade as well, for even more resistance.

The risk of barn fires is real. They can mean huge financial losses and the suffering or death of livestock. Traditional barns put farms at a higher risk of fires that burn longer and destroy more. WeCover’s radical approach to barns creates safer, more fire-resistant buildings.