Reducing the Risk of Fire on Your Farm - Ontario Ministry of ...

2.0 Preventative Maintenance to Reduce <strong>the</strong> <strong>Risk</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Fire</strong>2.0 Preventative Maintenance to Reduce<strong>the</strong> <strong>Risk</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Fire</strong>There are several operational and maintenance practices that farm operators can use to reduce <strong>the</strong> risk<strong>of</strong> fires on farm.General Operating Practices• Do not allow smoking in farm buildings. Restricting access to farm buildings keeps people out who don’tknow or respect <strong>the</strong>se rules.• When repairing fixed or stationary equipment inside a farm building (livestock penning, stabling, etc.) withignition source equipment (welders, cutting torches or grinders), ensure that:• fire extinguishers are located in <strong>the</strong> work area• all combustible materials are removed from <strong>the</strong> work area• <strong>the</strong> site is well ventilated to reduce <strong>the</strong> concentration <strong>of</strong> combustible gases presentEstablish a fire watch during <strong>the</strong> work and for a period <strong>of</strong> time following completion. Gas detection devicesare available if accurate gas concentration levels are required.• Establish good housekeeping practices. Eliminate clutter inside and outside <strong>the</strong> buildings. Keep grass andweeds mowed around buildings. These measures reduce <strong>the</strong> risk <strong>of</strong> fire spread and improve <strong>the</strong> effectiveness<strong>of</strong> suppression activities.• Be careful when pressure washing inside a farm building. The high pressure water can physically damageequipment and allow deep water penetration into unwanted areas such as electrical panels, heater controls, etc.• Grain handling and feed preparation activities generate dust which presents an explosion and/or fire hazard.Vent <strong>the</strong>se areas and provide a fresh air supply. Properly protect electrical fixtures and use totally enclosed,fan-cooled motors. Good housekeeping practices are critical to limit combustible materials from this area.• Ensure all liquid fuel and propane storage areas are located according to applicable Codes (adequateseparation distance from fixed ignition sources, etc.). If <strong>the</strong> storage tanks are exposed to vehicle traffic,install protection (i.e. bollards or equivalent) around <strong>the</strong> storage tanks to reduce risk <strong>of</strong> damage from vehiclecollisions (Figure 2.1).5