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>Mechanical SystemsMechanical systems such as ventilation fans, feed auger motors, milk cooling equipment and generators breakdown or wear out with time. Regular maintenance reduces <strong>the</strong> risk <strong>of</strong> overheating and decreases <strong>the</strong> risk <strong>of</strong> fire.• Inspect all motors and mechanical equipment according to <strong>the</strong> manufacturer’s maintenance schedule(minimum, yearly) for evidence <strong>of</strong> wear, overheating, etc. Repair or replace equipment as required.• Ventilate mechanical rooms to reduce <strong>the</strong> risk <strong>of</strong> motors (standby generators, refrigeration compressors,milk vacuum pumps, etc.) overheating during normal operation.• Properly shield exhaust pipes from standby generators or vacuum pumps, that pass through a wall or ceiling,to reduce <strong>the</strong> risk <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building overheating and possibly igniting (Figure 2.5). Figure 2.6 shows <strong>the</strong>potential risk for fire due to <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> a heat shield ring.Figure 2.5. Proper installation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> exhaust pipe through <strong>the</strong> wall. Note <strong>the</strong> heat shield ring around <strong>the</strong> exhaust pipe.Figure 2.6. Thermographic image <strong>of</strong> an exhaust pipe. Note <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> heat shieldingwhere <strong>the</strong> pipe passes through <strong>the</strong> wall.(Photo credit: R. Drysdale, Farm Mutual Reinsurance Plan)9