The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: Bramblecot on August 12, 2014, 06:17:52 pm

Title: Checking to avoid barn fires
Post by: Bramblecot on August 12, 2014, 06:17:52 pm

Just a reminder from our local Fire Service.  Doesn't matter where you live, it's better safe than sorry.

This is a message from Dorset Police, which is sent on behalf of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service recently attended 3 serious barn fires in 2 days, it appears that they were caused by spontaneous combustion of straw and/or hay.  You are asked to check your barns regularly looking for heating of hay and a distinctive chocolate/caramel aroma, which indicates the stack is heating up.  If you suspect there may be a deep seated fire, call Dorset Fire and Rescue immediately on 999 and move personnel and livestock from the area, as any investigative movement of the bales can cause the fire to spread rapidly.

Title: Re: Checking to avoid barn fires
Post by: MAK on November 21, 2014, 08:57:21 pm

Many thanks for this. Something else to worry about ????
Can anyone explain what the indicators or risk factors are for spontaneous combustion of hay ?

Title: Re: Checking to avoid barn fires
Post by: cloddopper on November 21, 2014, 10:56:15 pm

storing damp  made hay  causes the natural bacteria and fungi in the air to start feasting on the nitrogen 7 sugars in the hay , this makes for heat . The heat can easily run to 150 o F and not be any problem but if it starts to go above it can simply burst into flames or start smouldering .

 The old farmers used to shove / hammer a 10 or 12 foot long steel bar ( With an eye welded towards the outer end of the bar to aid extraction 0  in the pile of hay or bales of hay along a joint line in the bales  and pull it out after an hour or so.
If it was too hot to handle at teh hot end they knew they had a problem .
 

Title: Re: Checking to avoid barn fires
Post by: claire on November 22, 2014, 07:57:56 am

we have wrapped haylage and only a small amount of bought in straw so that wouldn't be a problem.... BUT this is the only farm I have ever been on where people are allowed to smoke, in the barns and wherever!! its disgusting and I do worry about it.. I am a not smoker...

Title: Re: Checking to avoid barn fires
Post by: SallyintNorth on November 22, 2014, 09:55:58 am

I can't stand people smoking anywhere near any livestock, and it gives me the heebie-jeebies to see people with lit fags anywhere near hay or straw. :o

Title: Re: Checking to avoid barn fires
Post by: mowhaugh on November 22, 2014, 01:41:18 pm

That would really annoy me too, we have a complete smoking ban here, any visitors who wish to smoke are sent back along the lane and over the bridge onto the public road.