DECEMBER 2017 THE RIDER /3 Combustible Clean-up


Guelph, Ontario - With cooler, darker days ahead - and more pressure on heating and lighting systems - the risk of barn fires increase. So, now is the time for your annual combustible clean-up! Combustibles are everywhere and unavoidable around the horse farm, but your management of them can considerably reduce the risk of a barn fire. To help you learn more about the combustible hazards in your barn and evaluate the safety of your


facility, go to Equine Guelph’s Barn Fire Prevention online tool. The interactive assessment tool asks 20 questions about inside and outside of your barn and takes five minutes to complete. The chart below outlines some of the common fuel sources that burn rapidly once ignited and dis-


cusses best practices for prevention. Combustible


Hay


Bedding Cobwebs


Weeds, overgrown grasses Gasoline or diesel


Dust Lint


Garbage Wood


Solutions


-Ensure moisture content is not too high before storage -tidy up loose hay from storage area and barn aisles -Store in a separate building at least 50 feet away from barn


-Also preferable to store in a building at least 50 feet away from barn -sweep up any loose material -take them down with a broom


-use the weed eater to trim around buildings


-keep any fuel for farm equipment in a separate storage area at least 50 feet away from the barn. This includes the tractor and equipment! Paint, pesticides & other flammable liquids


-keep in a separate storage area at least 50 feet away from the barn.


-avoid fine sawdust shavings as a bedding material -sweep and clean dust from surfaces of the barn on a daily basis -remove dust and debris from fan blades and motors -clean dryer lint traps and ensure proper exhaust


-take out the trash (empty feedbags, binder twine...all combustible) -consider other building materials such as concrete block or steel


“Once you have reduced your risk taking care of combustibles, inspect all possible sources of ignition,” says Equine Guelph director, Gayle Ecker. Electrical malfunctions are a primary ignition source for many fires including barns. To reiterate, farm buildings can have an increased fire risk in winter when heating and electrical


systems are more heavily taxed for heating and lighting. Portable heaters are a risk as are other appliances not intended for agricultural use. When not in use, electrical equipment should be unplugged and properly stored away. It is important not to let water bucket heaters run dry. Once empty, the continuous heat can melt the bucket resulting in ignition of stall bedding and hay. An annual electrical inspec-


tion, completed by a qualified electrician familiar with livestock barns, is highly recommended to check for signs of deterioration or corrosion. The Electrical Safety Authority has stringent require- ments for installation of electrical equipment in animal confinement areas. Have any issues that are found repaired without delay. Jim Zyta, Vice President


Loss Prevention Heartland Farm Mutual provided the following tips: For additional protection against fire, especially in the ani- mal housing area, consider arc- fault protection on 15 and 20amp circuits and receptacles. This is especially important


if your


wiring is recessed within barn walls and above ceilings. Arc- fault protection could prevent a fire due to loose connections or rodent damage saving your build- ing and much more! When using 240 volt “ap-


proved barn heaters” consult with your Electrician and ESA Inspec- tor. It is a best practice to hardwire these units directly to a 30amp cir- cuit avoiding a receptacle connec- tion.


These


receptacles are notorious for burn- ing up! Always maintain clear-


Ontario Equestrian Continued from Page 1.


shows the pathway from ones first interaction with a horse in the first “O” and can take the rider as far along the path as they choose, all the way to potentially represent Canada in the final “O”. Every equestrian in Ontario will have


The profile of a horse at the centre of a circle was created using mul- tiple intertwining circles, each representing different equestrian communities and disciplines within the Ontario Equestrian or- ganization. The ‘Ontario’ in the logo


its members to join them in cele- brating the organization’s new di- rection at the Royal Agricultural


reorganized to perform as a path- way for new and experienced equestrians alike. When mem- bers, and future members, visit ontarioequestrian.ca they’ll see a more streamlined design and user experience. The more concise navigation and content will help users get to the information they need quickly and easily. Ontario Equestrian invites


their own experience and OE wants to make sure they do every- thing they can to make it a re- warding one. The website has also been


vided support, education and gov- ernance for equestrian sport for over 40 years. As the recognized Provincial Sport Organization for Equestrian in the province, On- tario Equestrian is dedicated to promoting equestrian sport and providing programs, while estab- lishing supports and guidelines for a safe and level field of play for both equine and human ath- letes.


Winter Fair on November 7, 2017, at 5:30pm in Heritage Court. To learn more, visit the new and improved website at on- tarioequestrian.ca. About Ontario Equestrian: Ontario Equestrian has pro-


ances to combustibles as per manufactures instal- lation guidelines. Zyta says Heartland is happy to partner with Equine Guelph on this initiative, “We are helping barn owners protect what they value the most.” For more tips on fire prevention and to


complete interactive activities inside and outside your barn, visit the Barn Fire Prevention Tool, sponsored by Heartland Farm Mutual. Want to learn more? Equine Guelph will be


hosting a Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Course, with a fire safety component, from November 17 - 19 at the Meaford Fire De- partment Training Centre in Ontario, Canada. Contact slraymon@uoguelph.ca for more details.


About Equine Guelph: Equine Guelph is the horse owners’ and


care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government - for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For


further information,


www.EquineGuelph.ca. Story by: Jackie Bellamy-Zions


Weblink: www.equineguelph.ca/news/index.php?con- tent=532


healthcare tool link: http://equineguelph.ca/Tools/fireprevention.php


visit


30amp/250V


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48