In 2017 we saw more headlines related to horse fire deaths than ever before, here are a few:
- 18 horses die in Plainfield barn fire
- 24 horses killed at equestrian training barn fire in Connecticut
- 6 horses killed in Monticello boarding stable fire
- 23 horses killed in Limestone County barn fire
- 13 horses killed in Western Michigan barn fire
What can we do to prevent future barn fire incidents and protect these animals?
NFPA 150, Standard on Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities, classifies horse barns as a Class 1 facility, “an area of a building housing animals with no general public access”. Horses are categorized as a Category B animal, which includes “all agricultural animals”, with special requirements.
To fully protect the barn property and animal life, the following fire protection code requirements must be in place.
- Fire Alarm System
- Under 3,000 sq. ft. - alarm not required
- 3,000 - 20,000 sq. ft. - local alarm only required
- 20,000+ sq. ft. - monitored alarm required
- Fire Extinguisher
- Minimum 2A:10BC located within 50 ft. travel distance
- Lightning Protection
- Required to be installed in accordance with NFPA 780.
- Fire Sprinkler System
- Sprinklers required throughout
- NFPA 13 system
- Smoke Control System
- Required, may be modified by AHJ
- NFPA 92
- Operating Features
- Disaster/emergency management plan required
- Drills (on the disaster/emergency plan) to be conducted annually
- Training on use of fire extinguishers
