Yard Safety

Stable yards can be a potential death trap for horses. There is so much hay, dust and straw that a fire could start easily.

Contact your local fire department who may come to your yard and give a free lecture and advice.

Spencer Fire specialize in fire safety including a fire sprinkler system as a cost effective method of protecting stables etc. but more importantly they are excellent at increasing the chances of horses surviving a fire. They also supply Fire Extinguishers etc., and cover all of mainland UK.

New Book Launch - Fire Safety in Equine & Agricultural Premises at the forth coming Equine event at the NAC Stoneleigh Warwickshire on Saturday 6th November 2004. The book will be available through the BHS Bookshop tel: 01926 707700.

Types of Fires Extinguishers

Safe Knots for Tying Horses

Petplan Equine has launched a new website www.yourstables.co.uk, providing helpful information and tips on horsecare. It takes visitors on a 3D tour of a working yard. Each section has downloadable articles and short films on topics that include pre-purchase vetting, handy grooming hints and back care, and there is a video guide to buying a horse.

Below is a list of items to beware of around the yard:

Put up a "No Smoking" sign and enforce it.

Make sure that all your electrics are in good working order with a tough, water and rodent proof cover.

Use low watt light bulbs with covers.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy and regularly serviced.

Keep stables free of dust and cobwebs.

Sweep the yard to remove and items which might catch fire.

Keep the hay and straw away from the stable block and if possible in a brick building.

Don't park any vehicle near the hay or straw as the exhaust fumes may set them on fire.

Keep your muck heap well away from the stables and hay/straw.

Install smoke detectors in stables and barns and service them regularly.

Don't leave rugs etc. near any heaters.

Install good security measures to deter arsonists.

Make sure you have a hose that is in good condition and can reach all corners of your stable yard.

If a fire does start:

Call the emergency services immediately.

If possible move all people and horses away from the fire.  Horses may need to be blindfolded to avoid panic and to stop them running back towards the fire.

Only tackle the blaze on your own if it is safe to do so.

Smoke Detectors

There are two types of smoke alarm currently on the market:

Ionisation

These are the cheapest type of fire alarm and are very sensitive to small particles of smoke produced by flaming fires and will detect this type of fire before the smoke gets too thick.  They are marginally less sensitive to to slow burning and smouldering fires which give off larger quantities of smoke before flaming occurs.

Optical (photoelectic or photoelectronic)

This type of smoke alarm is more effective at detecting larger particles of smoke produced by slow burning fires. They are marginally less sensitive to free burning flaming fires.

 

Both types of smoke detectors look similar and are powered either by a battery, or mains electricity or sometimes by a combination of both.  Some are inter-connectable so that any smoke detected at one point can raise the alarm at all the others.

Which smoke alarm to buy for stables/barns?

It is recommended by our local fire department to install mains powered interlinked smoke detectors into your stables. Horses and ponies may be frightened by the noise the alarm makes so you could disable the sound in the stable block as long as they are interlinked with one in the house.  It is possible to extend your home security alarm to incorporate smoke alarms in your yard.

 

Always buy an alarm which conforms to the British Standard 5446 Part 1, and carry the well-known kitemark.

 

Be sure to check the alarm every month by pressing the test button and to change the battery every year.  Vacuum and wipe the casing and slots to ensure that dust isn't blocking the sensor chamber. (For mains wired alarms, switch off first).

 

Your local fire department will be happy to give you specific advice on how to make sure your yard is safe.

Fire Extinguishers:

Standard Dry Powder

Knocks down flames. Best for liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol (except chip or fat pan fires).

 

Multi-Use dry Powder

Knocks down flames and, on burning solids, melts to form a skin smothering the fire. Provides some cooling effect. Best for wood, cloth, paper, plastics, coal etc. Fires involving solids. Liquids such as grease fats, oils, paint, petrol etc. (except chip or fat pan fires).

 

Water

Works by cooling burning material. Best for wood, cloth, paper, plastics, coal etc. Fires involving solids.

 

AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) (Multi-Purpose).

Forms a fire extinguishing film on the surface of a burning liquid. Has a cooling action with a wider extinguishing application than water on solid combustible materials. Best for wood cloth, paper, plastics, coal etc. Fires involving solids. Liquids such as grease, fats oils, paint, petrol etc. (except chip or fat pan fires).

 

Foam

Foam forms a blanket of foam over the surface of the burning liquid and smothers the fire. Best for a limited number of liquid fires - check manufacturer's instructions for suitability of use on fires involving liquids.

 

Carbon Dioxide CO2

Vaporising liquid gas which smothers the flames by displacing oxygen in the air. Best for liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol etc. (except chip or fat pan fires). Clean, effective and safe on live electrical equipment.

 

Vaporising Liquid (including Halon)

Vaporising liquid gas which gives rapid knock down by chemically inhibiting combustion. Best for liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol (except chip and fat pan fires).

 

Information Source: Home Office Communication Directorate 1997.

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