A pole barn can be an excellent place to house livestock, store hay and feed, and protect farm equipment from the elements. This versatile structure can also be used as a place of business, and even as a home.
With any type of building, safety should be a top priority. Here are some important pole barn fire safety tips.
Protect Your Agricultural Building from Fire
If you own a farm, you might use a pole barn to store hay and other flammable materials, or you might keep a tractor or other equipment that runs on gasoline inside the building. You’ll have to be vigilant and take precautions to protect your property, animals, and family from fire.
Hay is extremely flammable. If possible, store it in a separate building or structure. That way, if it catches fire, the flames will be less likely to spread to other structures on your property.
A small spark can cause hay, discarded boxes, and other flammable materials to quickly go up in flames. Keeping your pole barn free of clutter can reduce the risk of a large, destructive fire. Regularly sweep the floor and collect and discard trash.
Institute and enforce a no-smoking policy in and around your pole barn. Post signs so that visitors will be aware of the rule. Designate an area for smoking that’s a safe distance from the barn.
Keep one or more fire extinguishers in the pole barn at all times. Store them in conspicuous, easily accessible locations. Inspect the fire extinguishers regularly to make sure that they’re in good working order. Provide training so that all farm workers and family members know how to operate them.
Follow Local Building Codes
If you intend to run electricity to your pole barn, you or your contractor will most likely be required to obtain a permit. You will also need to have an inspector evaluate the work and verify that it’s up to code. If you plan to use a pole barn as a house or a place of business, you might have to meet a series of additional requirements.
Those regulations are intended to reduce the risk of an electrical fire and to protect people, animals, and property. Hiring professionals to run electrical wiring and handle other aspects of the job can add to the overall cost, and obtaining permits can be a hassle, but fire safety should always be paramount. Don’t cut corners to try to save money or speed things up.
Get a Quote for a New Pole Barn
CHA Pole Barns can work with you to design a custom pole barn that suits your needs. Whether you want to construct a barn for livestock, a house, or a workplace, we can design a building with the right combination of features. Contact us today to get an estimate.