Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1399

The Chief of Carberry, Manitoba Fire Department is encouraging swine barn operators to involve their fire departments when outlining plans designed to prevent fires.

The prevention of fire was one of the topics examined yesterday during Manitoba Hog days 2003 in Brandon.

Although the number of swine barn fires is relatively low in relation to the number barns across Canada, losses can be extensive when a fire does occur.

Carberry Fire Chief Don Menzies says the key areas of concern include the barn's source of heat and the barn's electrical room.

"The construction of the barn is important, what it's made out of, the type of insulation for heat conduction. Tours of the facility are very important.

You get to know the building inside and out, what's in it, where your electrical room and your heat source are. It could be as simple as the exhaust taking the heat out of the building. An overheated motor can cause a huge fire, things like this.

Is there too much accumulation of material inside the barn that really doesn't have to be there like, for instance, in your electrical room. We all do it. We stuff it full of other things that shouldn't be there.

It's up to the individual owner or the company that owns the facility to have an inspection done but there should be an inspection done of the building and it should be done annually. Have your fire department involved in it heavily".

Chief Menzies says, in addition to being able to provide fire prevention tips and recommendations for improvement, involvement in the inspections gives the fire service a better idea of what it might be up against in the event it is called in to fight a fire.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.