Fan Use Purpose and Risks
Keeping our horses cool and comfortable during the heat of the summer is top priority for most equestrians. Walk into almost any horse barn when climates are hot and you will hear the hum of fans from all directions. Increased air circulation offers more than just a cooling effect. Moving air, also, helps to keep the flies at bay and prevents the air from becoming stagnant, which can help to avoid respiratory issues. While fans are helpful in barns, they also pose a significant fire hazard. Therefore, care must be taken to avoid catastrophic disasters.
Licensed Electrician for Inspection
Barns are filled with easily ignitable kindling; from hay and grain to bedding, like sawdust/shavings and straw, even the bags that the feed and bedding are sometime packaged in, the twine that holds the hay bales together, leg wraps, bandaging material, saddle pads and blankets, rub-rags, halters, ropes, dust and cobwebs. Let’s also not forget all the highly flammable products we use in a barn from fly spray and grooming sprays, liniments, cleaners, waxes, chemicals, fertilizers, gasoline, alcohol-based products, oils, pesticides, paint and even the wooden structures in the barn. Make no mistake, a tiny little spark in a barn can create unmanageable devastation that can spread like wildfire (no pun intended) in the blink of an eye.
Consequently, placing a high priority on the inspection and maintenance of electrical work and equipment used in the barn is essential. Hire a licensed/certified electrician to come in and inspect your set up. An electrician can…
· Ensure the electrical panel can support the power demands and equipment being used
· Confirm the outlets and wiring are up to code and properly protected with GFI’s and encasements to avoid rodent, pest and moisture damage
· Identify any other damage, concerns or necessary upgrades to keep your barn’s power/electric functioning safely and properly
Make having an electrician out to inspect and maintain the power in your barn an ongoing/routine part of your management practices. When you consider all that is at stake, having that electrician out a couple times a year is worth every penny.
Type of Fan
At one point of another, most every horse owner has been guilty of running out to the nearest big box store to pick up a $20 box fan to hang on a stall. On hot days when the horses are dripping with sweat just standing there and we are in a crunch, whether that be with time and/or money; an inexpensive and easily accessible box fan is a quick solution. While that quick solution may work in a pinch, it’s important to consider the risk and come up with a more appropriate long-term plan.
When choosing fans to use in your barn, opt for brands and units that are specifically designed to be used in and around barns. These fans are created with agriculture in mind. They are built with more durability for continual use and to withstand horses, livestock and all that comes along with functioning in a barn, have heavier built cords to protect the wiring, motors are protected from dust and debris buildup, and many have additional safety features.
Placement of Fan
Most commonly, fans in barns are hung either…
· Blowing into a stall from the outside of the stall front
· Blowing down into the stall from above
· Strategically placed at the barn openings, typically at either end and/or middle of main aisles
While these placements make a lot of sense when aiming to create air flow and a cooling effect, there are safety details to consider.
· When plugging a fan in it is always best to plug directly into an outlet. If you do not have outlets in the locations you need them, talk to your electrician about having more outlet boxes installed.
· If you must use an extension cord, be sure to use a heavy duty, ag/industrial-type capable of withstanding the higher, continual use of power from the inside and thicker/more durable exterior to survive the barn environment.
· Have your electrician add GFI’s to the boxes that are likely to come in contact with water. Whether that water be from blowing rain near windows or barn doors, water tanks, buckets or hose splatter. Due to the moisture and humidity that can build up in a barn, you may even want to talk with your electrician about installing GFI’s on all barn outlets.
· Keep cords and fans out of reach from the horse.
· Avoid dangling or ground laying cords in high traffic areas and avoid driving or walking over them.
· Consider if there are ways to install permanent fan fixtures to eliminate cords
Maintenance of Fan
Like with any equipment, regular maintenance for barn fans is essential. Not only does regular maintenance reduce fire risks but also aids in helping the fans to work their best and extend their lives. In addition to having a licensed/certified electrician in for regular inspection there are things you can do, too:
· Inspect fans daily. Ensure…
o Fan and cord are free from damage
o Fan and cord are
§ out of reach from horse
§ not in a position to be walked or driven over
§ not getting wet
o Plugged into power source securely/completely
o Functioning properly
o Fan nor cord are hot to touch
· Wipe both fan and cord down daily to remove any dust and debris
· Unplug when not in use
· Read through the instruction manual that came with the individual fans and follow their care instructions
Closing
From providing a cooling relief from the summer’s heat to creating a ‘no-fly-zone’ environment, using fans in horse barns is a common practice to keep the air circulating. While accidents can happen, following the tips in this article can help to safeguard your barn and horses from devasting fires.
