From the flames of tragedy, Puslinch firefighters are working diligently to prevent fires such as the one at Classy Lane Stables on Jan. 4.
That fire claimed the lives of 40 race horses and destroyed the barn in which they were housed.
On Sept. 7, Puslinch’s chief fire protection officer Jason Benn spoke to councillors on local efforts and research to prevent such tragedies.
Since the fire, Benn said there has been a lot of media attention and inquries from various fire services.
“It ended up being the largest fire in the history of Puslinch, with over $3.2 million worth of damage and loss of life,” said Benn.
He noted Classy Lane has rebuilt and the new structure, known as Barn 6, incorporates many new features.
He added that before the rebuild, the local fire service was contacted for advice. Benn added for these barns, the Fire Code does not have any effect.
“All we can do is advise and provide valuable information on safety measures available to them.”
Some of that advice included compartmentalizing rooms and containing some equipment within one room that can be closed off. Other recommendations included:
– a new Haven Fire Suppression Safety Device;
– installing door closures;
– putting all appliances in one room and not permitting space heaters; and
– placing detection devices inside and warning strobes and horn on the outside of buildings.
Benn noted the barns were already equipped with conduit and proper lighting.
“Every recommendation we provided to them was followed through,” he said, “except for the addition of sprinklers.” Benn clarified that installing sprinklers in rural areas can be very expensive.
He said Classy Lane found a Haven fire suppression device – which is virtually a smoke alarm on the end of a fire extinguisher.
Benn said when there is enough heat to activate the fire alarm, the suppression system acts as a fire extinguisher for that particular portion of the barn.
Benn added that “Classy Lane has done very well in leading the path for change.”
He added “those efforts are being noted across North America – everyone is watching what Classy Lane is doing.”
Local action
“We knew there was information out there in the past regarding agricultural safety and barns” Benn said.
“… but I tell you now, we’re preaching it.”
The department has created informational cards and posters with safety information.
“Since the fire, we’ve been asked voluntarily to attend 22 barns in the area (for inspection).” He noted a few similar requests just on the edge of the Puslinch fire coverage area.
Benn added Puslinch Fire is working with insurance agencies as well as the University of Guelph’s equine division to have a better across-the-board checklist and consistent messaging for barn fire safety.
The idea is to create a common message for all fire services to provide across the province.
“For the most part what we are seeing is that building owners are doing a pretty good job, and are very receptive to the suggestions.”
Barn fire research
Benn stated that earlier this year, the township was approached by members of the Speers family who asked if the department would like to have a barn for training.
Benn said he thought it would be a great idea to not only provide training, but undertake some research.
He spoke with videographer Colin Smith who used to work for Adobe and Beth Weckham, a University of Waterloo professor, who is involved in fire research.
“If the Speers family had not donated this barn, we would have never got this information from the research.
“We all know that barns go up (burn) fast … but many times the fire service arrives in the middle or near ending stage. We never knew what happened in the preliminary or incipient stage of the fire.”
He said Weckham and her crew came in and installed thermal couples, cameras to take measurements. Smith used cameras and a drone as well to capture the fire.
Benn said cells were created to enact three types of fires: electrical, smoking and discarded oily rags.
The final part of the research was to ignite the barn itself.
“Across Canada, we’ve received recognition and (have been) asked to present articles to Firefighting Canada.”
An article was written on the department’s findings and what it hopes to achieve.
Weckham said the research included getting a snapshot in time using as few sensors as possible – to optimize the amount of information generated.
In the course of the barn fire, within 60 to 90 seconds in all areas, the stall was at a very high temperature and fully engulfed in flames, she said. She noted that with the front doors closed, temperatures peaked at 900 degrees three minutes into the event. At that point the fire was under-ventilated and things cooled down because of a lack of flame.
Weckham said when the barn doors were opened, and the temperatures peaked again. The roof fell in about 17 to 18 minutes into the fire event. She noted the building had a strong roof because of the timber frame.
Benn said “to be truthful, what we learned is that one really needs to be close to the barn (in the earliest stages of the fire) in order to save it.”
He stressed “what we are all waiting for are the results from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office” on the Classy Lane fire.
Puslinch fire was told the report would be available by the end of August.
“We’ve been advised it is finished, but at a higher level of the investigators for proofreading … because of the profile of this, they want to make sure everything is the way it should be,” said Benn.
He explained the video footage will be shared as information for fire departments across the province as well as to create safety messages for barn owners and the public.
“We are working diligently to educate people in the township and abroad on fire safety,” said Benn.
