MD Barns' Top Concerns are Fire Safety and the Safety of your Horse

MD’s barns are rated in U.B.C., Chapter 4 as "Fire-Resistive Construction". Our construction of our barns is to resist the spread of fire. Under Chapter 4 it is listed as Non-Combustible building material, which means “A material of which no part will ignite and burn when subjected to fire” All exposed elements of the “MD Barn” are essentially non-combustible.

For MD Barns this is a very important rating. We believe in our durable construction and the safety factor of our materials that go into producing the high quality you get when you purchase an MD Barn.

Listed below our some simple facts for Fire-Safety.
We label them as the "Lucky 13" fire tips:

1. Ban smoking
2. Be clean and neat. No clutter. In high wildfire area, clear a 50-foot firebreak around your barn.
3. Install a grounded lightning rod system to protect your barn during electrical storms
4. Periodically have a certified electrician check and update your electrical system as needed.
5. Keep only as much hay, straw and shavings in the barn as you’ll use in one day, storing the rest in a separate building. Spontaneous combustion is no myth, and is a common cause of barn fires.
6. Keep heaters or heat lamps clear of combustibles, away from high traffic areas and out of reach of livestock and children.
7. EVACUATION - Having a plan of action ahead of time - and practicing it is the only chance you’ll have to be somewhat rational and clear-headed during the panic of a fire.
8. Keep a halter and lead rope on every stall door to speed up evacuation efforts.
9. Post directions to your barn next to the telephone, so that if it’s safe to call the fire department from the barn, the person who’s doing the calling will be able to read them.
10. Enlist your fire department. Once you have a plan, call the fire department on the non-emergency line and invite them out to review your plan and procedures. Many departments, especially rural ones, are open to learning from you how to halter, lead, and handle horses.
11. Without a doubt, the best thing you can do equipmentwise to prevent a total loss to fire is to install a sprinkler system. (Please consult with a professional to what the complications could be with water usage and pressure)
12. Work with an alarm company to install an alarm system that’s heat activated (smoke alarms give earlier warnings, but keeping them free of dust is necessary to avoid false alarms… almost impossible in a barn)
13. Check your local fire code to see if there are specific requirements for placement of fire extinguishers and hoses. The standard thinking is to place fire extinguishers where you can reach them quickly. Dry chemical extinguishers are best for electrical fires, which are one of the most common causes of barn fires. You can consult with your local fire department as for the best equipment you need for your area.

If you’re thinking of building a new barn, one of the smartest things you can do to prevent a fire is build an MD Barn. With a fire-resistive and non-combustible rating given by two independent labs, a properly managed MD Barn is the safest structure you can choose to house your horses.