Growers: Reduce the risk of fire with these safety tips
{Sponsored} This year is off to a blazing start — quite literally — and greenhouse managers in Michigan and Pennsylvania are left to sort through the ashes.
Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Michigan, and Dan Schantz Farm & Greenhouses in Zionsville, Pennsylvania, both experienced January fires with estimates of more than $1 million in damages, according to local news organizations. Fortunately, no one was injured in either fire.
The rebuilding process has begun.
Greenhouse fires aren’t always preventable, but the National Greenhouse Manufactures Association (NGMA) offers the following recommendations to minimize the risk.
Create an emergency response plan. “The emergency response plan ensures that in the event of a fire, you and your employees know what to do in order to preserve the safety of all personnel and to minimize the damage to building and equipment.”
Focus on building codes. It’s important to keep in mind that building codes were created for our protection; you must follow them. Electrical requirements, building materials and fire zones are detailed in these codes to help you prevent fires and the spread of fires in your greenhouse.
Use flame-retardant shade cloths when possible. “Flame-retardant shade cloth is generally more costly, but insurance premium deductions for using flame-retardant panels may offset the additional cost of flame-retardant shading or energy curtains.”
Make sure fire extinguishers are readily available. Fire extinguishers should be available close to potential hazards, in the middle of long aisles and near exterior doorways. Fire extinguishers must be serviced regularly.
Manage and maintenance your greenhouse. “Many greenhouse fires are the result of sparks or excessive heat created by poorly maintained or neglected equipment.” Create a maintenance program for employees and see that it is completed habitually.
Aside from the suggestions above, here are a few general housekeeping recommendations from the NGMA. A more complete list is available on the association’s website.
- Test your smoke alarm system regularly.
- Never block exists or aisles.
- Check for excessive accumulations of dust and debris.
- Store flammables, combustibles and chemicals in a designated area away from the central area of the greenhouse.
- Flush out your private fire hydrants at least once a year.
- Check electrical system for exposed and broken wires, improper grounding and more.
- Make sure your heating system is operating properly.
- See that fans and motors are cleaned each season.
According to the NGMA, “Fire requires three conditions to exist: combustibles, sufficiently high temperatures and oxygen. All are generally present in a typical greenhouse operation.”
This makes insurance coverage all the more important. Your dedicated insurance agent will work with you to establish fire safety procedures and perform annual inspections to keep your risk minimal.
For questions related to fire safety and insurance, visit www.hortica.com or contact a Hortica® insurance agent.
Disclaimer: Hortica® property and casualty coverages are underwritten, and loss control services are provided, by Florists’ Mutual Insurance Company and Florists’ Insurance Company, members of the Sentry Insurance Group. For more information, visit hortica.com. Policies, coverages, benefits and discounts are not available in all states. See policy for complete coverage details.
This document is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. No one should act on the information contained in this document without advice from a local professional with relevant expertise.
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