This new weekly series talks about the details that matter when building or renovating a barn or equestrian facility. It’s a known fact that horses know a million ways to hurt themselves, and our best defense is to share our knowledge on how to keep our friends safe. Our colleague, noted equine facilities designer Holly Matt of Pegasus Design Group, has generously agreed to write this weekly column. Have tips you’d like to share? Send them to [email protected].
We have a great idea… let’s buy a green bean OTTB, then run out and do prelim without any planning or practice beforehand. No? Bad idea? Well, those of us who do equestrian facility consulting and design feel that Fire Prevention & Planning is no different than preparing properly for competition. You know the steps and you take them, otherwise the outcome is neither safe nor successful.
So listen up kids, we have a week-by-week plan for you to get ‘r done, and start 2013 prepared and confident. It’s really not that hard, and you will feel SO much better. Promise. (And so will your clients if you have horses boarded or in training).
Week one
1. Collect site plans and building schematics. That can be as simple as going to your computer and looking up your county GIS database to find your land parcel or plat of improvements that show your buildings and road access. If they don’t have GIS (most do now) then you will have to call your County Planning Dept.
2. Using one sheet of paper for each, make sure you have the layout for your barn, attached arena, or any other buildings you use on a daily basis, including storage buildings. If you don’t have as-built plans, not to worry. A simple diagram drawn to scale on a letter sized sheet will work, like our example below.
3. Make an appointment with your local Fire Marshall for next week (this is the most important part of the process!). Start dusting, and clear the aisles by putting things away in safe places. Think of stuff you are going to fall over if your visibility is compromised or are in an emergency-driven hurry.
Week two
4. Draw and then study your cross country course, to go over with your trainer. Make two copies of your to-scale layouts of all important buildings, to use on your walk-through with the Fire Marshal, as he/she will keep one set, and you’ll need a set to make notes on.
5. Mark Fire alarms and Fire Extinguishers and Exits. Are they sufficient and properly located? Mark where your water supply and power supply are. Do you have more than one source of water, or do you have storage tanks, or hydrants outside? If the power gets cut, which commonly happens in an emergency- where will your water come from? These and other questions will be discussed with your Fire Marshall. Take good notes!
Week three
6. Now the fun part, implementing your newfound knowledge and Fire Marshall recommendations. Move things around, add or change the location of Fire Extinguishers… immediately do everything your Fire Marshall recommends that is quick and inexpensive. (See, you feel safer already!) But don’t stop there… if you don’t have a fire alarm or smoke detectors, now’s the time to invite a Fire safety equipment installer (recommended by your Fire Marshall) to have a look. It won’t cost you a thing and you will know your options. Smoke detectors are more advanced now to handle dusty environments and VESDA type detector systems are very affordable. A direct wired Fire Alarm to the fire department is a must, and sufficient Fire extinguishers are mandatory.
7. Now finish your map(s), with all items marked up, and make copies for everyone, and post it in the aisle(s).
Week four
8. Pass out the map to all your boarders, or clients or family members (at the holiday party), and have a discussion about what you would need to do in case of fire or severe weather evacuation. It’s a team effort, it needs team input. Then plan your daily management schedule around it. What needs to be done first, who gets called, where do the halters need to be, the fastest egress, water supply, holding pens, all protocol. The map is the key to helping you navigate all the parts to make a plan. The Fire Marshall has given you an idea of response time and protocol, so build from there, and ask for help if you are not sure.
Trying to do all of this without your Fire Marshall is much like trying to run Rolex without ever taking a lesson from a trainer. Don’t do it! There is a common misconception that the Fire Marshall is “out to get you” or will make you do costly things to stay in business. They are there to keep you safe and help you solve problems. But in the end, if the building was built to code or is agriculturally exempt you have nothing to worry about, except maybe changing some unsafe habits. And it’s what you should do, since you are responsible for your horses’ safety and well-being, your own, and clients if you have them. Not doing your homework is not an option, so in your holiday downtime, do your homework and bring your barn up to a whole new level, management-wise. Your whole program will benefit!
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