Preventing Fires in Agricultural Mechanicstuscolaagriculture.weebly.com/.../preventing_fire.pdf · 2018-10-10 · Preventing Fires in Agricultural Mechanics F IRE PREVENTION is part

Preventing Fires inAgricultural Mechanics

FIRE PREVENTION is part of agricultural safety. Fires

and explosions cause injury and sometimes

death to agricultural workers. Most of these fires

can be prevented by human action. Besides human

injury or death, fires cause huge losses to property

and equipment. Agriculture often depends on the

timely completion of a task, like harvesting or plant-

ing, and the delay caused by a fire can change the

best prepared plans. The additional time, effort, and

expense required to replace damaged property may put

the entire production schedule onto the path of failure or

poor performance. Livestock production is even more suscepti-

ble to fire damage. Birth and lactation cannot be delayed because of

a fire loss. A fire loss at an important time in the cycle of production can be

devastating, not only to the agricultural business, but also to the entire community.

Objective:

� Identify potential fire hazards and describe how to implement fire safety.

Key Terms:

� building code

flashback

spontaneous ignition

Identifying Fire Hazards andImplementing Fire Safety

Fire prevention applies to most categories of agriculture. Fire prevention is important with

equipment operation, livestock facilities, grain handling, shop facilities, equipment storage, and

E-unit: Preventing Fires in Agricultural Mechanics

Page 1 � AgEdLibrary.com

Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only. 020036

office space. Workshops are used for many different activities and can be susceptible to fires or

explosions if proper safety procedures are not followed.

Everyone should accept the responsibility for removing and reporting fire hazards. Escape

routes should always be planned before starting a task with potential fire hazards. Never work

in an area cluttered with combustible materials. Keep fire extinguishers close to work areas

with potential fire hazards.

CLEANING SOLVENTS

Using gasoline as a cleaning solvent is not recommended because gasoline is heavier than

air and evaporates quickly. As gasoline evaporates, the fumes can collect in low spots on the

floor or in floor drains. If a spark or another source of ignition makes contact with the fumes, a

fire or explosion may occur. A gasoline explosion may result in a serious injury or a fatality and

may destroy the workshop. One gallon of gasoline has the same explosive energy as 87 pounds

of dynamite. Gasoline should be used only as a fuel for gasoline engines. Mineral spirits are

commonly used as parts-cleaning solvents and are much safer than motor fuels for this

purpose.

Storing gasoline can create a hazard. Gasoline should be stored only in approved containers.

These containers typically have self-closing lids and are made of heavy-duty material. Gasoline

and other flammable liquids should be stored in a fire locker. This is a special-made metal cab-

inet with lockable doors designed for storing flammable liquids.

FLAMMABLE VAPORS

Paint, varnish, lacquer, and gasoline vapors are very flammable when mixed with 10 to 14

parts of air. If the vapors are confined in a sealed container, they can produce an explosion.

Vapors can be ignited easily by an open flame, a spark from welding or another source, static

electricity, a cigarette, or a shorted electric circuit. Good ventilation will reduce the potential

for hazard.

Understanding the mixture of air with vapors from flammable liquids is important when

working near flammable liquids is necessary. Flammable liquids must be stored in approved

containers and placed in a fire locker.

SPONTANEOUS IGNITION

Shop towels or rags damp with flammable liquids can also cause shop fires through sponta-

neous ignition. Spontaneous ignition is the starting of a fire without the assistance of a

match, spark, or other typical fire-starting method. Spontaneous ignition may occur as the

result of a chemical reaction when oxygen and flammable liquids combine under specific con-

ditions. To prevent spontaneous ignition, shop towels or rags should be stored in a ventilated

area and be placed in an approved container. Such a container often resembles a small garbage

can with a lid.




WELDING

Welding can be a potential fire hazard. Never

weld around flammable vapors, gases, or liquids,

as a stray spark can start a fire. The welding hel-

met limits visibility. When decreased vision is

combined with fumes created by welding, a small

fire may be masked, allowing it to grow before it

is detected. Hot sparks from welding can also fly

and land among combustible materials, smolder-

ing before creating a fire. Welding should always

be done in an area free of combustible materials.

Oxy-acetylene torches also pose fire hazards if

used in areas with combustible materials.

Welding and cutting torches have the potential

to start fires through flashback. Flashback is a

flame burning in the hoses while spitting smoke

and emitting a hissing sound from the torch tip.

Turning off the gas valve (acetylene) at the tank

will put the fire out. Remember oxygen does not

burn; oxygen supports combustion of a fuel

source. The temptation to lay a lighted torch

down while positioning a piece of work, position-

ing a welding rod, or repositioning your body

should be avoided. Always turn off the torch

before setting it down. Getting in a hurry to com-

plete a task is often the excuse for laying down a

lighted torch. A fire or accident should not be

needed for operators to become aware of the

damage that can occur as the result of unsafe prac-

tices.

FUELING AND REFUELING

Engines should never be fueled in the shop

area. Except for small quantities of gasoline in

approved containers and in a fire locker, fuel

should not be stored in a workshop.

Gasoline is safest when stored underground.

Aboveground storage of large quantities should be

at least 40 feet from a building. Besides being

safer, fuel stored away from buildings is easier to




FIGURE 1. Proper safety protocol reduces the chance of

fire or accident.

FIGURE 2. Fuel should always be stored in the proper

container.

access with large equipment. Painting a fuel container bright red identifies it as holding a

potential fire hazard.

Refueling machinery should never be attempted when an engine is running or hot. As little

as 10 minutes’ cooling time will reduce the hazard of fire during refueling.

DUST

Dust can cause fires and explosions in grain and feed handling facilities. To prevent dust

fires and explosions, special motors and wiring guidelines have been created. Always check

building or wiring codes when installing electric motors, electric wiring, switches, and control-

lers. A little time and a few dollars to make sure the installation is correct may prevent an acci-

dent or loss of property. The wiring for fuel pumps also has special code requirements. The

building code is a set of the minimum established requirements for buildings or for equip-

ment installation.

ELECTRIC OVERLOADS

Wiring for traditional electric circuits can cause fires if

overloaded. The size of the electric conductor plays an

important role in preventing overloads and fires. When

installing electric wiring, the wire size is matched with the

overload protection, typically a circuit breaker, and the

expected load on the circuit. Twelve-gauge wire will safely

carry a 20-amp load and is protected with a 20-amp circuit

breaker or fuse. Do not overload a circuit or connect a

larger overload protection device. Overloads can cause

conductors to overheat and potentially catch fire. The con-

ductors are typically hidden in walls; thus, fires could get

started without being noticed. Placing electric circuits in

approved conduit is one method of protecting a facility

from fire damage.

RODENTS

Chewing on wiring insulation by rodents is another

potential fire hazard. Such chewing can cause short circuits

that arc and start fires. The best prevention is to use

rodent-proof conduit and keep all knockout holes plugged

wherever rodent damage may occur.




FIGURE 3. Plastic conduit is used between

the weatherhead and meter base on this

temporary power connection.

HAZARDS IN LIVESTOCK FACILITIES

A livestock facility is a potential fire hazard. Part of the hazard is from accumulating dust

and dirt; part is from the materials causing corrosion to metal in the electrical system. Poultry

and swine facilities are among the most corrosive environments for electrical systems.

Noncorrosive materials are used to reduce the risk of fire. In particular, synthetic and plastic

conduit reduce damage to electrical components.

Summary:

� Fire prevention applies to most categories of agriculture. Everyone should removeand report fire hazards, plan escape routes before starting a task that may involve afire hazard, avoid working in an area cluttered with combustible materials, and keepfire extinguishers close by.

Fire hazards are often related to cleaning solvents, flammable vapors, spontaneousignition, welding, fueling and refueling, dust, electric overloads, rodents, and vari-ous problems in livestock facilities.

Checking Your Knowledge:

� 1. Explain why motor fuels should never be used as cleaning solvents.

2. Describe how gasoline and other flammable liquids should be stored.

3. Define spontaneous ignition.

4. Describe the procedure to end a flashback in an oxy-acetylene torch.

Expanding Your Knowledge:

� List all the places in a workshop that may contain potential fire hazards. Do thesame for other agricultural locations.

Web Links:

� Fire Safety

http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/menu/topic/fire_safety.html

California Fire Engineering Division

http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/fireengineering.html




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Preventing Fires in Agricultural Mechanicstuscolaagriculture.weebly.com/.../preventing_fire.pdf · 2018-10-10 · Preventing Fires in Agricultural Mechanics F IRE PREVENTION is part