07/29/2025
Summer is here, and with it comes a significant fire hazard found in nearly every horse barn out there!
The basic average residential box fan, available for $10-$15 at Walmart or Home Depot, is not designed to withstand the extended use or environmental factors in the barn. Dust, dirt, hay, and/or bedding particles can clog the fans, creating the ideal conditions for a fire.
On any given day, a residential box fan WILL FAIL and catch fire in a barn. Do you want to play Russian roulette with your (or your clients’) horses? Do you want your facility in the background of a photo showing a burned to the ground barn, and a melted, twisted box fan pulled from the debris as the source of the fire?
Horses give off a tremendous amount of humidity year-round. If the barn does not ventilate – even in winter – the humidity can cause the fans to rust and deteriorate more rapidly (in addition to spreading respiratory and other bacteria throughout the barn).
Agricultural grade fans may cost more at the initial outlay, but what is your peace of mind, your horse, your reputation worth? These fans are specifically designed for long periods of use in dusty environments. There are wall mount fans and floor fans available for under $100 that will last for years, not just a few months. Some excellent resources include:
www.bigassfans.com/for-business/agriculture/equine/
www.farmtek.com
www.grainger.com > search for “Barn and Agricultural Fans”
www.northerntool.com > search “agricultural fan”
www.southernstates.com > search “fan”
www.tractorsupply.com > search “fan,” (must include comma)
Inspect all cords for exposed wiring. Many outer coatings are made of corn syrup, which is incredibly appealing to rodents and other critters; they may have been chewed on while in winter storage. All wiring should be in metal sheath conduit such as solid conduit or BX type cables, even in concealed areas. Always use UL-rated fixtures and properly installed electrical fixtures and fittings, and avoid extension cords whenever possible.
Consult with a licensed electrician who is familiar with the loads in a barn (and be sure to mention the full-size refrigerator, coffee maker, heat lamps, hot water heater, washer, dryer, and microwave in the tack or viewing room, so s/he fully and accurately understands the power demand) and recommends the appropriate wiring and safety precautions.
The open area at the top of your stall wall at the eave of the roof is there to ventilate the barn – it should be checked regularly to make sure any windows or screens are clean and clear of debris, to encourage good air flow (and take advantage of all that free light (aka sunshine) as well!). Any fans should be cleaned regularly as well - dust is highly flammable as well as irritating to both human and equine lungs alike.
