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Consider the installation of a fire alarmand/or sprinkler system which can bemonitored by your local fire department.Don't overlook fire safety when designing your plumbing, either. Every barnshould have at least one exterior watersource - a faucet and hose that originate onthe outside of the building, or an accessible pond. It may be impossible to reach ahose or pump in the middle of the barn ifeverything is going up in flames aroundyou... and many barns are miles awayfrom the nearest hydrant. Trucking inwater if a local source is not available maycost your fire department precious minutes (or hours), and make it impossible tosave your building.Providing adequate insulation aroundyour pipes will keep them from freezingin the winter - and keep you from beingtempted to try and thaw them with ablow-torch. \torches,\In a pinch, tryusing a household hair dryer; it doesn'tgenerate as much heat, but is considerablysafer. Heat tapes and water tank heaterscan help prevent pipes from freezing andbursting, too, but if you use them, makesure they're UL-approved and have a thermostat and that they're properly installedso that critters can't access them.Keep in mind that there are many ignition sources near a barn which should bestrictly controlled. Sparks from truck ortractor motors or lawnmowers, electric orother types of heaters (which you may betempted to put in your tack room in winter), all kinds of electrical appliances suchas clippers (watch those frayed cords!) andradios, batteries, and even flammablechemicals such as rubbing alcohol oraerosol sprays, all have the potential tospark a fire. It should go without sayingthat the \cilessly enforced anywhere near a barnarea.Every barn should have a fire extinguisher placed at each door. The powdertype or ABC dry chemical extinguishers,which are effective against almost all typesof fires, are the best to choose; keep inmind that they are no use to you unlessthey are inspected yearly at your local firestation safety supply company. Lindsaysays it's a good idea to check the gauge oneach extinguisher once a month to ensurethey're fully charged; and because thepowder chemical in the cylinders tends tosettle, turn the extinguishers upside downevery eight weeks or so, and give them afew whacks with the flat of your hand.Lindsay also points out that a fire extinguisher is merely ornamental unless youknow how to use it. \tions!\SMOLDERING HAYWhat about fire safety when stackingbales in your loft? We've all heard horrorstories about spontaneous combustion,but few of us are clear on how and why ithappens and what we can do to preventit. Lindsay says the risk of spontaneouscombustion is greatest when bales aretightly stacked while still damp. Underthose conditions, heat tends to concentratein the bales, and the proteins and sugarsin the hay can act as fuel, just as oil andgrease tend to do in a pile of oily rags.Damp hay will get considerably hotterthan dry hay, says Lindsay, and the dampness can be dangerous even if the hay waswell-cured before it became damp.Obviously the best solution is never tostack damp hay; but if you must, Lindsaysuggests placing layers of rock salt between the layers of bales to absorb moisture. 52 Arizona Horse Connection March, 2026Standing For The 2026 Season:Stud Fee:$700WTF SOUTHERN MR KING2005 AQHA Chestnut Stallion5 Panel NegativeKings Remington x Leos King PrincessHigh Percentage King BloodOwned by Rilee Arrowsmith %u2022 Red Bluff, California541-892-4947 %u2022 Rileeroping2@gmail.comStud Fee:$700HEZA HOT TIKI DRIFTER2020 AQHA Dunalino Stallion %u2022 14.3 Hands5 Panel NegativeTiki Cheyenne x Blue Music Driftere/e - a/a - D/Nd2 - N/Crcontinued on page 54