Maryland has had two nasty barn fires this week, which got me to thinking about fire detection systems for the barn. I know you can’t use traditional smoke detectors because they sense particulates in the air and barns are too dusty for them to work properly. There are heat detectors available, which sense changes in temperatures in the environment. So the question of the day is: which units are the best choices for use in a barn? Any thoughts? Experiences? Recommendations?
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there are two main classifications of operation of “heat sensors” fire detectors: “rate-of-rise” and “fixed temperature”.
Rate of Raise is looking for a rapid rise in element temperature of 12° to 15°F increase per minute, irrespective of the starting temperature.
Fixed temperature detectors are looking a specific temperature with 136.4°F being the most common however higher temp versions are available and used.
Really this is not normally a do-it-yourself project as a licensed installer is usually required specifically if there is the likelihood of humans being endangered. Also if being installed to reduce insurance cost, they may required the system to installed professionally to be of value for a reduced rate. If it is just for peace of mind then sure DIY is OK but you need a plan of action.
What would you do once the alarm triggers? How would you be notified if the system trips? Will the system automatically send an alarm condition to the fire department? Has the fire department ever done a walk around so they know in-advance the structure’s layout, where the hydrant is and can they approach from all sides?
When I was on the local Planning & Zoning board there were several structures (none were barns) that we mandated a fire lane completely around the structure that would support the fire department apparatus
There is or was a poster on this board who is a professional and has done prior systems… there have been threads before
I have a rate of rise fire detection system. It was professionally installed, has a satellite link for continuous monitoring, alerts the fire department (who has the code for the gate or can ram it down), and the fire department does know where to access all the water they might need. The system sends me an alert whenever we have a power failure, and while I’ve only tested the audible alarm once, it will wake the dead in the entire county. All in 8 years ago it probably cost $2,500 and it’s been well worth every minute of the peace of mind.
here is one of the older threads
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