The Importance of Fire Suppression During Harvest

Harvest season is a busy and critical time in the farming year, bringing together months of preparation and hard work. With long days in the field and increased use of heavy machinery, the risk of fire can rise, particularly when working with flammable materials such as hay, straw and grain. Even in variable UK weather conditions, the combination of mechanical activity, electrical components, and stored produce creates potential fire hazards. 

At Farm & General, we aim to underscore the indispensable role of comprehensive fire suppression strategies in safeguarding your harvest, your assets and your future. It's also crucial to consider the protection offered by comprehensive farm vehicle insurance to mitigate the financial impact of such incidents.

We have previously emphasised the year-round necessity of electrical safety on your farm. The stark findings of the CheckFire Ltd. report (2023) serve as a constant reminder: electrical faults are a leading cause of farm fires, capable of obliterating buildings, machinery and the very foundation of your agricultural enterprise.

Harvest Time and Increased Fire Risk

The combination of factors during harvest creates an environment where the risk of farm fire is significantly heightened. The relentless pace, the sheer volume of combustible materials and the demanding operation of machinery all contribute to this increased susceptibility.

 Your fleet of tractors, combine harvesters, balers and other specialised equipment are the workhorses of the harvest. However, the very intensity of their operation during this period makes them prime candidates for farm fire incidents. The primary culprits behind farm vehicle fires during harvest include:

• Extreme Overheating: Engines toiling for extended periods, often under full load and in high ambient temperatures, are exceptionally prone to overheating.
• The Peril of Friction: Inadequate lubrication, excessive loads, or component wear can lead to catastrophic overheating, producing sparks capable of igniting nearby flammable materials.
• Insidious Electrical Faults: The complex electrical systems within modern farm vehicles are susceptible to faults such as frayed wiring, loose connections, or short circuits.
• The Hazard of Fuel Leaks: The increased frequency of refuelling during harvest raises the risk of fuel spills and leaks.
• The Fuel Load of Accumulated Debris: Combine harvesters are designed to process vast quantities of crop material. If not regularly removed, this highly flammable debris can accumulate, acting as tinder waiting for a spark.
• The Consequences of Neglected Maintenance: A lack of adherence to regular maintenance schedules weakens the resilience of your machinery.

Proactive Measures to Defend Against Vehicle Fires

Protecting your fleet and ensuring uninterrupted harvesting operations demands a meticulous and proactive approach to farm vehicle fire safety. Alongside these preventative measures, having adequate farm vehicle insurance is crucial for protecting your agricultural vehicles should a fire occur. It's also important to consider the wider implications of a fire, including the need for environmental liability insurance.

• Implement Rigorous Daily Cleaning Protocols: Pay particular attention to engine compartments, exhaust systems, radiators and bearing housings.
• Adhere to Stringent Maintenance Schedules: Strictly follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule for all vehicles.
• Conduct Comprehensive Pre-Harvest Inspections: Address any identified issues, no matter how seemingly minor, immediately.
• Equip Every Vehicle with Appropriate Fire Extinguishers: Each tractor, combine harvester and self-propelled machine must be equipped with a readily accessible and correctly sized fire extinguisher rated for Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids) and Class C (electrical fires).
• Practice Safe Refuelling Procedures: Establish and enforce strict refuelling protocols.
• Invest in Comprehensive Operator Training: The human element is critical. Ensure that all machinery operators receive thorough and ongoing training on farm fire safety procedures.

Extending Fire Suppression Strategies Across Your Farm During Harvest

Beyond protecting individual vehicles, a holistic approach to fire suppression across your entire farm is vital during the high-risk harvest season:

• Deployment of Water Resources: Ensure that the necessary pumps and hoses are in good working order and can be deployed rapidly in the event of a fire.
• The Use of Firebreaks: Particularly around fields nearing harvest and near buildings storing large quantities of dry materials like straw or hay, consider creating and maintaining effective firebreaks.
• Strict Enforcement of No Smoking Policies: Implement and rigorously enforce strict no-smoking policies in all fields, around machinery and within storage areas.
• Cultivating a Culture of Fire Safety Awareness: Conduct regular farm fire safety drills to ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.

Insurance: Your Unwavering Safety Net in the Face of Loss

Despite the most diligent implementation of fire suppression strategies, the unpredictable nature of accidents means that fires can still occur. This is where comprehensive farm insurance becomes an indispensable element of your risk management plan. While proactive prevention aims to minimise the likelihood of fire, your insurance policy serves as a crucial financial safety net, providing the resources necessary to recover, rebuild and restore your livelihood in the aftermath of a fire.

Our unwavering commitment to our clients, exemplified by our rapid and compassionate response in the blazing barn case study, underscores our understanding of the profound impact a fire during harvest can have. We are more than just an insurer; we are a partner in your resilience.

Looking to the Horizon: Integrating Innovation for Enhanced Safety 

As agriculture continues to evolve, so too will the tools and strategies available for enhancing farm fire safety. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds promising potential. AI-powered systems could analyse machinery data to predict potential mechanical failures that could lead to fires, enabling proactive maintenance. Furthermore, sophisticated sensor systems on autonomous equipment might offer early fire detection capabilities.

Similarly, the principles of regenerative agriculture, by fostering healthier soils with improved water retention, could contribute to a more fire-resilient landscape overall. While these innovations mature, the immediate and unwavering focus must remain on implementing robust fire suppression practices and securing comprehensive farm vehicle insurance to include your commercial vehicles and ensuring you have sufficient environmental liability insurance as use of water for fire suppression might impact water run-off.

Your Partner in Protecting Your Harvest and Your Future 

We offer insurance policies specifically designed to address the unique risks faced by smallholders and small farms, providing comprehensive coverage for fire damage to buildings, machinery, livestock and harvested crops. We also understand the importance of protecting you from potential environmental damage caused by fire and can discuss environmental liability insurance options.

Our team of experienced insurance specialists understands the intricacies of agricultural risks and is dedicated to providing you with expert guidance in navigating the insurance process, ensuring you have the right level of coverage for your specific needs.

Contact us now for a free, no-obligation quote and let our team of experts help you safeguard your hard work, your valuable assets and the future of your farm. Don't wait until the smoke rises - be prepared, be protected.