Fire Code Revised to Better Protect Farm Animals

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international nonprofit organization seeking to eliminate death, injury, and economic loss due to fire and related hazards. It accomplishes this mission through development and publication of hundreds of consensus codes and standards to minimize the occurrence and severity of fires. These codes, including one dedicated solely to animals (NFPA 150, Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities) are adopted by governments and businesses throughout the world.

While NFPA 150 addresses animals used in agriculture, farmed animals are afforded a lower level of protection than other animals, even though they die from fires in far greater numbers. For example, in 2020, at least 1.6 million farm animals died in barn fires in the United States. To increase protection for farm animals, in 2018, AWI applied for and obtained membership in the technical committee that administers NFPA 150. Subsequently, AWI proposed two changes to the code, requiring that (1) emergency forces be notified of fire alarm signals from agricultural housing facilities and (2) all facilities be inspected annually to identify electrical, structural, and housekeeping fire hazards. Following a series of votes, the NFPA adopted AWI’s proposed changes. The new standards are now in effect and will be included in the official 2022 edition of the NFPA 150 code.

Program Terms: Farmed Animals

AWI Quarterly Terms: Quick Read