Barn Fire Prevention and the Law: Challenges and Opportunities for Reform

In the agricultural sector, a barn fire is a devastating disaster that can destroy lives and livelihoods in minutes. They can be traumatic for farmers, farmworkers, first responders and their communities, and they are particularly tragic when farm animals are killed. Common causes of barn fires are electrical malfunctions or improperly placed or faulty heating devices as well as the presence of combustible materials. Many farm buildings also lack adequate fire detection systems and suppression methods. Although National Model Codes and provincial legislation establish minimal fire safety and prevention requirements, they are unevenly applied to animal housing facilities. While animal rights advocates have rightly been calling on all levels of government to introduce laws and regulations to prevent barn fires and their associated costs, the private sector also has a role to play. This paper provides an overview of the prevalence of barn fires in Canada, their causes and their consequences. After establishing that current regulations overseeing disaster management and emergency preparedness in the agricultural sector are inadequate, this paper suggests that a mix of public law and private governance schemes can mitigate these risks in manner that treats farm animals with greater concern and respect.