Why Farm Machinery Fires Are So Catastrophic
The combination of extreme heat, flammable materials, and complex electronics makes farm vehicles uniquely vulnerable. The financial consequences of a fire are immediate and severe, affecting production and causing critical downtime. This risk is amplified across rural areas where emergency services may take longer to arrive.
Top 3 Fire Ignition Sources in Farm Vehicles
Chaff & Debris: Easily ignites when trapped near hot components, like engine manifolds or exhausts.
Friction & Overheating: Caused by worn components, bearings, and belts in constant operation.
Electrical Faults: The primary danger in complex, modern machinery and tractor cabs.
Having a fire extinguisher for combine harvester access is non-negotiable.
Critical Hazard 2: Hay, Straw, and Spontaneous Combustion
Hay and straw fires are common, highly flammable, and can spread rapidly. Furthermore, damp hay stored in barns can undergo spontaneous combustion, making prevention impossible. While the Fire Safety Stick is vital for rapid, initial suppression, it is crucial to remember that deep-seated fires in stacked hay or straw retain heat, posing a risk of re-ignition. The stick is a critical tool for tackling the initial stages of a storage fire, but continuous monitoring and separation of the burning material are necessary post-extinguishment.
The UK’s Maintenance-Free Fire Safety Solution for Agriculture & Farming
The risk of a catastrophic fire on a modern UK farm is why every machine operator needs a certified fire extinguisher for a combine harvester or tractor. A single machinery fire can lead to catastrophic financial losses. The Fire Safety Stick is the definitive solution: a certified, multi-class extinguisher with zero residue and zero maintenance for up to 15 years. Protect your assets, livestock, and livelihood.
The Fatal Flaw of Traditional Extinguishers
For decades, farmers have relied on cumbersome powder and foam units, but these solutions introduce an unacceptable secondary risk, especially when tackling a fire on a combine harvester.
The Powder Extinguisher Problem
While powerful, a standard dry powder extinguisher can effectively write-off the machinery, even if the fire is small:
Residue Destroys Electronics: The powder is highly corrosive and infiltrates every component, instantly destroying expensive engine wiring looms, hydraulic systems, and sophisticated computer controls.
Massive Clean-Up Cost: The resulting residue requires weeks of highly specialized clean-up, leading to massive downtime during peak season and huge unexpected repair costs.
Messy Alternative to Fire: For many farmers, the fire is bad, but the powder mess is often worse.
The Foam Extinguisher Problem
Foam (AFFF) is a messy alternative and is unsuitable for the Class C (Gas) and Electrical fire risks, most common in engine compartments. Using foam on an electrical fault can also carry the risk of electrocution.
Why the Fire Safety Stick is the Farmer’s Choice
The Fire Safety Stick uses an advanced, non-toxic Potassium mix developed from aerospace technology. It works by aerosol inhibition, attacking the fire at a molecular level without depressurisation or leaving any harmful residue.
UK Farm Fire Safety Compliance: What You Need to Know
All farm workplaces must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, requiring a comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment (FRA).
Is the Fire Safety Stick Suitable for my FRA?
Yes. The Fire Safety Stick is a certified fire suppression device that simplifies upkeep and serves as a highly effective, compliant alternative for high-risk vehicle cabs and storage areas.
Where Should I Mount My Fire Safety Stick?
Mounting locations should prioritise accessibility: in the cab of Combines & Tractors, near exits in Workshops & Sheds, or in the cab of Livestock Transport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What fire rating does a combine harvester fire extinguisher require?
Farm vehicles and machinery require multi-class protection (A, B, C, and Electrical) due to the variety of fuel sources (chaff, diesel, hydraulics, and wiring). The Fire Safety Stick effectively covers all these classes.
Is the Fire Safety Stick compliant for use on UK farms?
Yes. The Fire Safety Stick is a certified fire suppression device that meets the essential need for effective, accessible, and maintenance-free fire safety. It is an ideal, compliant option for use in vehicle cabs and machinery in line with your Fire Risk Assessment.
How often does the Fire Safety Stick need servicing?
Unlike traditional powder or foam extinguishers, which require costly annual inspections and refills, the Fire Safety Stick has a certified life of up to 15 years with zero maintenance or servicing required, drastically simplifying farm compliance. This longevity also helps reduce long-term costs that can affect insurance premiums.
Richard’s (Bartlow Estates) experience with fire!
Richard Cobbald is a farm manager at Bartlow Estates and was so impressed by how the Fire Safety Stick was able to save a £650,000 brand-new combine that he took to his regional WhatsApp group to share the events.
We caught wind of the news through an approved distributor of ours, of which she was also informed by a member of the same WhatsApp group Richard is apart of.
The message was simply:
“£80 Fire Safety Stick just saved a £650k combine! The idler bearing went, and started a fire. Fire Safety Sticks are a must-have!”
Quite the group chat message to receive. 😅
We promptly arranged to meet with Richard to share his experience and hand deliver a replacement stick, once again adding some additional fire training he can pass on to his team and others.
More about the Fire Safety Stick and how it can benefit your farm!
🪶 Compact and Lightweight
Traditional fire extinguishers can be heavy, hard to handle, and awkward to store. The Fire Safety Stick, on the other hand, weighs less than a bottle of water (only 215g) and fits easily anywhere. It’s so portable that you can take it put it in a toolbox, tractor cab or keep it in your car for emergencies.
⏳ Long-Lasting Firefighting Power
One of the standout features of the Fire Safety Stick is its runtime. A standard fire extinguisher might give you 10-15 seconds of use (a 1kg dry powder is 6-7 seconds), while the Fire Safety Stick can provide up to 50 or 100 seconds of extinguishing power. That’s a significant advantage when dealing with a stubborn fire.
🧹 No Cleanup Required
Ever seen the aftermath of a traditional fire extinguisher? Foam or powder everywhere ruining furniture, electronics, and anything else in its path. The Fire Safety Stick’s aerosol technology doesn’t leave a corrosive trace. This means you can extinguish a fire in your kitchen or near electronics without worrying about causing additional damage.
⚒️ No Annual Servicing
For a pressurised cylinder extinguisher to be reliable, and have the least risk of performance loss, it must be professionally serviced every year. The Fire Safety Stick does NOT need any professional servicing, as it is not pressurised with no moving parts. Just a simple maintenance spot check is involved such as checking under the top cap and checking the striker cap.
🌳 Safe and Eco-Friendly
The aerosol released by the Fire Safety Stick is non-toxic and doesn’t harm the environment. It’s also safe to breathe in, unlike the harsh chemicals in some traditional extinguishers. Plus, it has an impressive shelf life—minimum of 15 years! Compare that to a standard fire extinguisher, which should also be regularly serviced and refilled to maintain optimum working operation.
😌 Easy to Use
Forget the pins and levers. Using the Fire Safety Stick is as simple as removing the cap, striking the ignition like a match, and pointing it at the fire.
For Comprehensive Farm Fire Safety: NFU Mutual Guidance
Always integrate fire prevention with overall risk management. Click here for official fire safety strategies recommended by the NFU Mutual farming insurance experts
