Poor Ventilation Can Put Horses and Cows at Risk
Announcement posted by Action Sheds Australia 11 Jul 2014
Provider of barns in Perth reveals why ventilation is so important in barns, especially those that house cows or horses.
Perth, WA, 11 July 2014 - Ventilation is an important factor that is often overlooked by barn owners. Even in barns that are only used for equipment, it is important to keep air flowing through the barn to keep gases, dust and pathogens to a minimum.
Health Concerns
In a barn with animals, the consequences of bad ventilation are easily perceived. Animal waste contains gases such as hydrogen sulfide, methane and ammonia. All are toxic, two are flammable and all smell so bad that most people are convinced of the importance of ventilation in their presence.
Humidity plays a factor, too. A barn that is too dry causes dust that can affect animals’ respiratory systems and can dry out the nasal mucosa of a cow. A barn that is too humid can make a cow or horse’s coat less effective as an insulator, causing them to suffer from temperature extremes or sudden changes.
A barn that is too drafty can be difficult for cows and horses, as it is on humans. A consistently ventilated barn controls humidity and drafts while allowing gases to exit efficiently.
Fire Concerns
Methane and hydrogen sulfide from animal waste are flammable and need an avenue of escape so they don’t reach dangerous levels. In addition, many farmers store flammable chemicals and solvents in their barns, any of which are likely to ignite with inadequate ventilation. When this is combined with heat and a lack of humidity, it can “set the table” for both explosions and spontaneous combustion.
Premature Ageing of Building
A barn that isn’t ventilated will have to sustain extremes of heat and humidity, besides the occasional “hot and dry” condition. Hot air can rise and condense as it cools, making building materials moist and more susceptible to mould, fungi and other microorganisms. These can combine to make materials age faster. In the case of a wood barn, this combination can cause rotting and deterioration.
A Shed Barn May be the Solution
Companies such as Action Sheds Australia make their barns out of steel. The barns are essentially large industrial sheds but with the shape, appearance and function of barns. According to Max Italiano, Owner of Action Sheds Australia, “Sheds made into barns are the best solution for most farmers for numerous reasons relating to function and cost.”
Mr Italiano continued, “Our sheds and barns, for example, are made of BlueScope steel. They are ShedSafe certified, meaning that factors such as your terrain, wind region, shielding and topography factors are measured and used to determine minimum safety standards for your barn. Then your barn will either meet or exceed those standards.”
Mr Italiano concluded, “Most of all, ventilation is never a problem with our barns. We combine efficient design with numerous ventilation options designed to keep your barn safe and comfortable for cows and horses. You might even forget you’re in a barn.”
Action Sheds Australia provides barns, stables, sheds and garages in Perth. They are ShedSafe certified and are experts at providing shed solutions costing a fraction of the price of bricks and mortar. To learn more, call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/.
Health Concerns
In a barn with animals, the consequences of bad ventilation are easily perceived. Animal waste contains gases such as hydrogen sulfide, methane and ammonia. All are toxic, two are flammable and all smell so bad that most people are convinced of the importance of ventilation in their presence.
Humidity plays a factor, too. A barn that is too dry causes dust that can affect animals’ respiratory systems and can dry out the nasal mucosa of a cow. A barn that is too humid can make a cow or horse’s coat less effective as an insulator, causing them to suffer from temperature extremes or sudden changes.
A barn that is too drafty can be difficult for cows and horses, as it is on humans. A consistently ventilated barn controls humidity and drafts while allowing gases to exit efficiently.
Fire Concerns
Methane and hydrogen sulfide from animal waste are flammable and need an avenue of escape so they don’t reach dangerous levels. In addition, many farmers store flammable chemicals and solvents in their barns, any of which are likely to ignite with inadequate ventilation. When this is combined with heat and a lack of humidity, it can “set the table” for both explosions and spontaneous combustion.
Premature Ageing of Building
A barn that isn’t ventilated will have to sustain extremes of heat and humidity, besides the occasional “hot and dry” condition. Hot air can rise and condense as it cools, making building materials moist and more susceptible to mould, fungi and other microorganisms. These can combine to make materials age faster. In the case of a wood barn, this combination can cause rotting and deterioration.
A Shed Barn May be the Solution
Companies such as Action Sheds Australia make their barns out of steel. The barns are essentially large industrial sheds but with the shape, appearance and function of barns. According to Max Italiano, Owner of Action Sheds Australia, “Sheds made into barns are the best solution for most farmers for numerous reasons relating to function and cost.”
Mr Italiano continued, “Our sheds and barns, for example, are made of BlueScope steel. They are ShedSafe certified, meaning that factors such as your terrain, wind region, shielding and topography factors are measured and used to determine minimum safety standards for your barn. Then your barn will either meet or exceed those standards.”
Mr Italiano concluded, “Most of all, ventilation is never a problem with our barns. We combine efficient design with numerous ventilation options designed to keep your barn safe and comfortable for cows and horses. You might even forget you’re in a barn.”
Action Sheds Australia provides barns, stables, sheds and garages in Perth. They are ShedSafe certified and are experts at providing shed solutions costing a fraction of the price of bricks and mortar. To learn more, call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/.