Current Issues and Concerns
Introduction to Tacoma
Design/Safety IssuesModular Loading
Truss Plate Corrosion
Fire Safety
Farm Building Code Update
Tacoma Engineers has its roots in Guelph, Ontario providing structural consulting services since 1980. Currently have offices in Guelph and Barrie.
The firm has grown steadily to a staff of over forty people, including professional engineers, project managers, technologists and administration staff.
We have been involved in the agricultural sector for over 30 years, and have proudly participated in the evolution of farm structures.
To date, Tacoma Engineers has been involved with over 2000 agricultural projects.
Needs Determination
Team Development
Schematic Design
Consultation
Detailed Design
Approvals
Communication is critical
Process can be disrupted by conflict but effective planning and dialogue is key to success
Farm Operator
Farm Builder (General
Contractor)
Project Engineer
Structural, Geo, M&E
Building Department
Other Agencies
Ontario chicken farmers are transitioning from crate based handling to a modular system.
Estimated that 70% of producers will transition within 3-5 years
Modules consist of 10-15 plastic drawers in metal frames.
Modules will weigh up to 3000# and will be moved with industry specific low profile forklifts.
Two systems are being implemented: end loading & side loading.
End loading system includes a track running full length of the barn on which the modules will be pushed to end wall doors. 700kg push tractors to be used.
Side loading systems will have the modules placed directly in the barn through a series of 6-8’ doors installed at 50’ along the length of the barn.
Loads: end load systems – track with 5.1 kN/m load plus the tractor; side load systems – concentrated load of 4.2 kPa
New barns are to have 9’ ceilings to accommodate modular loading
Corrosion of metal truss plates a growing concern with observed failures in less than 10 years
Most affected trusses are in cold beef & dairy barns as well as warm swine barns.
Common attribute is a condition where the truss plates are exposed to a wet service condition (condensation).
Inadequate ventilation or recirculated air is very problematic
Two practical solutions to minimize corrosion:Proper ventilation
Durable truss plates
Ventilation is designed to move sufficient air through the building to extract moisture, gases and dust
Barns increasing made ‘tight’ for energy efficiency but this is leading to reduced ventilation. Attic is a particular concern.
Numerous ventilation systems allow recirculation of corrosive gases.
Two practical solutions to minimize corrosion:Proper ventilation
Durable truss plates
TPIC & regional truss manufacturers have ongoing research on durability of truss plates
Range of options: Regular G90 sheet steel, G185 hot dip galvanized plates; duplex systems (galvanized & epoxy coating); stainless steel.
Public awareness of farms fires has increased significantly in the past 2 years. Peaked with the tragic loss of 40 horses at Classy Lanes stables outside of Guelph.
Data from OFM office, indicates that farm fires are a major concern but the incidence of fires has not dramatically changes. On average 175 fires with $30M loss
Common cause of the fires: mechanical & electrical systems, misuse of ignition sources and inadequate maintenance.
OMAFRA Technical Advisory Panel consisting of a broad spectrum of stakeholders addressed farm fires.
Ontario Publication 837: Reducing the Risk of Fire on Your Farm
Recommendations:Protect and maintain electrical systems
Control ignition sources (hot works & heating systems)
Maintain fire separations & fire stops
Increase spatial separation
Provide fire department access
General housekeeping
Farm building design and construction in Ontario governed by National Farm Building Code of Canada 1995.
NFBCC recognizes unique characteristics of farm buildings and farming industry – low human occupancy.
Provides accommodations with respect to design loads, building materials, means of egress, building separation and size, and exterior access.
CCBFC published the NFBCC in 1995 as a National Model Code.
No substantive updates since publication.
CCBFC works under the direction of PTPACC.
“CCBFC has made it a priority to update the requirements of the National Farm Building Code of Canada (NFBC), last published in 1995. This decision is supported by the Provincial/Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes (PTPACC) and the Canadian Farm Builders Association”: Sept 2012
CFBA position on NFBC 1995Building Codes not keeping up with the requirements of the farming industry
Buildings increasing in size and complexity but standards over 20 years old.
Concern that Provinces will lose confidence with existing 1995 national model code
Lobbying for a federal update started in 2006, presentation to CCBFC Exec Committee in 2008, CCBFC-PTPACC Joint Task Group 2009-2012 wrapped up with a recommendation for an update to NFBC.
Worked with Ontario through 2012-2016
In March 2016, CCBFC established a Joint Task Group on Farm Buildings with the mandate to review then update the requirements for farm buildings.
JTG MandateReview past reports & studies
Jurisdictional survey
Definition of farm buildings based on size and use
Investigate fire, structural and hazardous material risk
Develop proposed changes
JTG Membership3 technical sub-committees
Industry (CFBA)
CCBFC Staff
Definition of Farm BuildingsFarm Building means a building or part
thereof which does not contain a
residential occupancy and which is
associated with and located on land
devoted to the practice of farming and
used essentially for the housing of
equipment or livestock, or the
production, storage and processing of
agricultural and horticultural produce
or feeds.
the rationale of having special
requirements for farm buildings, as
distinct from other buildings, is based
on the low human occupancy load, the
remote location of typical farm
structures or the special nature of the
occupancies involved
These definitions have been
maintained
From CCBFC, the requirements for farm buildings will be integrated into the NBC & NFC.
Goal is for inclusion in the 2020 NBC update
A standalone Farm Building Code will no longer exist (except possibly for small farm buildings)
Preference to have the farm building requirements distinct from other buildings to allow for provincial adoption or exemption.
Discussion regarding of classification of farm buildings based on occupancy, size, ownership, etc.
Current Direction: Farm buildings defined as a separate class of building (G) with 4 divisions based on occupancy
G1: High Hazard Farm Buildings
G2: Standard Farm Building (not otherwise defined)
G3: Greenhouses
G4: Farm Buildings with no human occupancy
Range of discussion to date primarily on G2 structures
Farm Buildings: Structural Discussions
Snow – 1 in 50 year return period
Wind – 1 in 50 year return period
Seismic analysis – not exempt
Occupancy live loads
Storage loads
Importance factors
Sliding Snow factors
System factors
Farm Buildings: Fire ProtectionProtections: Persons and/or Property
Building Size
Compartmentalization
Combustible Construction
Fire Detection & Suppression
Spatial Separation
Fire Department Access
Electrical & Mechanical Systems
Farm Buildings: Hazardous Materials
Methane – production & storage
Bulk storage for flammable materials
Dust explosion risk
Farm garage/machine shops
Hot works
Ongoing process ultimately leading to an overdue update to farm building regulations
CFBA maintains a focus on developing practical solutions for the design of safe and efficient farm buildings
Questions and discussion.