Degradation of Grain Resulting in a Grain Fire
Did you know that grain degradation is one of the leading causes of silo fires? Grain isn’t meant to be stored for years with little to no movement. Over time, it begins to break down, leading to a host of serious issues for your facility. Not only can this ruin your commodity, but it also significantly increases the risk of fire. If you have material that has been sitting in your bins for long periods of time, you need to be looking for these signs:
- Hot Spots
- Black Sludge
- Mold on or around the commodity
- Clumping or caking of the commodity
- Insect infestation
- Foul Odors
- Condensation
- Dust Accumulation
- Discolored Product
How does it happen?
When grain is stored for long periods of time, the commodity will begin to break down. As the commodity breaks down, excess heat and moisture are emitted into the space. This creates the perfect conditions for mold, spoilage, and clumping. As the breakdown process continues, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi thrive, producing even more heat. As the heat and moisture levels increase throughout the bin, hotspots begin to form within the material. Over time, these hot spots can cause the grain to reach dangerously high temperatures. If oxygen is ever introduced, typically through cracks in the roof or opening the bin, it will trigger fire growth. Grain is highly combustible, so one hot spot could lead to a full bin fire or even an explosion.
Preventative Action:
There are many simple steps that your facility can take in order to prevent grain degradation and the increased risk of a silo fire.
- Regular Inspections: Regular silo inspections are key to catching potential problems before they turn into major issues. During an inspection, you can identify early warning signs like mold, caked material, discoloration, and structural cracks or openings. Spotting these issues early allows you to take action before they escalate into serious risks, such as a fire. At IA Bulk Materials, we are able to provide customers with a zero human entry inspection. With our remote technology, we are able to send a device into the structure, take pictures, and receive a detailed report on the findings. Click here to learn more about our inspections.
- Routine Cleanings: Regular cleanings are essential for preventing grain degradation and reducing the risk of silo fires. While no system is entirely fireproof, maintaining both your grain and storage structure significantly lowers the chances of a dangerous situation. Scheduled cleanings help ensure smooth grain flow, and in turn, prevents blockages and buildup that can lead to spoilage and heating. At IA Bulk Materials, we work closely with your facility to develop a cleaning schedule tailored to your needs. We have numerous tools and technologies that we use to ensure that we can get your bin completely clean. If you would like to learn more about our silo cleaning process, click here.
- Temperature Cables: Having operable temperature cables are one of the most effective ways to detect an early fire or smolder inside of a bin.These cables have sensors along their length that provide real-time temperature readings from different areas of the bin. By keeping an eye on these changes, operators can spot potential hot spots before they turn into bigger problems. When monitored properly, temperature cables give facilities a chance to fix issues early, lowering the risk of fire and protecting both the grain and the storage structure.
If you suspect that your facility may be experiencing signs of a silo fire, do not hesitate to contact our team. The quicker that you mitigate the situation, the less damage your structure will face. Our team has years of experience battling grain bin fires, big and small. You can give us a call at 770-255-1322. We stand ready to assist you in any way that we can!
Click here to learn more about our Emergency Silo Fire Response.
