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.