Demand Stronger Fire Protection for Confined Farm Animals

Every year, hundreds of thousands of farmed animals die in fires because their agricultural housing facilities are not required to have smoke detectors, smoke control or sprinkler systems. In 2014 so far, 400,000 captive chickens, pigs, turkeys, cows and other animals perished in fires from which they had no chance of escaping. In addition, farm workers and first responders are put at terrible risk every time one of these easily preventable fires breaks out. This must stop.

A requirement already in place, enacted by the National Fire Protection Act (NFPA), requries sprinklers in facilities housing "dangerous" animals and those that cannot be easily moved, such as elephants and bears. There is no equivalent fire protection in place for factory farmed animals.

In 2012, NFPA proposed to amend its 150 Standard for Fire & Life Safety in Animal Housing to require that all newly-constructed animal housing facilities be required to install sprinklers and smoke control devices. When this measure was strongly opposed by the pork, poultry, cattle and dairy industries, NFPA dropped the proposal.

The NHPA took public comments earlier this year on this proposal. An amendment to NFA 150 was discussed yet again at the Oct 7, 2014 meeting of the NHPA Technical Committee. Yet again, Big Agriculture asserted that farmed animals aren't worth the cost it would take to install sprinklers. That's inhumane and unacceptable.  Without public outcry, nothing will change.

If you agree, please sign this petition asking the NFPA to move forward with its proposed amendment to its standards to provide fire protection to confined farm animals. You are their only hope. Big Ag won't help them.

Dear National Fire Protection Association:

Those who have signed this petition, like many other members of the public, are distressed and saddened that hundreds of thousands of confined farm animals die tragic and agonizing deaths by smoke and fire every year in the United States. You can do something to stop it.


We're aware that agricultural interests representing the poultry, pork and dairy industries routinely manage to convince you that sprinkler and smoke control systems are too expensive to install. Animals are not less important than other beings you've already protected. Farm animals deserve the same protections already afforded Category A animals in the NFPA 50 Standard for Fire & Life Safety in Animal Housing.


In addition, amending the NFPA 150 would better protect farm workers and firefighters, who are also at serious risk every time one of these preventable fires breaks out. Cheap meat is no excuse for the incredible danger these people must face and the horrifying deaths suffered by these innocent animals.


Please amend the 150 Standard for Fire & Life Safety in Animal Housing to mandate that all newly-constructed animal housing facilities which hold animals designated “Category B” by the NFPA be required to install sprinklers and smoke control systems.


Thank you for giving this issue the attention it deserves.


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