Conventional Silo Fire Decision Tree
Precautionary Statements
- Confined space procedures must be followed for any silo entry
- Never flood a silo with water
- Protect adjacent structures by cutting away any structures that are touching the burning silo
- Silos should be emptied below the burned area
- Do not attempt to cool the exterior of a burning or hot silo
- Slowly burning silage may continue to burn for several weeks without any structural damage
Disclaimer: The authors make no warranties, expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, application, or use of the information mentioned or described on this chart. Nothing in this chart is intended as legal advice. Competent professionals should be consulted in any silo fire situation as well as on any medical or legal issues, if any, arising from the use if the information contained in this chart. ~ Davis E. Hill and Gregory R Jelliff
Oxygen Limiting and Modified Oxygen Limiting Silo Fire Decision Tree
Precautionary Statements
- Never inject water or foam into an oxygen limiting or modified oxygen limiting silo
- Never commit personnel to enter a burning or partially burning oxygen limiting or modified oxygen limiting silo
- Protect adjacent structures by cutting away any structures that are touching the burning silo
- Do not attempt to cool the exterior of a burning or hot silo
- Only trained individuals should attempt to inject gases into oxygen limited silos
Silo Emergency Worksheet
Emergency:
________ Fire
________ Rescue
Silo Type (as originally constructed):
________ Conventional
________ Oxygen limiting
Construction:
________ Steel
________ Concrete stave
________ Concrete block
________ Poured concrete
________ Tile
________ Wood
________ Other ( _____________________________________ )
Manufacturer: ____________________________________________
Time Contacted: __________________________________________
Material in Silo:
________ Corn silage
________ Haylage
________ Sorghum
________ High Moisture grain
________ Other ( _____________________________________ )
Date of last filling: _________________________________________
Was New material put on top of old material?
________ Yes
________ No
Silo Size: ________________________________________________
How full is silo? ___________________________________________
Reminders:
________ Lock out/tag out silo power
________ Raise unloader of conventional silo during fire operations
________ Restrict air from entering silo during fire operations
________ Run silo blower during rescue operations
For Technical Assistance, call PEMA EOC at 800-424-7362.