Record temperatures and prolonged hot spells this summer have led pig-housing specialist ARM Buildings to offer farmers additional means of safeguarding the health and welfare of pigs in artificially ventilated buildings.
The company has developed drop-out window panels, to replace conventional windows. These will automatically open when normal ventilation is interfered with.
Fitted with robust plastic instead of glass, the panels are held in place by electro-magnets. They can be set up to drop open, leaving a large aperture to allow free airflow, under a wide variety of adverse environmental conditions, such as excessive temperature, even if the problem is not related to a power failure.
“Drop-out panels have been around for years, but many farmers now like natural light in their piggeries,” ARM’s environmental specialist, Tim Miller, said. “The drop-out window panels fulfil both functions.”
The law requires a back-up and alarm system, but these drop-out windows buy extra time in an emergency. They’re a standard size, but can be fitted to most buildings.
“Although mains failure is always given as the major issue, there can be scenarios where we lose ventilation through fans or fan drivers failing when power is still available,” Mr Miller added. “In these cases, we must think about how we can ventilate the building in an emergency.”
For more information visit: www.armbuildings.co.uk.
