Fire protection for agricultural buildings
Elotec Aspirating Smoke detectors has protected barns, livestock buildings and agricultural facilities across Europe for decades, by providing early detection of fire and increased safety at the farm. This experience provides safe, cost-effective and reliable fire protection. Our Aspirating Smoke Detectors have saved values across Europe for over 345 million Euros over the last ten years, and today the product is further developed, with even higher performance – without compromising the characteristics that have made it so suitable for harsh environments.
Aspirating Smoke Detector configured for all agricultural challenges
Farming makes special requirements of the fire alarm system. Barns typically store large amounts of dry, flammable materials like bedding, hay, grain, and wood, which can ignite and burn with fierce intensity. Additionally, barns often contain liquid fuels such as alcohol, liniment, hoof paints, and creosote. The environment in agricultural buildings therefore present several unique challenges:
- Heavy dust and dirt
- High airflow and ventilation
- High and low temperatures
- Ammonia and aggressive gases
- Large open structures with animals and machinery
The Elotec Aspect aspiration detector effectively meets the all these critical requirement and provides early and reliable fire detection in the challenging environments. By handling all these challenges the amount of false alarms will also be reduced.
Typical applications include:
- barns and livestock buildings
- milking facilities
- technical rooms and electrical installations
- storage areas for feed and equipment
121,000 Aspect aspirating smoke detectors protecting agricultural buildings worldwide
NOVEMBER 2025: Over 200 Cattle Saved
At a farm in Vågå, a mini loader caught fire inside the agricultural building. More than 220 head of cattle were inside the barn. Thanks to the Elotec fire detection system, the aspirating smoke detector triggered an early alarm. This provided the crucial minutes needed to prevent a major disaster. The residents reacted immediately. Through decisive action, the fire was kept under control until the fire brigade arrived. Fire crews quickly contained the incident, and damage to the building was minimal.
NOVEMBER 2025: Fire Alarm Triggered During Morning Barn Work
Early in the morning on November 12, heavy smoke developed in a barn in Trøndelag. The smoke originated from overheating in a compressor located in a technical room and spread into the barn where animals were present. Fortunately, the farm had installed an Elotec aspirating smoke detection system, which reacted instantly and issued an alert. The alarm allowed the owner to activate a full emergency response, contact the fire department, and take action before open flames developed. Emergency services were dispatched.
JUNE 2025: No Visible Smoke – Fire Prevented
On the evening of June 17, a family received an alert indicating smoke detection in their barn. Initially, no visible smoke was observed, and the fire alarm was silenced. The alarm immediately reactivated, and upon entering the barn from the opposite side, the family suddenly noticed the smell of smoke. They discovered that a compressor in the technical room had caused smoke development.An electrician was called, the compressor was repaired, and a fire was successfully prevented. Farm operations resumed within 24 hours. A positive outcome that could have been fatal without early fire detection.
MAY 2025: Early Warning Saved a Family Farm from a Potential Major Fire
Thanks to early warning from a fire alarm system installed in 1994, a family farm narrowly avoided a major fire. An electrical fault was detected by the Elotec fire alarm system, alerting the farmer in time to save both buildings and livestock using a fire extinguisher.
APRIL 2025: Smoke Development Stopped by Early Fire Alarm Warning
On Saturday evening, April 5, emergency services responded to reports of smoke from a barn in Inderøy.
Fire incident commander Jon Kristian Storli stated that damage was limited to minor fire damage and some smoke damage in a small room.“We were saved by the fire alarm system. Early detection gives us a real chance to stop the fire,” he said.
SEPTEMBER 2024: Early Fire Warning Prevented Fire Across Entire Farmstead
A protected historic farmstead in Geiranger experienced a fire incident in one of the residential units. The cause was unsuitable plastic placed on an active stovetop. Fortunately, the Elotec fire alarm system immediately alerted all housing units. A neighbor reacted instantly, arrived at the scene, and brought the situation under control before the fire escalated. Thanks to rapid fire detection and decisive action, a major fire was avoided and the heritage buildings were preserved.
JULY 2024: 30 Cattle Saved by Early Fire Detection
Early warning from an Elotec fire alarm system saved lives and property in Sande, Vestfold. A father and son were awakened by the alarm and managed to evacuate 30 cattle. Local newspapers Drammens Tidene and Sande Avis reported on the incident. Police confirmed that early detection prevented fire spread to other buildings on the farm.
APRIL 2024: Fire Alarm Without Visible Smoke – Electrical Fault Detected
A farmer in Østfold experienced a fire alarm activation in the basement with no visible smoke. Minutes later, flames emerged from a power outlet. The fire was extinguished before spreading, preventing major damage. The farmer praised the extremely early detection provided by the fire alarm system and the importance of annual inspections. The installation includes a Voice fire alarm control panel.
MARCH 2024: Fire Alarm Prevented Fire in Poultry House
An Elotec fire alarm prevented a fire in a poultry house in Løten. An incipient fire in a motor was quickly detected, alerting the farmer and preventing a potentially devastating fire.
FEBRUARY 2024: Fire Alarm Alert Saved 900 Pigs
A barn fire caused by a lighting fixture occurred in Nord-Trøndelag. The fire detection system alerted the farmer in time to extinguish the fire and ventilate the barn.As a result, 900 pigs were saved.
JULY 2023: Fire Alarm in Storage Building Saved 20 Animal Lives
A 20-year-old Elotec fire alarm system detected a fire in a traditional storage building in Tyristrand. No one was home, but neighbors heard the alarm and alerted emergency services, saving 20 animals.
MAY 2022: Tool Fire Extinguished After Early Alarm
A fire involving tools on a farm in Lier was detected by Elotec Aspect. The alarm alerted residents during the night, allowing them to contact the fire department, which quickly extinguished the fire. The case was covered by Drammens Tidende.
JULY 2021: Mini Loader Fire Detected Early – Farm Saved
Thanks to the Elotec fire alarm system with Aspect aspirating smoke detection (Class B sensitivity), a farm in Snåsa was saved. A resident heard the alarm and rushed into the smoke-filled barn. Moments later, flames erupted from a six-year-old mini loader. The fire was quickly extinguished using two buckets of water, preventing major damage.
MARCH 2021: Early Fire Detection Prevented Electrical Fire
A potential fire in Revetal was avoided when the Elotec fire alarm woke the farmer. An electrical water trough had begun to overheat. Early warning combined with quick action prevented a major fire and stopped fire spread.
MARCH 2020: Fan Smoke Detected Early – No Damage
Smoke from a fan was detected early by an Elotec aspirating smoke detector (Class B sensitivity).No damage occurred to people, animals, or buildings.
JANUARY 2020: Lighting Fixture Fire Detected Early
A fire incident occurred in a lighting fixture in a farm building in Degernes during the Christmas period of 2019. The aspirating smoke detector detected smoke at an early stage, allowing the farmer to control the fire with minimal damage.
JULY 2019: Early Warning Saved Barn and Livestock
Early warning from an Elotec fire alarm system saved both barn and animals at a farm in Beistad. The system, installed in 2010, includes an aspirating smoke detector.
JUNE 2019: 150 Animals Saved by Fire Alarm
A barn fire was detected early, allowing 150 animals to be saved. The farmer was indoors when the alarm activated and immediately realized there was a fire in the barn.
JANUARY 2019: Early Detection Saved 50 Cows
Early warning from an Elotec fire alarm system saved 50 cows in Verdal, Trøndelag. The incident was covered by national media, including NRK. Authorities stated that the margin was extremely small and that early detection was critical.
DECEMBER 2017: External Fire Detected by Aspiration System
A fire outside a farm building was detected by an aspirating smoke detector inside the barn. A tarpaulin had blown into an electric fence, creating sparks that ignited the material. The farmer received early warning and extinguished the fire before it spread.
DECEMBER 2017: 350 Pigs Saved by Early Alarm
A major barn fire was avoided when a fan heater ignited. Early warning allowed the farmer to remove the heater and extinguish the fire.The farmer credited loud alarm sirens and regular annual service.
OCTOBER 2017: Elotec Aspect Saved 120 Cattle and Farm Building
A short circuit in a thermostat caused a fire incident in a barn in Troms. Elotec Aspect aspirating smoke detection provided early warning, enabling the farmer to extinguish the fire using a powder extinguisher.
AUGUST 2017: Fire Alarm Saved 600 Pigs
An Elotec fire alarm system woke a farmer in Verdal during the night. Immediate response prevented a major fire and saved the lives of 600 pigs. The aspirating system had been installed in 2003.
DECEMBER 2016: Barn Fire Prevented by Fire Alarm
A large barn fire in Verdal was prevented, saving 600 pigs. The farmer emphasized the importance of alarm sound levels and regular system maintenance.
DECEMBER 2016: Major Fire in Agricultural Building Avoided
A fire caused by an electrical heater was detected early at a farm in Oppdal. Thanks to early warning from the Elotec fire alarm system, the farmer extinguished the fire before the entire building was lost.
SEPTEMBER 2015: Greenhouse Fire Detected Early by Elotec Aspect
A fire in a large commercial greenhouse was detected early by Elotec Aspect. The fire started after a light bulb explosion outside working hours. Rapid detection enabled staff to extinguish the fire before escalation. Assets worth approximately €80 million and 25,000 m² of building area were saved.
Some of the benefits the users appreciate are:
- Fires are detected in their early stages.
- Staff remain vigilant and respond promptly to alarms.
- Fire alarms are handled professionally, preventing them from escalating into major incidents.
- Loss prevention is maximized while minimizing the risk of business interruptions.
- Maintenance costs are kept low.
Elotec Aspect has been saving life and values since 1992, here are a few user experiences
Tailormade solutions for all kinds of agriculture:
Horticulture
As is well known, horticulture are often highly flammable due to the extensive use of plastics, glass and portable storage boxes, insulation and potting soil. There are also large electrical installations in the form of automation and lighting – which also create the necessary heat.
Automatic transport systems and ventilation spread fire gases and burning material around adjacent buildings. Early warning in the event of a fire is therefore essential.
Elotec has seen the challenges in detecting smoke in nurseries where dust, pollen and high relative humidity can affect equipment that is not adapted to the conditions. Limited smoke spread can also be a challenge in some nurseries, as the shade curtains prevent smoke transport up to the ridge, where point detectors are normally installed.
In-house developed software systems such as PipeDraw and Aspect Tool B provide good control of planning and maintenance. A single service point at working height results in lower installation and maintenance costs.
EN54- and CPD-approved
The whole system is EN54-certified and meets the requirements of the Construction Products Directive. The system has demonstrated its positive qualities through a 12-month test of several of the suppliers’ equipment, arranged by the Federation of Finnish Financial Services in Finland.
- No external power supply to worry about - The Aspect has an integrated switch mode power supply that support 230V, 12V or 24V
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Integrated battery - The Aspect fit a battery with uo to 18 Ah (BA 1800) for 30 hours of emergency operations
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Two separate sensors quickly tell which area is causing the alarm and covers large spaces with up to 2x100 meters of pipe in each area
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The Aspect handles moisture easily with an integrated condensation filter
Installer friendly construction
- Roomy external mounting flanges.
- Hinged and removable lids for ease of access to terminals and filters.
- Integrated power supply.
- IP44 enclosure in acid-proof aluminium and halogen-free fire retardant plastic.
- All elements designed to prevent water and dust from reaching the electronics.
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