Heated Water Bowl - Fire Started in Indianapolis, killed 6 chickens and 60k damage

[Going Quackers]

Another fire I heard about Friday! not sure what happened but I was going to get a couple EE's from her last spring and her coop caught fire and killed her flock So awful!

That is terrible. I cannot imagine.

 

[The Lazy L]

My coop wiring is enclosed in conduit. Lights are enclosed in glass with protection over the glass. There is no heat source in the coop.

Run floor is sand. Waterer heater sits on concrete blocks 2 feet away from any combustibles (the run's walls). Electrical cord is securely fasten over head and plugged into a GFI

 

[BillM2]

While on the topic of electrical safety, if you're using anything electric, heaters, bulbs, lights, etc, be certain you're connected to a GFI protected outlet. There are devices that you can plug into an outlet that is GFI protected that you plug into a non-protected outlet, if you don't want to install one. They run about $12 at the common hardware stores.

 

[yogifink]

While on the topic of electrical safety, if you're using anything electric, heaters, bulbs, lights, etc, be certain you're connected to a GFI protected outlet. There are devices that you can plug into an outlet that is GFI protected that you plug into a non-protected outlet, if you don't want to install one. They run about $12 at the common hardware stores.

GFI outlets need to be used anywhere there is a possibility of coming into contact with water, ie bathrooms, kitchens and outdoors. They protect you from electrical shock, not fire.

 

[BillM2]

That's correct. It's a safety device to protect against electrocution. More can be found here: http://myelectricalexpert.com/wirin...rcuits/ground-fault-circuit-interrupter-gfci/

 

[Aberhallo]

I'm super paranoid about using heated anything in my barn with my horses. Thankfully, they generate enough body heat that it usually stays warm enough to prevent the water from freezing, except that night it went down to -41C, but even then it was just a thin layer of ice.

 

[saz326]

It is such a shame that when trying to be super kind to your pets you can do so much damage to them, and house and home.

I have been using a soil warming cable wound around my waterers to prevent them from freezing. The low ampage and voltage makes for extremely low risk. Add to that the use of a thermostat to cut the power out and safety is dealt with.

I wonder if the person was using one of those RSG's (I think that is what they are called) The things that trip the electricity out like a fuse should there be any issue with the power supply. The things people use when mowing the lawn using electric mower. People MUST use these things. They really save lives not to mention fires.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would bet that it was a cookie tin heater. The electric dog bowls don't get hot--they come on around 35 degrees F and go off at 45F--the water in mine is always cold.

 

[JackE]

I would bet that it was a cookie tin heater. The electric dog bowls don't get hot--they come on around 35 degrees F and go off at 45F--the water in mine is always cold.

I would bet it wasn't. I've had the same cookie tin heater in use for 4 winters now. It does not get hot enough to ignite anything. The electric bulb is safely contained inside the tin, which shuts tightly. I've spilled water on it with no problems, as the water cannot get to the bulb. I'll say this, I trust that cookie tin far more than I would trust some fifty some odd dollar, RedChinese, slave labor produced piece of junk like I've seen out there. With the heating element exposed. Looks like a fire waiting to happen. And when the element craps out, it's done, just throw it out and pay another fifty. And that may be one night, or a year, it's a roll of the dice with that piece of junk. But it will crap out. Meanwhile, I just might have to but another bulb in mine and continue on.

 

[Daisy8s]

I would second JackE's comment.

I also have a cookie tin heater we made and I trust it more than something with internal heating elements that we can't see until they degrade. Because we made our heater we built in many safety features.

First, I added noncombustible insulation tape on the inside around the bottom and sides so that heat is only reflected onto the lid. I can place my hand right on the sides and bottom and I feel no heat whatsoever. I also have only a 20 watt bulb in there so even the lid isn't getting too hot (you really don't want to be heating up chicken water, due to bacterial growth).

Second, my tin sits up on a terra cotta pot, which is set firmly and stably into my gravel floor. The litter never reaches the height of the tin or power cord.

Third, my waterer is connected to the ceiling by a chain (in summer it hangs from this chain). I know that if the waterer were bumped into it could not spill over and douse the cord.

Fourth, the cord is protected with lots of electrical tape and insulation so it cannot rub against anything and become frayed.

Fifth, the outlet is a GFI.

We're going on our second winter with it and I'm very satisfied, though I would recommend all of the above safety precautions.