RII Releases Fire Safety Guide

Jennifer Polanz

Disaster can strike at any time, in any spot in the growing operation. However, there are lots of ways to protect your workers and your crop. Resource Innovation Institute (RII), a nonprofit organization advancing resource efficiency in CEA, has released an industry guide called “Fire Safety in High-Tech Production Greenhouses.”

The goal with the guide is to “support code officials, fire marshals and greenhouse developers in navigating the complexities of fire and building code compliance in CEA facilities,” according to an announcement about the document.

“This guide is not about lowering the bar on safety; it’s about aligning the code with the actual conditions in greenhouses, which are fundamentally different from conventional buildings,” said Rob Eddy, Horticulture Manager for Education & Training at RII and the lead author of the guide. “Growers are operating in low-occupancy, high-humidity, non-combustible environments. This resource helps everyone involved—developers, fire marshals, inspectors—get on the same page faster, to move forward with nuanced discussions.”

It was developed through a collaborative working group of engineers, architects, insurers, fire safety experts and growers. Key topics covered in the guide include:

• Occupancy classification strategies
• Fire suppression system alternatives
• Exit and egress planning in large-scale facilities
• Material flammability ratings and recommendations
• Fire detection and alarm system design for humid environments
• Risk-based fire barrier and access solutions

The guide is now available as a free download at resourceinnovation.org/resources. IG