ARM Buildings has developed ‘drop-out window panels’ which could help safeguard the health and welfare of pigs in artificially ventilated buildings.
The drop-out panels would replace conventional windows, opening automatically when normal ventilation is interfered with, combating record temperatures and prolonged hot spells affecting the country.
These panels are fitted with robust plastic instead of glass, and 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.
As the law requires a back-up and alarm system, drop-out windows could buy extra time in an emergency.
Tim Miller, ARM’s environmental specialist, explained: “Drop-out panels have been around for years, but many farmers now like natural light in their piggeries. The drop-out window panels fulfil both functions.”
“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. In these cases, we must think about how we can ventilate the building in an emergency.”
