Barn Features

F to
o Accommo
odate Mod
dular Loadiing of Poultry
(P
Prepared by AOCP,
A and PSA)1
CFO a

Requirem
ments for Ne
ew Barns

SSingle storey
y barns maxximize poultryy welfare beenefits from mmodular load
ding due to sshorter loading
times, less handling of birds resulting
g in lower sttress, and re
educed expoosure of birds to weatherr
cconditions du
uring loading
g.

1. Build a single storey barn with minimum

1 m 9 fo
oot (2.7 m) ce
eilings.

2
2. Provide minimum
m doorway opening in the ennd wall of 8 ffeet (2.4 m) tall x 10 feet (3.0 m) wid
de for
forklift ac
ccess for end
d door loadin or loading is an option fo
ng. Side doo or single-storey clear spaan barns
using a minimum
m doo de wall of 8 ffeet (2.4 m) tall x 12 feet (3.66 m) w
orway opening in the sid wide.

3
3. Provide hard
h surface ea (concrete or equivale nt surface) m
e loading are measuring a at least 36 feeet (11.0
m) x 55 feet
f (16.8 m)) immediatelly outside do oorway to al low for forkliift travel and
d turning durring truck
loading. The
T width off the hard su urface loadinng area depe ends on the width of the e barn. See T Table 1.
The surfaace needs to o extend bey
yond the wid dth of the ba rn to include
e the entire loading area a. It is
important that the loa ading area extends
e rightt out to wherre the truck iis parked soo the forklift is on a
level surfface at all tim gure 1. Also plan for suffficient room to stage another truck ffor
mes. See Fig
loading.

4. If barn is longer than 300 feet (91.4 m), prov

4 vide an accesss door and hard surfacce loading arrea at
both ends of the barn n to minimize vel distance inside the barn if loading is via end doors.
e forklift trav

5
5. Provide a smooth tra
ansition from
m inside the barn
b outside loadiing area (no raised doorr sills or
to the o
abrupt grrade change
es) to preven
nt modules frrom bouncin ng during tra
ansport into a
and out of th
he barn.

6
6. Ensure a minimum clearance
c he
eight of 8 feeet (2.4 m) un der all suspe
ended equip
pment insidee the
barn whe
en it is in the
e raised position (feeder equipment, watering eq quipment, ve
entilation mo
onitoring
equipment, etc.) so itt is not hit by
y the forklift during loado
out.

7
7. Ensure a minimum clearance
c he
eight of 8 feeet (2.4 m) un der all fixed equipment inside the ba arn (gas
lines, hea
ater equipmeent, circulatiion fans, etc
c.) so it is nott hit by the fo
forklift during
g loadout.

1
This document was developed by AOCP, CFO and PSA and is intended as a gu uideline only. Barrn owners will ne
eed to engage their own
professional engineering consulta
p ants who will prov vide the specifica ach barn. The orrganizations that developed
ation and analys is required for ea
th
his document dis
sclaim any respoonsibility for loss or injury that may occur from the use of this guideeline.

A
Association of On
ntario Chicken Prrocessors (AOCP P) Mike Terpstra
a, Executive Direcctor (519-836-83
383). Chicken Faarmers of Ontario
o (CFO)
C
Cathy Aker, Mana ager Industry Vaalue Chain Relationships and Opttimization (289-2
288-4225). Poultrry Services Asso
ociation (PSA) Su
usan
F
Fitzgerald, Execu
utive Director (519-669-3350).

Page 1
 Updated JJuly 2017

8
8. There sh
hould be a minimum
m clea
arance from the ground tto any hydro o lines, tree limbs or other
obstructio
ons of 15 fee
et (4.6 m) in the driving areas and 2 20 feet (6.1 mm) in the loaading areas tto
accommo odate solid lift roof traile
ers. All modu
ular unit traillers are expe
ected to be solid lift rooff trailers.

Table
e 1 Minimu
um Hard Surrface Loadin
ng Area (Pad
d) Size Base
ed on Barn W
Width

Barn width
w feet (m
m) Minim
mum Pad Width
W feet ( m) Minimum Pad L
Length feett (m)
40 (12.2) 36 (11.0) 55 ((16.8)
50 (15.2) 43 (13.1) 55 ((16.8)
60 (18.2) 48 (14.6) 55 ((16.8)
70 (21.3) 53 (16.2) 55 ((16.8)

Figurre 1 Hard Surface

S Loading Area Set-up Based
d on Barn Co
onfiguration

1
This document was developed by AOCP and PS SA and is intended as a guideline e only. Barn own ners will need to engage their ow
wn
professional engineering consulta
p ants who will prov vide the specifica ach barn. The orrganizations that developed
ation and analys is required for ea
th
his document dis
sclaim any respoonsibility for loss or injury that may occur from the use of this guideeline.

A
Association of On
ntario Chicken Prrocessors (AOCP P) Mike Terpstra
a, Executive Direcctor (519-836-83
383). Chicken Fa armers of Ontario (CFO)
C
Cathy Aker, Mana ager Industry Vaalue Chain Relationships and Opttimization (289-2
288-4225). Poultrry Services Asso
ociation (PSA) Su
usan
F utive Director (519-669-3350).
Fitzgerald, Execu

Page 2
 Updated July 2017

Recommended Standards for Retrofitting Existing Broiler Barns

Process requirements for farmers before beginning renovations to existing barns:

1. Discuss with your processor their future plans for modular loading and confirm the types of
modifications that may be required for your particular barn(s).

2. Renovations for side door loading of the second storey are required.

3. Have your barn structurally assessed by an Engineering Firm or Architectural Technologist to

determine what changes are required to accommodate modular loading on the second floor.
Having the original building blueprints that confirm how the original column footings were
constructed is very helpful for the engineer during the assessment process.

4. If structural modifications are necessary, then stamped drawings should be prepared by the
Engineering Firm or Architectural Technologist showing the location and type of change necessary
to support the expected loads. In most cases, a building permit will have to be obtained to complete
the barn modifications. The drawings can also be used to secure the building permit.

5. After the work is complete, a signed engineers report (may include the stamped drawings) is
required to certify that the barn renovations were done correctly and will meet the load requirements
necessary to proceed with loading chickens into modules on the second floor. This will provide
assurance to all parties that the barn is properly prepared for modules and limit any potential
liabilities.

6. Your processor and catching company will request a copy of the engineering report and final
building inspection for their files.

First floor:

Since many older barns were built with less than 9 foot (2.7 m) ceilings on the first floor, the minimum
clearance heights will be less than stated above for new barns. Forklift mast height and cab height will
need to be verified as different makes and models will vary in height.

1. Provide a minimum doorway opening in the end wall of 8 feet (2.4 m) tall x 10 feet (3.0 m) wide for
forklift access for end door loading. Side door loading is a viable option for single storey clear span
barns. Minimum doorway opening in the side wall is 8 feet (2.4 m) tall x 12 feet (3.66 m) wide.

2. For single storey barns provide a hard surface loading area (concrete or equivalent surface)
measuring a minimum of 36 feet (11.0 m) x 55 feet (16.8 m) immediately outside the doorway to
allow for forklift travel and turning during truck loading. The width of the hard surface loading area
1
This document was developed by AOCP and PSA and is intended as a guideline only. Barn owners will need to engage their own
professional engineering consultants who will provide the specification and analysis required for each barn. The organizations that developed
this document disclaim any responsibility for loss or injury that may occur from the use of this guideline.

Association of Ontario Chicken Processors (AOCP) Mike Terpstra, Executive Director (519-836-8383). Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO)
Cathy Aker, Manager Industry Value Chain Relationships and Optimization (289-288-4225). Poultry Services Association (PSA) Susan
Fitzgerald, Executive Director (519-669-3350).

Page 3
 Updated July 2017
depends on the width of the barn. See Table 1. The surface needs to extend beyond the width of
the barn to include the entire loading area. It is important that the loading area extends right out to
where the truck is parked so the forklift is on a level surface at all times. See Figure 1. Also plan for
sufficient room to stage another truck for loading.

3. If the barn is longer than 300 feet (91.4 m), provide an access door and hard surface loading area
at both ends of the barn to minimize forklift travel distance inside the barn.

4. Provide a smooth transition from inside the barn to the outside loading area (no raised door sills or
abrupt grade changes) to prevent modules from bouncing during transport into and out of the barn.

5. Ensure a minimum clearance height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) under all suspended equipment
inside the barn when it is in the raised position (feeder equipment, watering equipment, ventilation
monitoring equipment, etc.) Preferred clearance height is 7 feet (2.1 m) under all suspended
equipment and is highly recommended to minimize potential damage to equipment. Minimum
clearance height required in the forklift travel lane is 7 feet (2.1 m).

6. Ensure a minimum clearance height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) under all fixed equipment inside the
barn (gas lines, heater equipment, circulation fans, etc.). Preferred clearance height is 7 feet (2.1 m)
under all suspended equipment and is highly recommended to minimize potential damage to
equipment. Minimum clearance height required in the forklift travel lane is 7 feet (2.1 m).

7. There should be a minimum clearance from the ground to any hydro lines, tree limbs or other
obstructions of 15 feet (4.6 m) in the driving areas and 20 feet (6.1 m) in the loading areas to
accommodate solid lift roof trailers. All modular unit trailers are expected to be solid lift roof trailers.

Second Floor:

Side Door Loading

1. Install a minimum 35 foot (10.7 m) wide, all-season driving lane (compacted gravel), wich must
always be fully cleared and never compromised, along one side of the barn (long axis) to allow for
forklift access to the side loadout doors on the second storey.

Laneways less than 30 (9.1 m) wide will require width of loading doors to be increased from 6 feet (1.8
m) to 7 feet (2.1 m) or 8 feet (2.4 m). Modular loading is not possible with laneways less than 20 feet
(6.1 m) wide.

2. Starting no more than 25 feet (7.6 m) from one end wall and spaced every 50 feet (15.2. m) down
the side of the barn, install load out doors that have a minimum doorway opening of 7 feet (2.1 m)
wide x 7 feet (2.1 m) tall. Preferred doorway width is 8 feet (2.4m) and is highly recommended to
minimize potential damage to doors. Ensure that there is no door sill across the bottom of the
second floor doorway that could impede movement of modules into and out of the barn.

1
This document was developed by AOCP and PSA and is intended as a guideline only. Barn owners will need to engage their own
professional engineering consultants who will provide the specification and analysis required for each barn. The organizations that developed
this document disclaim any responsibility for loss or injury that may occur from the use of this guideline.

Association of Ontario Chicken Processors (AOCP) Mike Terpstra, Executive Director (519-836-8383). Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO)
Cathy Aker, Manager Industry Value Chain Relationships and Optimization (289-288-4225). Poultry Services Association (PSA) Susan
Fitzgerald, Executive Director (519-669-3350).

Page 4
 Updated July 2017
3. Provide a minimum clearance height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) under all suspended equipment
inside the barn when it is in the raised position (feeder equipment, water equipment, ventilation
monitoring equipment, etc.) to allow for proper placement of modules on the second floor. This level
of clearance is required from the entrance of the modular door for a distance of 9 feet (2.7 m) inside
the barn. Preferred clearance height is 7 feet (2.1 m) to minimize potential damage to equipment
when placing the modules inside the second floor loading doors.

4. Provide a minimum clearance height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) under all fixed equipment inside the
barn (gas lines, heater equipment, circulation fans, etc.) to allow for proper placement of modules
on the second floor. This level of clearance is required from the entrance of the modular door for a
distance of 9 feet (2.7 m) inside the barn. Preferred clearance height is 7 feet (2.1 m) to minimize
potential damage to equipment when placing the modules inside the second floor loading doors.

5. Design and renovate the second floor structure in the immediate vicinity of loadout doors to be
capable of supporting a minimum distributed live floor temporary load of 4.23 Kilopascals (88.35
lb/square foot). This represents the maximum loaded weight of modules sitting on the floor. This is a
significantly higher floor load than is presently required in the National Farm Building Code for the
cleanout tractor and litter.

1
This document was developed by AOCP and PSA and is intended as a guideline only. Barn owners will need to engage their own
professional engineering consultants who will provide the specification and analysis required for each barn. The organizations that developed
this document disclaim any responsibility for loss or injury that may occur from the use of this guideline.

Association of Ontario Chicken Processors (AOCP) Mike Terpstra, Executive Director (519-836-8383). Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO)
Cathy Aker, Manager Industry Value Chain Relationships and Optimization (289-288-4225). Poultry Services Association (PSA) Susan
Fitzgerald, Executive Director (519-669-3350).

Page 5