Farmers are being encouraged to fit fire-suppression systems to their combines to reduce the risk of blazes at harvest time.

The system automatically triggers extinguishers if a fire is detected in the machine, and will improve harvest safety while reducing the risk of disruption at a crucial time of the year, NFU Mutual said.

The rural insurer dealt with claims from 124 combine fires in 2021 – up 35% from the previous year and including 10 costing more than £100,000 each.

 See also: Combine fire suppression kit could offer insurance discount

Bob Henderson, from the Agricultural Engineering Team at NFU Mutual, said: “Modern combines are large and complex, so an unchecked fire can easily lead to a huge blaze that puts lives at risk, and can easily spread through dry crops and even engulf property and neighbouring fields.

“Suppression systems significantly reduce the risk of serious combine fires, and we urge farmers to fit them.”

Mr Henderson warned of delays to replacement combine parts due to supply chain disruption, and said fitting a fire-suppression system could help avoid costly disruption during harvest time.

P-Mark accredited

NFU Mutual recommended the P-Mark-accredited system. The kits include two cylinders, one with powder and the other with foam.

The powder interrupts the chemical reaction taking place and cuts off the oxygen supply.

The foam-suppressing agent in the second cylinder rapidly cools surfaces of more than 200C in larger engine bays, which also hold turbo chargers and filters.