Electric Fans at KY Clarification

Hi all,

Here is the latest clarification on the electric fan issue at champs. Many people use fans at lots of other events so I think these safety concerns are worth remembering and the advice used at other events too. Wayne Quarles (USPC Activities Director) has confirmed the following comments posted on the CHMJ digest to be true.

Good morning everyone, After reading the messages relevant to the fans I decided to get some clarifications directly from the Horse Park. I just got off the phone with Sheila (facilities manager). I was a tad confused about the regulations because in the first paragraph they forbid two pronged appliances, but then they open it up to three pronged adapters.

Here is what she told me.The Fire Marshall/KHP STRONGLY PREFERS the fans that come with the grounded three prong polarized plug. They are safer.

The concern arises from cords getting pinched as stall doors open and close. When a pinch occurs, the smaller thinner cords will not trip the breakers and an electrical current can actually travel thru the metal parts of the stalls. Sheila said that you can tell when that is happening because the horses sense it and actually get upset in their stalls.

The two pronged plugs that have the wider flare on one prong are not permitted to be plugged in without a three prong adapter. They do not meet the fire code specifications.

IF you have an appliance that has a two pronged plug, it must be plugged into an OUTDOOR three prong grounded adapter or extension cord. ONLY OUTDOOR extension cords are permitted.

Again the KHP strongly recommends fans that are purchased with the three prong grounded plug intact, but will accept outdoor, three pronged grounded adapters and extension cords.

Sheila actually said they weren't worried about Pony Club participants since we already do such a good job of making sure our competitors are safe.

Clair Thunes, PhD.