New Fire Safety Guide Released for High-Tech Greenhouses
Cover for the ‘Fire Safety in High-Tech Production Greenhouses’ guide. | Resource Innovation Institute
Resource Innovation Institute (RII) has released a new industry guide: “Fire Safety in High-Tech Production Greenhouses.” This resource is designed to support code officials, fire marshals, and greenhouse developers in navigating the complexities of fire and building code compliance in greenhouse facilities.
The guide was developed in response to extensive feedback from large, high-tech greenhouse operators and industry stakeholders who consistently identified fire code compliance as a major source of project delays in new greenhouse construction. Through a collaborative working group of engineers, architects, insurers, fire safety experts, and growers, the guide presents practical, scalable, and code-informed strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of modern commercial greenhouses.
“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,” says Rob Eddy, Horticulture Manager for Education and 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, and inspectors, get on the same page faster, to move forward with nuanced discussions.”
A Collaborative Process Led by Industry Experts
The contents of the guide were shaped by the Fire Safety Working Group (FSWG) — a cross-disciplinary team of professionals brought together by RII to bridge the gap between regulatory intent and on-the-ground implementation. The group included representatives from greenhouse operations, design firms, fire safety consulting services, and insurance companies.
Contributors to the Fire Safety Working Group:
- Zach Bruce, CSP, Director of Safety Services at Hortica
- Brian Campbell, Senior Project Manager – Architecture at GMA Architects
- Olaf van Marrewijk, Manager, Greenhouses Horticulture International at Hagelunie
- Tony Ordile, Principal Engineer – Level II at Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants, Inc.
- Gregg Short, P.E., Senior Partner at Greenhouse Design, LLC
- Matt Stuppy, President of Stuppy Greenhouse and former President of the National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA)
- Alex Turkewitsch, P. Eng at Greenhouse Engineering
- Mike Zee, Senior Director, Development + Construction at Gotham Greens
RII’s working group model creates a neutral, peer-informed platform for knowledge exchange between sectors. Through a series of facilitated discussions, the group examined real-world examples, reviewed applicable codes, and offered consensus-based recommendations that reflect both regulatory frameworks and operational realities.
Key Topics Covered in the ‘Fire Safety in High-Tech Production Greenhouses’ Guide:
- 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 publication reflects RII’s mission to serve as a trusted neutral platform where stakeholders can co-develop practical guidance that supports both compliance and innovation in agricultural infrastructure.
The guide is now available as a free download at https://resourceinnovation.org/resources/.
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