🌱 Field Guide for Safe Biochar Production
A practical safety manual for small-scale and municipal biochar operations
Warm Heart Field Reference
Warm Heart Field Reference
🔹 Introduction
Biochar is a powerful tool for improving soil health and fighting climate change. But like all fire-based processes, it must be handled with care. This field guide provides step-by-step safety practices for operating small-scale biochar systems, including TLUD barrels, cone kilns, troughs, and pits.
🧤 Personal Safety Checklist
✅ Protective Clothing
✅ Fire Safety Tools
🔸 Troughs / Pit Kilns
📝 Field Logging Template
Date
Biomass Type
Weight (kg)
Char Produced (kg)
Notes / Observations
Simple. Set up a spread sheet with these columns and use to track performance and results over time.
🚨 Emergency Protocol
In case of uncontrolled fire:
Contact Us
How to Build a TLUD Biochar Oven
How to Build a Trough
Instructions for Making Char in a Trench
Biochar is a powerful tool for improving soil health and fighting climate change. But like all fire-based processes, it must be handled with care. This field guide provides step-by-step safety practices for operating small-scale biochar systems, including TLUD barrels, cone kilns, troughs, and pits.
🧤 Personal Safety Checklist
✅ Protective Clothing
- Long sleeves and pants (cotton or natural fiber
- Sturdy, closed-toe boots
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Safety glasses or face shield
- Hat and neck covering for sun protection
- Hydration (bring water!)
- Sunscreen and first aid kit on site
- Shade or rest area nearby
- Keep children and pets at a safe distance
✅ Fire Safety Tools
- Fire extinguisher or bucket of water/sand
- Rake or fire beater
- Metal shovel
- Mobile phone or radio in case of emergency
- Clear a 5-meter radius around the burn area
- Remove dry grass, plastic, and flammable debris
- Set up on bare soil, concrete, or metal sheet — not grass or forest floor
- Choose open air locations, away from buildings and windbreaks
- Assign a fire watcher during the entire burn
- Load biomass loosely (don’t pack it)
- All biomass must be DRY!
- Light from the top
- Monitor flame height and keep lid nearby for shutdown
- Do not leave unattended
🔸 Troughs / Pit Kilns
- Create an airflow trench for oxygen control
- All biomass must be DRY!
- Maintain visibility of flame and control smoke
- Cover with soil or quench to extinguish
- Allow flame to die down before quenching
- Quench fully using water or cover with soil
- Stir to ensure all hot spots are out
- Never store biochar while warm or smoking
- Use metal bins or sacks for dry, cooled biochar
- Only use clean biomass — never plastic, rubber, treated or painted wood
- Avoid green/wet material that produces smoke
- Do not burn during high wind or fire restriction days
- Minimize visible smoke (indicates poor burn efficiency)
📝 Field Logging Template
Date
Biomass Type
Weight (kg)
Char Produced (kg)
Notes / Observations
Simple. Set up a spread sheet with these columns and use to track performance and results over time.
🚨 Emergency Protocol
In case of uncontrolled fire:
- Evacuate to safe distance
- Alert nearby staff or fire authority
- Use extinguisher or soil cover to smother fire
- Do not use water on oil or chemical-contaminated fires
- Treat burns immediately with clean cool water
Contact Us
How to Build a TLUD Biochar Oven
How to Build a Trough
Instructions for Making Char in a Trench