ELK HORN – Danish Windmill Manager Lisa Steen Riggs, Monday (today), announced that the organization has contracted with Acme Sprinkler Company of Omaha, to install a new fire suppression system in the historic 1848 windmill museum. The project is being funded in part by grants from the Shelby County Community Foundation, the Mike and Lou Howard Endow Iowa Fund and generous donations from members of the community.

Representative Greg Higginbotham from Acme Sprinkler Company reviews the blueprints for the Mill’s new fire suppression system. (Photo submitted)

Riggs said “We are very excited to launch this project. The old dry pipe fire suppression system functions by compressed air, rather than water, being forced through a dry pipe that runs throughout the 60-foot windmill, museum and gift shop on the interior and exterior of the buildings.” Dry pipe sprinkler systems are advantageous for protecting collections and other water sensitive areas, as well as areas that are exposed to the cold where freezing is possible. The biggest concern is that corrosion can cause a sprinkler system to fail.

According to Riggs, “Research shows that 73% of dry systems have significant corrosion issues in only 12.5 years and our system is 32-years old. The number and frequency of repairs has increased in the past few years, so a new system is needed as an item of permanence to protect this valuable Western Iowa icon. “

The Danish Windmill was built in Denmark in 1848. In 1975, the community of Elk Horn purchased the mill, dismantled it, moved it and reconstructed it to working condition as a tribute to the area’s Danish ancestral farmers. To learn more about the Danish Windmill and how you can support the organization and about the projects, visit danishwindmill.com or contact the Danish Windmill at 712.764.7472.