Marty Ahrens Fire Analysis and Research Division · 2017-01-09 · According to NFPA 901, Uniform...

Home Fires Resulting fromMisusing or MishandlingProducts or Equipment

Marty AhrensFire Analysis and Research DivisionNational Fire Protection AssociationlBatterymarch Park

O. Box 9101Quincy, MA 02269-9101

October 1998

Copyright(9 1998, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269

Table of Contents

Introduction

Unattended

Lack of maintenance

Abandoned material

Combustible too close to heat

Falling asleep

Accidentally turned on or not turned off

Inadequate control of open fire

Overloaded

Cutting or welding too close

Fuel spilled or released accidentally

Spontaneous heating

Improper storage

Improper startup or shutdown procedure

Thawing

Collision, overturn or knockdown

Washing parts, cleaning, painting or refinishing

Unconscious , mental or physical impairment, or drug or alcohol stupor

Improper container

Improper fueling technique

Flammable liquid used to kindle fire

Conclusions

Appendix

Home Fires from Misuse 1 NFPA Fire Analysis and Research

Home Fires Resulting from Misusing or Mishandling Products or Equipment This report examines certain specific ignition factors to identify how people use, or more precisely, misuse, the equipment and products in their home in ways that cause fires. The ignition factors chosen might imply an individual was not using a product as safely as possible. Fires start because of heat sources, fuel packages and behaviors or other circumstances that bring heat and fuel together. According to NFPA 901, Uniform Coding for Fire Protection, 1976 edition, the data classification used by the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS),* the ignition factor is what allowed the heat of ignition and the material first ignited to combine. By looking at this factor, it may be possible to examine home fire safety in a more holistic manner. This may help predict how new products could be (mis)used. Most of our messages are specific to certain situations. By focusing on common types of product misuse, it may be possible to develop more general messages to cover new situations. This point was brought home to me several years ago during Fire Prevention Week when, as an employee of the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office, I was working a booth at a state office building. One woman approached, and we began talking about halogen lamps, a product that was then receiving considerable media attention. I agreed that these lamps were hotter than normal and could consequently start a fire more quickly if combustible materials were nearby. She was surprised to hear that even an ordinary light bulb was hot enough to start a fire. She was also surprised when I remarked that a fire could start without coming near a flame. “Are you telling me I shouldn’t let my curling iron warm up on the bed?” This woman was interested enough in fire safety to stop by a booth and to follow fire-related news, and intelligent enough to make the connection between different types of hot items. When I generalized from a problem she was interested in - halogen lamps- to a hazardous practice that could take many forms, she understood the logic and identified an example in her own behavior, but until then, this aspect of fire safety had not occurred to her. This report will look at certain ignition factors in hopes of identifying patterns of behavior seen when different types of household equipment and products are used. The following ignition factors are included in this report:

• Unattended (code 73); • Lack of maintenance (code 56); • Abandoned or discarded material (code 31); • Combustible too close to heat (code 46); • Falling asleep (code 33) • Accidentally turned on or not turned off (code 72); • Inadequate control of open fire (code 34);

*A new version of NFIRS with a new data classification system is being released this year.


• Overloaded (code 74); • Cutting or welding too close (code 35); • Fuel spilled or released accidentally (code 41); • Spontaneous heating (code 75); • Improper storage (code 47); • Improper startup or shutdown procedure (code 76); • Thawing (code 32); • Collision, overturn or knockdown (code 71); • Washing parts, cleaning, painting or refinishing (code 44); • Unconscious, mental or physical impairment, or drug or alcohol stupor (code

37); • Improper container (code 45); • Improper fueling technique (code 42); and • Flammable liquid used to kindle fire (43).

Together, these ignition factors accounted for almost half (44.4%) of the 437,070 home (one-and two-family dwellings, apartments and manufactured housing) structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments from 1992 through 1996. These fires caused 43.8% of the civilian fire deaths, 48.7% of the civilian fire injuries and 28.7% of the direct property damage. The ignition factors not examined individually in this report fall into three categories. First, there are the under-defined ignition factors that are somewhat ‘unclassified’ or ‘unknown,’ such as ‘unclassified misuse of material ignited.’ Second, there are behaviors that indicate deliberate fire-setting, i.e., incendiary, suspicious, or child playing with fire. Finally, there are ignition factors which do not involve a behavior leading directly and immediately to fire. Most of these involve delayed effects of unsafe behaviors, such as poor design or installation. Inevitably, some judgment was used in drawing this line. Quantifying risk is difficult under the best of circumstances, and sometimes, particularly when we look at behavior, the data needed simply does not exist. We do not know how often the specific causal factors occur. Consequently, we cannot definitively state the risk of a fire starting. We know that in some cases when equipment is unattended or not maintained, a fire occurs. We know that thousands of households suffer these fires each year. But we cannot say that ‘X fires result for every Y incidents of unattended equipment.’ Based on the number of fires reported, it is possible to identify certain scenarios as high, moderate or low frequency. In this analysis, ignition factors that accounted for at least 5.0% of the reported home fires were considered high frequency factors. Those that accounted for between 1.0% and 5.0% were considered moderate frequency, and factors that caused less than 1.0% of the fires were considered low frequency. Table 1A shows the ignition factors for home structure fires sorted by fire frequency. Ignition factors that are included in this report are italicized. Table 1B shows the ignition factors in category groups. Please note that the two factors for children playing (child


playing with heat of ignition (code 36) and child playing with material ignited (code 48)) have been combined and listed under ‘Misuse of Heat of Ignition.’ This study has some limitations. The current system of NFIRS allows only one ignition factor per incident. In some cases, multiple factors may have contributed. Some of the ignition factors overlap in meaning. The only ignition factor included from the ‘mechanical failure or malfunction’ category is ‘lack of maintenance.’ However, it is possible that human action or inaction may have contributed to making the equipment defective. For example, equipment that was not maintained properly may break or develop problems in the wiring. As table 1A indicates, ‘unattended’ caused 14.4% of the fires; 12.8% were considered incendiary or suspicious (Please refer to U.S. Arson Trends and Patterns - 1996, by John R. Hall, Jr., NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division, Quincy, MA, 1997 for information on this topic); and 9.8% were caused by short circuits or ground faults. A lack of maintenance caused 8.5% of the home fires; 6.3% were caused by abandoned materials; combustibles too close to heat caused 5.6%; and children playing with fire caused 5.0% of the fires. (For additional information on this topic, please consult Children Playing with Fire: U.S. Experience, 1980-1995, by John R. Hall, JR., NFPA, Quincy, MA, 1997.) Table 1A and 1B showed the frequency of different ignition factors in home fires. After identifying the relative frequency, it then makes sense to examine the severity of the consequences when different types of fire occur. This can be done by examining death rates, injury rates, or average direct property loss per fire. In this analysis, those fires that result in more than 20.0 deaths per 1,000 fires would be considered high consequence, between five and 20.0 would be considered moderate consequence, and less than 5.0 would be low consequence. It is important to remember that nearly all of the high frequency/low consequence causes result in more fatalities per year than any of the low frequency/high consequence causes. Table 2 shows civilian deaths and injuries per 1,000 fires and the average dollar loss per fire. Table 2A is sorted by fire frequency and shows only the ignition factors included in this study. Table 2B is sorted by death rate and shows all ignition factors. Ignition factors that are included in the study have been italicized. ‘Lack of maintenance’ and ‘unattended’ had the two lowest death rates, but ‘unattended’ had the highest frequency and the eighth highest death toll of all the ignition factors. ‘Unconscious, mental or physical impairment, or drug or alcohol stupor’ had a death rate far higher than that seen for other fires. It is possible that this factor is underreported in less serious fires. However, people who do not have the ability to use heat sources safely or to quickly respond to an emergency would logically seem to be at greater risk of having a fire and of being unable to get to safety in a fire situation. ‘Falling asleep’ had the second highest death rate, followed by ‘flammable liquids used to kindle fire,’ ‘improper fueling technique’, and ‘abandoned material.’


Table 3 is a matrix showing where the ignition factors fall when severity and frequency are examined together. Only ‘abandoned material’ was considered high frequency/high consequence. ‘Falling asleep’ was moderate frequency/high consequence. Three ignition factors were considered low frequency/high consequence: ‘unconscious, mental or physical impairment, or drug or alcohol stupor;’ ‘improper fueling technique;’ and ‘flammable liquid used to kindle fire.’ It is important to remember that the severity picture for very low frequency causes could be changed markedly by one or two serious incidents. Three tables are provided for each ignition factor:

• Equipment Involved in Ignition; • Form of Heat of Ignition; and • Form of Material First Ignited.

In some cases, no equipment was involved in the ignition. Some fire officials are reluctant to list equipment that functioned properly as equipment involved in ignition, and report ‘no equipment.’ The equipment involved has been identified according to the data classification used by NFIRS. Most of the codes identify some type of fueled or electrical equipment or appliance. A looser definition of equipment could include supplies need to perform a task. Using this definition, a wastebasket is equipment for storing trash until it is removed from the home. However, these types of items are not captured as equipment in NFIRS. The form of heat of ignition is listed to identify inappropriate use of items not listed in the equipment classification. Matches, lighters, candles, cigarettes and fireworks are captured under the form of heat of ignition, not equipment. This field also helps identify the circumstances in incidents of improper containers or storage. Readers who are interested in specific equipment or forms of material first ignited should consult the following reports from NFPA’s Fire Analysis and Research Division:

• U.S. Home Cooking Fire Patterns and Trends Through 1995, by John R. Hall, Jr., November 1997;

• U.S. Home Heating Fire Patterns and Trends Through 1995, by

John R. Hall, Jr., November 1997; • U.S. Home Product Report, 1991-1995 (Forms and Types), by

Kimberly D. Rohr, January 1998; and • U.S. Home Product Report, 1991-1995 (Appliances and

Equipment), by Kimberly D. Rohr, March 1998.

Table 1A. Home Structure Fires, by Ignition Factor

1992-1996 Annual Averages (Sorted by Frequency) Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Ignition Factor Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) High Frequency Unattended 63,040 (14.4%) 160 (4.3%) 2,977 (14.9%) $241.1 (5.6%) Incendiary or suspicious 56,090 (12.8%) 621 (16.9%) 2,258 (11.3%) $847.0 (19.5%) Short circuit or ground fault 42,930 (9.8%) 285 (7.7%) 1,413 (7.1%) $541.2 (12.5%) Lack of maintenance 37,140 (8.5%) 43 (1.2%) 240 (1.2%) $98.5 (2.3%) Abandoned or discarded material 27,540 (6.3%) 617 (16.7%) 1,998 (10.0%) $256.1 (5.9%) Combustible too close to heat 24,670 (5.6%) 255 (6.9%) 1,403 (7.0%) $226.6 (5.2%) Child playing 21,960 (5.0%) 351 (9.5%) 2,520 (12.6%) $250.7 (5.8%) Moderate Frequency Other electrical failure 18,110 (4.1%) 209 (5.7%) 689 (3.5%) $289.2 (6.7%) Part failure, leak or break 14,860 (3.4%) 72 (1.9%) 463 (2.3%) $116.5 (2.7%) Unclassified operational deficiency 11,390 (2.6%) 19 (0.5%) 217 (1.1%) $32.7 (0.8%) Property too close 11,160 (2.6%) 33 (0.9%) 143 (0.7%) $254.9 (5.9%) Unclassified misuse of heat 10,600 (2.4%) 91 (2.5%) 684 (3.4%) $116.9 (2.7%) Unclassified ignition factor 8,640 (2.0%) 94 (2.6%) 383 (1.9%) $108.1 (2.5%) Falling asleep 7,300 (1.7%) 208 (5.7%) 860 (4.3%) $51.4 (1.2%) Accidentally turned on or not 6,250 (1.4%) 20 (0.5%) 303 (1.5%) $53.4 (1.2%) turned off Rekindled from a previous fire 5,990 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (0.0%) $44.7 (1.0%) Lightning 5,710 (1.3%) 8 (0.2%) 50 (0.2%) $104.8 (2.4%) Inadequate control of open fire 5,040 (1.2%) 32 (0.9%) 233 (1.2%) $44.5 (1.0%) Unknown-type mechanical failure 4,980 (1.1%) 49 (1.3%) 184 (0.9%) $65.5 (1.5%) or malfunction Home Fires from Misuse 5 NFPA Fire Analysis and Research


1992-1996 Annual Averages (Sorted by Frequency), (Continued) Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Ignition Factor Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Low Frequency Overloaded 3,760 (0.9%) 37 (1.0%) 132 (0.7%) $34.1 (0.8%) Installed too close to combustibles 3,650 (0.8%) 43 (1.2%) 104 (0.5%) $49.2 (1.1%) Automatic control failure 3,640 (0.8%) 10 (0.3%) 111 (0.6%) $20.4 (0.5%) Unknown-type misuse of heat 3,550 (0.8%) 69 (1.9%) 225 (1.1%) $32.5 (0.7%) Cutting or welding too close 3,470 (0.8%) 16 (0.4%) 153 (0.8%) $65.9 (1.5%) Unclassified misuse of material 3,300 (0.8%) 34 (0.9%) 254 (1.3%) $25.8 (0.6%) ignited Unclassified mechanical failure or 2,890 (0.7%) 11 (0.3%) 86 (0.4%) $37.0 (0.9%) malfunction Fuel spilled or released accidentally 2,870 (0.7%) 36 (1.0%) 372 (1.9%) $38.5 (0.9%) Construction deficiency 2,670 (0.6%) 7 (0.2%) 38 (0.2%) $35.7 (0.8%) Spontaneous heating 2,400 (0.5%) 13 (0.3%) 80 (0.4%) $25.2 (0.6%) Unknown-type operational deficiency 2,160 (0.5%) 17 (0.5%) 93 (0.5%) $25.0 (0.6%) Improper storage 1,860 (0.4%) 10 (0.3%) 87 (0.4%) $25.0 (0.6%) Other installation deficiency 1,670 (0.4%) 5 (0.1%) 44 (0.2%) $17.2 (0.4%) Improper startup or shutdown 1,600 (0.4%) 7 (0.2%) 92 (0.5%) $9.4 (0.2%) procedures Unknown-type misuse of material 1,410 (0.3%) 20 (0.5%) 126 (0.6%) $17.7 (0.4%) Thawing 1,230 (0.3%) 5 (0.1%) 28 (0.1%) $14.8 (0.3%) Collision, overturn or knock down 1,100 (0.3%) 16 (0.4%) 96 (0.5%) $13.4 (0.3%) Washing parts, cleaning, 1,090 (0.3%) 9 (0.2%) 222 (1.1%) $11.2 (0.3%) refinishing or painting Unconscious, mental or physical 1,090 (0.2%) 98 (2.7%) 192 (1.0%) $8.6 (0.2%) impairment, or drug or alcohol stupor Home Fires from Misuse 6 NFPA Fire Analysis and Research


1992-1996 Annual Averages (Sorted by Frequency), (Continued) Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Ignition Factor Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Improper container 1,070 (0.2%) 4 (0.1%) 45 (0.2%) $9.9 (0.2%) Unclassified design, construction or 980 (0.2%) 2 (0.1%) 19 (0.1%) $15.1 (0.3%) installation deficiency Backfire 950 (0.2%) 0 (0.0%) 31 (0.2%) $4.9 (0.1%) Animal 840 (0.2%) 1 (0.0%) 15 (0.1%) $6.0 (0.1%) Improper fueling technique 800 (0.2%) 18 (0.5%) 96 (0.5%) $10.1 (0.2%) Design deficiency 760 (0.2%) 3 (0.1%) 14 (0.1%) $8.4 (0.2%) Unknown-type design or construction 680 (0.2%) 7 (0.2%) 12 (0.1%) $11.9 (0.3%) deficiency Manual control failure 600 (0.1%) 1 (0.0%) 16 (0.1%) $3.8 (0.1%) Flammable liquid used to kindle fire 600 (0.1%) 16 (0.4%) 105 (0.5%) $7.4 (0.2%) High wind 380 (0.1%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (0.0%) $8.3 (0.2%) Unclassified natural condition 340 (0.1%) 1 (0.0%) 4 (0.0%) $3.6 (0.1%) Unknown-type natural condition 170 (0.0%) 2 (0.1%) 3 (0.0%) $2.1 (0.0%) High water including floods 80 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.5 (0.0%) Earthquake 30 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $1.3 (0.0%) Total 437,070 (100.0%) 3,682 (100.0%) 19,937 (100.0%) $4,343.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally. Additional information on the italicized ignition factors is found later in this study. Home Fires from Misuse 7 NFPA Fire Analysis and Research

Table 1B. Home Structure Fires, by Ignition Factor 1992-1996 Annual Averages (Sorted by Category)

Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Ignition Factor Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Incendiary or suspicious 56,090 (12.8%) 621 (16.9%) 2,258 (11.3%) $847.0 (19.5%) Misuse of Heat of Ignition 80,680 (18.5%) 1,389 (37.7%) 6,701 (33.6%) $832.6 (19.2%) Unknown-type misuse of heat 3,550 (0.8%) 69 (1.9%) 225 (1.1%) $32.5 (0.7%) Abandoned or discarded material 27,540 (6.3%) 617 (16.7%) 1,998 (10.0%) $256.1 (5.9%) Thawing 1,230 (0.3%) 5 (0.1%) 28 (0.1%) $14.8 (0.3%) Falling asleep 7,300 (1.7%) 208 (5.7%) 860 (4.3%) $51.4 (1.2%) Inadequate control of open fire 5,040 (1.2%) 32 (0.9%) 233 (1.2%) $44.5 (1.0%) Cutting or welding too close 3,470 (0.8%) 16 (0.4%) 153 (0.8%) $65.9 (1.5%) Child playing* 21,960 (5.0%) 351 (9.5%) 2,520 (12.6%) $250.7 (5.8%) Unclassified misuse of heat 10,600 (2.4%) 91 (2.5%) 684 (3.4%) $116.9 (2.7%) Misuse of Material Ignited 37,670 (8.6%) 402 (10.9%) 2,710 (13.6%) $372.3 (8.6%) Unknown-type misuse of material 1,410 (0.3%) 20 (0.5%) 126 (0.6%) $17.7 (0.4%) Fuel spilled or released 2,870 (0.7%) 36 (1.0%) 372 (1.9%) $38.5 (0.9%) accidentally Improper fueling technique 800 (0.2%) 18 (0.5%) 96 (0.5%) $10.1 (0.2%) Flammable liquid used to kindle fire 600 (0.1%) 16 (0.4%) 105 (0.5%) $7.4 (0.2%) Washing parts, cleaning, 1,090 (0.3%) 9 (0.2%) 222 (1.1%) $11.2 (0.3%) refinishing or painting Improper container 1,070 (0.2%) 4 (0.1%) 45 (0.2%) $9.9 (0.2%) Combustible too close to heat 24,670 (5.6%) 255 (6.9%) 1,403 (7.0%) $226.6 (5.2%) Improper storage 1,860 (0.4%) 10 (0.3%) 87 (0.4%) $25.0 (0.6%) Unclassified misuse of material 3,300 (0.8%) 34 (0.9%) 254 (1.3%) $25.8 (0.6%) ignited *’Child playing with the heat of ignition’ (code 36) and child playing with the material ignited’ (code 48) have been combined and are captured here. Home Fires from Misuse 8 NFPA Fire Analysis and Research


(Continued) Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Ignition Factor Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Mechanical Failure or 126,100 (28.9%) 680 (18.5%) 3,233 (16.2%) $1,176.9 (27.1%) Malfunction Unknown-type mechanical failure 4,980 (1.1%) 49 (1.3%) 184 (0.9%) $65.5 (1.5%) or malfunction Part failure, leak or break 14,860 (3.4%) 72 (1.9%) 463 (2.3%) $116.5 (2.7%) Automatic control failure 3,640 (0.8%) 10 (0.3%) 111 (0.6%) $20.4 (0.5%) Manual control failure 600 (0.1%) 1 (0.0%) 16 (0.1%) $3.8 (0.1%) Short circuit or ground fault 42,930 (9.8%) 285 (7.7%) 1,413 (7.1%) $541.2 (12.5%) Other electrical failure 18,110 (4.1%) 209 (5.7%) 689 (3.5%) $289.2 (6.7%) Lack of maintenance 37,140 (8.5%) 43 (1.2%) 240 (1.2%) $98.5 (2.3%) Backfire 950 (0.2%) 0 (0.0%) 31 (0.2%) $4.9 (0.1%) Unclassified mechanical failure 2,890 (0.7%) 11 (0.3%) 86 (0.4%) $37.0 (0.9%) or malfunction Design, Construction or 21,570 (4.9%) 100 (2.7%) 374 (1.9%) $392.3 (9.0%) Installation Deficiency Unknown-type design or 680 (0.2%) 7 (0.2%) 12 (0.1%) $11.9 (0.3%) construction deficiency Design deficiency 760 (0.2%) 3 (0.1%) 14 (0.1%) $8.4 (0.2%) Construction deficiency 2,670 (0.6%) 7 (0.2%) 38 (0.2%) $35.7 (0.8%) Installed too close to combustibles 3,650 (0.8%) 43 (1.2%) 104 (0.5%) $49.2 (1.1%) Other installation deficiency 1,670 (0.4%) 5 (0.1%) 44 (0.2%) $17.2 (0.4%) Property too close 11,160 (2.6%) 33 (0.9%) 143 (0.7%) $254.9 (5.9%) Unclassified design, construction 980 (0.2%) 2 (0.1%) 19 (0.1%) $15.1 (0.3%) or installation deficiency Home Fires from Misuse 9 NFPA Fire Analysis and Research


(Continued) Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Ignition Factor Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Operational Deficiency 91,690 (21.0%) 289 (7.8%) 3,990 (20.0%) $434.2 (10.0%) Unknown-type operational 2,160 (0.5%) 17 (0.5%) 93 (0.5%) $25.0 (0.6%) deficiency Collision, overturn or knock down 1,100 (0.3%) 16 (0.4%) 96 (0.5%) $13.4 (0.3%) Accidentally turned on or not 6,250 (1.4%) 20 (0.5%) 303 (1.5%) $53.4 (1.2%) turned off Unattended 63,040 (14.4%) 160 (4.3%) 2,977 (14.9%) $241.1 (5.6%) Overloaded 3,760 (0.9%) 37 (1.0%) 132 (0.7%) $34.1 (0.8%) Spontaneous heating 2,400 (0.5%) 13 (0.3%) 80 (0.4%) $25.2 (0.6%) Improper startup or shutdown 1,600 (0.4%) 7 (0.2%) 92 (0.5%) $9.4 (0.2%) procedures Unclassified operational 11,390 (2.6%) 19 (0.5%) 217 (1.1%) $32.7 (0.8%) deficiency Natural Condition 6,720 (1.5%) 11 (0.3%) 67 (0.3%) $120.7 (2.8%) Unknown-type natural condition 170 (0.0%) 2 (0.1%) 3 (0.0%) $2.1 (0.0%) High wind 380 (0.1%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (0.0%) $8.3 (0.2%) Earthquake 30 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $1.3 (0.0%) High water including floods 80 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.5 (0.0%) Lightning 5,710 (1.3%) 8 (0.2%) 50 (0.2%) $104.8 (2.4%) Unclassified natural condition 340 (0.1%) 1 (0.0%) 4 (0.0%) $3.6 (0.1%) Other Ignition Factor 15,470 (3.5%) 95 (2.6%) 405 (2.0%) $158.8 (3.7%) Animal 840 (0.2%) 1 (0.0%) 15 (0.1%) $6.0 (0.1%) Rekindled from a previous fire 5,990 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (0.0%) $44.7 (1.0%) Unclassified ignition factor 8,640 (2.0%) 94 (2.6%) 383 (1.9%) $108.1 (2.5%) Home Fires from Misuse 10 NFPA Fire Analysis and Research


(Continued) Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Ignition Factor Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Total 437,070 (100.0%) 3,682 (100.0%) 19,937 (100.0%) $4,343.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally. Additional information on the italicized ignition factors is found later in this study. Home Fires from Misuse 11 NFPA Fire Analysis and Research


Table 2a. Casualty and Loss Rates for Home Fires with Specific Ignition Factors

1992-1996 Annual Averages (Sorted by Fire Frequency)

Average Deaths per Injuries per Dollar Loss Ignition Factor 1,000 fires 1,000 fires (in Thousands) Unattended items 2.5 47.2 $3.8 Lack of maintenance 1.2 6.5 $2.7 Abandoned or discarded material 22.4 72.6 $9.3 Combustible too close to heat 10.3 56.9 $9.2 Falling asleep 28.5 117.7 $7.0 Accidentally turned on or not turned off 3.2 48.5 $8.6 Inadequate control of open fire 6.4 46.3 $8.8 Overloaded 9.8 35.1 $9.1 Cutting or welding too close 4.6 44.1 $19.0 Fuel spilled or released accidentally 12.5 129.6 $13.4 Spontaneous heating 5.4 33.3 $10.5 Improper storage 5.4 46.8 $13.5 Improper startup or shutdown procedures 4.4 57.6 $5.9 Thawing 4.1 22.8 $12.0 Collision, overturn or knockdown 14.6 87.7 $12.2 Washing parts, painting, cleaning or refinishing 8.2 202.9 $10.2 Unconscious, mental or physical impairment, 89.7 175.8 $7.9 or drug or alcohol stupor Improper container 3.7 41.9 $9.2 Improper fueling technique 22.6 120.8 $12.7 Flammable liquid used to kindle fire 26.8 176.2 $12.5 Included ignition factors 8.4 50.1 $6.4 Total 8.4 45.6 $9.9 Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey


Table 2b. Casualty and Loss Rates for Home Fires by Ignition Factors

1992-1996 Annual Averages (Sorted by Death Rate)

Average Deaths per Injuries per Dollar Loss Ignition Factor 1,000 fires 1,000 fires (in Thousands) High Consequence Unconscious, mental or physical impairment, 89.7 175.8 $7.9 or drug or alcohol stupor Falling asleep 28.5 117.7 $7.0 Flammable liquid used to kindle fire 26.8 176.2 $12.5 Improper fueling technique 22.6 120.8 $12.7 Abandoned or discarded material 22.4 72.6 $9.3 Moderate Consequence Unknown-type misuse of heat 19.4 63.4 $9.2 Child playing 16.0 114.8 $11.4 Collision, overturn or knock down 14.6 87.7 $12.2 Unknown-type misuse of material 14.2 89.7 $12.6 Fuel spilled or released accidentally 12.5 129.6 $13.4 Installed too close to combustibles 11.8 28.5 $13.5 Unknown-type natural condition 11.8 17.6 $12.6 Other electrical failure 11.5 38.0 $16.0 Incendiary or suspicious 11.1 40.3 $15.1 Unclassified ignition factor 10.9 44.4 $12.5 Unknown-type design or construction deficiency 10.3 17.7 $17.6 Combustible too close to heat 10.3 56.9 $9.2 Unclassified misuse of material ignited 10.3 76.9 $7.8 Overloaded 9.8 35.1 $9.1 Unknown-type mechanical failure or malfunction 9.8 36.9 $13.1 Unclassified misuse of heat 8.6 64.6 $11.0 Washing parts, cleaning. refinishing or painting 8.2 202.9 $10.2 Unknown-type operational deficiency 7.9 43.1 $11.6 Short circuit or ground fault 6.6 32.9 $12.6 Inadequate control of open fire 6.4 46.3 $8.8 Spontaneous heating 5.4 33.3 $10.5 Improper storage 5.4 46.8 $13.5


Table 2b.

Casualty and Loss Rates for Home Fires by Ignition Factors 1992-1996 Annual Averages

(Sorted by Death Rate) Average Deaths per Injuries per Dollar Loss Ignition Factor 1,000 fires 1,000 fires (in Thousands) Low Consequence Part failure, leak or break 4.8 31.2 $7.8 Cutting or welding too close 4.6 44.1 $19.0 Improper startup or shutdown procedures 4.4 57.6 $5.9 Thawing 4.1 22.8 $12.0 Design deficiency 3.9 18.4 $11.0 Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction 3.8 29.8 $12.8 Improper container 3.7 41.9 $9.2 Accidentally turned on or not turned off 3.2 48.5 $8.6 Other installation deficiency 3.0 26.4 $10.3 Property too close 3.0 12.8 $22.8 Unclassified natural condition 2.9 11.6 $10.5 Automatic control failure 2.7 30.5 $5.6 Construction deficiency 2.6 14.2 $13.4 Unattended 2.5 47.2 $3.8 Unclassified design, construction or 2.0 19.3 $15.4 installation deficiency Unclassified operational deficiency 1.7 19.1 $2.9 Manual control failure 1.7 26.7 $6.3 Lightning 1.4 8.8 $18.4 Animal 1.2 17.9 $7.2 Lack of maintenance 1.2 6.5 $2.7 Rekindled from a previous fire 0.0 1.2 $7.5 Backfire 0.0 32.6 $5.1 High wind 0.0 26.2 $21.7 High water including floods 0.0 0.0 $6.4 Earthquake 0.0 0.0 $43.1 Total 8.4 45.6 $9.9 Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey

Table3,Ignition Factors by Frequency and Conseqnence

High Frequency High Frequency High FrequencyHigh Consequeuce Moderate Cousequence Low ConsequenceAbandoned material Incendiary or suspicious Unattended

Short circuit or ground fault Lack of maintenanceCombustible too close to heatChild playing

Moderate Frequency Moderate Frequency Moderate FrequencyHigh Consequence Moderate Consequence Low ConsequenceFalling asleep Other electrical failure Part failure, leak or break

Unclassified misuse ofheat Unclassified operational deficiencyUnclassified ignition factor Property too closeInadequate control of open fire Accidentally turned on or not turned off

Unknown-type mechanical failure or Rekindled ITom a previous firemalfunction Lightning

Low Frequency Low Frequency Low FrequeucyHigh Consequence Moderate Consequence Low ConsequenceUnconscious, mental or physical Overlaaded Automatic control failure

impairment, drug ar alcahal stupor Installed too close to combustibles Cutting or welding too closeImproper fUeling technique Unknown-type misuse of heat Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunctionFlammable liquid used to kindle fire Unclassified misuse ofmatenal ignited Construction deficiency

Fuel spilled or released accidentally Other installation deficiencySpontaneaus heating Impraper startup or shutdownUnknown-type operational deficiency proceduresImproper starage ThawingUnknown-type misuse ofmatenal Improper containerCallision, averturn or knackdown Unclassified design, construction , orWashing parts, cleaning, painting ar installation deficiency

refinishing BackfireUnknown-type design, construction or Animalinstallation deficiency Design deficiencyHigh wind Manual control failureHigh water, including floodsEarthquake

Data source: NFIRSFires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one , and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages arecalculated on the actual estimates , so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totalsdue to rounding errors, Unknowns have been allocated proportionally, Additional infonnation on the italicized ignition factors is found later in this study.

Home Firesfrom Misllse NFP A Fire Analysis and Research


Home Structure Fires Caused by Unattended Items From 1992 through 1996, unattended items caused an average of 63,040 home structure fires, resulting in 160 civilian fire deaths, 2,977 civilian injuries, and an estimated $241.1 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 14.4% of the home structure fires, 4.3% of the civilian deaths, 14.9% of the civilian injuries, and 5.6% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:

• 2.5 civilian deaths per 1,000 fires; • 47.2 civilian injuries per 1,000 fires; and • $3,800 in direct property damage per fire. (See Table 2.)

Table 4 shows that cooking equipment was involved in most of these fires. Stoves were involved in 64.4% of these incidents; no equipment in 16.4%; and ovens or microwave ovens in 6.8% of these fires. Table 5 shows that the form of heat of ignition in these fires was properly operating electrical equipment in half of these fires, and gas-fueled equipment in one-quarter of these incidents. Although candles provided the heat in only 2.0% of the fires caused by unattended items, they caused 9.7% of the deaths, 4.2% of the injuries, and 6.4% of the direct property damage. Table 6 shows that cooking materials were first ignited in four of every five fires caused by unattended items. The form of material first ignited was unclassified in 3.0% of the fires, and cabinetry was first ignited in 2.6% of these incidents. The process of cooking heats and changes food; liquids evaporate; combustible liquids such as cooking oil can ignite. A lit candle burns lower and eventually consumes wax. When heat is used to cause a change, the change will continue while the heat remains, regardless of whether anyone is paying attention. Most fires caused by unattended items occur because the process of change was allowed to continue for too long. It’s easy to get distracted. The phone rings, or something in another room grabs your attention. The food on the stove or the candle on the night stand are forgotten. Safety discussions could include questions about home activities that require continuing attention to prevent fire.


Table 4. Home Structure Fires Caused by Unattended Items

by Equipment Involved in Ignition 1992-1996 Annual Averages

Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Stove 40,610 (64.4%) 86 (53.8%) 2,098 (70.5%) $131.8 (54.7%) No equipment involved 10,330 (16.4%) 33 (20.5%) 449 (15.1%) $42.3 (17.6%) Oven or microwave oven 4,310 (6.8%) 2 (1.3%) 148 (5.0%) $10.3 (4.3%) Unknown-type cooking 2,360 (3.7%) 12 (7.7%) 72 (2.4%) $9.4 (3.9%) equipment Portable cooking or warming 1,160 (1.8%) 5 (3.2%) 31 (1.1%) $4.2 (1.8%) unit Unclassified cooking 600 (1.0%) 1 (0.9%) 24 (0.8%) $2.2 (0.9%) equipment Other known 3,660 (5.8%) 20 (12.6%) 155 (5.2%) $40.9 (17.0%) Total 63,040 (100.0%) 160 (100.0%) 2,977 (100.0%) $241.1 (100.0%)

Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



by Form of Heat of Ignition 1992-1996 Annual Averages

Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Properly operating 31,840 (50.5%) 47 (29.6%) 1,816 (61.0%) $116.7 (48.4%) electrical equipment Gas-fueled 17,320 (27.5%) 54 (33.9%) 567 (19.1%) $39.4 (16.4%) Heat from unknown-type 1,610 (2.6%) 5 (3.0%) 39 (1.3%) $8.0 (3.3%) hot object Improperly operating 1,420 (2.3%) 4 (2.8%) 70 (2.3%) $6.1 (2.5%) electrical equipment Candle 1,270 (2.0%) 15 (9.7%) 124 (4.2%) $15.4 (6.4%) Solid-fueled equipment 850 (1.4%) 4 (2.8%) 70 (2.3%) $6.1 (2.5%) Heat from unclassified 820 (1.3%) 3 (1.8%) 38 (1.3%) $3.7 (1.5%) hot object Equipment with unclassified 780 (1.2%) 5 (3.1%) 32 (1.1%) $4.5 (1.9%) or unknown-type fuel Heat from direct flame or 740 (1.2%) 3 (1.8%) 17 (0.6%) $1.7 (0.7%) convection current Liquid-fueled equipment 710 (1.1%) 3 (1.8%) 30 (1.0%) $5.2 (2.1%) Heat from electrical arc 710 (1.1%) 2 (1.5%) 34 (1.1%) $3.0 (1.3%) or overload Radiated heat 650 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 17 (0.6%) $2.6 (1.1%) Other known 4,320 (6.9%) 13 (8.2%) 161 (5.4%) $26.4 (10.9%) Total 63,040 (100.0%) 160 (100.0%) 2,977 (100.0%) $241.1 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



by Form of Material First Ignited 1992-1996 Annual Averages

Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 51,020 (80.9%) 88 (55.2%) 2,384 (80.1%) $132.5 (55.0%) Unclassified form of 1,910 (3.0%) 0 (0.0%) 84 (2.8%) $5.9 (2.4%) material Cabinetry 1,650 (2.6%) 15 (9.2%) 95 (3.2%) $13.6 (5.6%) Interior wall covering 1,200 (1.9%) 10 (6.1%) 60 (2.0%) $15.0 (6.2%) Mattress or bedding 640 (1.0%) 3 (2.1%) 41 (1.4%) $5.7 (2.3%) Other known form 6,630 (10.5%) 44 (27.4%) 313 (10.5%) $68.5 (28.4%) Total 63,040 (100.0%) 160 (100.0%) 2,977 (100.0%) $241.1 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Lack of Maintenance From 1992 through 1996, a lack of maintenance caused an average of 37,140 home structure fires, resulting in 43 civilian fire deaths, 240 civilian injuries, and an estimated $98.5 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 8.5% of the home structure fires, 1.2% of the civilian deaths, 1.2% of the civilian injuries, and 2.3% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Although high frequency, these fires had the lowest death rate, injury rate, and average dollar loss among the ignition factors studied. As noted earlier, however, it is possible that a lack of maintenance contributed to other mechanical failures or malfunctions. Table 7 shows that heating equipment was involved in more than half of these fires. Fixed-area heaters were involved in 23.7% of these incidents; chimneys or gas vent flues were involved in 17.6%; no equipment in 13.6%; dryers were involved in 10.7%; indoor fireplaces in 9.4% and stoves were involved in 6.6% of these fires. Table 8 shows that the form of heat of ignition in these fires was solid-fueled equipment in half of these fires. Gas-fueled equipment provided the heat in 10.4% of these incidents; heat from properly operating electrical equipment was the heat source in 9.4% of the incidents; and hot embers or ashes provided the heat in 6.4% of the fires. Table 9 shows that rubbish, trash or waste products, including creosote, were first ignited in half of the fires caused by a lack of maintenance; cooking materials were first ignited in 8.7%; and dust, fiber or lint was first ignited in 7.8% of the fires. Although structural members or framing were first ignited in only 3.8% of the incidents, these fires caused 23.8% of the dollar loss. Some equipment, such as wood stoves, fireplaces, dryers, and cooking equipment, can produce flammable residue, such as creosote, lint and grease. For these devices, lack of maintenance may mean lack of cleaning, and that appears to be the type of maintenance lack cited in most of these cases. In any device, parts can wear out. People should monitor equipment for residue, and follow equipment directions for routine use and appropriate maintenance schedules for servicing. Safety discussions could ask people to identify household equipment that needs to be cleaned, checked or serviced regularly.


Table 7. Home Structure Fires Caused by Lack of Maintenance


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Fixed-area heater 8,810 (23.7%) 7 (16.1%) 24 (10.0%) $17.9 (18.2%) Chimney or gas vent flue 6,520 (17.6%) 7 (15.6%) 11 (4.6%) $16.7 (17.0%) No equipment involved 5,040 (13.6%) 2 (4.9%) 25 (10.4%) $10.7 (10.8%) Dryer 3,980 (10.7%) 5 (11.2%) 49 (20.3%) $12.0 (12.2%) Indoor fireplace 3,500 (9.4%) 3 (6.3%) 10 (4.3%) $12.6 (12.8%) Stove 2,460 (6.6%) 1 (3.4%) 35 (14.8%) $2.3 (2.3%) Central heating unit 1,370 (3.7%) 2 (4.9%) 17 (7.0%) $4.0 (4.0%) Chimney connector or vent 1,300 (3.5%) 3 (5.9%) 6 (2.6%) $6.3 (6.4%) connector Oven or microwave oven 1,090 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (4.3%) $1.4 (1.5%) Other known 3,070 (8.3%) 14 (31.7%) 52 (21.7%) $14.7 (14.9%) Total 37,130 (100.0%) 43 (100.0%) 240 (100.0%) $98.5 (100.0%)





Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Solid-fueled equipment 18,110 (48.8%) 21 (48.3%) 41 (17.1%) $45.2 (45.9%) Properly operating 3,500 (9.4%) 2 (5.1%) 59 (24.8%) $5.7 (5.8%) electrical equipment Gas-fueled equipment 3,860 (10.4%) 4 (9.5%) 51 (21.4%) $10.6 (10.7%) Hot ember or ash 2,380 (6.4%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (2.4%) $5.3 (5.4%) Open fire 1,020 (2.7%) 1 (1.7%) 3 (1.1%) $1.7 (1.7%) Liquid-fueled equipment 820 (2.2%) 4 (10.1%) 10 (4.0%) $2.6 (2.6%) Heat from unclassified 800 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.4%) $1.9 (1.9%) open flame or spark Equipment with unclassified 700 (1.9%) 1 (1.4%) 2 (0.8%) $3.1 (3.2%) or unknown-type fuel Improperly operating 660 (1.8%) 2 (4.6%) 10 (4.2%) $1.9 (1.9%) electrical equipment Match 620 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.5%) $0.5 (0.5%) Heat from overloaded 560 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (3.0%) $1.6 (1.6%) equipment Short circuit arc from 510 (1.4%) 1 (1.7%) 10 (4.3%) $3.3 (3.4%) defective or worn insulation Other known heat 3,600 (9.7%) 8 (17.6%) 36 (15.1%) $15.1 (15.3%) Total 37,140 (100.0%) 43 (100.0%) 240 (100.0%) $98.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Rubbish, trash or waste 18,870 (50.8%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $21.6 (21.9%) product Cooking materials 3,210 (8.7%) 8 (18.4%) 68 (28.3%) $3.0 (3.0%) Dust, fiber or lint 2,900 (7.8%) 2 (4.1%) 9 (3.7%) $7.6 (7.7%) Unclassified form of 2,380 (6.4%) 5 (12.3%) 21 (8.7%) $2.6 (2.6%) material Structural member or 1,420 (3.8%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (1.9%) $23.4 (23.8%) framing Fuel 1,250 (3.4%) 0 (0.0%) 11 (4.7%) $1.8 (1.9%) Wearing apparel not worn 970 (2.6%) 8 (17.8%) 25 (10.5%) $3.3 (3.3%) Electrical wire or cable 870 (2.3%) 8 (18.3%) 21 (8.6%) $2.7 (2.8%) insulation Interior wall covering 540 (1.5%) 2 (5.1%) 26 (10.9%) $6.9 (7.0%) Growing or living form 400 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 17 (7.1%) $0.7 (0.7%) Other known form 4,320 (11.6%) 10 (23.9%) 37 (15.6%) $24.9 (25.2%) Total 37,140 (100.0%) 43 (100.0%) 240 (100.0%) $98.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Abandoned Materials From 1992 through 1996, abandoned materials caused an average of 27,540 home structure fires, resulting in 617 civilian fire deaths, 1,998 civilian injuries, and an estimated $256.1 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 6.3% of the home structure fires, 16.7% of the civilian deaths, 10.0% of the civilian injuries, and 5.9% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Fires caused by abandoned materials caused more fire deaths than fires from any other ignition factor. Table 10 shows that no equipment was involved in 83.5% of these fires. Stoves were involved in 8.3% of these incidents. Table 11 shows that cigarettes were the form of heat of ignition in almost two-thirds of these fires. (For more information on fires caused by smoking, please refer to The U.S. Smoking-Material Fire Problem Through 1995, by John R. Hall, Jr., NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division, Quincy, MA, 1997.) Hot embers or ashes provided the heat in 7.7% of the fires. These embers or ashes could be from tobacco products or fireplaces, wood stoves, barbecues, etc. Properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 5.8% of the abandoned material fires. Table 12 shows that mattresses or bedding were first ignited in 18.8% of the abandoned material fires; rubbish, trash or waste products were first ignited in 18.0%; upholstered furniture was first ignited in 16.4%; and cooking materials were first ignited in 9.9% of the fires. Many fire-safety messages focus on the caution required when smoking. This remains an important issue. A cigarette left on upholstered furniture or bedding too often results in tragedy.


Table 10. Home Structure Fires Caused by Abandoned Materials


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 22,980 (83.5%) 590 (95.6%) 1,778 (89.0%) $231.4 (90.4%) Stove 2,280 (8.3%) 2 (0.4%) 117 (5.9%) $6.7 (2.6%) Unclassified equipment 450 (1.6%) 11 (1.8%) 36 (1.8%) $4.5 (1.8%) Oven 380 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 12 (0.6%) $1.1 (0.4%) Other known equipment 1,450 (5.3%) 14 (2.2%) 55 (2.7%) $12.3 (4.8%) Total 27,540 (100.0%) 617 (100.0%) 1,998 (100.0%) $256.1 (100.0%)



Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cigarette 17,370 (63.1%) 496 (80.3%) 1,466 (73.4%) $169.6 (66.2%) Hot ember or ash 2,110 (7.7%) 14 (2.3%) 72 (3.6%) $24.7 (9.6%) Properly operating 1,590 (5.8%) 3 (0.5%) 82 (4.1%) $7.2 (2.8%) electrical equipment Gas-fueled equipment 1,040 (3.8%) 2 (0.3%) 37 (1.9%) $3.0 (1.2%) Unknown-type smoking 930 (3.4%) 52 (8.5%) 86 (4.3%) $13.7 (5.4%) material Match 770 (2.8%) 8 (1.4%) 54 (2.7%) $4.7 (1.8%) Candle 530 (1.9%) 3 (0.4%) 49 (2.4%) $6.4 (2.5%) Unclassified smoking 300 (1.1%) 8 (1.3%) 23 (1.1%) $3.4 (1.3%) material Other known form of heat 2,910 (10.6%) 31 (5.0%) 129 (6.4%) $23.5 (9.2%) Total 27,540 (100.0%) 617 (100.0%) 1,998 (100.0%) $256.1 (100.0%)





Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Mattress or bedding 5,170 (18.8%) 161 (26.0%) 540 (27.0%) $53.3 (20.8%) Rubbish, trash or waste 4,950 (18.0%) 29 (4.7%) 196 (9.8%) $35.0 (13.7%) product Upholstered furniture 4,510 (16.4%) 290 (46.9%) 636 (31.8%) $66.8 (26.1%) Cooking materials 2,720 (9.9%) 3 (0.4%) 131 (6.6%) $7.7 (3.0%) Wearing apparel not worn 900 (3.3%) 11 (1.9%) 71 (3.5%) $6.3 (2.4%) Structural member or 830 (3.0%) 9 (1.4%) 31 (1.6%) $8.1 (3.1%) framing Exterior sidewall 810 (3.0%) 1 (0.1%) 4 (0.2%) $6.9 (2.7%) Floor covering or surface 750 (2.7%) 3 (0.5%) 35 (1.8%) $5.0 (1.9%) Unclassified form of material 720 (2.6%) 8 (1.3%) 31 (1.6%) $5.2 (2.0%) Magazine, newspaper or 710 (2.6%) 11 (1.7%) 33 (1.7%) $5.9 (2.3%) writing paper Multiple forms of material 550 (2.0%) 24 (3.9%) 54 (2.7%) $7.8 (3.0%) Exterior trim 530 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.1%) $3.2 (1.2%) Box, carton or bag 510 (1.9%) 8 (1.3%) 27 (1.4%) $6.3 (2.4%) Interior wall covering 500 (1.8%) 7 (1.2%) 15 (0.7%) $7.8 (3.0%) Cabinetry 410 (1.5%) 3 (0.4%) 33 (1.7%) $4.1 (1.6%) Other known material 2,940 (10.7%) 50 (8.1%) 156 (7.8%) $26.9 (10.5%) Total 27,540 (100.0%) 617 (100.0%) 1,998 (100.0%) $256.1 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Combustibles Too Close to Heat From 1992 through 1996, combustible materials that were too close to heat sources caused an average of 24,670 home structure fires, resulting in 255 civilian fire deaths, 1,403 civilian injuries, and an estimated $222.6 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 5.6% of the home structure fires, 6.9% of the civilian deaths, 7.0% of the civilian injuries, and 5.2% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 13 shows that a wide variety of equipment was involved in these fires. No equipment was identified as being involved in 19.2% of the fires; stoves were involved 18.5%; fixed-area heaters in 10.1%; water heaters in 8.3%; portable heaters in 6.2%; ovens or microwave ovens in 5.3%; and lamps or light bulbs were involved in 4.6% of the ignitions. Although portable heaters were involved in only 6.2% of the fires, they caused 31.5% of the civilian deaths, 12.7% of the civilian injuries; and 12.4% of the direct property damage. Table 14 shows that gas-fueled equipment and properly operating electrical equipment each provided the heat of ignition in about one-quarter of these fires. Electric lamps provided the heat in 7.2% of the incidents; solid-fueled equipment in 6.6%; and candles were the form of heat of ignition in 5.0% of the home structure fires. Table 15 shows that cooking materials were first ignited in 12.8% of the home structure fires caused by combustible materials that were too close to heat sources, and wearing apparel not being worn was first ignited in 10.3% of the fires. Three materials were first ignited in a disproportionate share of the fire deaths. Mattresses and bedding were first ignited in 6.3% of the fires, but caused 15.7% of the civilian deaths; upholstered furniture was first ignited in 2.8% of the incidents, but caused 12.2% of the deaths; and wearing apparel or clothing being worn was first ignited in only 0.7% of these fires, yet these fires accounted for 16.2% of the deaths. We often advise “Space heaters need space.” We can continue the discussion by inviting people to consider other heat sources, including those with heat as a by-product (lamps, curling irons, etc.), that also need space. At the same time, people can also be asked to identify what types of things might sometimes be too close to these heat sources.


Table 13. Home Structure Fires Caused by Combustible Materials Too Close to Heat Source


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 4,740 (19.2%) 41 (16.1%) 291 (20.8%) $44.4 (19.6%) Stove 4,560 (18.5%) 36 (14.2%) 291 (20.7%) $18.9 (8.3%) Fixed-area heater 2,490 (10.1%) 36 (14.1%) 142 (10.1%) $31.4 (13.8%) Water heater 2,050 (8.3%) 9 (3.6%) 113 (8.1%) $18.3 (8.1%) Portable heater 1,520 (6.2%) 80 (31.5%) 178 (12.7%) $28.1 (12.4%) Oven or microwave oven 1,300 (5.3%) 4 (1.5%) 39 (2.8%) $2.2 (1.0%) Lamp or light bulb 1,140 (4.6%) 7 (2.7%) 60 (4.3%) $11.2 (4.9%) Dryer 1,100 (4.4%) 0 (0.0%) 32 (2.3%) $3.7 (1.6%) Central heating unit 850 (3.4%) 9 (3.7%) 43 (3.0%) $10.4 (4.6%) Light fixture, lamp holder 780 (3.2%) 4 (1.6%) 21 (1.5%) $5.3 (23%) or sign Indoor fireplace 480 (2.0%) 2 (0.8%) 25 (1.8%) $9.1 (4.0%) Chimney or gas vent flue 450 (1.8%) 2 (0.7%) 6 (0.4%) $5.0 (2.2%) Portable cooking or warming 340 (1.4%) 8 (3.1%) 16 (1.1%) $2.1 (0.9%) unit Portable appliance designed 280 (1.1%) 2 (1.0%) 18 (1.3%) $3.6 (1.6%) to produce heat Open-fired grill 240 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (0.5%) $3.8 (1.7%) Torch 240 (1.0%) 1 (0.2%) 8 (0.6%) $3.2 (1.4%) Other known 2,090 (8.5%) 13 (5.2%) 110 (7.8%) $26.1 (11.5%) Total 24,670 (100.0%) 255 (100.0%) 1,403 (100.0%) $226.6 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Gas-fueled equipment 6,700 (27.2%) 74 (29.0%) 400 (28.5%) $52.5 (23.1%) Properly operating 6,300 (25.5%) 76 (29.9%) 382 (27.3%) $50.8 (22.4%) electrical equipment Electric lamp 1,780 (7.2%) 8 (3.3%) 75 (5.3%) $16.4 (7.3%) Solid-fueled equipment 1,620 (6.6%) 10 (3.7%) 46 (3.3%) $21.7 (9.6%) Candle 1,240 (5.0%) 17 (6.6%) 139 (9.9%) $16.0 (7.1%) Radiated heat 950 (3.8%) 5 (2.1%) 29 (2.1%) $8.0 (3.5%) Liquid-fueled equipment 710 (2.9%) 11 (4.1%) 62 (4.4%) $9.7 (4.3%) Heat from unclassified hot 590 (2.4%) 2 (0.8%) 25 (1.8%) $4.8 (2.1%) object Equipment with unclassified 430 (1.8%) 3 (1.2%) 22 (1.5%) $5.0 (2.2%) or unknown-type fuel Open fire 400 (1.6%) 3 (1.2%) 15 (1.1%) $3.6 (1.6%) Heat from unknown-type 380 (1.5%) 5 (2.1%) 22 (1.5%) $4.0 (1.8%) hot object Hot ember or ash 330 (1.3%) 2 (0.8%) 14 (1.0%) $4.4 (2.0%) Improperly operating 330 (1.3%) 6 (2.5%) 10 (0.7%) $2.4 (1.1%) electrical equipment Heat from unclassified open 300 (1.2%) 4 (1.7%) 16 (1.2%) $3.0 (1.3%) flame or spark Heat from direct flame or 300 (1.2%) 3 (1.2%) 12 (0.9%) $2.4 (1.1%) convection current Heat from unknown-type 280 (1.1%) 1 (0.4%) 14 (1.0%) $1.9 (0.8%) electrical arc or overload Other known heat 2,040 (8.3%) 23 (9.1%) 119 (8.5%) $19.8 (8.7%) Total 24,670 (100.0%) 255 (100.0%) 1,403 (100.0%) $226.6 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



by Form of Material First Ignited, 1992-1996 Annual Averages Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 3,150 (12.8%) 6 (2.2%) 150 (10.7%) $7.5 (3.3%) Wearing apparel not worn 2,540 (10.3%) 24 (9.6%) 155 (11.0%) $26.3 (11.6%) Unclassified form of 1,650 (6.7%) 2 (0.9%) 73 (5.2%) $8.4 (3.7%) material Mattress or bedding 1,550 (6.3%) 40 (15.7%) 158 (11.3%) $18.6 (8.2%) Structural member or 1,440 (5.9%) 12 (4.8%) 34 (2.4%) $22.7 (10.0%) framing Box, carton or bag 1,010 (4.1%) 9 (3.5%) 55 (3.9%) $12.6 (5.5%) Linen other than bedding 980 (4.0%) 2 (0.9%) 41 (2.9%) $4.0 (1.7%) Interior wall covering 980 (4.0%) 11 (4.4%) 35 (2.5%) $11.4 (5.0%) Rubbish, trash or waste 890 (3.6%) 2 (0.9%) 27 (1.9%) $4.6 (2.0%) product Magazine, newspaper or 730 (2.9%) 9 (3.5%) 43 (3.1%) $9.4 (4.1%) writing paper Upholstered furniture 680 (2.8%) 31 (12.2%) 76 (5.4%) $13.1 (5.8%) Curtain, blind or drape 650 (2.7%) 7 (2.6%) 73 (5.2%) $6.9 (3.1%) Floor covering or surface 640 (2.6%) 7 (2.6%) 22 (1.6%) $5.7 (2.5%) Exterior sidewall covering or 600 (2.4%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (0.5%) $6.6 (2.9%) finish Multiple forms of material 580 (2.4%) 11 (4.4%) 45 (3.2%) $11.3 (5.0%) Cabinetry 540 (2.2%) 6 (2.2%) 34 (2.4%) $5.8 (2.5%) Dust, fiber or lint 470 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 8 (0.6%) $1.1 (0.5%) Fuel 460 (1.8%) 4 (1.7%) 52 (3.7%) $6.1 (2.7%) insulation Thermal or acoustical 340 (1.4%) 1 (0.4%) 6 (0.5%) $2.3 (1.0%) Cleaning supplies 320 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 14 (1.0%) $1.1 (0.5%) Gas or liquid in or from pipe 300 (1.2%) 3 (1.3%) 41 (2.9%) $3.0 (1.3%) or container Appliance housing or casing 280 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 14 (1.0%) $1.2 (0.5%) Unknown-type soft goods 240 (1.0%) 7 (2.6%) 12 (0.8%) $5.1 (2.3%) or apparel Other known form 3,660 (14.8%) 60 (23.6%) 227 (16.2%) $31.9 (14.1%) Total 24,670 (100.0%) 255 (100.0%) 1,403 (100.0%) $226.6 (100.0%) Wearing apparel worn 160 (0.7%) 42 (16.6%) 56 (4.0%) $0.9 (0.4%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Falling Asleep From 1992 through 1996, the act of falling asleep allowed a heat source to ignite a combustible material in an average of 7,300 home structure fires, resulting in 208 civilian fire deaths, 860 civilian injuries, and an estimated $51.4 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 1.7% of the home structure fires, 5.7% of the civilian deaths, 4.3% of the civilian injuries, and 1.2% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 16 shows that no equipment was involved in 44.9% of these fires. Stoves were involved in 43.3% of these incidents and ovens or microwave ovens were involved in 4.3% of these fires. Table 17 shows that cigarettes were the form of heat of ignition in 29.8% of these fires and 73.9% of the civilian deaths caused by falling asleep. Properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 26.1% of these fires, gas-fueled equipment provided the heat in 23.9%; and candles provided the heat in 4.5% of these incidents. Table 18 shows that cooking materials were first ignited in half of the fires caused by falling asleep. Mattresses or bedding was first ignited in 20.7%; and upholstered furniture was first ignited in 9.8% of these fires. Public fire educators have long advised against smoking in bed. Smoking while drowsy is also a bad idea. The highway safety community has recently started to stress the dangers of driving while fatigued. Smoking, cooking or using other heat sources when over-tired is also dangerous. This information needs to be regularly communicated and reinforced.


Table 16. Home Structure Fires Caused by Falling Asleep


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 3,280 (44.9%) 171 (82.0%) 532 (61.9%) $35.1 (68.3%) Stove 3,160 (43.3%) 17 (8.3%) 241 (28.1%) $11.3 (22.0%) Oven 320 (4.3%) 3 (1.4%) 24 (2.8%) $0.9 (1.7%) Unknown-type cooking 120 (1.7%) 1 (0.3%) 11 (1.3%) $0.4 (0.9%) equipment Unclassified equipment 80 (1.1%) 7 (3.3%) 15 (1.8%) $1.6 (3.0%) Portable cooking or 80 (1.1%) 2 (0.9%) 8 (0.9%) $0.4 (0.7%) warming unit Other known equipment 260 (3.6%) 8 (0.3%) 29 (3.4%) $1.7 (3.3%) Total 7,300 (100.0%) 208 (100.0%) 860 (100.0%) $51.4 (100.0%)



Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cigarette 2,180 (29.8%) 154 (73.9%) 413 (48.0%) $21.5 (41.8%) Properly operating 1,900 (26.1%) 13 (6.1%) 175 (20.3%) $7.7 (15.0%) electrical equipment Gas-fueled equipment 1,750 (23.9%) 9 (4.4%) 101 (11.7%) $5.1 (9.9%) Candle 330 (4.5%) 4 (2.1%) 72 (8.4%) $4.4 (8.6%) Open fire 110 (1.5%) 1 (0.3%) 4 (0.4%) $0.2 (0.4%) Improperly operating 110 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 12 (1.4%) $0.3 (0.6%) electrical equipment Heat from other hot object 70 (1.0%) 1 (0.3%) 7 (0.8%) $0.3 (0.5%) Other known form of heat 860 (11.8%) 26 (12.7%) 76 (8.8%) $11.9 (23.1%) Total 7,300 (100.0%) 208 (100.0%) 860 (100.0%) $51.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 3,790 (51.9%) 17 (8.4%) 263 (30.6%) $11.8 (23.0%) Mattress or bedding 1,510 (20.7%) 75 (36.1%) 283 (32.9%) $19.5 (37.9%) Upholstered furniture 710 (9.8%) 69 (33.3%) 129 (15.0%) $9.4 (18.4%) Unclassified form of material 210 (2.9%) 2 (0.8%) 24 (2.8%) $0.8 (1.6%) Cabinetry 160 (2.2%) 5 (2.4%) 29 (3.3%) $1.8 (3.5%) Interior wall covering 140 (1.9%) 7 (3.3%) 17 (2.0%) $2.0 (3.9%) Floor covering or surface 80 (1.1%) 3 (1.6%) 10 (1.1%) $0.5 (1.0%) Other known material 700 (9.6%) 29 (14.1%) 105 (12.2%) $5.5 (10.8%) Total 7,300 (100.0%) 208 (100.0%) 860 (100.0%) $51.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Items Accidentally Turned On or Not Shut Off From 1992 through 1996, equipment that was accidentally turned on or not shut off caused an average of 6,250 home structure fires, resulting in 20 civilian fire deaths, 303 civilian injuries, and an estimated $53.4 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 1.4% of the home structure fires, 0.5% of the civilian deaths, 1.5% of the civilian injuries, and 1.2% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 19 shows that cooking equipment was involved in most of these fires. Stoves were involved in 59.6% of these incidents; no equipment in 9.0%; ovens or microwave ovens in 8.5%; and portable appliances designed to produce heat were involved in 4.3% of these fires. Table 20 shows that the form of heat of ignition in these fires was properly operating electrical equipment in 57.8% of these fires, and gas-fueled equipment in 16.5% of these incidents. Table 21 shows that cooking materials were first ignited in half of the fires caused by equipment that was accidentally turned on or not shut off. The form of material first ignited was unclassified in 7.8% of the fires; boxes, cartons or bags were first ignited in 4.8%; and cabinetry was first ignited in 4.6% of these incidents. Most people know they should turn equipment off when they are done using it. Distractions can cause one to forget. Many devices, including some irons and coffee makers, will shut off automatically if not used within a certain period of time. Technology may provide critical protection from the results of human error as distractions are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.


Table 19. Home Structure Fires Caused by Items Accidentally Turned On or Not Shut Off


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Stove 3,720 (59.6%) 4 (22.7%) 184 (60.8%) $25.4 (47.6%) No equipment involved 560 (9.0%) 4 (19.8%) 23 (7.6%) $4.4 (8.3%) Oven or microwave oven 530 (8.5%) 1 (2.9%) 21 (7.0%) $1.7 (3.1%) Portable appliance designed 270 (4.3%) 1 (6.2%) 15 (4.9%) $7.8 (14.6%) to produce heat Portable cooking or warming 190 (3.1%) 1 (2.9%) 7 (2.2%) $2.0 (3.7%) unit Unknown-type cooking 150 (2.4%) 1 (3.3%) 8 (2.6%) $0.9 (1.8%) equipment Fixed-area heater 90 (1.5%) 1 (3.7%) 4 (1.4%) $0.9 (1.7%) Unclassified cooking equipment 70 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.3%) $0.5 (1.0%) Lamp or light bulb 80 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.1%) $1.1 (2.1%) Other known 520 (8.3%) 8 (38.5%) 31 (10.1%) $7.7 (14.4%) Total 6,250 (100.0%) 20 (100.0%) 303 (100.0%) $53.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Properly operating 3,610 (57.8%) 6 (29.3%) 187 (61.7%) $25.6 (47.8%) electrical equipment Gas-fueled equipment 1,030 (16.5%) 5 (23.7%) 38 (12.6%) $5.2 (9.8%) Improperly operating 270 (4.3%) 0 (0.0%) 11 (3.6%) $2.5 (4.7%) electrical equipment Heat from unclassified 130 (2.0%) 1 (3.8%) 8 (2.7%) $4.5 (8.5%) hot object Electric lamp 120 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.4%) $1.3 (2.4%) Heat from unknown electrical 120 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.1%) $1.4 (2.6%) arc or overload Heat from unclassified 100 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.1%) $1.7 (3.2%) electrical equipment Heat from unknown-type 80 (1.3%) 3 (14.6%) 6 (1.8%) $0.9 (1.7%) hot object Heat from overloaded 80 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.4%) $2.1 (3.9%) equipment Equipment with unclassified 80 (1.3%) 1 (3.4%) 2 (0.6%) $0.5 (0.9%) or unknown-type fuel Heat from direct flame or 60 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.3%) $0.1 (0.3%) convection current Radiated heat 60 (1.0%) 1 (3.8%) 1 (0.3%) $0.6 (1.1%) Other known heat 500 (8.0%) 4 (21.4%) 34 (11.2%) $5.7 (10.7%) Total 6,250 (100.0%) 20 (100.0%) 303 (100.0%) $53.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 3,100 (49.6%) 3 (16.0%) 150 (49.6%) $16.0 (30.0%) Unclassified form of material 480 (7.8%) 3 (14.9%) 18 (6.0%) $4.0 (7.5%) Box, carton or bag 300 (4.8%) 1 (4.7%) 7 (2.2%) $2.4 (4.5%) Cabinetry 290 (4.6%) 1 (3.7%) 13 (4.4%) $4.4 (8.2%) Interior wall covering 220 (3.6%) 1 (4.7%) 8 (2.7%) $3.5 (6.6%) Mattress or bedding 220 (3.6%) 1 (3.8%) 12 (4.1%) $3.8 (7.1%) Appliance housing or casing 190 (3.0%) 0 (0.0%) 9 (3.1%) $1.0 (1.8%) Wearing apparel not worn 140 (2.2%) 2 (7.9%) 6 (2.1%) $5.0 (9.3%) Multiple forms of material 90 (1.5%) 1 (3.8%) 7 (2.4%) $1.7 (3.1%) Linen other than bedding 80 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (1.7%) $0.6 (1.2%) Structural member or framing 80 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.6%) $1.5 (2.9%) Floor covering or surface 70 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (2.2%) $1.1 (2.0%) Unclassified furniture 70 (1.1%) 1 (4.2%) 4 (1.3%) $0.4 (0.7%) Magazine, newspaper or 70 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.2%) $0.6 (1.2%) writing paper Electrical wire or cable 70 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.2%) $0.3 (0.6%) insulation Other known form 780 (12.5%) 7 (36.3%) 46 (15.2%) $7.1 (13.2%) Total 6,250 (100.0%) 20 (100.0%) 303 (100.0%) $53.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Inadequate Control of an Open Fire From 1992 through 1996, inadequate control of an open fire caused an average of 5,040 home structure fires, resulting in 32 civilian fire deaths, 233 civilian injuries, and an estimated $44.5 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 1.2% of the home structure fires, 0.9% of the civilian deaths, 1.2% of the civilian injuries, and 1.0% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 22 shows that no equipment was involved in half of these fires. Stoves were involved in 18.6% of these incidents; torches in 5.3%; and indoor fireplaces were involved in 4.0% of these fires. Table 23 shows that the form of heat of ignition in these fires was an open fire in 27.7% of the incidents; gas-fueled equipment in 14.7%; a candle in 14.3%; properly operating electrical equipment in 6.3% of these fires, and solid-fueled equipment provided the heat in 5.6% of these incidents. Table 24 shows that cooking materials were first ignited in 15.6% of the fires caused by inadequate control of an open fire. Exterior sidewalls were first ignited in 10.7%; structural members or framing in 10.0%; the material first ignited was unclassified in 6.6% of the fires; and rubbish, trash or waste products were first ignited in 5.8% of these incidents. It appears that several scenarios are captured under this ignition factor. When open fires are used as a tool to dispose of debris or when bon fires are part of a celebration, careful monitoring is required in case the wind shifts or circumstances change. Other scenarios resemble those seen under ‘unattended.’


Table 22. Home Structure Fires Caused by Inadequate Control of An Open Fire


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 2,590 (51.5%) 22 (68.7%) 151 (64.8%) $24.6 (55.4%) Stove 930 (18.6%) 6 (18.1%) 37 (15.7%) $4.4 (9.9%) Torch 270 (5.3%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (3.0%) $4.5 (10.2%) Indoor fireplace 200 (4.0%) 2 (5.1%) 7 (2.8%) $2.1 (4.7%) Fixed-area heater 130 (2.6%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (2.3%) $1.3 (2.9%) Unclassified equipment 120 (2.5%) 1 (2.3%) 8 (3.2%) $1.4 (3.2%) Oven 120 (2.4%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.6%) $0.2 (0.5%) Open-fired grill 120 (2.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.4%) $1.2 (2.8%) Chimney or gas vent flue 80 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.2%) $0.3 (0.6%) Other known equipment 470 (9.3%) 2 (5.7%) 16 (6.9%) $4.4 (9.8%) Total 5,040 (100.0%) 32 (100.0%) 233 (100.0%) $44.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Table 23. Home Structure Fires Caused by Inadequate Control of An Open Fire


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Open fire 1,390 (27.7%) 9 (28.7%) 43 (18.6%) $11.5 (25.9%) Gas-fueled equipment 740 (14.7%) 7 (20.6%) 30 (12.9%) $4.3 (9.7%) Candle 720 (14.3%) 8 (23.8%) 77 (32.9%) $10.7 (24.1%) Properly operating 320 (6.3%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (3.0%) $0.8 (1.7%) electrical equipment Solid-fueled equipment 280 (5.6%) 0 (0.0%) 11 (4.8%) $2.5 (5.6%) Match 240 (4.8%) 3 (10.8%) 10 (4.2%) $1.3 (2.9%) Torch, not cutting or welding 230 (4.7%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (2.5%) $4.1 (9.3%) Heat from unknown-type 180 (3.7%) 2 (5.2%) 11 (4.6%) $1.3 (2.9%) open flame Hot ember or ash 140 (2.7%) 1 (2.0%) 2 (0.8%) $1.3 (2.9%) Unclassified open flame 100 (1.9%) 1 (1.9%) 1 (0.6%) $1.0 (2.2%) or spark Heat from direct flame or 80 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $0.4 (0.8%) convection current Lighter 80 (1.6%) 1 (4.6%) 13 (5.6%) $0.8 (1.9%) Equipment with unknown- 70 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.2%) $0.4 (0.8%) type or unclassified fuel Liquid-fueled equipment 60 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.2%) $0.7 (1.6%) Cigarette 50 (1.1%) 1 (2.4%) 7 (2.9%) $0.3 (0.7%) Other known form of heat 350 (6.9%) 0 (0.0%) 8 (3.5%) $3.1 (7.0%) Total 5,040 (100.0%) 32 (100.0%) 233 (100.0%) $44.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Table 24. Home Structure Fires Caused by Inadequate Control of an Open Fire

by Form of Material First Ignited, 1992-1996 Annual Averages Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 790 (15.6%) 1 (4.4%) 31 (13.4%) $2.1 (4.8%) Exterior sidewall 540 (10.7%) 1 (4.4%) 4 (1.9%) $4.3 (9.7%) Structural member or 510 (10.1%) 0 (0.0%) 15 (6.5%) $7.2 (16.3%) framing Unclassified form of 330 (6.6%) 1 (2.2%) 5 (2.3%) $1.1 (2.5%) material Rubbish, trash or waste 290 (5.8%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.3%) $1.4 (3.2%) product Mattress or bedding 210 (4.1%) 3 (8.5%) 29 (12.7%) $3.3 (7.5%) Multiple forms of material 200 (4.0%) 1 (2.6%) 12 (5.3%) $2.7 (6.2%) Interior wall covering 200 (4.0%) 3 (10.8%) 12 (5.0%) $1.7 (3.8%) Growing or living form 200 (3.9%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.7%) $1.4 (3.2%) Exterior roof covering or 200 (3.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $2.4 (5.4%) finish Cabinetry 150 (2.9%) 2 (5.3%) 17 (7.3%) $2.9 (6.5%) Floor covering or surface 140 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (2.7%) $1.8 (4.1%) Upholstered furniture 100 (2.0%) 5 (15.8%) 16 (6.7%) $1.6 (3.6%) Exterior trim 100 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.2%) $0.6 (1.3%) Curtain, blind or drape 100 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 13 (5.5%) $1.8 (4.1%) Fuel 90 (1.8%) 1 (2.9%) 6 (2.6%) $0.4 (0.9%) Wearing apparel not worn 80 (1.5%) 6 (20.0%) 8 (3.3%) $1.0 (2.3%) Agricultural product 70 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.2%) $0.1 (0.2%) Thermal or acoustical 70 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.2%) $0.5 (1.2%) insulation Magazine, newspaper or 60 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.2%) $0.4 (1.0%) writing paper Linen other than bedding 50 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.8%) $0.7 (1.5%) Unclassified structural 50 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.7%) $0.3 (0.6%) component Unknown-type structural 50 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.0%) $0.6 (1.4%) component Other known material 470 (9.3%) 7 (23.2%) 36 (15.5%) $3.9 (8.8%) Total 5,040 (100.0%) 32 (100.0%) 233 (100.0%) $44.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Overloads From 1992 through 1996, overloads caused an average of 3,760 home structure fires, resulting in 37 civilian fire deaths, 132 civilian injuries, and an estimated $34.1 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.9% of the home structure fires, 1.0% of the civilian deaths, 0.7% of the civilian injuries, and 0.8% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 25 shows that cords or plugs were the equipment involved in 18.6% of these fires. No equipment was involved in 10.4% of these incidents; fixed wiring in 9.6%; dryers in 9.0%; and incinerators were involved in 4.0% of these fires. Table 26 shows that the form of heat of ignition was heat from overloaded equipment in 47.0% of these fires; properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 6.0%; and unspecified short circuits provided the heat in 5.7% of the fires caused by overloads. Table 27 shows that electrical wiring or cable insulation was first ignited in 28.6% of these incidents; rubbish, trash or waste products in 8.7%; structural members or framing in 6.4%; wearing apparel not worn in 6.3%; and interior wall coverings were first ignited 5.6% of the home fires caused by overloads. Several scenarios are captured under this ignition factor. In some cases, electrical devices are plugged into wiring or extensions cords that were not designed to handle the demands. Too many clothes may be placed in dryers and too much trash may be put in the incinerator at one time. Most types of equipment, including wiring, extension cords, dryers, and incinerators, have maximum capacities. When these capacities are not observed, fires can occur.


Table 25. Home Structure Fires Caused by Overloads


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cord or plug 700 (18.6%) 18 (49.2%) 52 (39.2%) $9.8 (28.8%) No equipment involved 390 (10.4%) 3 (7.6%) 17 (13.1%) $4.0 (11.6%) Fixed wiring 360 (9.6%) 8 (22.0%) 11 (8.0%) $5.1 (15.0%) Dryer 340 (9.0%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (5.0%) $1.1 (3.3%) Incinerator 150 (4.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $2.5 (7.2%) Stove 140 (3.7%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (4.6%) $0.3 (1.0%) Fixed-area heater 140 (3.6%) 1 (1.5%) 2 (1.4%) $0.8 (2.3%) Switch, receptacle or outlet 130 (3.5%) 2 (6.1%) 8 (6.0%) $1.8 (5.3%) Indoor fireplace 120 (3.3%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.7%) $0.6 (1.8%) Washing machine 120 (3.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.2%) Power switch or overcurrent 110 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.3%) $0.6 (1.7%) device Central heating unit 90 (2.5%) 2 (4.3%) 1 (1.1%) $0.3 (1.0%) Chimney or gas vent flue 90 (2.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (0.6%) Unknown-type heating 90 (2.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.1%) equipment Light fixture, lamp holder 70 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.4 (1.3%) or sign Portable heater 70 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.4%) $0.9 (2.6%) Unclassified appliance 50 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.7%) $0.5 (1.6%) Chimney connector or vent 50 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.2%) connector Portable appliance designed 40 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.4%) $0.5 (1.4%) to produce heat Portable air conditioner 40 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.7%) $0.5 (1.4%) Other known cause 470 (12.6%) 3 (9.3%) 19 (14.2%) $3.9 (11.5%) Total 3,760 (100.0%) 37 (100.0%) 132 (100.0%) $34.1 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Heat from overloaded 1,770 (47.0%) 27 (72.0%) 91 (68.6%) $19.2 (56.4%) equipment Properly operating 230 (6.0%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (4.3%) $0.7 (2.2%) electrical equipment Unspecified short circuit 210 (5.7%) 2 (4.5%) 9 (6.7%) $2.9 (8.5%) Unknown-type electrical 130 (3.6%) 1 (3.1%) 7 (5.0%) $1.9 (5.5%) arc or overload Short circuit arc from 130 (3.6%) 1 (2.1%) 2 (1.8%) $1.2 (3.6%) defective insulation Open fire 120 (3.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.4%) $0.2 (0.7%) Unclassified electrical arc 90 (2.5%) 1 (3.9%) 2 (1.4%) $1.3 (3.9%) or overload Improperly operating 80 (2.1%) 2 (6.6%) 3 (2.1%) $0.5 (1.4%) electrical equipment Hot ember or ash 40 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.1%) Match 40 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.4%) $0.0 (0.0%) Other known form of heat 910 (24.2%) 3 (7.8%) 12 (9.2%) $6.0 (17.7%) Total 3,760 (100.0%) 37 (100.0%) 132 (100.0%) $34.1 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



by Form of Material Ignited 1992-1996 Annual Averages

Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Electric wire or cable 1,080 (28.6%) 13 (36.0%) 41 (31.2%) $9.6 (28.2%) insulation Rubbish, trash or waste 330 (8.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.7%) $2.7 (8.0%) product Structural member or 240 (6.4%) 6 (15.4%) 8 (5.8%) $4.4 (13.0%) framing Wearing apparel not worn 240 (6.3%) 1 (1.7%) 11 (8.3%) $1.8 (5.4%) Interior wall covering 210 (5.6%) 3 (7.1%) 8 (6.4%) $3.6 (10.7%) Unclassified form of material 190 (5.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.4%) $0.6 (1.8%) Cooking materials 180 (4.8%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (5.1%) $0.3 (0.9%) Mattress or bedding 140 (3.8%) 3 (9.0%) 8 (5.8%) $1.3 (3.9%) Floor covering or surface 120 (3.2%) 3 (8.0%) 12 (9.1%) $1.5 (4.3%) Fuel 80 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.7%) $0.1 (0.3%) Conveyer belt, drive belt or 70 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.2%) V-belt Thermal or acoustical 70 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.3%) $0.3 (0.8%) insulation Multiple forms of material 60 (1.7%) 2 (4.4%) 5 (3.7%) $0.9 (2.7%) Upholstered furniture 60 (1.6%) 4 (10.8%) 8 (5.9%) $1.3 (3.8%) Agricultural product 50 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.3%) Appliance housing or casing 50 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (2.7%) $0.2 (0.5%) Dust, fiber or lint 50 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.7%) $0.2 (0.5%) Curtain, blind or drape 50 (1.2%) 1 (2.4%) 5 (3.9%) $0.4 (1.3%) Cabinetry 40 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (3.9%) $0.8 (2.3%) Linen other than bedding 40 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.3%) Other known material 400 (10.7%) 2 (5.4%) 7 (5.4%) $3.7 (10.7%) Total 3,760 (100.0%) 37 (100.0%) 132 (100.0%) $34.1 (100.0%)



Home Structure Fires Caused by Cutting or Welding Too Close From 1992 through 1996, cutting or welding too close caused an average of 3,470 home structure fires, resulting in 16 civilian fire deaths, 153 civilian injuries, and an estimated $65.9 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.8% of the home structure fires, 0.4% of the civilian deaths, 0.8% of the civilian injuries, and 1.5% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 28 shows that torches were the equipment involved in 44.5% of these fires. No equipment was reported to be involved in 30.8% of these incidents; and hand tools were involved in 9.6% of these fires. Table 29 shows that the form of heat of ignition was a torch, other than a cutting or welding torch, in 21.9% of these fires; a welding torch provided the heat in 19.3%; a cutting torch in 10.9%; gas-fueled equipment in 10.7%; a candle in 7.9%; and some form of properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 5.4% of these fires. Table 30 shows that structural members or framing were first ignited in one-quarter of these fires; thermal or acoustical insulation in 11.7%; exterior sidewalls were first ignited in 6.6%; and interior wall coverings were first ignited in 5.7% of these incidents. The data does not indicate whether the individual involved in cutting or welding too close was a licensed trades person or someone trying to do their own home repairs. NFPA 51, Standard for Fire Prevention in Use of Cutting and Welding Practices, provides instructions on performing these activities with maximum safety. Many states require their trades people to follow these or similar standards. Homeowners working on their own homes are generally not regulated, and may be unaware of the necessary precautions. For more information on torch fires, please refer to Torch Fires in the United States: 1991-1995 Annual Averages, by Marty Ahrens, NFPA Fire Analysis, Quincy, MA, 1998.


Table 28. Home Structure Fires Caused by Cutting or Welding Too Close


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Torch 1,540 (44.5%) 1 (3.6%) 59 (38.3%) $21.9 (33.2%) No equipment involved 1,070 (30.8%) 9 (56.1%) 57 (37.0%) $23.1 (35.0%) Hand tools 130 (3.6%) 1 (3.8%) 4 (2.4%) $1.3 (2.0%) Stove 90 (2.5%) 1 (9.3%) 3 (1.9%) $0.2 (0.4%) Fixed-area heater 60 (1.7%) 4 (22.7%) 1 (0.6%) $1.4 (2.2%) Unknown-type processing 60 (1.7%) 1 (4.6%) 3 (1.8%) $1.0 (1.4%) equipment Water heater 50 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.9%) $0.5 (0.8%) Portable heater 50 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (4.7%) $7.0 (10.6%) Portable appliance designed 40 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.2%) $1.1 (1.6%) to produce heat Other known equipment 390 (11.3%) 0 (0.0%) 15 (10.1%) $8.4 (12.7%) Total 3,470 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 153 (100.0%) $65.9 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Torch, not cutting or 760 (21.9%) 0 (0.0%) 16 (15.9%) $10.0 (15.2%) welding Welding torch 670 (19.3%) 4 (3.6%) 17 (17.3%) $10.3 (15.6%) Cutting torch 380 (10.9%) 0 (0.0%) 9 (8.7%) $4.9 (7.5%) Gas-fueled equipment 370 (10.7%) 9 (8.8%) 10 (10.2%) $5.1 (7.8%) Candle 270 (7.9%) 18 (18.0%) 18 (17.5%) $4.1 (6.2%) Properly operating electrical 190 (5.4%) 29 (29.2%) 7 (6.8%) $2.0 (3.0%) equipment Electric lamp 110 (3.0%) 5 (4.6%) 2 (1.9%) $1.0 (1.6%) Heat from direct flame or 60 (1.8%) 5 (4.6%) 2 (1.9%) $7.6 (11.5%) convection current Heat from unknown-type 50 (1.4%) 8 (8.2%) 2 (2.1%) $0.4 (0.7%) open flame Radiated heat 40 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.5 (0.8%) Hot ember or ash 30 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.6 (0.9%) Heat from other hot object 30 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.5%) $0.4 (0.7%) Molten or hot material 30 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $2.2 (3.3%) Other known form of heat 470 (13.4%) 23 (23.0%) 15 (14.9%) $16.6 (25.2%) Total 3,470 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 153 (100.0%) $65.9 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



by Form of Material Ignited, 1992-1996 Annual Averages

Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Structural member or 850 (24.5%) 1 (8.2%) 26 (17.0%) $23.8 (36.1%) framing Thermal or acoustical 410 (11.7%) 0 (0.0%) 17 (11.1%) $3.8 (5.8%) insulation Exterior sidewall 230 (6.6%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.9%) $1.4 (2.1%) Interior wall covering 200 (5.7%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (3.4%) $1.5 (2.2%) Unclassified form of material 190 (5.4%) 2 (15.4%) 9 (5.9%) $2.5 (3.8%) Mattress or bedding 140 (4.0%) 1 (3.6%) 12 (7.8%) $2.9 (4.3%) Exterior roof covering or 110 (3.3%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $2.6 (4.0%) finish Wearing apparel not worn 110 (3.3%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (4.0%) $1.2 (1.9%) Cooking materials 90 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (2.2%) $0.2 (0.3%) Floor covering or surface 90 (2.6%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (2.8%) $0.8 (1.2%) Rubbish, trash or waste 80 (2.3%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (4.2%) $0.6 (1.0%) product Fuel 70 (2.0%) 1 (3.8%) 7 (4.3%) $1.4 (2.2%) Curtain, blind or drape 60 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (3.5%) $0.5 (0.7%) Upholstered furniture 60 (1.7%) 5 (33.6%) 7 (4.3%) $1.2 (1.8%) Magazine, newspaper or 50 (1.6%) 1 (3.6%) 4 (2.5%) $0.5 (0.8%) writing paper Cabinetry 50 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.9%) $0.5 (0.8%) Box, carton or bag 50 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (2.1%) $0.6 (0.9%) Linen other than bedding 50 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.2%) $3.8 (5.8%) Exterior trim 40 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.3%) $0.4 (0.7%) Dust, fiber or lint 40 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (0.4%) Multiple forms of material 40 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.2%) $0.6 (0.9%) Unknown-type structural 40 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $1.0 (1.5%) component Unclassified structural 40 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.3 (0.5%) component Gas or liquid in or from a pipe 40 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (4.7%) $6.9 (10.4%) or container Decoration for special event 30 (1.0%) 1 (5.0%) 3 (2.1%) $0.5 (0.7%) Other known material 300 (8.5%) 4 (26.8%) 19 (12.3%) $6.1 (9.2%) Total 3,470 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 153 (100.0%) $65.9 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Fuel Spilled or Released Accidentally From 1992 through 1996, fuel spills or accidental releases caused an average of 2,870 home structure fires, resulting in 36 civilian fire deaths, 372 civilian injuries, and an estimated $38.5 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.7% of the home structure fires, 1.0% of the civilian deaths, 1.9% of the civilian injuries, and 0.9% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 31 shows that a wide variety of equipment was involved in these fires, although no equipment was involved (or identified) in 21.3% of the fires. Stoves were involved in 20.8%; water heaters in 15.3%; and portable heaters were involved in 6.7% of the fires. Table 32 shows that gas-fueled equipment was the form of heat of ignition in 37.4% of these fires; heat from properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat of ignition in 15.4% of the incidents; and liquid-fueled equipment provided the heat in 14.1% of these fires. Table 33 shows that fuel was first ignited in one-third of these fires. Cooking materials were first ignited in 21.8% and gas or liquid in or from a pipe or container was first ignited in 13.2% of the fires. The circumstances of these fires may be similar to those seen in fires caused by improper fueling techniques. Fuel is meant to be burned. When they occur, fuel spills or accidental releases are likely to occur near the equipment that uses the fuel. This brings a heat source and a fuel together in an area that was not designed to contain burning fuel.


Table 31. Home Structure Fires Caused by Fuel Spilled or Released Accidentally


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 610 (21.3%) 10 (27.8%) 92 (24.7%) $10.6 (27.6%) Stove 600 (20.8%) 3 (7.1%) 55 (14.9%) $2.3 (5.9%) Water heater 440 (15.3%) 3 (7.6%) 73 (19.5%) $5.8 (15.1%) Portable heater 190 (6.7%) 8 (23.6%) 31 (8.3%) $5.4 (14.0%) Oven or microwave oven 130 (4.6%) 0 (0.0%) 9 (2.4%) $0.1 (0.3%) Central heating unit 120 (4.1%) 1 (2.0%) 9 (2.4%) $2.1 (5.6%) Vehicle 100 (3.4%) 0 (0.0%) 13 (3.4%) $2.1 (5.4%) Fixed-area heater 90 (3.2%) 1 (4.0%) 11 (2.8%) $1.1 (3.0%) Open-fired grill 80 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 9 (2.4%) $0.6 (1.5%) Unclassified equipment 40 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (0.7%) $0.5 (1.2%) Arc or oil lamp 30 (1.1%) 5 (13.8%) 5 (1.3%) $1.8 (4.7%) Unknown-type cooking 30 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (0.8%) $0.2 (0.5%) equipment Unknown-type heating 30 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.2%) $0.3 (0.9%) equipment Other known 350 (12.3%) 5 (14.2%) 53 (14.2%) $5.3 (13.8%) Total 2,870 (100.0%) 36 (100.0%) 372 (100.0%) $38.5 (100.0%)





Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Gas-fueled equipment 1,070 (37.4%) 7 (18.9%) 151 (40.5%) $14.5 (37.6%) Properly operating 440 (15.4%) 1 (2.0%) 46 (12.3%) $1.6 (4.1%) electrical equipment Liquid-fueled equipment 400 (14.1%) 12 (33.7%) 43 (11.5%) $7.1 (18.3%) Heat from unclassified open 90 (3.0%) 2 (6.6%) 9 (2.5%) $1.9 (4.9%) flame or spark Solid-fueled equipment 80 (2.8%) 2 (6.8%) 9 (2.5%) $1.0 (2.7%) Match 70 (2.3%) 2 (4.2%) 9 (2.5%) $0.8 (2.1%) Equipment with unclassified 70 (2.3%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (1.4%) $0.8 (2.2%) or unknown-type fuel Arc or spark from operating 60 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (2.8%) $1.1 (2.9%) equipment or switch Open fire 60 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (1.7%) $1.0 (2.6%) Unknown-type heat from open 40 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 9 (2.5%) $0.7 (1.9%) flame or spark Lighter 40 (1.4%) 1 (4.1%) 9 (2.5%) $0.6 (1.5%) Candle 40 (1.3%) 1 (2.3%) 8 (2.2%) $1.6 (4.2%) Cigarette 30 (1.1%) 1 (2.0%) 10 (2.8%) $0.6 (1.6%) Heat from unclassified hot 30 (1.1%) 1 (2.3%) 3 (0.8%) $0.2 (0.6%) object Unclassified form of heat 30 (1.0%) 1 (1.7%) 3 (0.8%) $0.3 (0.8%) Other known heat 320 (11.3%) 6 (15.5%) 39 (10.6%) $4.6 (12.0%) Total 2,870 (100.0%) 36 (100.0%) 372 (100.0%) $38.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Fuel 970 (33.7%) 11 (31.5%) 161 (43.4%) $16.8 (43.5%) Cooking materials 630 (21.8%) 1 (1.9%) 49 (13.3%) $1.4 (3.7%) Gas or liquid in or from pipe 380 (13.2%) 6 (17.9%) 73 (19.6%) $5.2 (13.4%) or container Floor covering or surface 110 (3.9%) 2 (4.6%) 11 (3.0%) $2.3 (6.0%) Unclassified form of material 90 (3.0%) 0 (0.0%) 8 (2.2%) $0.7 (1.9%) Atomized or vaporized liquid 80 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 17 (4.7%) $1.3 (3.4%) Interior wall covering 80 (2.8%) 4 (12.5%) 8 (2.2%) $1.2 (3.1%) Structural member or framing 80 (2.8%) 5 (13.3%) 5 (1.4%) $1.6 (4.2%) Multiple forms of material 60 (2.2%) 2 (5.8%) 9 (2.5%) $1.4 (3.6%) Form of material not 40 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $2.1 (5.6%) applicable Exterior sidewall covering 30 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.7 (1.8%) or finish Cabinetry 30 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.1%) $0.5 (1.2%) Other known form 290 (10.2%) 5 (12.6%) 25 (6.6%) $3.4 (8.8%) Total 2,870 (100.0%) 36 (100.0%) 372 (100.0%) $38.5 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Spontaneous Heating From 1992 through 1996, spontaneous heating caused an average of 2,400 home structure fires, resulting in 13 civilian fire deaths, 80 civilian injuries, and an estimated $25.2 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.5% of the home structure fires, 0.3% of the civilian deaths, 0.4% of the civilian injuries, and 0.6% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 34 shows that no equipment was involved in 47.5% of these fires; dryers were involved in 10.7%; and stoves were involved in 9.3% of these incidents Table 35 shows that spontaneous ignitions or chemical reactions provided the heat of ignition in 44.6% of these fires and properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 10.7% of these incidents. Table 36 shows that cooking materials were first ignited in 11.1% of the home structure fires caused by spontaneous heating. Rubbish, trash, or waste products were first ignited in 10.8% of the fires; wearing apparel not being worn in 8.6%; cleaning supplies in 7.5%; unclassified forms of material were first ignited in 7.3%; structural members or framing were first ignited in 6.6%; and linen other than bedding was first ignited in 5.6% of these fires. Spontaneous heating fires may, at first, seem to be independent of human action. In most cases, some form of flammable or combustible liquid or liquid-soaked product was used or stored in circumstances that made the ignition possible. On January 6, 1992, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) issued a press release warning that cloth kitchen towels used to wipe or drain large quantities of cooking or salad oil can catch fire if heated. Oil may remain in the cloth even after normal laundering. When oil-containing towels are dried in a clothes dryer, left in a pile while warm, or stored in a warm area, they may begin to smolder and ignite. They warn that fires can also start with paper towels and other household oils. The combination of soiled-towel, heat, and air, can sometimes result in a fire. Oil-soaked cloths or towels should be discarded in a ventilated area away from direct sunlight or heat sources such as heaters or stoves.* *U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Press Release #92-40: Hidden Hazard in the Home: Cloths Heavily Soiled with Vegetable Oil Can Start Fires, January 6, 1992.


Table 34. Home Structure Fires Caused by Spontaneous Heating


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 1,140 (47.5%) 4 (29.1%) 31 (38.7%) $15.9 (63.0%) Dryer 260 (10.7%) 0 (0.0%) 11 (13.4%) $1.2 (4.9%) Stove 220 (9.3%) 0 (0.0%) 18 (22.5%) $0.4 (1.5%) Fixed-area heater 100 (4.3%) 3 (22.5%) 3 (3.2%) $1.7 (6.7%) Chimney or gas vent flue 100 (4.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.6 (2.2%) Indoor fireplace 90 (3.6%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.5 (1.9%) Oven 60 (2.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.1 (0.4%) Chimney connector or vent 60 (2.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.5 (1.9%) connector Unclassified equipment 30 (1.3%) 2 (13.7%) 1 (1.8%) $0.4 (1.4%) Lamp or light bulb 30 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $0.3 (1.2%) Unknown-type heating 30 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.5%) equipment Central heating unit 30 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $0.8 (3.2%) Water heater 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.3 (1.2%) Other known equipment 240 (9.8%) 5 (34.7%) 10 (12.0%) $2.5 (9.9%) Total 2,400 (100.0%) 13 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) $25.2 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Spontaneous ignition or 1,070 (44.6%) 0 (0.0%) 30 (37.9%) $15.8 (62.5%) chemical reaction Properly operating 260 (10.7%) 5 (37.0%) 15 (18.4%) $1.0 (3.8%) electrical equipment Radiated heat 70 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.7%) $0.5 (1.9%) Hot ember or ash 50 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.1%) $0.3 (1.1%) Open fire 50 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.4%) Heat from other hot object 40 (1.9%) 1 (4.6%) 3 (3.4%) $0.4 (1.8%) Electric lamp 40 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.3%) $0.3 (1.3%) Unclassified form of heat 40 (1.6%) 3 (24.7%) 4 (5.4%) $0.2 (0.9%) Heat from overloaded 30 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.7%) $0.1 (0.5%) equipment Improperly operating 30 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.1 (0.6%) electrical equipment Unclassified open flame or 30 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.6%) $0.1 (0.4%) spark Heat from unknown-type 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.6%) $0.3 (1.0%) hot object Heat from direct flame or 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (0.8%) convection current Other known form of heat 650 (26.9%) 4 (33.7%) 20 (25.0%) $5.8 (22.9%) Total 2,400 (100.0%) 13 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) $25.2 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 270 (11.1%) 0 (0.0%) 17 (21.6%) $0.5 (2.1%) Rubbish, trash or waste 260 (10.8%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (9.3%) $2.7 (10.7%) product Wearing apparel not worn 210 (8.6%) 3 (25.9%) 9 (11.7%) $1.8 (7.1%) Cleaning supplies 180 (7.5%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (6.1%) $1.7 (6.8%) Unclassified form of material 180 (7.3%) 2 (15.5%) 3 (3.7%) $1.0 (3.9%) Structural member or 160 (6.6%) 5 (35.3%) 1 (1.2%) $3.5 (13.9%) framing Linen other than bedding 130 (5.6%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (5.6%) $1.2 (4.6%) Interior wall covering 90 (3.8%) 1 (5.2%) 4 (5.6%) $1.3 (5.1%) Dust, fiber or lint 90 (3.7%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (4.3%) $0.3 (1.3%) Exterior sidewall 80 (3.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.3%) $0.8 (3.2%) Floor covering or surface 60 (2.4%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.5%) $0.8 (3.2%) Multiple forms of material 50 (2.2%) 2 (18.1%) 4 (4.5%) $0.9 (3.5%) Mattress or bedding 40 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.3 (1.0%) Unknown-type soft goods 40 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $1.0 (3.8%) Cabinetry 30 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.5%) $0.4 (1.7%) Unclassified soft goods 30 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.4 (1.7%) Box, carton or bag 30 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (0.9%) Fuel 30 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.7 (2.9%) Agricultural product 30 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.1 (0.5%) Growing or living form 30 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (0.9%) Gas or liquid in or from a pipe 30 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.5%) $0.2 (0.8%) or container Goods not made up 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.3%) $0.1 (0.5%) Other known material 340 (14.3%) 0 (0.1%) 10 (12.9%) $5.0 (19.7%) Total 2,400 (100.0%) 13 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) $25.2 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Improper Storage From 1992 through 1996, improper storage caused an average of 1,860 home structure fires, resulting in 10 civilian fire deaths, 87 civilian injuries, and an estimated $25.0 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.4% of the home structure fires, 0.3% of the civilian deaths, 0.4% of the civilian injuries, and 0.6% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Improper storage can describe several scenarios and may overlap with the use of improper containers and combustibles that were too close to heat sources. In some cases, waste products, ashes or cigarettes are stored in flammable containers. In other incidents, some form of heat producing equipment may be near the stored materials. Table 37 shows that no equipment was involved in 39.3% of these fires. Ovens or microwave ovens were involved in 15.3% of the incidents. With the exception of improper containers and improper storage, stoves ranked ahead of ovens in frequency in the ignition factors studied. Some people store pots and pans in the oven, and this may have been a factor in some improper storage incidents. Water heaters were involved in 12.6% of the improper storage ignitions; and stoves were involved in 9.6% of the incidents. Table 38 shows that gas-fueled equipment provided the heat of ignition in 24.5% of these fires; spontaneous ignition or chemical reactions provided the heat in 21.2%; heat from properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 17.5% of the incidents; and hot embers or ashes provided the heat in 8.3% of the improper storage ignitions. Table 39 shows that many different materials were first ignited in these fires. In 10.6% of the improper storage fires, the form of material first ignited was unclassified. Boxes, cartons or bags (which may, in some incidents, have been used as storage containers) were first ignited in 9.2% of the fires; rubbish, trash or waste products in 8.9%; cooking materials were first ignited in 7.6%; fuel was first ignited in 6.7%; wearing apparel that was not worn at the time was first ignited in 6.7%; and cleaning supplies were first ignited in 6.6% of these fires. Using metal containers could prevent or contain many of these fires.


Table 37. Home Structure Fires Caused by Improper Storage


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 730 (39.3%) 4 (43.7%) 30 (34.2%) $13.0 (52.0%) Oven or microwave oven 280 (15.3%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (7.8%) $0.2 (1.0%) Water heater 230 (12.6%) 1 (7.0%) 22 (24.9%) $2.2 (8.7%) Stove 180 (9.6%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (6.4%) $0.5 (2.0%) Fixed-area heater 40 (2.4%) 1 (7.4%) 2 (2.2%) $1.4 (5.6%) Central heating unit 40 (2.2%) 2 (22.2%) 5 (6.1%) $0.5 (2.2%) Dryer 30 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.2%) $0.3 (1.2%) Unknown type processing 30 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.7%) $0.9 (3.5%) equipment Lamp or light bulb 30 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.2 (0.9%) Unclassified equipment 20 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.3 (1.3%) Light fixture, lamp holder or 20 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.2%) sign Open-fired grill 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.4 (1.8%) Other known 200 (10.6%) 2 (19.7%) 10 (11.5%) $4.9 (19.7%) Total 1,860 (100.0%) 10 (100.0%) 87 (100.0%) $25.0 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Gas-fueled equipment 490 (24.5%) 4 (38.8%) 38 (44.0%) $6.1 (24.4%) Spontaneous ignition or 390 (21.2%) 1 (8.1%) 8 (9.4%) $7.2 (28.7%) chemical reaction Properly operating 320 (17.5%) 1 (8.1%) 12 (14.0%) $1.3 (5.2%) electrical equipment Hot ember or ash 150 (8.3%) 4 (37.6%) 5 (5.5%) $3.2 (13.0%) Electric lamp 50 (2.6%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.1%) $0.2 (0.7%) Solid-fueled equipment 40 (2.2%) 1 (7.4%) 1 (1.1%) $1.3 (5.4%) Liquid-fueled equipment 30 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.3%) $0.4 (1.2%) Equipment with unclassified 30 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.2 (0.9%) or unknown-type fuel Heat from unclassified hot 30 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (0.9%) object Unclassified form of heat 30 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (3.3%) $0.3 (1.0%) Heat from unclassified open 20 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.3 (1.1%) flame or spark Heat from unknown-type 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.7%) $0.9 (3.5%) hot object Heat from unknown-type 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.8%) $0.2 (0.8%) electrical arc or overload Cigarette 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.7%) $0.1 (0.5%) Other known 200 (10.8%) 0 (0.0%) 9 (10.3%) $3.1 (12.5%) Total 1,860 (100.0%) 10 (100.0%) 87 (100.0%) $25.0 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



by Form of Material First Ignited, 1992-1996 Annual Averages Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Unclassified form of material 200 (10.6%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (6.2%) $3.4 (13.4%) Box, carton or bag 170 (9.2%) 2 (18.8%) 7 (8.4%) $1.4 (5.6%) Rubbish, trash or waste 170 (8.9%) 1 (6.9%) 4 (5.0%) $2.5 (10.1%) product Cooking materials 140 (7.6%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (3.4%) $0.2 (0.7%) Fuel 130 (7.2%) 2 (15.3%) 23 (26.0%) $1.6 (6.3%) Wearing apparel not worn 120 (6.7%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (6.9%) $2.1 (8.6%) Cleaning supplies 120 (6.6%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.2%) $1.8 (7.0%) Linen other than bedding 70 (3.8%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (3.0%) $0.6 (2.2%) Gas or liquid in or from pipe 60 (3.0%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (6.9%) $0.7 (2.8%) or container Magazine, newspaper or 50 (2.8%) 1 (13.2%) 1 (1.7%) $1.4 (5.4%) writing paper Mattress or bedding 50 (2.6%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.7%) $0.5 (2.0%) Multiple forms of material 40 (2.1%) 1 (7.7%) 3 (3.3%) $0.9 (3.4%) Exterior sidewall covering 40 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.7 (2.6%) or finish Interior wall covering 40 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.7 (2.9%) Unclassified supplies or stock 40 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.2%) $0.2 (0.8%) Structural member or framing 30 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.9 (3.4%) Unclassified soft goods or 30 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.1 (0.6%) apparel Floor covering or surface 30 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $1.1 (4.5%) apparel Unknown-type soft goods or 20 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.3%) $0.3 (1.3%) Cabinetry 20 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.1 (0.5%) Packing or wrapping material 20 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.4%) Atomized or vaporized liquid 20 (1.1%) 1 (5.9%) 2 (2.9%) $0.4 (1.8%) Appliance housing or casing 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.3 (1.2%) Other known form 240 (12.7%) 3 (32.2%) 11 (12.5%) $3.1 (12.5%) Total 1,860 (100.0%) 10 (100.0%) 87 (100.0%) $25.0 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Improper Startup or Shutdown Procedures From 1992 through 1996, improper startup or shutdown procedures caused an average of 1,600 home structure fires, resulting in seven civilian fire deaths, 92 civilian injuries, and an estimated $9.4 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.4% of the home structure fires, 0.2% of the civilian deaths, 0.5% of the civilian injuries, and 0.3% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 40 shows that cooking and heating equipment were the types of equipment most frequently involved in these fires. Stoves were involved in 20.4% of these incidents and ovens or microwave ovens were involved in 12.0%. No equipment was involved in 11.6% of the fires. Central heating units were involved in 8.4% of these fires; fixed-area heaters were also involved in 8.4%; and indoor fireplaces were involved in 8.0% of these home fires. Table 41 shows that the form of heat of ignition in these fires was properly operating electrical equipment in 26.4% of these fires; gas-fueled equipment in 17.8% of these incidents; solid-fueled equipment in 11.7%; liquid-fueled equipment in 8.8%; and a match provided the heat of ignition in 7.7% of the home structure fires caused by improper startup or shutdown procedures. Table 42 shows that cooking materials were first ignited in 22.5% of the fires caused by improper startup or shutdown procedures. Fuel was first ignited in 14.2%; the form of material first ignited was unclassified in 7.8% of the fires; rubbish, trash or waste products in 9.2%; and a gas or liquid in or from a pipe or container was first ignited in 5.6% of these fires.


Table 40. Home Structure Fires Caused by Improper Startup or Shutdown Procedures


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Stove 330 (20.4%) 1 (11.2%) 22 (23.9%) $2.3 (24.6%) Oven or microwave oven 190 (12.0%) 0 (0.0%) 13 (14.0%) $0.2 (2.0%) No equipment involved 180 (11.6%) 1 (9.1%) 13 (14.0%) $1.2 (13.1%) Central heating unit 130 (8.4%) 1 (12.1%) 11 (12.5%) $0.6 (6.9%) Fixed-area heaters 130 (8.4%) 3 (38.3%) 4 (4.3%) $1.2 (12.9%) Indoor fireplace 130 (8.0%) 1 (12.1%) 4 (4.8%) $0.3 (3.6%) Chimney or gas vent flue 50 (3.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.5%) Dryer 50 (3.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.0%) $0.3 (3.2%) Portable cooking or warming 40 (2.7%) 1 (8.6%) 4 (4.8%) $0.2 (2.5%) unit Hot water heater 40 (2.5%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (5.4%) $0.4 (4.1%) Portable appliance designed to 30 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.1%) $0.3 (3.6%) produce heat Portable heater 30 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (5.4%) $0.3 (3.0%) Open-fired grill 30 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.2%) $0.1 (1.6%) Furnace, oven or kiln 30 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.1 (0.6%) Chimney connector or vent 20 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.1%) connector Unclassified appliance 20 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.8%) Unclassified heating system 20 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.1 (1.5%) Other known 140 (8.6%) 1 (8.6%) 4 (4.6%) $1.3 (14.4%) Total 1,600 (100.0%) 7 (100.0%) 92 (100.0%) $9.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Properly operating 420 (26.4%) 0 (0.0%) 12 (13.5%) $1.7 (18.4%) electrical equipment Gas-fueled equipment 280 (17.8%) 1 (11.2%) 25 (27.7%) $2.5 (26.3%) Solid-fueled equipment 190 (11.7%) 3 (38.2%) 3 (3.5%) $1.3 (14.4%) Liquid-fueled equipment 140 (8.8%) 1 (12.1%) 4 (4.0%) $0.6 (6.1%) Match 120 (7.7%) 1 (20.7%) 27 (28.9%) $0.3 (3.6%) Improperly operating 60 (3.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.5 (4.9%) electrical equipment Hot ember or ash 50 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.6 (6.5%) Equipment with unclassified 40 (2.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.6%) or unknown-type fuel Heat from unclassified open 30 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.2 (2.1%) flame or spark Open fire 30 (1.9%) 1 (8.6%) 2 (2.6%) $0.1 (1.2%) Heat from unknown-type 20 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.1 (1.2%) electrical arc or overload Unknown-type heat from open 20 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (3.0%) $0.1 (0.8%) flame or spark Unclassified form of heat 20 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.4%) Lighter 20 (1.1%) 1 (9.1%) 6 (6.6%) $0.0 (0.4%) Heat from overloaded 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.4%) equipment Heat from unclassified 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.0%) $0.2 (1.8%) hot object Other known heat 120 (7.6%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (4.4%) $0.8 ( 9.0%) Total 1,600 (100.0%) 7 (100.0%) 92 (100.0%) $9.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 360 (22.5%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (11.2%) $1.6 (17.5%) Fuel 230 (14.2%) 3 (41.0%) 29 (31.5%) $1.1 (11.9%) Unclassified form of material 170 (10.5%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.6%) $0.4 (4.1%) Rubbish, trash or waste 150 (9.2%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (3.1%) $0.2 (1.6%) product Gas or liquid in or from pipe 90 (5.6%) 1 (11.4%) 24 (25.9%) $0.4 (4.4%) or container Structural member or framing 50 (3.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.1%) $0.8 (8.7%) Interior wall covering 40 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.7%) $0.4 (4.3%) Wearing apparel not worn 40 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.3 (2.9%) Box, carton or bag 40 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.3 (2.7%) Mattress or bedding 30 (2.1%) 2 (22.8%) 0 (0.5%) $0.3 (3.3%) Floor covering or surface 30 (2.1%) 1 (10.8%) 1 (1.0%) $0.4 (4.8%) Appliance housing or casing 30 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.1 (0.9%) Electrical wire or cable 20 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.2 (2.3%) insulation Magazine, newspaper or 20 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.3%) writing paper Multiple forms of material 20 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.1%) $0.9 (10.0%) Dust, fiber or lint 20 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.1%) Growing or living form 20 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.1%) Cabinetry 20 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.3 (2.8%) Linen other than bedding 20 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (2.2%) Other known form 210 (13.0%) 1 (14.1%) 13 (13.8%) $1.3 (14.1%) Total 1,600 (100.0%) 7 (100.0%) 92 (100.0%) $9.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Thawing From 1992 through 1996, thawing activities caused an average of 1,230 home structure fires, resulting in five civilian fire deaths, 28 civilian injuries, and an estimated $14.8 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.3% of the home structure fires, 0.1% of the civilian deaths, 0.1% of the civilian injuries, and 0.3% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 43 shows that torches were involved in 38.3% of the home structure fires caused by thawing. No equipment was involved in 18.1%; portable heaters were involved in 16.0%; and portable appliances designed to produce heat were involved 7.6% of these fires. Table 44 shows that the form of heat of ignition in these fires was a torch other than one used for cutting or welding in 38.3% of the incidents; gas-fueled equipment was involved in 11.6%; liquid-fueled equipment in 9.5%; and properly operating electrical equipment was involved in 9.4% of the home structure fires caused by thawing. Table 45 shows that structural members or framing were first ignited in 36.1% of the fires; thermal or acoustical insulation was first ignited in 13.8% of these incidents; exterior sidewalls were first ignited in 8.9%; interior wall coverings were first ignited in 6.2%; and floor coverings or surfaces were first ignited in 5.3% of the home structure fires caused by thawing.


Table 43. Home Structure Fires Caused by Thawing


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Torch 470 (38.3%) 1 (12.4%) 7 (24.2%) $6.6 (44.8%) No equipment involved 220 (18.1%) 1 (14.5%) 5 (18.7%) $1.5 (10.4%) Portable heater 200 (16.0%) 1 (17.5%) 9 (31.4%) $2.9 (19.5%) Portable appliance designed 90 (7.6%) 2 (30.0%) 2 (7.1%) $1.6 (11.0%) to produce heat Stove 30 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (8.3%) $0.1 (0.9%) Lamp or light bulb 30 (2.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (1.7%) $0.8 (5.2%) Hand tools 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.8%) Unclassified equipment 20 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.9%) Oven 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.0%) Unclassified service or 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (1.7%) $0.1 (0.4%) maintenance equipment Other known equipment 120 (9.7%) 1 (25.6%) 2 (6.9%) $0.9 (6.0%) Total 1,230 (100.0%) 5 (100.0%) 28 (100.0%) $14.8 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Torch, not cutting or 470 (38.3%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (25.7%) $6.2 (42.0%) welding Gas-fueled equipment 140 (11.6%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (12.4%) $1.5 (10.4%) Liquid-fueled equipment 120 (9.5%) 1 (24.8%) 5 (17.4%) $1.4 (9.3%) Properly operating electrical 120 (9.4%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (10.3%) $1.4 (9.5%) equipment Electric lamp 40 (3.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.8 (5.4%) Equipment of unknown or 40 (3.0%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (10.0%) $0.4 (2.5%) unclassified type fuel Cutting torch 20 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.6%) Cigarette 20 (1.6%) 1 (14.5%) 1 (5.0%) $0.1 (0.7%) Unclassified electrical arc 20 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (1.7%) $0.1 (0.6%) or overload Improperly operating 20 (1.5%) 2 (35.1%) 0 (0.0%) $0.4 (2.5%) electrical equipment Open fire 20 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.0%) Short circuit arc from 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (1.7%) $0.1 (0.9%) defective insulation Unspecified short circuit 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.8%) Heat from overloaded 10 (1.0%) 1 (13.2%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (1.3%) equipment Match 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.1 (0.6%) Heat from other hot object 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (1.4%) Other known form of heat 150 (11.8%) 1 (12.4%) 4 (14.1%) $1.5 (10.4%) Total 1,230 (100.0%) 5 (100.0%) 28 (100.0%) $14.8 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Structural member or 440 (36.1%) 2 (43.1%) 8 (28.6%) $6.7 (45.3%) framing Thermal or acoustical 170 (13.8%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (15.1%) $2.0 (13.7%) insulation Exterior sidewall 110 (8.9%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $1.4 (9.3%) Interior wall covering 80 (6.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (3.8%) $0.9 (5.8%) Floor covering or surface 70 (5.3%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (5.6%) $0.7 (4.4%) Unclassified form of material 40 (3.1%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (10.9%) $0.2 (1.3%) Cooking materials 30 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.1 (0.5%) Electric wire or cable 30 (2.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.4%) insulation Unclassified structural 30 (2.3%) 1 (12.4%) 1 (2.0%) $0.3 (1.9%) component Multiple forms of material 20 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.8%) $0.2 (1.3%) Unknown-type structural 20 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (3.8%) $0.2 (1.3%) component Mattress or bedding 10 (1.2%) 1 (14.5%) 1 (1.8%) $0.1 (0.4%) Exterior roof covering or finish 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.0%) Rubbish, trash or waste 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (5.5%) $0.2 (1.3%) product Exterior trim 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.3 (1.8%) Fuel 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.7%) Other known material 130 (10.9%) 2 (30.0%) 5 (17.3%) $1.4 (9.8%) Total 1,230 (100.0%) 5 (100.0%) 28 (100.0%) $14.8 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Collisions, Overturns or Knockdowns From 1992 through 1996, collisions, overturns or knockdowns caused an average of 1,100 home structure fires, resulting in 16 civilian fire deaths, 96 civilian injuries, and an estimated $13.4 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.3% of the home structure fires, 0.4% of the civilian deaths, 0.5% of the civilian injuries, and 0.3% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 46 shows that no equipment was identified as being involved in 21.7% of the fires; lamps or light bulbs were involved in 18.4% of these fires; stoves were involved 12.7%; and portable heaters were involved in 6.9%; and light fixtures, lamp holders or signs were also involved in 6.9% of the ignitions. Table 47 shows that electric lamps provided the heat of ignition in one-quarter of the fires; properly operating electrical equipment provided of heat of ignition in 17.9% of these fires; gas-fueled equipment provided the heat in 12.4% of these ignitions; and candles provided the heat in 10.9% of the incidents. Table 48 shows that mattresses or bedding was first ignited in 14.3% of these fires; floor coverings or surfaces in 13.1%; cooking materials in 12.4%; fuel in 6.2%; upholstered furniture in 6.0%; and wearing apparel that was not being worn at the time was first ignited in 5.9% of these fires. Items that produce heat, get hot or have open flames, must be stable and resistant to tipping if bumped.


Table 46. Home Structure Fires Caused by Collisions, Overturns or Knockdowns


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 240 (21.7%) 6 (35.8%) 23 (23.5%) $3.7 (27.5%) Lamp or light bulb 200 (18.4%) 4 (26.8%) 15 (16.0%) $2.7 (19.9%) Stove 140 (12.7%) 0 (0.0%) 11 (11.1%) $0.3 (2.4%) Portable heater 80 (6.9%) 4 (27.1%) 9 (9.0%) $1.4 (10.6%) Light fixture, lamp holder 80 (6.9%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.9%) $1.0 (7.2%) or sign Vehicle 30 (3.1%) 1 (5.2%) 4 (4.1%) $0.9 (6.7%) Water heater 30 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (4.5%) $0.2 (1.3%) Open-fired grill 30 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.9%) $0.4 (2.6%) Portable appliance not 30 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 9 (9.2%) $0.4 (2.7%) designed to produce heat Unclassified appliance 20 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.6%) $0.2 (1.5%) Fixed wiring 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.3 (2.4%) Fixed-area heater 20 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.9%) $0.6 (4.5%) Arc or oil lamp 20 (1.9%) 1 (4.8%) 4 (4.1%) $0.3 (2.1%) Oven or microwave oven 20 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.5%) $0.0 (0.1%) Portable appliance designed 20 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.5%) $0.2 (1.1%) to produce heat Other known 110 (10.3%) 0 (0.1%) 8 (8.3%) $1.0 (7.1%) Total 1,100 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 96 (100.0%) $13.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Electric lamp 270 (24.5%) 4 (26.8%) 17 (17.3%) $3.6 (27.1%) Properly operating 200 (17.9%) 0 (0.0%) 12 (12.4%) $1.4 (10.5%) electrical equipment Gas-fueled equipment 140 (12.4%) 2 (13.0%) 13 (13.7%) $1.3 (9.5%) Candle 120 (10.9%) 1 (4.7%) 14 (14.9%) $1.9 (14.5%) Liquid-fueled equipment 50 (4.7%) 4 (27.8%) 6 (5.8%) $1.0 (7.2%) Short circuit arc from 40 (3.8%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.5 (4.1%) mechanical damage Hot ember or ash 20 (2.3%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.4%) $0.3 (1.9%) Heat from overloaded 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.3 (2.2%) equipment Solid-fueled equipment 20 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.3 (2.5%) Improperly operating 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (10.9%) $0.2 (1.4%) electrical equipment Heat from unclassified 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.2 (1.2%) electrical arc or overload Heat from unclassified 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.1 (0.7%) hot object Unspecified short circuit arc 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.1 (0.7%) Radiated heat 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.2 (1.5%) Equipment with unclassified 10 (1.0%) 2 (11.2%) 4 (4.5%) $0.3 (2.6%) or unknown-type fuel Heat from unknown-type 10 (1.0%) 1 (4.7%) 2 (2.5%) $0.1 (0.9%) electrical arc or overload Heat from unknown-type 10 (1.0%) 1 (5.3%) 1 (1.0%) $0.3 (2.1%) hot object Other known heat 110 (10.2%) 1 (6.5%) 11 (11.1%) $1.3 (9.4%) Total 1,100 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 96 (100.0%) $13.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Mattress or bedding 160 (14.3%) 3 (18.8%) 21 (22.3%) $1.9 (13.9%) Floor covering or surface 140 (13.1%) 2 (12.1%) 6 (6.3%) $1.9 (14.2%) Cooking materials 140 (12.4%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (10.3%) $0.2 (1.4%) Fuel 70 (6.2%) 2 (12.9%) 7 (7.3%) $1.3 (9.4%) Upholstered furniture 70 (6.0%) 1 (3.8%) 3 (3.3%) $1.0 (7.4%) Wearing apparel not worn 70 (5.9%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (4.5%) $0.6 (4.8%) Gas or liquid in or from pipe 40 (3.5%) 1 (4.8%) 4 (4.4%) $0.7 (5.5%) or container Unclassified form of material 40 (3.5%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.0%) $0.4 (2.8%) Exterior sidewall covering or 30 (3.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.9%) $0.3 (2.6%) finish Structural member or framing 30 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (2.8%) $0.6 (4.5%) Electrical wire or cable 30 (2.7%) 1 (5.3%) 3 (2.9%) $0.2 (1.4%) insulation Interior wall covering 30 (2.4%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.0%) $0.4 (2.9%) Exterior trim or appurtenances 20 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.9%) $0.3 (2.4%) writing paper Magazine, newspaper or 20 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.9%) $0.6 (4.6%) writing paper Multiple forms of material 20 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.9%) $0.4 (3.1%) Rubbish, trash or waste 20 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.2 (1.2%) product Curtain, blind or drape 20 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.5%) $0.2 (1.5%) Cabinetry 20 (1.4%) 1 (3.8%) 1 (1.4%) $0.1 (0.7%) Appliance housing or casing 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 8 (8.0%) $0.0 (0.4%) Linen other than bedding 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.0%) $0.0 (0.2%) Other known form 130 (11.9%) 6 (38.4%) 11 (11.7%) $2.0 (15.0%) Total 1,100 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 96 (100.0%) $13.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Washing Parts, Painting, Cleaning or Refinishing From 1992 through 1996, washing parts, painting, cleaning or refinishing caused an average of 1,090 home structure fires, resulting in nine civilian fire deaths, 222 civilian injuries, and an estimated $11.2 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.3% of the home structure fires, 0.2% of the civilian deaths, 1.1% of the civilian injuries, and 0.3% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Home structure fires caused by washing parts, painting, cleaning or refinishing had the highest injury rate per 1,000 fires among all the ignition factors. Table 48 shows that a wide variety of equipment was involved in these fires, although no equipment was involved (or identified) in 29.4% of the fires. Water heaters were involved in 20.1% of the fires; stoves in 20.8%; ovens or microwave ovens in 15.3%; and switches, receptacles or outlets were involved in 3.2% of the fires. When flammable liquids and the associated fumes are present, one spark can be enough to start a fire. Table 49 shows that gas-fueled equipment provided the heat of ignition in 42.1% of these fires; properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 8.0% of the incidents; spontaneous ignition or chemical reaction in 6.5%; and arcs or sparks from operating equipment or switches provided the heat in 5.9% of these fires. Because gas-fueled equipment was involved in such a large share of these fires, it seems likely that people are forgetting the presence of pilot lights. Although not as common as heat from other types of equipment, cigarettes, candles, lighters and matches were also factors in these fires. Table 50 shows that fuel was first ignited in 17.6% of these fires; gas or liquid in or from a pipe or container in 15.7%; atomized or vaporized liquid in 12.7%; cleaning supplies in 6.8%; unclassified forms of material in 5.6%; interior wall coverings in 5.1%; and cooking materials were first ignited in 5.1% of these fires.


Table 49. Home Structure Fires Caused by Washing Parts, Cleaning, Refinishing or Painting


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 320 (29.4%) 2 (25.5%) 54 (24.3%) $4.3 (38.1%) Water heater 220 (20.1%) 3 (32.7%) 68 (30.8%) $2.0 (18.0%) Stove 140 (13.2%) 1 (9.2%) 27 (11.9%) $0.7 (6.0%) Oven or microwave oven 70 (6.1%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (2.2%) $0.1 (1.3%) Switch, receptacle or outlet 40 (3.2%) 1 (8.3%) 8 (3.6%) $0.4 (3.6%) Central heating unit 30 (2.5%) 1 (7.5%) 6 (2.7%) $0.3 (2.7%) Fixed-area heater 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (2.0%) $0.4 (3.4%) Dryer 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.5%) $0.1 (1.3%) Fixed wiring 20 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (2.0%) $0.1 (0.5%) Torch 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.2%) $0.0 (0.4%) Painting equipment 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.9%) $0.2 (1.8%) Washing machine 20 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.8%) $0.2 (1.5%) Portable heater 10 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (2.7%) $0.3 (2.4%) Portable appliance designed 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.5%) $0.1 (1.3%) to produce heat Hand tools 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.1%) $0.1 (1.3%) Unknown-type heating 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.7%) $0.0 (0.4%) equipment Other known 110 (10.2%) 1 (16.8%) 22 (10.1%) $1.8 (16.1%) Total 1,090 (100.0%) 9 (100.0%) 222 (100.0%) $11.2 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



by Form of Heat of Ignition, 1992-1996 Annual Averages Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Gas-fueled equipment 460 (42.1%) 5 (56.6%) 125 (56.3%) $4.0 (35.8%) Properly operating 90 (8.0%) 1 (8.3%) 12 (5.3%) $0.7 (6.2%) electrical equipment Spontaneous ignition or 70 (6.5%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.3%) $1.8 (15.8%) chemical reaction Arc or spark from operating 60 (5.9%) 1 (8.3%) 15 (6.9%) $1.0 (8.8%) equipment or switch Liquid-fueled equipment 50 (4.6%) 0 (0.0%) 12 (5.5%) $0.4 (3.6%) Unspecified short circuit arc 40 (3.8%) 0 (0.0%) 9 (4.0%) $0.4 (3.9%) Liquid-fueled equipment 50 (4.6%) 0 (0.0%) 12 (5.5%) $0.4 (3.6%) Heat from unclassified open 40 (3.3%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (2.8%) $0.1 (0.9%) flame or spark Torch, not cutting or welding 20 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $0.2 (1.8%) Unclassified form of heat 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.3%) $0.5 (4.2%) Cigarette 20 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.8%) $0.1 (0.9%) Water caused short circuit arc 10 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.5%) Candle 10 (1.3%) 1 (9.2%) 1 (0.4%) $0.1 (1.1%) Lighter 10 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.8%) $0.2 (1.4%) Match 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.9%) $0.2 (1.6%) Heat or spark from friction 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (0.8%) $0.1 (0.9%) Heat from unclassified 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $0.1 (1.0%) electrical arc or overload Solid-fueled equipment 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $0.0 (0.2%) Equipment with unclassified 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $0.0 (0.4%) or unknown-type fuel Unknown-type heat from 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.8%) $0.2 (2.2%) open flame or spark Open fire 10 (1.1%) 1 (7.5%) 0 (0.2%) $0.1 (0.7%) Other known heat 90 (8.4%) 1 (10.1%) 14 (6.4%) $0.9 (8.2%) Total 1,090 (100.0%) 9 (100.0%) 222 (100.0%) $11.2 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Fuel 190 (17.6%) 3 (29.2%) 61 (27.4%) $1.4 (12.8%) Gas or liquid in or from pipe 170 (15.7%) 3 (35.8%) 46 (20.5%) $1.5 (13.7%) or container Atomized or vaporized liquid 140 (12.7%) 1 (9.3%) 34 (15.2%) $2.1 (19.1%) Cleaning supplies 70 (6.8%) 0 (0.0%) 15 (6.6%) $0.7 (6.5%) Unclassified form of material 60 (5.6%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (4.7%) $0.5 (4.4%) Interior wall covering 60 (5.1%) 1 (9.3%) 9 (3.9%) $0.6 (5.3%) Cooking materials 60 (5.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.6%) $0.0 (0.3%) Floor covering or surface 50 (4.5%) 0 (0.0%) 8 (3.4%) $0.5 (4.2%) Structural member or framing 30 (3.0%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.7%) $0.6 (5.1%) Exterior sidewall covering or 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.2%) $0.1 (1.0%) finish Rubbish, trash or waste 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.4%) $0.4 (3.4%) product Electrical wire or cable 20 (1.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.2%) $0.0 (0.1%) insulation Wearing apparel not worn 20 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.5%) $0.3 (3.0%) Adhesive 20 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.7%) $0.2 (1.6%) Cabinetry 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.7%) $0.3 (2.3%) Multiple forms of material 20 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (1.9%) $0.7 (6.4%) Exterior trim or appurtenances 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.4%) $0.0 (0.4%) Linen other than bedding 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.2%) $0.1 (0.5%) Other known form 100 (9.2%) 1 (16.4%) 17 (7.7%) $1.1 (10.0%) Total 1,090 (100.0%) 9 (100.0%) 222 (100.0%) $11.2 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Unconsciousness, Mental or Physical Impairment, or Drug or Alcohol Stupor From 1992 through 1996, people who were unconscious, mentally or physically impaired, or impaired by drugs or alcohol caused an average of 1,090 home structure fires, resulting in 98 civilian fire deaths, 192 civilian injuries, and an estimated $8.6 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.2% of the home structure fires, 2.7% of the civilian deaths, 1.0% of the civilian injuries, and 0.2% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 52 shows that no equipment was involved in 52.3% of these fires; and stoves were involved in 32.0% of these fires. Table 53 shows that cigarettes provided of heat of ignition in 23.6% of the home fires and 45.8% of the home civilian deaths caused by unconsciousness, mental or physical impairment or drug or alcohol stupor. Properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 22.9% of these fires; matches provided the heat in 9.4%; and lighters provided the heat of ignition in 4.9% of these incidents. Table 54 shows that cooking materials were first ignited in 30.2% of these fires; mattresses or bedding were first ignited in 15.1%; and upholstered furniture was first ignited in 11.0% of these fires. Members of the fire service are often reluctant to document suspected substance abuse without medical documentation. It is possible that this code is used more for serious incidents than minor ones. However, the death rate for this ignition factor is higher than any other ignition factor. If someone is unable to safely handle a heat source or to escape or take corrective measures in the event of a problem, they are at increased risk. Smoking or cooking while intoxicated can have the same tragic results seen in driving under the influence.


Table 52. Home Structure Fires Caused by Unconsciousness, Mental or Physical Impairment, or Drug or

Alcohol Stupor by Equipment Involved in Ignition

1992-1996 Annual Averages

Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 570 (52.3%) 71 (71.1%) 61 (61.3%) $6.8 (78.5%) Stove 350 (32.0%) 13 (13.5%) 24 (24.2%) $0.8 (9.8%) Oven 40 (4.0%) 3 (2.8%) 3 (2.6%) $0.1 (1.3%) Portable cooking or 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.5%) $0.1 (1.0%) warming unit Fixed-area heater 10 (1.2%) 4 (4.1%) 2 (2.0%) $0.1 (1.3%) Unknown-type cooking 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.1%) $0.0 (0.1%) equipment Other known equipment 80 (7.7%) 8 (8.5%) 7 (7.3%) $0.7 (8.0%) Total 1,090 (100.0%) 98 (100.0%) 192 (100.0%) $8.6 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



Alcohol Stupor by Form of Heat of Ignition 1992-1996 Annual Averages

Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cigarette 260 (23.6%) 45 (45.8%) 67 (35.1%) $3.5 (41.1%) Properly operating electrical 250 (22.9%) 6 (5.9%) 31 (16.1%) $0.7 (7.9%) equipment Match 100 (9.4%) 4 (4.3%) 11 (5.8%) $0.6 (6.9%) Lighter (flame type) 50 (4.9%) 4 (4.5%) 12 (6.5%) $0.4 (4.8%) Candle 20 (2.2%) 2 (2.1%) 12 (6.0%) $0.3 (2.9%) Heat from unknown-type 20 (2.0%) 3 (3.0%) 1 (0.7%) $0.1 (1.6%) open flame Unknown-type smoking 20 (1.8%) 4 (3.7%) 5 (2.9%) $0.5 (5.7%) material Improperly operating 20 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.5%) $0.1 (0.8%) electrical equipment Open fire 10 (1.1%) 1 (0.8%) 1 (0.5%) $0.1 (0.6%) Electric lamp 10 (1.1%) 1 (1.4%) 3 (1.5%) $0.1 (1.0%) Heat from direct flame or 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.1%) $0.2 (2.5%) convection current Other known form of heat 310 (28.3%) (28.4%) 45 (23.3%) $2.1 (24.2%) Total 1,090 (100.0%) 98 (100.0%) 192 (100.0%) $8.6 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.



Alcohol Stupor by Form of Material First Ignited

1992-1996 Annual Averages Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 330 (30.2%) 5 (4.7%) 43 (22.5%) $0.7 (7.9%) Mattress or bedding 160 (15.1%) 25 (25.2%) 37 (19.2%) $2.6 (29.6%) Upholstered furniture 120 (11.0%) 22 (22.9%) 34 (17.6%) $2.0 (23.7%) Rubbish, trash or waste 50 (4.8%) 1 (0.7%) 7 (3.4%) $0.2 (2.7%) product Wearing apparel not worn 50 (4.4%) 4 (3.7%) 4 (2.1%) $0.2 (2.3%) Unclassified form of material 50 (4.4%) 6 (6.3%) 5 (2.9%) $0.2 (2.5%) Magazine, newspaper or 40 (3.6%) 3 (3.0%) 8 (4.0%) $0.4 (4.1%) writing paper Floor covering or surface 30 (2.8%) 2 (2.2%) 5 (2.5%) $0.1 (1.7%) Wearing apparel being worn 30 (2.8%) 19 (18.9%) 12 (6.4%) $0.3 (3.3%) Fuel 20 (1.9%) 2 (2.2%) 8 (4.1%) $0.2 (2.1%) Interior wall covering 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (2.8%) $0.2 (2.8%) Linen other than bedding 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.2%) $0.1 (1.1%) Multiple forms of material 20 (1.6%) 1 (0.8%) 2 (1.3%) $0.2 (2.0%) Curtain, blind or drape 10 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (1.6%) $0.1 (0.6%) Cabinetry 10 (1.2%) 4 (3.6%) 1 (0.5%) $0.1 (1.2%) Box, carton or bag 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.5%) $0.0 (0.2%) Gas or liquid in or from a pipe 10 (1.2%) 2 (1.5%) 3 (1.8%) $0.0 (0.5%) or container Structural member or framing 10 (1.1%) 1 (0.7%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.7%) Other known 90 (8.3%) 4 (3.6%) 13 (6.7%) $0.9 (9.9%) Total 1,090 (100.0%) 98 (100.0%) 192 (100.0%) $8.6 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Use of an Improper Container From 1992 through 1996, the use of an improper container caused an average of 1,070 home structure fires, resulting in four civilian fire deaths, 45 civilian injuries, and an estimated $9.9 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.2% of the home structure fires, 0.5% of the civilian deaths, 0.5% of the civilian injuries, and 0.2% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


The use of improper containers can describe several scenarios and may overlap with the improper storage. In some cases, ashes are not stored safely. The wrong type of container may be used while cooking. Table 55 shows no equipment was involved in half (49.2%) of these fires. Ovens or microwave ovens were involved in 15.4% of the incidents. This is unusual, because, with the exception of improper storage and the use of improper containers, stoves ranked ahead in frequency in the ignition factors studied. It is possible that people may forget which containers are appropriate for use in which types of ovens. Stoves were involved in 11.9% of these fires. Table 56 shows that hot embers or ashes provided the heat of ignition in 26.8% of the improper container fires; properly operating electrical equipment provided the heat in 17.8% of the incidents; gas-fueled equipment was the form of heat of ignition in 11.7% of these fires; candles provided the heat in 6.7% of the incidents; and cigarettes provided the heat in 4.3% of the fires. Table 57 shows that many different materials were first ignited in these fires. Cooking materials were first ignited in 11.1% of these fires; rubbish, trash or waste products in 10.9%; boxes, cartons or bags (which are containers themselves) in 9.5%; and unclassified forms of material were first ignited in 5.5% of the improper container fires.


Table 55. Home Structure Fires Caused by Use of an Improper Container


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 530 (49.2%) 2 (61.4%) 27 (59.0%) $6.8 (69.1%) Oven or microwave oven 170 (15.4%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (4.3%) $0.1 (0.5%) Stove 130 (11.9%) 1 (16.8%) 6 (13.7%) $0.5 (4.7%) Water heater 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (4.1%) $0.2 (2.0%) Unclassified equipment 20 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (1.0%) $0.2 (2.3%) Portable cooking or warming 20 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.3%) unit Open-fired grill 20 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.3%) Indoor fireplace 10 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.1%) $0.4 (3.6%) Fixed-area heater 10 (1.2%) 1 (21.8%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (2.1%) Fixed wiring 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.1%) $0.2 (2.2%) Central heating unit 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.3%) Other known 130 (12.0%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (14.7%) $1.2 (12.6%) Total 1,070 (100.0%) 4 (100.0%) 45 (100.0%) $9.9 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Hot ember or ash 290 (26.8%) 2 (39.6%) 11 (25.3%) $3.6 (36.5%) Properly operating 190 (17.8%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (13.1%) $0.3 (2.6%) electrical equipment Gas-fueled equipment 130 (11.7%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (8.7%) $0.3 (6.3%) Candle 70 (6.7%) 0 (0.0%) 12 (25.7%) $0.5 (5.0%) Cigarette 50 (4.3%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.1%) $0.3 (2.6%) Spontaneous ignition or 40 (4.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.2%) $2.1 (21.7%) chemical reaction Solid-fueled equipment 40 (3.6%) 1 (21.8%) 1 (2.2%) $0.4 (4.5%) Match 30 (2.4%) 1 (21.8%) 2 (4.3%) $0.1 (1.4%) Unspecified short circuit arc 20 (2.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.3 (2.6%) Open fire 20 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.9%) Short circuit arc from 20 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.3 (2.8%) defective or worn insulation Unclassified form of heat 20 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.2%) $0.0 (0.5%) Heat from unclassified hot 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.1%) object Heat from unclassified open 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.4 (4.3%) flame or spark Heat from unknown-type 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.4%) hot object Liquid-fueled equipment 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 1.1%) $0.2 (1.6%) Other known 120 (11.6%) 1 (16.8%) 5 (11.9%) $0.6 (6.2%) Total 1,070 (100.0%) 4 (100.0%) 45 (100.0%) $9.9 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Cooking materials 120 (11.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (4.5%) $0.9 (9.5%) Rubbish, trash or waste 120 (10.9%) 1 (17.8%) 7 (16.5%) $1.6 (16.3%) product Box, carton or bag 100 (9.5%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (5.5%) $0.5 (4.9%) Unclassified form of material 60 (5.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (1.1%) $0.4 (4.3%) Exterior sidewall covering or 40 (3.9%) 1 (21.8%) 1 (2.1%) $0.2 (2.1%) finish Floor covering or surface 30 (3.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.2%) $0.4 (4.3%) Structural member or framing 30 (2.8%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (7.6%) $0.4 (4.0%) Fuel 30 (2.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (3.2%) $0.6 (6.3%) Basket or barrel 30 (2.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.1 (1.1%) Electrical wire or cable 20 (2.3%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.1%) insulation Exterior trim or appurtenances 20 (2.3%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (6.5%) $0.4 (4.2%) Interior wall covering 20 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (6.6%) $0.1 (0.7%) Cabinetry 20 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.1%) $0.1 (0.6%) Mattress or bedding 20 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.2 (1.7%) Magazine, newspaper or 20 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.9 (9.0%) writing paper Multiple forms of material 10 (1.2%) 1 (16.8%) 1 (1.2%) $0.0 (0.1%) Appliance housing or casing 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.2%) $0.1 (1.0%) Linen other than bedding 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.1%) Wearing apparel not worn 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (4.3%) $0.2 (2.3%) Gas or liquid in or from pipe 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (1.1%) $0.0 (0.3%) or container Other known form 160 (15.3%) 2 (43.6%) 9 (19.7%) $3.5 (35.9%) Total 1,090 (100.0%) 9 (100.0%) 222 (100.0%) $11.2 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Improper Fueling Techniques From 1992 through 1996, improper fueling techniques caused an average of 800 home structure fires, resulting in 18 civilian fire deaths, 96 civilian injuries, and an estimated $10.1 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.2% of the home structure fires, 0.5% of the civilian deaths, 0.5% of the civilian injuries, and 0.2% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 58 shows that heating equipment was the dominant type of equipment involved in home structure fires caused by improper fueling techniques. Portable heaters were involved in 23.6% of these fires; no equipment was involved (or identified) in 14.0% of these fires; fixed-area heaters were involved in 12.0% of the fires; indoor fireplaces in 8.2%; furnace, ovens or kilns in 6.7%; and chimneys or gas vent flues were involved in 5.4% of these ignitions. Table 59 shows that liquid-fueled equipment provided the heat of ignition in 32.1% of these fires; solid-fueled equipment in 19.8%; gas-fueled equipment in 15.6%; and matches provided the heat in 6.8% of the home structure fires caused by improper fueling technique. Table 60 shows that fuel was first ignited in 45.2% of these fires. Rubbish, trash or waste products, including creosote, were first ignited in 9.5%; gas or liquid in or from a pipe or container was first ignited in 5.9% of the fires; and in 5.7% of the fires, the forms of material first ignited were unclassified. The circumstances of these fires may be similar to those seen in fires caused by fuel spills or accidental releases. Fuel is meant to be burned. Improper fueling techniques may bring a heat source and a fuel together in an area that was not designed to contain burning fuel. It may also involve inappropriate fuel, or too much fuel for the fuel compartment to hold at one time.


Table 58. Home Structure Fires Caused by Improper Fueling Technique


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Portable heater 190 (23.6%) 9 (49.2%) 34 (35.3%) $3.2 (32.1%) No equipment involved 110 (14.0%) 3 (19.7%) 18 (18.4%) $0.9 (8.9%) Fixed-area heater 100 (12.0%) 2 (13.6%) 7 (7.5%) $0.8 (7.8%) Indoor fireplace 70 (8.2%) 1 (6.8%) 4 (4.4%) $0.2 (1.8%) Furnace, oven or kiln 50 (6.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (0.7%) Chimney or gas vent flue 40 (5.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.2%) Water heater 40 (4.5%) 1 (3.8%) 6 (6.0%) $0.5 (5.0%) Central heating unit 40 (4.5%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (6.2%) $0.3 (3.2%) Stove 30 (3.2%) 1 (3.2%) 5 (5.6%) $0.1 (1.5%) Chimney connector or vent 20 (2.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.0 (0.1%) connector Unknown-type heating 10 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.1%) equipment Open-fired grill 10 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.0%) $0.0 (0.2%) Unclassified equipment 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.4%) $0.1 (1.4%) Unclassified heating systems 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (2.1%) Vehicle 10 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.1 (0.9%) Other known 70 (9.3%) 1 (3.7%) 11 (11.8%) $3.3 (32.9%) Total 800 (100.0%) 18 (100.0%) 96 (100.0%) $10.1 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Liquid-fueled equipment 260 (32.1%) 9 (51.0%) 37 (38.7%) $3.8 (37.2%) Solid-fueled equipment 160 (19.8%) 4 (24.0%) 7 (7.5%) $1.2 (11.4%) Gas-fueled equipment 120 (15.6%) 1 (7.4%) 20 (20.8%) $1.7 (17.2%) Match 50 (6.8%) 0 (0.0%) 8 (8.3%) $0.1 (1.4%) Hot ember or ash 30 (4.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.2 (1.8%) Open fire 30 (3.9%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.2 (1.9%) Equipment with unclassified 30 (3.5%) 1 (8.1%) 4 (4.3%) $0.3 (2.8%) or unknown-type fuel Heat from unclassified open 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (2.9%) $0.1 (1.4%) flame or spark Lighter 10 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.5%) $0.1 (0.9%) Heat from unclassified 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (2.0%) $0.1 (1.0%) fuel-fired object Heat from properly operating 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.0 (0.1%) electrical equipment Heat from unknown type 10 (1.1%) 1 (4.4%) 1 (1.4%) $0.1 (0.6%) fuel-fired object Other known heat 80 (9.7%) 2 (9.5%) 12 (13.0%) $2.4 (23.8%) Total 800 (100.0%) 18 (100.0%) 96 (100.0%) $10.1 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Fuel 360 (45.2%) 11 (60.0%) 59 (61.6%) $5.3 (52.5%) Rubbish, trash or waste 80 (9.5%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.9%) $0.2 (1.6%) product Gas or liquid in or from pipe 50 (5.9%) 1 (4.7%) 12 (12.4%) $0.9 (8.8%) or container Unclassified form of material 50 (5.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.5%) $0.3 (2.7%) Floor covering or surface 40 (4.5%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (3.5%) $0.6 (5.6%) Structural member or framing 30 (3.7%) 1 (4.0%) 3 (3.0%) $0.5 (4.5%) Interior wall covering 20 (3.1%) 1 (3.4%) 1 (1.6%) $0.4 (3.6%) Multiple forms of material 20 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (3.0%) $0.3 (3.0%) Box, carton or bag 10 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.0 (0.5%) Cooking materials 10 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.0 (0.4%) Atomized or vaporized liquid 10 (1.6%) 1 (7.9%) 2 (2.0%) $0.1 (1.4%) Magazine, newspaper or 10 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.0 (0.1%) writing paper Other known 110 (14.2%) 4 (20.1%) 8 (8.5%) $1.5 (15.3%) Total 800 (100.0%) 18 (100.0%) 96 (100.0%) $10.1 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Home Structure Fires Caused by Flammable Liquids Used to Kindle Fire From 1992 through 1996, flammable liquids used to kindle fires caused an average of 600 home structure fires, resulting in 16 civilian fire deaths, 105 civilian injuries, and an estimated $7.4 million in direct property damage per year. These fires represent 0.1% of the home structure fires, 0.4% of the civilian deaths, 0.5% of the civilian injuries, and 0.2% of the direct property damage. (See Table 1.) These fires caused casualty and dollar loss rates of:


Table 61 shows that no equipment was involved in 41.0% of these fires. Stoves were involved in 11.9% of these fires; indoor fireplaces in 9.8%; fixed-area heaters were involved in 12.0% of the fires; and open-fired grills were involved in 5.2% of the home structure fires caused by using flammable liquids to kindle fires. It is important to remember that, in the data classification used by NFIRS, any fire in or on a structure is considered a structure fire, so a grill might have been on a porch at the time of the fire. Table 62 shows that matches provided the heat of ignition in 19.5% of these fires; gas-fueled equipment provided the heat in 12.1%; solid-fueled equipment in 11.4%; equipment with unclassified or unknown-type fuel in 9.0%; open fires in 7.4%; and properly operating electrical equipment in 7.2% of the home structure fires caused by flammable liquids used to kindle fires. Table 63 shows that fuel was first ignited in 23.8% of these fires; cooking materials were first ignited in 13.7%; gas or liquid in or from a pipe or container was first ignited in 12.2% of the fires; floor covering or surfaces in 6.6%; and structural members or framing were first ignited in 5.1% of the fires.


Table 61. Home Structure Fires Caused by Flammable Liquid Used to Kindle Fire


Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Equipment Involved Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) No equipment involved 240 (41.0%) 3 (20.1%) 47 (44.9%) $3.0 (39.7%) Stove 70 (11.9%) 1 (5.1%) 8 (7.6%) $0.3 (3.7%) Indoor fireplace 60 (9.8%) 1 (5.1%) 20 (19.1%) $0.8 (10.4%) Fixed-area heater 50 (8.5%) 6 (39.4%) 15 (14.5%) $1.2 (16.7%) Open-fired grill 30 (5.2%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (5.0%) $0.4 (5.0%) Oven or microwave oven 20 (2.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.4%) $0.1 (1.2%) Water heater 20 (2.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.4%) $0.1 (1.9%) Portable heater 20 (2.5%) 1 (9.1%) 3 (3.0%) $0.3 (4.2%) Unclassified equipment 10 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.4%) Unknown-type heating 10 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) $0.1 (1.0%) equipment Unclassified cooking 10 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.4%) $0.1 (0.7%) equipment Central heating unit 10 (1.1%) 2 (10.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.2 (3.3%) Other known 60 (10.3%) 2 (11.1%) 4 (3.8%) $0.8 (11.0%) Total 600 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 105 (100.0%) $7.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Heat of Ignition Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Match 120 (19.5%) 3 (18.5%) 29 (27.3%) $1.2 (16.0%) Gas-fueled equipment 70 (12.1%) 1 (4.1%) 6 (5.4%) $0.8 (10.8%) Solid-fueled equipment 70 (11.4%) 6 (36.4%) 19 (18.4%) $1.4 (19.4%) Equipment with unclassified 50 (9.0%) 1 (8.7%) 2 (2.3%) $0.7 (9.5%) or unknown-type fuel Open fire 40 (7.4%) 2 (12.4%) 9 (8.4%) $0.5 (6.9%) Properly operating 40 (7.2%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (4.5%) $0.2 (2.0%) electrical equipment Liquid-fueled equipment 30 (5.4%) 1 (4.1%) 3 (2.6%) $0.3 (4.1%) Hot ember or ash 30 (4.9%) 1 (5.1%) 11 (10.5%) $0.6 (7.5%) Heat from unclassified open 30 (4.3%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (6.8%) $0.6 (7.6%) flame or spark Lighter 20 (3.4%) 1 (5.5%) 3 (2.7%) $0.3 (3.8%) Unknown-type heat from 10 (2.3%) 1 (5.1%) 3 (3.2%) $0.2 (3.2%) open flame or spark Unclassified form of heat 10 (1.8%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.4%) $0.1 (0.8%) Heat from unclassified hot 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.9%) $0.1 (1.7%) object Heat from direct flame or 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.6%) convection current Other known heat 50 (9.2%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (5.7%) $0.4 (5.0%) Total 600 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 105 (100.0%) $7.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.




Direct Civilian Civilian Property Damage Form of Material Ignited Fires Deaths Injuries (in Millions) Fuel 140 (23.8%) 5 (29.9%) 40 (38.3%) $1.4 (18.7%) Cooking materials 80 (13.7%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (6.9%) $0.3 (4.6%) Gas or liquid in or from pipe 70 (12.2%) 4 (27.4%) 20 (18.9%) $1.1 (14.7%) or container Floor covering or surface 40 (6.6%) 1 (4.3%) 3 (3.1%) $0.6 (8.0%) Structural member or framing 30 (5.1%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (2.8%) $0.6 (7.6%) Interior wall covering 30 (4.7%) 2 (9.5%) 6 (5.9%) $0.6 (7.5%) Unclassified form of material 20 (4.1%) 1 (4.3%) 3 (3.1%) $0.2 (2.7%) Exterior sidewall covering or 20 (3.9%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.9%) $0.4 (5.5%) finish Cabinetry 10 (2.1%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.9%) $0.0 (0.5%) Multiple forms of material 10 (2.1%) 1 (5.7%) 3 (3.2%) $0.1 (0.9%) Upholstered furniture 10 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.4%) $0.2 (3.1%) product Rubbish, trash or waste 10 (1.7%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.5%) $0.0 (0.5%) Atomized or vaporized liquid 10 (1.7%) 1 (4.8%) 4 (3.8%) $0.2 (2.1%) Mattress or bedding 10 (1.7%) 1 (4.3%) 1 (0.8%) $0.1 (0.9%) Exterior trim or appurtenances 10 (1.3%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.9%) $0.3 (3.6%) component or finish Unknown-type structural 10 (1.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) $0.1 (1.5%) Other known form 70 (12.6%) 2 (9.7%) 8 (7.5%) $0.0 (17.7%) Total 600 (100.0%) 16 (100.0%) 105 (100.0%) $7.4 (100.0%) Data sources: 1992-1996 NFIRS, NFPA survey Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, casualties to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are calculated on the actual estimates, so two figures with the same rounded-off estimates may have different percentages. Sums may not equal totals due to rounding errors. Unknowns have been allocated proportionally.


Conclusions Several patterns become apparent after examining the ignition factors in this analysis. People are often not aware of their environment and how different aspects of the environment can interact. It’s easy to forget to get the appliances serviced or to check for residue. It’s also easy to forget the wide variety of things that can catch fire, and the number of things that produce enough heat to start a fire. The process of cooking heats and changes food; liquids evaporate; combustible liquids such as cooking oil can ignite. A lit candle burns lower and eventually consumes wax. When heat is used to cause a change, the change will occur, regardless of whether anyone is paying attention. Most fires caused by unattended items occur because the process of change was allowed to continue for too long. Cigarettes, cooking equipment and space heaters show up often in this analysis. The traditional messages on this topic are still very much needed. To improve safety in the home even further, we can also ask the following questions:

• What items, beside space heaters, need space?

• What objects or equipment produce heat or flame, or, more simply get hot? We don’t think of lamps or dryers as heat-producing items, yet they are on some

of the lists of equipment involved in ignition.

• What types of waste products are associated with these items? How are they stored or disposed of? Could these waste products be hot enough or exposed to enough heat to start a fire?

• What objects or substances in the home can easily catch fire?

• Are the items that produce heat or flame a safe distance from the objects that can catch fire? What would happen if something bumped into either the heat producing items or the objects?

• Where and how are solvents, fuels, and other flammable liquids used? Is there any possible heat producing object nearby? For flammable liquids, even a spark or static discharge could be enough to start a fire. Using them near a fire can be deadly.

• What containers are used for storage? Is there any possibility of a live ember or of flammable or combustible liquids stored in something other than a metal container? Are flammable or combustible liquids or liquid-soaked items in a well ventilated area away from heat sources?

• What distractions are likely when equipment is used? How do you remember that you’ve turned something on? Does everyone know the proper way to use the equipment? Reading directions is sometimes not done.


These suggestions are intended to supplement the fire safety messages that focus on the specific details. It is frequently said that the same message must be given at least five times and in five different ways to be sure it is understood and remembered. Some may remember concepts more easily than specifics. People who work with groups such as middle or high school science students may wish to start with the general behaviors or principles, and challenge the students to then come up with the specifics. Other groups might do better being taught the specifics, and then asked to identify the general concepts. By thinking about the behaviors and the concepts involved, individuals will hopefully be able to generalize to new situations. It is also hoped that this analysis will be useful to efforts to model fire scenarios. Most of these fires would have been prevented if people used equipment and supplies according to directions and for the intended purposes. However, it is important to remember that many people rarely read directions, and, even if read, directions may be forgotten over the span of a product’s use. Methodology The statistics in this analysis are national estimates of home (one-and two-family homes, manufactured housing and apartments, identified by fixed property use 410-429) structure fires (incident type 11) reported to U.S. fire departments. Fires are given as annual averages based on five years of data (1992-1996). Estimates are based on data from the NFPA's annual stratified random sample survey and the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA's) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), and are combined using statistical methods developed by analysts at NFPA, USFA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. National estimates do not reflect unreported fires. Additional information on how national estimates are calculated is found in the Appendix. A proportional share of fires in which the ignition factors were unknown or blank are included in the ignition factors in these tables. In each table, fires in which the relevant factor (equipment involved in ignition, extent of flame damage, form of heat of ignition or form of material first ignited) was unknown or blank have been allocated proportionally among fires with known factors. Specific equipment involved in ignition, forms of heat of ignition and forms of material first ignited are included in the cause tables if the occurred in at least 1.0% of the home structure fires for the specific ignition factor studied. Others are lumped together in the ‘Other known’ category.


Appendix A: How National Estimates Statistics Are Calculated

Estimates are made using the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) United States Fire Administration (USFA), supplemented by the annual stratified random-sample survey of fire experience conducted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which is used for calibration. Data Bases Used NFIRS provides annual computerized data bases of fire incidents, with data classified according to a standard format based on the NFPA 901 Standard. Roughly three-fourths of all states have NFIRS coordinators, who receive fire incident data from participating fire departments and combine the data into a state data base. These data are then transmitted to FEMA/USFA. Participation by the states, and by local fire departments within participating states, is voluntary. NFIRS captures roughly one-third to one-half of all U.S. fires each year. More than one-third of all U.S. fire departments are listed as participants in NFIRS, although not all of these departments provide data every year. The strength of NFIRS is that it provides the most detailed incident information of any national data base not limited to large fires. NFIRS is the only data base capable of addressing national patterns for fires of all sizes by specific property use and specific fire cause. (The NFPA survey separates fewer than 20 of the hundreds of property use categories defined by NFPA 901 and solicits no cause-related information except for incendiary and suspicious fires.) NFIRS also captures information on the avenues and extent of flame spread and smoke spread and on the performance of detectors and sprinklers. The NFPA survey is based on a stratified random sample of roughly 3,000 U.S. fire departments (or just over one of every ten fire departments in the country). The survey includes the following information: (1) the total number of fire incidents, civilian deaths, and civilian injuries, and the total estimated property damage (in dollars), for each of the major property use classes defined by the NFPA 901 Standard; (2) the number of on-duty fire fighter injuries, by type of duty and nature of illness; and (3) information on the type of community protected (e.g., county versus township versus city) and the size of the population protected, which is used in the statistical formula for projecting national totals from sample results. The NFPA survey begins with the NFPA Fire Service Inventory, a computerized file of about 30,000 U.S. fire departments, which is the most complete and thoroughly validated such listing in existence. The survey is stratified by size of population protected to reduce the uncertainty of the final estimate. Small rural communities protect fewer people per department and are less likely to respond to the survey, so a large number must be surveyed to obtain an adequate sample of those departments. (NFPA also makes follow-up calls to a sample of the smaller fire departments that do not respond, to confirm that those that did respond are truly representative of fire departments their size.) On the other hand, large city departments are so few in number and protect such a large proportion of the total U.S. population that it makes sense to survey all of them. Most respond, resulting in excellent precision for their part of the final estimate.


Projecting NFIRS to National Estimates To project NFIRS results to national estimates, one needs at least an estimate of the NFIRS fires as a fraction of the total so that the fraction can be inverted and used as a multiplier or scaling ratio to generate national estimates from NFIRS data. But NFIRS is a sample from a universe whose size cannot be inferred from NFIRS alone. Also, participation rates in NFIRS are not necessarily uniform across regions and sizes of community, both of which are factors correlated with frequency and severity of fires. This means NFIRS may be susceptible to systematic biases. No one at present can quantify the size of these deviations from the ideal, representative sample, so no one can say with confidence that they are or are not serious problems. But there is enough reason for concern so that a second data base - the NFPA survey - is needed to project NFIRS to national estimates and to project different parts of NFIRS separately. This multiple calibration approach makes use of the annual NFPA survey where its statistical design advantages are strongest. There are separate projection formulas for four major property classes (residential structures, non-residential structures, vehicles, and other) and for each measure of fire severity (fire incidents, civilian deaths, and civilian injuries, and direct property damage). For example, the scaling ratio for 1995 civilian deaths in residential structures is equal to the total number of 1995 civilian deaths in residential structure fires reported to fire departments, according to the NFPA survey (3,695), divided by the total number of 1995 civilian deaths in residential structure fires reported to NFIRS (1,454). Therefore, the scaling ratio is 3,695/1,454 = 2.54. The scaling ratios for civilian deaths and injuries and direct property damage are often significantly different from those for fire incidents. Except for fire service injuries, average severity per fire is generally higher for NFIRS than for the NFPA survey. Use of different scaling ratios for each measure of severity is equivalent to assuming that these differences are due either to NFIRS under-reporting of small fires, resulting in a higher-than-actual loss-per-fire ratio, or possible biases in the NFIRS sample representation by region or size of community, resulting in severity-per-fire ratios characteristic only of the oversampled regions or community sizes. Note that this approach also means that the NFPA survey results for detailed property-use classes (e.g., fires in storage structures) may not match the national estimates of the same value. Calculating National Estimates of Particular Types of Fires Most analyses of interest involve the calculation of the estimated number of fires not only within a particular occupancy but also of a particular type. The types that are mostly frequently of interest are those defined by some ignition-cause characteristic. The six cause-related characteristics most commonly used to describe fires are: form of the heat that caused the ignition, equipment involved in ignition, form or type of material first ignited, the ignition factor that brought heat source and ignited material together, and area of origin. Other characteristics of interest are victim characteristics, such as ages of persons killed or injured in fire. For any characteristic of interest in NFIRS, some reported fires have that characteristic unknown or not reported. If the unknowns are not taken into account, then the propensity to report or not


report a characteristic may influence the results far more than the actual patterns on that characteristic. For example, suppose the number of fires remained the same for several consecutive years, but the percentage of fires with cause unreported steadily declined over those years. If the unknown-cause fires were ignored, it would appear as if fires due to every specific cause increased over time while total fires remained unchanged. This, of course, does not make sense. Consequently, most national estimates analyses allocate unknowns. This is done by using scaling ratios defined by NFPA survey estimates of totals divided by only those NFIRS fires for which the dimension in question was known and reported. This approach is equivalent to assuming that the fires with unreported characteristics, if known, would show the same proportions as the fires with known characteristics. For example, it assumes that the fires with unknown ignition factor contain the same relative shares of child-playing fires, incendiary-cause fires, short circuit fires, and so forth, as are found in the fires where ignition factor was reported. Fire Fighter Deaths and Injuries There are special procedures for fire service deaths and injuries. NFPA maintains a comprehensive listing of fire service on-duty deaths which can be used to produce answers not dependent on projection from samples. This is desirable because the number of fire service deaths at the fireground for fires of a particular cause is typically very small - less than 10 a year - so sample-based estimates would have very large uncertainty ranges, relative to the statistics being estimated. For fire service injuries, the NFPA survey does not produce projections of fire service injuries at the fireground by major property type. Therefore, one must use a single scaling ratio instead of the four ratios (one each for residential structures, non-residential structures, vehicles, and other properties) that are used to scale up the other measures of fire severity.

Date post:	13-Jun-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	lamnhu
View:	214 times
Download:	0 times

Marty Ahrens Fire Analysis and Research Division · 2017-01-09 · According to NFPA 901, Uniform...

Documents