Fire Safety

Content brought to you by the National Fire Protection Association

In the modern world, where new construction methods and materials, as well as new technologies, are being utilized at a fast pace, the NFPA performs research to identify new and emerging risks and uses this to provide you with knowledge and tools to help you mitigate those risks.

Home Structure Fires

This report examines causes and circumstances of home structure fires reported to local fire departments in the U.S.

More than one-quarter (26%) of reported fires in 2015-2019 occurred in homes. Even worse, three-quarters (75%) of civilian fire deaths and almost three-quarters (72%) of all reported injuries were caused by home fires.
During this five-year period, US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 346,800 home structure fires per year. These fires caused an annual average of 2,620 civilian deaths; 11,070 civilian fire injuries; and $7.3 billion in direct property damage.

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Structure Fires in Schools

Educational properties include day-care centers; nursery, elementary, middle, junior, and high schools; and college classroom buildings and adult education centers.

In 2014–2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,230 structure fires in schools each year.
These fires caused annual averages of one civilian death, 39 civilian injuries, and $37 million in direct property damage.
Fires that were intentionally set were the leading cause of school fires, accounting for almost two of every five fires.

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Fires in Dormitory-Type Properties

The annual number of fires from 2015-2019 in dormitories, fraternities, sororities and barracks reported to U.S. fire departments.

In 2015-2019, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,840 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks.
These fires caused annual averages of 29 civilian injuries, and $11 million in direct property damage. There was an average of fewer than two civilian fatalities a year over the five-year period.

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Service or Gas Station Fires

The estimated 4,370 reported service station fires in 2018 was 44 percent lower than 7,860 in 1980. However, the 2018 estimate was the highest since 2008.

From 2014 through 2018, local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 4,150 fires in or on service or gas station properties per year. These fires caused an average of three civilian deaths, 43 civilian fire injuries, and $30.0 million in direct property damage annually.
Many service stations have convenience stores. While electrical distribution or lighting equipment was the leading cause of structure fires at gas or service station properties, cooking ranked second.

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Fires in Structures
under Construction or Renovation

Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,840 fires in structures under construction and 2,580 fires in structures under major renovation per year in 2013 through 2017. The fires in structures under construction caused an average of four civilian deaths, 49 civilian injuries, and $304 million in direct property damage annually.

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Exterior Facade Fire Evaluation & Comparison Tool

NFPA sponsored facade fire risk assessment research by project consultant Arup, and then developed a tool for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to address hazards in high-rise buildings. The research and tool, created by NFPA and project consultant ARUP, details how AHJs can use both resources to prioritize buildings in their jurisdiction, conduct initial fire risk assessments of each building, and identify those building that have the highest priority for inspection.

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