FIRES STARTING WITH FLAMMABLE GAS OR FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID John R ...

FIRES STARTING WITH FLAMMABLE GAS OR FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID

John R. Hall, Jr. February 2014

National Fire Protection Association Fire Analysis and Research Division

FIRES STARTING WITH FLAMMABLE GAS OR FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID

John R. Hall, Jr. February 2014

National Fire Protection Association Fire Analysis and Research Division

Abstract In 2007-2011, U.S. municipal fire departments responded to an estimated average of 51,600 fires per year starting with ignition of a flammable gas and another 160,910 fires per year starting with ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid. The flammable gas fires resulted in an estimated 168 civilian deaths, 1,029 civilian injuries, and $644 million in direct property damage per year. The flammable or combustible liquid fires resulted in an estimated 454 civilian deaths, 3,910 civilian injuries, and $1.5 billion in direct property damage per year. Flammable gas fires nearly all involve natural gas or LP gas. Flammable or combustible liquid fires nearly all involve unclassified or unknown-type flammable or combustible liquid, Class IIIB combustible liquids, Class II combustible liquids, or gasoline. Most fires involve gas or liquid fuels for heating or cooking or involve cooking oils used as a medium to heat food during cooking. Flammable gas or flammable or combustible liquid fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998, then jumped when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recent years have generally shown no consistent trend up or down. Keywords: fire statistics, gas fires, natural gas, LP-gas, flammable liquid, combustible liquid, gasoline Acknowledgements The National Fire Protection Association thanks all the fire departments and state fire authorities who participate in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the annual NFPA fire experience survey. These firefighters are the original sources of the detailed data that make this analysis possible. Their contributions allow us to estimate the size of the fire problem. We are also grateful to the U.S. Fire Administration for its work in developing, coordinating, and maintaining NFIRS. For more information about the National Fire Protection Association, visit www.nfpa.org or call 617-770-3000. To learn more about the One-Stop Data Shop go to http://www.nfpa.org/osds or call 617-984-7443. Copies of this analysis are available from: National Fire Protection Association One-Stop Data Shop 1 Batterymarch Park Quincy, MA 02169-7443 www.nfpa.org e-mail: [email protected] phone: 617-984-7443 NFPA No. USS104 - REV Copyright© 2014, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA

Table of Contents Abstract Table of Contents List of Tables and Figures Fact Sheet on Fires Starting With Flammable Gas Fact Sheet on Fires Starting With Flammable or Combustible Liquid Section 1. Flammable Gas

Page i iii ix x 1

Section 2. Natural Gas

25

Section 3. LP-Gas

45

Section 4. Flammable or Combustible Liquid

67

Section 5. Class IIIB Combustible Liquid

91

Section 6. Class II Combustible Liquid

109

Section 7. Gasoline

127

Appendix A

167

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List of Tables and Figures Page Table 1-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Property Use Table 1-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Incident Type Table 1-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Incident Type Table 1-B.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Type of Gas Table 1-B.2. Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Type of Gas

1 1 3 3

Table 1-B.3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Type of Gas Table 1-B.4. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas by Type of Gas Table 1-C. Home Fires Starting with Ignition of Natural or LP-Gas Table 1-D. Homes Using Natural or LP-Gas, by Type of Use Figure 1-1. Home Structure Fires Starting with Ignition of Flammable Gas

4

4

4 5 6 7

Figure 1-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas Table 1-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas Table 1-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Heat Source Table 1-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 1-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

8 10 11

Table 1-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Area of Origin Table 1-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Major Property Use Group Table 1-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Year Table 1-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Heat Source Table 1-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

15

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12 13

16 17 18 19

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

List of Tables and Figures (continued) Page Table 1-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 1-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Area of Origin Table 2-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Property Use Table 2-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Incident Type Table 2-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Incident Type

20 22 25 25 25

Table 2-B. Home Fires Starting with Ignition of Natural or LP-Gas, by Incident Type Table 2-C. Homes Using Natural or LP-Gas, by Type of Use Figure 2-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas Figure 2-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas Table 2-1. Home Structure Fires With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Year

27 27 28 30 31

Table 2-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Heat Source Table 2-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 2-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 2-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Area of Origin Table 2-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Major Property Use Group

32

Table 2-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Year Table 2-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Heat Source Table 2-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 2-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, By Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 2-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Area of Origin

38 39

Table 3-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Property Use Table 3-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Incident Type Table 3-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Incident Type Table 3-B. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural or LP-Gas, by Incident Type Table 3-C. Homes Using Natural or LP-Gas, by Type of Use

45 45 45 47 47

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33 34 36 37

40 41 43

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

List of Tables and Figures (continued) Figure 3-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas Figure 3-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas Table 3-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Year Table 3-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Heat Source Table 3-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 3-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 3-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Area of Origin Table 3-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Major Property Use Group Table 3-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Year Table 3-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Heat Source Table 3-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 3-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 3-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Area of Origin Table 4-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Property Use Table 4-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Incident Type Table 4-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Incident Type Table 4-B.1. Fires Starting with Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Type of Liquid Table 4-B.2. Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Type of Liquid Table 4-B.3. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Type of Liquid Table 4-B.4. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Type of Liquid

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List of Tables and Figures (continued) Figure 4-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid Figure 4-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid Table 4-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Year Table 4-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Heat Source Table 4-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 4-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 4-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Area of Origin Table 4-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Major Property Use Group Table 4-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Year Table 4-8. Non-Home Structure Fire Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Heat Source Table 4-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 4-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 4-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Area of Origin Table 5-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Property Use Table 5-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Incident Type Table 5-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Incident Type Figure 5-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid Figure 5-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid Table 5-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Year Table 5-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Heat Source Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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List of Tables and Figures (continued) Table 5-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 5-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 5-5. Home Structure fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Area of Origin Table 5-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Major Property Use Group Table 5-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Year Table 5-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Heat Source Table 5-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 5-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 5-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Area of Origin Table 6-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Property Use Table 6-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Incident Type Table 6-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Incident Type Figure 6-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid Figure 6-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid Table 6-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Year Table 6-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Heat Source Table 6-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 6-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 6-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Area of Origin to Ignition Table 6-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Major Property Use Group Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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List of Tables and Figures (continued) Page Table 6-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Year Table 6-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Heat Source Table 6-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 6-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 6-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Area of Origin

121 122 123 124 126

Table 7-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Property Use Table 7-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Incident Type Table 7-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Incident Type Figure 7-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline Figure 7-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline

127 127 127

Table 7-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Year Table 7-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Heat Source Table 7-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 7-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 7-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Area of Origin

133 134 137

Table 7-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Major Property Use Group Table 7-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Year Table 7-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Heat Source Table 7-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Table 7-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Table 7-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Area of Origin

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129 131

140 144 149 150 151 155 158 162

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National Fire Protection Association

Fire Analysis & Research

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas Fact Sheet In 2007-2011, U.S. municipal fire departments responded to an estimated average of 51,600 fires per year involving ignition of flammable gas as the type of material first ignited, including 20,260 fires per year in or at homes and 31,340 fires per year in or at other properties. These fires caused estimated losses of:  168 civilian deaths per year  1,029 civilian injuries per year, and  $644 million per year in direct property damage. Nearly all these fires involve natural gas, LP-gas, or unclassified or unknown-type gas. The other specific gases identified – acetylene, anesthetic gas, and hydrogen – each accounted for no more than 1% of fires and losses. Home Structure Fires Involving Flammable Gas Fires

28% 16%

54%

Civilian Deaths

28% 32% 40%

Civilian Injuries

36% 31% 32%

Direct Property Damage

Non-Home Structure Fires Involving Flammable Gas

41% 33% 24%

Fires

Natural gas

Civilian Deaths

LP-gas

Civilian Injuries Unclassified or unknown

Direct Property Damage

24% 25%

47%

17% 16% 20%

Natural gas

57%

LP-gas 36% 40%

33% 21% 43%

Unclassified or unknown

0% 20% 40% 60%

0% 20% 40% 60%

Natural gas accounted for 44% more user households than LP-gas in 2009, but their numbers of home fires and losses (combining structure, vehicle and outdoor firs) were comparable. However, the uses associated with these fires were quite different, with many LP-gas fires involving gas grills and natural gas fires more associated with central warm-air heating equipment. The fire risks involved have more to do with the risks associated with primary vs. secondary cooking and heating equipment and less to do with the properties of the gases. Leak or break was a factor contributing to ignition for 22% of home structure fires starting with flammable gas and for 28% of non-home structure fires starting with flammable gas.

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National Fire Protection Association

Fire Analysis & Research

Fires Starting With Flammable or Combustible Liquids Fact Sheet In 2007-2011, U.S. municipal fire departments responded to an estimated average of 160,910 fires per year involving ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid as the type of material first ignited, including 55,390 fires per year in or at homes and 105,520 fires per year in or at other properties. These fires caused estimated losses of:  454 civilian deaths per year,  3,910 civilian injuries per year, and  $1.5 billion in direct property damage per year. Structure Fires Beginning With Flammable or Combustible Liquid Home 43,620 196 2,559 $469

Fires Civilian deaths Civilian injuries Direct property damage (in millions)

Non-Home 11,710 34 458 $374

The following types of flammable or combustible liquid can be distinguished:  Class IA flammable liquid (including pentane and ethyl ether)  Class IB flammable liquid (including acetone, ethyl alcohol, and methyl ethyl ketone)  Gasoline  Class IC flammable liquid (including turpentine and butyl alcohol)  Class II combustible liquid (including the most commonly used home heating liquid fuels, kerosene and Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil; also diesel and paint thinner)  Class IIIA combustible liquid (including Nos. 4, 5, or 6 fuel oil, typically used in commercial and industrial heating; also creosote oil, which may be created in wood fires, and cottonseed oil)  Class IIIB combustible liquid (including cooking oil, transformer oil or lubricant oil)  Unclassified or unknown-type liquid Leading Types of Flammable or Combustible Liquid First Ignited in Home Structure Fires Class IIIB combustible liquid

14% 47%

Class II combustible liquid

5% 4% 3%

Unclassified or unknowntype liquid

Leading Types of Flammable or Combustible Liquid First Ignited in Non-Home Structure Fires Class IIIB combustible liquid

65% 72%

6% 13%

0%

52% 27%

Fires Starting With Flammable or Combustible Gas or Liquid, 2/14

61%

34% 27% 6% 3% 3%

0% Fires Civilian injuries

x

48%

15%

Class II combustible liquid

Civilian deaths Direct damages

29%

21% 27% 26%

Gasoline

20% 40% 60% 80%

Fires Civilian injuries

16%

Unclassified or unknowntype liquid

16%

11% 28% 10% 21%

Gasoline

47%

2%

13%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Civilian deaths Direct damages

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Section 1. Flammable Gas Flammable gases are recorded under Type of Material First Ignited. The principal flammable gases identified separately by the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) are:  Natural gas, and  LP-gas, which includes butane and propane. Natural gas is lighter than air, while LP-gas is heavier than air. Other gases with distinct reporting categories in NFIRS are:  Acetylene gas,  Anesthetic gas, and  Hydrogen. There is a category for “other” flammable gas, which may be any of the above gases that could not be positively identified and may be a flammable gas not listed above. During 2007-2011, an average of 51,600 fires per year were reported as having begun with the ignition of a flammable gas as the type of material first ignited. These fires caused an average of 168 civilian deaths per year, 1,029 civilian injuries per year, and $644 million in direct property damage per year. Tables 1-A.1, 1-A.2, and 1-A.3 show how these fires divide, first into homes versus any other property use, and within those two groups, into structure, vehicle, and outdoor or other fires. Nearly all home losses are in structure fires, but nearly half of the home fires are not structure fires. Vehicle fires are a much larger share of non-home fires than home fires. Table 1-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Property Use Incident Type

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Home Non-home

20,260 31,340

(39%) (61%)

111 57

(66%) (34%)

589 440

(57%) (43%)

Total

51,600

(100%)

168

(100%)

1,029

(100%)

Note: See text box on p.2 for details on calculations.

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) $189 $455 $644

(29%) (71%) (100%)

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 1-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

Fires 10,950 1,080 8,230

(54%) (5%) (41%)

Civilian Deaths 108 2 1

(97%) (2%) (1%)

Total 20,260 (100%) 111 Note: See text box for details on calculations.

(100%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

1

Civilian Injuries 521 22 46

(88%) (4%) (8%)

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) $181 $5 $3

589 (100%) $189 Sources: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

(96%) (3%) (2%) (100%)

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Data Sources, Definitions and Conventions Used in This Section Unless otherwise specified, the statistics in this analysis are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. These estimates are projections based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey. In general, any fire that occurs in or on a structure is considered a structure fire, even if the fire was limited to contents and the building itself was not damaged. “Home” includes one- and two-family homes, manufactured homes, and multi-family housing, including apartments. Flammable gases are identified in NFIRS 5.0 Type of Material First Ignited: 10 - Unclassified or unknown type flammable gas, including benzene, benzol, carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide, ethylene, ethylene oxide, and vinyl chloride. Corresponds to codes 10 (unknown) and 19 (unclassified) in earlier version of NFIRS and may include codes 13 (manufactured gas) and 17 (specialty gas other than anesthetic) in earlier versions of NFIRS. 11 – Natural gas, including methane and swamp gas. 12 – LP-gas, including butane, propane, and butane-air mixture, which was coded separately as LP-City gas in earlier versions of NFIRS. 13 – Anesthetic gas, which was code 15 in earlier versions of NFIRS. 14 – Acetylene gas, which was code 16 in earlier versions of NFIRS. 15 – Hydrogen, which was not separately identified in earlier version of NFIRS. NFIRS 5.0 includes a category of structure fires collectively referred to as “confined fires,” identified by incident type. These include confined cooking fires, confined chimney or flue fires, confined trash fires, confined fuel burner or boiler fires, confined commercial compactor fires, and confined incinerator fires (incident type 113-118). Losses are generally minimal in these fires, which by definition, are assumed to have been limited to the object of origin. Although detailed data is not required for these fires, it is sometimes present. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Property damage has not been adjusted for inflation. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian deaths and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million. Additional details on the methodology may be found in Appendix A. Reporting of Type of Material First Ignited is not required if Item First Ignited is coded in the range of 70 to 99. As with confined fires, the field is nevertheless reported for many fires, but the percentage of unknowns and blanks is higher. Fires are analyzed separately for (1) non-confined structure fires, (2) confined structure fires, (3) vehicle fires, (4) outdoor or other vegetation fires, and (5) outdoor or other non-vegetation fires (principally trash). For each of these, fires are analyzed separately for Item First Ignited 70-99 and Item First Ignited not 70-99.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires 4,530 12,520 14,290 31,340

(14%) (40%) (46%)

(100%)

14 38 6 57

Civilian Injuries

(24%) (66%) (10%) (100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

210 168 63 440

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

(48%) (38%) (14%)

$136 $108 $211

(100%)

$455

(30%) (24%) (46%) (100%)

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Natural gas accounts for the largest shares of all fires and of all structure fires starting with ignition of any known flammable gas. LP-gas shares are smaller, but larger for deaths. Vehicle fires starting with ignition of flammable gas are overwhelmingly dominated by unclassified or unknown-type gas. The other identified gases – acetylene, hydrogen, and anesthetic gas – all account for small shares. Tables 1-B.1 to 1B.4 show all fires, all structure fires, home structure fires, and non-home structure fires, respectively, by type of gas ignited. Table 1-B.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Type of Gas Type of Gas

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Unclassified or unknown-type gas Natural gas LP-gas Acetylene Anesthetic gas Hydrogen

22,520

(44%)

85

(51%)

403

(39%)

$233

(36%)

13,730 13,340 1,180 620 210

(27%) (26%) (2%) (1%) (0%)

35 47 0 0 1

(21%) (28%) (0%) (0%) (1%)

254 349 11 1 12

(25%) (34%) (1%) (0%) (1%)

$303 $100 $5 $1 $2

(47%) (16%) (1%) (0%) (0%)

Total

51,600

(100%)

168

(100%)

1,029

(100%)

$644

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

3

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-B.2. Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Type of Gas Type of Gas

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Natural gas LP-gas Unclassified or unknown-type gas Acetylene Hydrogen Anesthetic gas Total

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

8,080 4,190 2,900

(52%) (27%) (19%)

32 43 46

(27%) (35%) (37%)

227 237 251

(31%) (32%) (34%)

$118 $89 $103

(37%) (28%) (33%)

190 50 50

(1%) (0%) (0%)

0 1 0

(0%) (1%) (0%)

6 10 0

(1%) (1%) (0%)

$4 $1 $1

(1%) (0%) (0%)

15,480

(100%)

122

(100%)

730

(100%)

$317

Note: See text box for details on calculations

(100%)

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey

Table 1-B.3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages by Type of Gas Type of Gas

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Natural gas LP-gas Unclassified or unknown-type gas Acetylene Anesthetic gas Hydrogen

5,930 3,110 1,780

(54%) (28%) (16%)

30 34 43

(28%) (32%) (40%)

185 160 166

(36%) (31%) (32%)

$73 $61 $44

(41%) (33%) (24%)

70 30 30

(1%) (0%) (0%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

2 6 0

(0%) (1%) (0%)

$2 $0 $1

(1%) (0%) (0%)

Total

10,950

(100%)

108

(100%)

521

(100%)

$181

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 1-B.4. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages by Type of Gas Type of Gas

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Natural gas Unclassified or unknown-type gas LP-gas Acetylene Hydrogen Anesthetic gas

2,150 1,130

(47%) (25%)

2 2

(17%) (16%)

41 85

(20%) (40%)

$45 $59

(33%) (43%)

1,090 130 20 10

(24%) (3%) (0%) (0%)

8 0 1 0

(57%) (0%) (10%) (0%)

76 3 4 0

(36%) (2%) (2%) (0%)

$29 $2 $1 $0

(21%) (1%) (1%) (0%)

Total

4,350

(100%)

14

(100%)

210

(100%)

$136

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

4

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

In 2009, more homes used natural gas (69.2 million housing units) than LP-gas (48.9 million housing units). These figures include use of outdoor grills, which means risk should be calculated using total home fires, including structure, vehicle and outdoor and others. (See Table 1-C.) Table 1-C. Home Fires Starting with Ignition of Natural or LP-Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages Natural gas Incident Type

Civilian Fires Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

LP-gas Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure Vehicle Outdoor or other fire

5,930 20 1,950

30 1 0

185 2 7

$73 $0 $1

3,110 70 4,440

34 0 0

160 6 24

$61 $1 $1

Total

7,900

31

194

$75

7,620

34

190

$62

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 1-D. Homes Using Natural or LP-Gas, by Type of Use Millions of Housing Units Using Natural gas LP-gas Heating Main Central warm-air furnace Other (including steam or hot water system, built-in room heater, floor or wall pipeless system)

57.2

Secondary Fireplace Other (including central warm-air furnace)

8.0 55.6 44.3 11.3

5.6 3.9 1.7

7.2 4.8 2.5

2.8 1.5 1.4

Water heating

58.4

4.2

Cooking

39.2

5.7

Other (e.g., outdoor grill, clothes dryer) Clothes dryer

21.5

43.9

Total

69.2

17.4

1.0 48.9

Source: Table HC1.1, “Fuels Used and End Uses in U.S. Homes, by Housing Unit Type, 2009,” and Table HC3.1, “Appliances in U.S. Homes, by Housing Unit Type, 2009,” 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/data/2009/#undefined.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

LP-gas has a much larger share of its home fires outdoors, which is understandable because grill users constitute a much larger share of total LP-gas users than natural gas users. (See Table 1-D.) The ratio of natural gas user homes to LP-gas user homes (1.4-to-1) implied by Table 1-D is higher than the ratios for home fires and losses implied by Table 1-C, which implies a higher combined risk for LP-gas. However, the uses are so different for the two gases that it may reflect differences in risk between central warm-air heating equipment (the principal use for natural gas) and outdoor gas grills (the principal use for LP-gas) more than inherent differences in risk between the two types of gas.

A. Homes Flammable gas home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown a level trend in recent years. Table 1-1 and Figure 1-1 show the trends in home fires starting with ignition of flammable gases, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by more than half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the early 1990s when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has been mostly level.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Figure 1-1: Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas 20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000

Fires

12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 1-1. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Most home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable gas involve cooking or heating equipment as the heat source. Table 1-2 shows that three of the four leading heat sources, accounting for half the fires, involve equipment. Table 1-3 shows that cooking and heating equipment are the types of equipment involved for most home flammable gas fires when equipment is involved. Because these are structure fires, they do not reflect the large role of gas grills in outdoor home fires starting with flammable gas. Washers and dryers, with 2% of home flammable gas structure fires, had the largest equipment share for any equipment other than cooking and heating equipment. Note that when equipment ignites gas, the gas ignited may not have been fueling the equipment that ignited the gas. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for gas leaking from anywhere near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released gas. One fifth (22%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable gas involved a leak or break as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 1-4 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including insufficient separation between heat source and combustible, and leaving equipment (such as cooking equipment) unattended. Intentional fires accounted for 6% of home flammable gas structure fires. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Two out of five (39%) home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable gas began in the kitchen. This is consistent with the large role of cooking equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 1-5 shows the leading areas of origin. The second leading area is heating equipment room or area, which is consistent with the large role of heating equipment as a heat source second only to cooking equipment.

B. Properties Other Than Homes Three out of five (62%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable gas occur at public assembly (28%), residential (18%), or store or office (16%) properties. Many of these places feature commercial cooking as an activity, which makes it possible that the significant role of cooking equipment as heat sources for home flammable gas fires may be repeated in non-home properties. Table 1-6 shows the shares of these fires by major property use group. Flammable gas non-home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown a level trend in recent years. Table 1-7 and Figure 1-2 show the trends in non-home fires starting with ignition of flammable gases, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by more than half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the early 1980s when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has been roughly level. Figure 1-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas 7,000 6,000

Fires

5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 1-4. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

8

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Most non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable gas involve cooking or heating equipment as the heat source. Table 1-8 shows three of the four leading heat sources, accounting for half the fires, involved equipment. Table 1-9 shows that cooking and heating equipment are the types of equipment involved for most non-home flammable gas fires when equipment is involved. Torches, burners, and soldering equipment, with 4% of non-home flammable gas structure fires, had the largest equipment share for any equipment other than cooking and heating equipment, although the burners cited here may include burners on a stovetop. Note that when equipment ignites gas, the gas ignited may not have been fueling the equipment that ignited the gas. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for gas leaking from anywhere near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released gas. One-fourth (28%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable gas involved leak or break as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 1-10 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including insufficient separation between heat source and combustible, and spills (or perhaps releases) of flammable liquid or gas. Intentional fires accounted for 9% of non-home flammable gas structure fires. Two out of five (40%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable gas began in a kitchen. This is consistent with the large role of cooking equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 1-11 shows the leading areas of origin. The second leading area is heating equipment room or area, which is consistent with the large role of heating equipment as a heat source second only to cooking equipment.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, by Year Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

17,600 17,310 17,010 15,040 14,240

136 166 129 163 107

969 1,159 1,058 1,114 920

$78 $75 $147 $86 $84

$214 $186 $343 $194 $182

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

13,970 13,260 12,540 12,070 11,060

130 172 123 131 85

994 827 923 877 792

$117 $87 $74 $100 479

$243 $178 $145 $190 $143

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

11,270 11,360 10,970 10,680 9,670

106 95 126 99 61

812 862 904 890 824

$101 $128 $132 $108 $104

$174 $211 $211 $168 $158

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

9,360 9,480 8,280 7,700 11,840 11,340 10,800

73 153 89 119 0 187 56

692 660 558 579 749 669 792

$121 $125 $96 $92 $116 $133 $139

$179 $179 $134 $127 $157 $174 $177

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

10,950 11,070 11,300 10,760 11,880

46 165 126 116 99

659 605 636 556 493

$153 $166 $119 $156 $137

$191 $203 $142 $179 $153

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

11,190 11,130 10,570 10,720 11,060

118 80 107 94 139

561 418 454 519 642

$226 $181 $181 $154 $165

$245 $189 $189 $159 $165

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Average, by Heat Source Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Unclassified heat source Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Flame or torch used for lighting Heat from direct flame or convection currents Match Cigarette lighter Arcing Unclassified hot or smoldering object Lightning Smoking material Hot ember or ash Unclassified heat spread from another fire Incendiary device Heat or spark from friction Candle Unclassified chemical or natural heat source Multiple heat sources Conducted heat from another fire Radiated heat from another fire Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,940

(27%)

28

(26%)

140

(27%)

$41

(22%)

1,540 1,250

(14%) (11%)

7 11

(6%) (10%)

41 37

(8%) (7%)

$13 $16

(7%) (9%)

1,030

(9%)

2

(2%)

30

(6%)

$9

(5%)

690

(6%)

6

(6%)

26

(5%)

$10

(5%)

620 550 410 310

(6%) (5%) (4%) (3%)

1 9 11 3

(1%) (9%) (10%) (2%)

13 42 61 31

(2%) (8%) (12%) (6%)

$7 $11 $19 $8

(4%) (6%) (11%) (4%)

300 210 160 150

(3%) (2%) (1%) (1%)

2 0 11 1

(1%) (0%) (11%) (1%)

7 2 43 4

(1%) (0%) (8%) (1%)

$3 $10 $7 $1

(2%) (6%) (4%) (1%)

100 100

(1%) (1%)

1 4

(1%) (4%)

0 1

(0%) (0%)

$3 $3

(2%) (2%)

80 80

(1%) (1%)

1 2

(1%) (2%)

6 8

(1%) (2%)

$2 $2

(1%) (1%)

70 70

(1%) (1%)

1 5

(1%) (5%)

3 1

(1%) (0%)

$3 $3

(1%) (2%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(1%)

$1

(0%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(0%)

150

(1%)

1

(1%)

17

(3%)

$9

(5%)

10,950

(100%)

108

(100%)

521

(100%)

$181

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, metal, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Range with or without oven Grill, hibachi, or barbecue No equipment involved Portable or stationary space heater Water heater Central heating unit Oven or rotisserie Washer or dryer Unclassified equipment Fireplace, chimney or connector Torch, burner or soldering equipment Portable cooking or warming device Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,300

(21%)

14

(13%)

48

(9%)

$9

(5%)

2,050 1,420

(19%) (13%)

4 22

(4%) (21%)

50 108

(10%) (21%)

$18 $78

(10%) (43%)

1,390 1,040 800 770 220 200

(13%) (10%) (7%) (7%) (2%) (2%)

23 8 19 0 0 4

(21%) (7%) (17%) (0%) (0%) (3%)

69 84 34 22 8 10

(13%) (16%) (7%) (4%) (2%) (2%)

$16 $19 $12 $1 $5 $5

(9%) (11%) (7%) (1%) (3%) (3%)

120

(1%)

0

(0%)

19

(4%)

$2

(1%)

90

(1%)

0

(0%)

6

(1%)

$4

(2%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

490

(4%)

14

(13%)

62

(12%)

$12

(7%)

10,950

(100%)

108

(100%)

521

(100%)

$181

(100%)

* Leading equipment for deaths not shown above are gas regulator (4% of deaths), oxygen administration equipment (4%), power drill or screwdriver (3%), and wiring or related equipment (3%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment). Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Factor Leak or break Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified misuse of material Equipment unattended Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Worn out Abandoned or discarded material Flammable liquid or gas spilled Failure to clean Automatic control failure Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Storm Installation deficiency Outside or open fire for warming or cooking Equipment not being operated properly Improper startup Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Unclassified operational deficiency Improper fueling technique Manual control failure Improper container or storage Unclassified fire spread or control Unspecified short circuit arc

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,440

(22%)

23

(22%)

111

(21%)

$51

(28%)

1,710

(16%)

6

(5%)

43

(8%)

$16

(9%)

1,120

(10%)

14

(13%)

71

(14%)

$17

(9%)

700 540

(6%) (5%)

24 2

(22%) (2%)

61 15

(12%) (3%)

$18 $4

(10%) (2%)

520 420

(5%) (4%)

11 0

(10%) (0%)

27 9

(5%) (2%)

$18 $2

(10%) (1%)

420

(4%)

2

(2%)

1

(0%)

$2

(1%)

360 320

(3%) (3%)

17 0

(16%) (0%)

44 4

(8%) (1%)

$14 $1

(8%) (1%)

300

(3%)

2

(2%)

8

(2%)

$1

(0%)

240 210 190

(2%) (2%) (2%)

1 0 4

(1%) (0%) (4%)

17 2 6

(3%) (0%) (1%)

$3 $8 $3

(2%) (5%) (2%)

150

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

140 140

(1%) (1%)

0 1

(0%) (1%)

11 33

(2%) (6%)

$1 $1

(1%) (1%)

140

(1%)

1

(1%)

1

(0%)

$2

(1%)

130

(1%)

2

(2%)

10

(2%)

$5

(3%)

130

(1%)

0

(0%)

12

(2%)

$4

(2%)

110 100

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(1%) (0%)

8 4

(2%) (1%)

$2 $1

(1%) (0%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(1%)

$2

(1%)

70

(1%)

4

(4%)

2

(0%)

$2

(1%)

70

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(0%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

13

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued) Factor Arc or spark from operating equipment Cutting or welding too close to combustible Exposure fire Collision, knock down, or turn over Playing with heat source

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

70

(1%)

3

(3%)

9

(2%)

$2

(1%)

60 60

(1%) (1%)

0 2

(0%) (2%)

3 7

(1%) (1%)

$1 $5

(1%) (3%)

60 60

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(1%) (0%)

5 2

(1%) (0%)

$3 $1

(1%) (0%)

460

(4%)

5

(5%)

23

(4%)

$11

(6%)

10,950 11,530

(100%) (105%)

108 126

(100%) (117%)

521 553

(100%) (106%)

$181 $201

(100%) (111%)

350

(3%)

4

(4%)

12

(2%)

$6

(4%)

Other known factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin Area of Origin Kitchen Heating equipment room Courtyard, terrace or patio Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Unclassified outside area Unclassified area of origin Garage* Laundry room or area Unclassified function area Living room, family room, or den Crawl space or substructure space Duct for HVAC, cable, heating, or air conditioning Bedroom Exterior wall surface Unclassified structural area Unclassified equipment or service area Bathroom Wall assembly or concealed space Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Attic or ceiling/roof assembly or concealed space Closet Unclassified means of egress Unclassified storage area Hallway or corridor Lobby or entrance way Conduit, pipe, utility, or ventilation shaft Exterior stairway or fire escape

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

4,310

(39%)

17

(16%)

119

(23%)

$23

(13%)

1,090

(10%)

6

(6%)

57

(11%)

$10

(6%)

610

(6%)

1

(1%)

26

(5%)

$6

(3%)

470

(4%)

0

(0%)

9

(2%)

$9

(5%)

440

(4%)

2

(2%)

5

(1%)

$11

(6%)

410 320 310

(4%) (3%) (3%)

4 6 0

(4%) (5%) (0%)

1 27 21

(0%) (5%) (4%)

$3 $17 $9

(2%) (9%) (5%)

300

(3%)

6

(5%)

26

(5%)

$8

(4%)

260

(2%)

12

(11%)

48

(9%)

$9

(5%)

240

(2%)

11

(10%)

24

(5%)

$10

(5%)

210 170 170

(2%) (2%) (2%)

1 17 0

(1%) (15%) (0%)

3 44 1

(1%) (8%) (0%)

$1 $7 $6

(1%) (4%) (3%)

140

(1%)

14

(13%)

15

(3%)

$7

(4%)

100 100

(1%) (1%)

0 1

(0%) (1%)

5 15

(1%) (3%)

$3 $2

(2%) (1%)

90

(1%)

3

(3%)

2

(0%)

$8

(4%)

90

(1%)

0

(0%)

4

(1%)

$1

(0%)

90 80

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 7

(1%) (1%)

$6 $1

(4%) (1%)

80

(1%)

1

(1%)

4

(1%)

$1

(0%)

70 70 70

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 1

(0%) (0%) (1%)

4 10 2

(1%) (2%) (0%)

$2 $1 $1

(1%) (0%) (1%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(0%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued) Area of Origin Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

510

(5%)

7

(6%)

35

(7%)

$18

(10%)

10,950

(100%)

108

(100%)

521

(100%)

$181

(100%)

* Does not include residential garage coded as separate property. Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material fires ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 1-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Major Property Use Group Property Use Group

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Public assembly Residential Stores and offices Outside or special property Storage Educational Manufacturing Health care or correction Industrial, utility, defense, agriculture, or mining Unclassified None or undetermined

1,270 830 710

(28%) (18%) (16%)

0 3 4

(0%) (19%) (30%)

34 34 39

(16%) (16%) (19%)

$18 $10 $20

(13%) (7%) (15%)

490 400 180 180

(11%) (9%) (4%) (4%)

1 3 0 1

(5%) (19%) (0%) (10%)

27 31 10 11

(13%) (15%) (5%) (5%)

$3 $20 $1 $28

(2%) (15%) (0%) (20%)

140

(3%)

0

(0%)

7

(3%)

$1

(0%)

120 70 120

(3%) (2%) (3%)

2 0 0

(17%) (0%) (0%)

12 1 2

(6%) (1%) (1%)

$30 $5 $1

(22%) (4%) (1%)

Total

4,530

(100%)

14

(100%)

210

(100%)

$136

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Flammable Gas, by Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

6,130 5,500 5,700 4,750 4,730

18 3 27 16 17

322 356 439 686 340

$61 $76 $65 $113 $69

$167 $186 $152 $254 $149

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

4,920 4,620 3,930 3,860 3,370

12 16 5 7 27

309 281 240 348 246

$71 $63 $66 $53 $40

$148 $130 $130 $100 $72

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

3,190 3,080 3,250 3,110 3,120

46 18 7 7 4

277 186 222 221 230

$278 $131 $82 $50 $71

$478 $216 $132 $78 $108

1995 1996 1997 1998

2,700 2,890 2,860 2,760

19 3 9 3

176 212 192 150

$100 $60 $85 $80

$148 $86 $119 $111

1999 2000 2001

5,930 4,510 5,390

0 0 0

334 397 202

$88 $50 $203

$119 $65 $258

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

4,840 5,750 5,040 4,350 4,490

33 6 39 13 10

182 213 130 228 195

$75 $73 $97 $108 $49

$94 $90 $115 $124 $54

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

4,720 4,740 4,140 4,270 4,710

19 21 10 3 21

191 200 232 220 194

$139 $243 $71 $70 $151

$150 $254 $74 $73 $151

Year

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustment based on consumer price index.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Unclassified heat source Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Flame or torch used for lighting Match Cigarette lighter Heat from direct flame or convection currents Unclassified hot or smoldering object Arcing Heat or spark from friction Smoking material Unclassified heat spread from another fire Molten or hot material Hot ember or ash Lightning Unclassified chemical or natural heat source Incendiary device Backfire from internal combustion engine Multiple heat sources Other known heat source* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,330

(29%)

3

(18%)

72

(34%)

$46

(34%)

660

(15%)

0

(0%)

16

(8%)

$15

(11%)

450

(10%)

0

(0%)

10

(5%)

$12

(9%)

380

(8%)

1

(9%)

14

(7%)

$9

(6%)

370 210 180

(8%) (5%) (4%)

1 4 0

(9%) (31%) (0%)

15 7 33

(7%) (4%) (16%)

$4 $2 $6

(3%) (1%) (5%)

160

(3%)

1

(10%)

4

(2%)

$2

(1%)

160 120

(3%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 6

(1%) (3%)

$2 $5

(1%) (4%)

80 50

(2%) (1%)

3 0

(18%) (0%)

8 10

(4%) (5%)

$4 $6

(3%) (4%)

50 40 40 40

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

0 0 1 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

$1 $3 $2 $5

(1%) (2%) (2%) (4%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$1 $0

(0%) (0%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $5

(0%) (4%)

100

(2%)

1

(6%)

10

(5%)

$4

(3%)

4,530

(100%)

14

(100%)

210

(100%)

$136

(100%)

* Leading heat source for deaths not shown above was radiated heat from another fire (6% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Equipment Range with or without oven No equipment involved Portable or stationary space heater Deep fryer Grill Central heating unit Water heater Torch, burner or soldering equipment Oven or rotisserie Unclassified equipment involved in ignition Portable cooking or warming device Yard equipment including snow blower Commercial or medical equipment Washer or dryer Lamp, light fixture or light bulb Fireplace, chimney or connector Unclassified portable appliance designed to produce heat Other known equipment Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

710

(16%)

0

(0%)

23

(11%)

$6

(4%)

690

(15%)

6

(40%)

36

(17%)

$14

(11%)

520 510 430 330 310

(11%) (11%) (9%) (7%) (7%)

3 0 0 0 0

(20%) (0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

34 21 14 7 14

(16%) (10%) (7%) (4%) (7%)

$8 $11 $3 $7 $2

(6%) (8%) (2%) (5%) (2%)

190 160

(4%) (4%)

0 6

(0%) (40%)

12 9

(6%) (4%)

$15 $4

(11%) (3%)

100

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$3

(2%)

70

(2%)

0

(0%)

11

(5%)

$1

(1%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$5

(4%)

40 40

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

4 0

(2%) (0%)

$13 $0

(10%) (0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

4

(2%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

300

(7%)

0

(0%)

14

(7%)

$42

(31%)

4,530

(100%)

14

(100%)

210

(100%)

$136

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material fires ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment). Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

Factor Leak or break Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified misuse of material or product Flammable liquid or gas spilled Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Abandoned or discarded material Worn out Automatic control failure Unclassified operational deficiency Failure to clean Manual control failure Cutting or welding too close to combustible Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Equipment unattended Improper startup Equipment not being operated properly Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Collision, knock down, or turn over Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Playing with heat source Unclassified fire spread or control Improper container or storage Arc or spark from operating equipment

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,250

(28%)

5

(37%)

46

(22%)

$31

(23%)

690

(15%)

2

(11%)

17

(8%)

$20

(15%)

310

(7%)

2

(11%)

23

(11%)

$10

(7%)

250

(6%)

3

(19%)

33

(16%)

$5

(4%)

210

(5%)

3

(24%)

21

(10%)

$15

(11%)

200

(4%)

1

(9%)

14

(7%)

$7

(5%)

170 160

(4%) (3%)

0 2

(0%) (15%)

3 4

(2%) (2%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

150

(3%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$1

(1%)

140 130 90

(3%) (3%) (2%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

3 1 1

(1%) (1%) (0%)

$2 $0 $0

(1%) (0%) (0%)

90

(2%)

0

(0%)

4

(2%)

$2

(1%)

90 80 80

(2%) (2%) (2%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

8 1 12

(4%) (1%) (6%)

$15 $2 $0

(11%) (1%) (0%)

70

(2%)

1

(8%)

7

(3%)

$0

(0%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$2

(1%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$13

(9%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$4

(3%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$1

(0%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$0

(0%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$3

(2%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued)

Factor Storm Exposure fire Improper fueling technique Installation deficiency Backfire Unspecified short circuit arc Short circuit arc from defective or worn insulation Other known factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

0 1

(0%) (8%)

0 1

(0%) (0%)

$3 $2

(2%) (1%)

30 30 30

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

3 6 2

(1%) (3%) (1%)

$0 $2 $1

(0%) (1%) (1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

6

(3%)

$0

(0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

130

(3%)

0

(0%)

10

(5%)

$10

(7%)

4,530 4,850

(100%) (107%)

14 20

(100%) (141%)

210 239

(100%) (114%)

$136 $155

(100%) (114%)

150

(3%)

1

(4%)

4

(2%)

$6

(4%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin Area of Origin Kitchen Heating equipment room Unclassified outside area Garage* Unclassified equipment or service area Unclassified area of origin Unclassified storage area Processing or manufacturing area or workroom Unclassified function area Maintenance or paint shop or area Courtyard, terrace or patio Unclassified structural area Storage room, area, tank, or bin Laundry room or area Duct for HVAC, cable, exhaust, heating, or air conditioning Storage of supplies or tools Lawn, field or open area Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Lobby or entrance way Unclassified vehicle area Conduit, pipe, utility, or ventilation shaft Incinerator room or area Machinery room or area Exterior roof surface Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,790

(40%)

3

(19%)

56

(27%)

$9

(6%)

320

(7%)

0

(0%)

6

(3%)

$3

(2%)

230 170

(5%) (4%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

5 15

(3%) (7%)

$0 $8

(0%) (6%)

150

(3%)

0

(0%)

9

(4%)

$5

(4%)

110

(3%)

1

(4%)

3

(1%)

$4

(3%)

100

(2%)

1

(4%)

7

(3%)

$8

(6%)

90

(2%)

2

(15%)

20

(10%)

$35

(25%)

90

(2%)

0

(0%)

7

(3%)

$3

(2%)

90

(2%)

0

(0%)

10

(5%)

$6

(5%)

80

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$0

(0%)

60

(1%)

1

(7%)

1

(0%)

$2

(1%)

60 60

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 2

(1%) (1%)

$2 $0

(1%) (0%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(0%)

50

(1%)

1

(6%)

3

(2%)

$1

(1%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

6

(3%)

$0

(0%)

50 50

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

4 1

(2%) (0%)

$1 $2

(1%) (1%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$5

(4%)

40

(1%)

2

(11%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

40 40

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 0

(1%) (0%)

$2 $0

(2%) (0%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(0%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

22

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 1-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued)

Area of Origin Exterior wall surface Unclassified service facility Living room, family room, lounge or den Engine area, running gear or wheel area of vehicle Shipping, receiving or loading area Laboratory Crawl space or substructure space Bedroom Bathroom, locker room or check room Closet Wall assembly or concealed space Hallway, corridor, or mall Office Other known area of origin** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$2

(1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(3%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(0%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(10%) (0%)

3 3

(2%) (1%)

$9 $1

(7%) (1%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

0 1

(0%) (7%)

1 3

(0%) (2%)

$1 $0

(0%) (0%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

4 0

(2%) (0%)

$2 $1

(2%) (1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(0%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 2

(0%) (1%)

$0 $1

(0%) (0%)

270

(6%)

3

(18%)

18

(9%)

$19

(14%)

4,530

(100%)

14

(100%)

210

(100%)

$136

(100%)

* May not include or be limited to garages coded as property use. ** Leading area for deaths not shown above is passenger area of vehicle (18% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Infection adjustments based on consumer price index.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

23

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

24

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Section 2. Natural Gas During 2007-2011, an average of 13,730 fires per year were reported as having begun with the ignition of natural gas as the type of material first ignited. These fires caused an average of 35 civilian deaths per year, 254 civilian injuries per year, and $303 million in direct property damage per year. Tables 2-A.1, 2-A.2, and 2-4.3 show how these fires divide, first into fires at homes versus any other property use, and within those two groups, into structure, vehicle, and outdoor or other fires. Nearly all home losses are in structure fires, but one-quarter of the fires are not in structure fires. Table 2-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Property Use Property Use

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Home Non-home Total

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

7,900 5,830

(58%) (42%)

31 4

(89%) (11%)

194 60

(76%) (24%)

$75 $228

(25%) (75%)

13,730

(100%)

35

(100%)

254

(100%)

$303

(100%)

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Note: See text box on p. 26 for details on calculations.

Table 2-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

5,930 20 1,950

(75%) (0%) (25%)

30 1 0

(98%) (2%) (0%)

185 2 7

(96%) (1%) (3%)

$73 $0 $1

(98%) (1%) (1%)

Total

7,900

(100%)

31

(100%)

194

(100%)

$75

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 2-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

2,150 150 3,530

(37%) (3%) (61%)

2 0 2

(59%) (0%) (41%)

41 3 15

(69%) (6%) (25%)

$45 $7 $176

(20%) (3%) (77%)

Total

5,830

(100%)

4

(100%)

60

(100%)

$228

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Data Sources, Definitions and Conventions Used in This Section Unless otherwise specified, the statistics in this analysis are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. These estimates are projections based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey. In general, any fire that occurs in or on a structure is considered a structure fire, even if the fire was limited to contents and the building itself was not damaged. “Home” includes one- and two-family homes, manufactured homes, and multi-family housing, including departments. Flammable gases are identified in NFIRS 5.0 Type of Material First Ignited: 10 - Unclassified or unknown type flammable gas, including benzene, benzol, carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide, ethylene, ethylene oxide, and vinyl chloride. Corresponds to codes 10 (unknown and 19 (unclassified) in earlier version of NFIRS and may include Codes 13 (manufactured gas) and 17 (specialty gas other than anesthetic) in earlier versions of NFIRS. 11 – Natural gas, including methane and swamp gas. 12 – LP-gas, including butane, propane, and butane-air mixture, which was coded separately as LP-City gas in earlier versions of NFIRS. 13 – Anesthetic gas, which was code 15 in earlier versions of NFIRS. 14 – Acetylene gas, which was code 16 in earlier versions of NFIRS. 15 – Hydrogen, which was not separately identified in earlier version of NFIRS. NFIRS 5.0 includes a category of structure fires collectively referred to as “confined fires,” identified by incident type. These include confined cooking fires, confined chimney or flue fires, confined trash fires, confined fuel burner or boiler fires, confined commercial compactor fires, and confined incinerator fires (incident type 113-118). Losses are generally minimal in these fires, which by definition, are assumed to have been limited to the object of origin. Although detailed data is not required for these fires, it is sometimes present. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Property damage has not been adjusted for inflation. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian deaths and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million. Additional details on the methodology may be found in Appendix A. Reporting of Type of Material First Ignited is not required if Item First Ignited is coded in the range of 70 to 99. As with confined fires, the field is nevertheless reported for many fires, but the percentage of unknowns and blanks is higher. Fires are analyzed separately for (1) non-confined structure fires, (2) confined structure fires, (3) vehicle fires, (4) outdoor or other vegetation fires, and (5) outdoor or other non-vegetation fires (principally trash). For each of these, fires are analyzed separately for Item First Ignited 70-99 and Item First Ignited not 70-99.

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In 2009, more homes used natural gas (69.2 million housing units) than LP-gas (48.9 million housing units). These figures include use of outdoor grills, which means risk should be calculated using total home fires, including structure, vehicle and outdoor and other. (See Table 2-B.) Table 2-B. Home Fires Starting with Ignition of Natural or LP-Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Natural gas Incident Type Structure Vehicle Outdoor or other

Fires 5,930 20 1,950

Civilian Deaths 30 1 0

Direct Property Civilian Damage Injuries (in Millions) Fires 185 2 7

Total 7,900 31 194 Note: See text box for details on calculations.

$73 $0 $1

3,110 70 4,440

$75

7,620

LP gas Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

34 0 0

160 6 24

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) $61 $1 $1

34 190 $62 Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

LP-gas has a much larger share of its home fires outdoors, which is understandable because grill users constitute a much larger share of total LP-gas users than natural gas users. (See Table 2-C.) Table 2-C. Homes Using Natural or LP-Gas, by Type of Use Millions of Housing Units Using Natural gas LP-gas Heating Main Central warm-air furnace Other (including steam or hot water system, built-in room heater, floor or wall pipeless system)

57.2

Secondary Fireplace Other (including central warm-air furnace)

8.0 55.6 44.3 11.3

5.6 3.9 1.7

7.2 4.8 2.5

2.8 1.5 1.4

Water heating

58.4

4.2

Cooking

39.2

5.7

Other (e.g., outdoor grill, clothes dryer) Clothes dryer

21.5

43.9

Total

69.2

17.4

1.0 48.9

Source: Table HC1.1, “Fuels Used and End Uses in U.S. Homes, by Housing Unit Type, 2009,” and Table HC3.1, “Appliances in U.S. Homes, by Housing Unit Type, 2009,” 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/data/2009/#undefined.

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The ratio of natural gas user homes to LP-gas user homes (1.4-to-1) implied by Table 2-C is higher than the ratios for home fires and losses implied by Table 3-B, which implies a higher combined risk for LP-gas. However, the uses are so different for the two gases that it may reflect differences in risk between central warm-air heating equipment (the principal use for natural gas) and outdoor gas grills (the principal use for LP-gas) more than inherent differences in risk between the two types of gas.

A. Homes Natural gas home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown a level trend in recent years. Table 2-1 and Figure 2-1 show the trends in home fires starting with ignition of natural gas, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by more than half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the mid-1990s when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has been mostly level. Figure 2-1: Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas 14,000 12,000

Fires

10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 2-1.

Source: NFIRS and NPA survey.

Most home structure fires starting with ignition of natural gas involve cooking or heating equipment as the heat source. Table 2-2 shows that the three leading heat sources, accounting for more than half the fires, involve equipment. Table 2-3 shows that cooking and heating equipment are the types of equipment involved for most home natural gas fires when equipment is involved. Washers and dryers, with 3% of home natural gas structure fires, had the largest equipment share for any equipment other than cooking and heating equipment. Note that when equipment ignites gas, the gas ignited may not have been fueling the equipment that ignited the gas. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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source for gas leaking from anywhere near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released gas. One fifth (21%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of natural gas involved leak or break as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 2-4 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including insufficient separation between heat source and combustible, and leaving equipment (such as cooking equipment) unattended. Intentional fires accounted for 3% of home natural gas structure fires. More than half (57%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of natural gas began in the kitchen. This is consistent with the large role of cooking equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 2-5 shows the leading areas of origin. The second leading area (14%) is heating equipment room or area, which is consistent with the large role of heating equipment as a heat source, second only to cooking equipment.

B. Properties Other Than Homes Three out of four (78%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of natural gas occur at public assembly (44%), store or office (17%), or residential (17%) properties. Many of these places feature commercial cooking as an activity, which makes it possible that the significant role of cooking equipment as heat sources for home natural gas fires may be repeated in non-home properties. Table 2-6 shows the shares of these fires by major property use group. Natural gas non-home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown a level trend in recent years. Table 2-7 and Figure 2-2 show the trends in non-home fires starting with ignition of natural gas, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by more than half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the early 1980s when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has been roughly level but also highly variable from year to year.

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Figure 2-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas 3,000 2,500

Fires

2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 2-7.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Most non-home structure fires starting with ignition of natural gas involved cooking or heating equipment as the heat source. Table 2-8 shows that the three leading heat sources, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the fires, involve equipment. Table 2-9 shows that cooking and heating equipment are the types of equipment involved for most non-home natural gas fires when equipment is involved. Washers and dryers, with 1% of non-home natural gas structure fires, had the largest equipment share for any equipment other than cooking and heating equipment. Note that when equipment ignited gas, the gas ignited may not have been fueling the equipment that ignited the gas. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for gas leaking from anywhere near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released gas. One-third (34%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of natural gas involved leak or break as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 2-10 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including not replacing worn out equipment, abandoning materials like lit cigarettes, and not cleaning equipment regularly. Intentional fires accounted for 4% of non-home natural gas structure fires. Three out of five (60%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of natural gas began in a kitchen. This is consistent with the large role of cooking equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 2-11 shows the leading area of origin. The second leading area is heating equipment room or area, which is consistent with the large role of heating equipment as a heat source second only to cooking equipment.

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Table 2-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Year Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

11,600 11,750 11,270 9,890 9,230

40 77 71 85 52

430 626 595 613 510

$38 $39 $35 $47 $39

$104 $96 $81 $106 $84

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

9,100 8,650 8,040 7,360 6,700

45 115 73 58 39

528 492 419 426 394

$72 $45 $38 $42 $38

$150 $93 $75 $80 $70

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

7,210 6,830 6,630 6,380 5,800

53 62 49 27 38

417 410 425 418 434

$51 $59 $40 $38 $46

$88 $98 $64 $59 $70

1995 1996 1997 1998

5,580 5,660 4,870 4,490

47 92 27 66

283 329 231 202

$56 $70 $38 $39

$83 $101 $53 $54

1999 2000 2001

6,230 6,090 6,210

0 94 47

136 280 320

$39 $45 $42

$53 $58 $53

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

5,540 5,550 6,400 5,900 6,150

8 47 56 44 32

256 282 325 240 146

$70 $49 $50 $72 $59

$88 $60 $60 $83 $66

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

6,010 5,970 5,790 5,930 5,940

47 16 30 15 40

166 119 174 189 278

$90 $57 $74 $62 $85

$98 $60 $78 $64 $85

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 2-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Unclassified heat source Heat from direct flame or convection currents Flame or torch used for lighting Match Arcing Cigarette lighter Unclassified hot or smoldering object Lightning Hot ember or ash Heat or spark from friction Conducted heat from another fire Unclassified chemical or natural heat source Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,650

(28%)

12

(40%)

65

(35%)

$20

(27%)

1,080

(18%)

4

(12%)

26

(14%)

$6

(9%)

640

(11%)

0

(0%)

9

(5%)

$4

(5%)

590

(10%)

2

(6%)

8

(4%)

$5

(7%)

390

(7%)

0

(0%)

4

(2%)

$2

(3%)

360 200 200 170

(6%) (3%) (3%) (3%)

0 6 2 6

(0%) (18%) (5%) (18%)

10 22 4 19

(5%) (12%) (2%) (10%)

$1 $3 $3 $15

(2%) (4%) (4%) (21%)

150 140 50

(3%) (2%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 2 0

(0%) (1%) (0%)

$1 $6 $0

(1%) (8%) (0%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(2%)

180

(3%)

0

(0%)

14

(8%)

$4

(6%)

5,930

(100%)

30

(100%)

185

(100%)

$73

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, metal, lighter candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 2-3. Home Structure Firs Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition Equipment Range with or without oven Portable or stationary space heater Water heater Oven or rotisserie Central heating unit No equipment involved Washer or dryer Grill, hibachi, or barbecue Fireplace, chimney or connector Portable cooking or warming device Unclassified equipment Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,880

(32%)

8

(25%)

25

(14%)

$5

(7%)

910 660 650 640

(15%) (11%) (11%) (11%)

15 0 0 4

(48%) (0%) (0%) (15%)

19 48 20 18

(10%) (26%) (11%) (10%)

$5 $11 $1 $10

(7%) (15%) (1%) (13%)

480 170

(8%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

21 0

(11%) (0%)

$31 $3

(42%) (4%)

150

(3%)

0

(0%)

5

(3%)

$0

(0%)

90

(1%)

0

(0%)

10

(5%)

$0

(1%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

6

(3%)

$3

(4%)

220

(4%)

3

(11%)

13

(7%)

$4

(6%)

5,930

(100%)

30

(100%)

185

(100%)

$73

(100%)

* Leading equipment for deaths not shown above is wiring and related equipment (11% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported or unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment.. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 2-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Factor Leak or break Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Heat source too close to combustibles Equipment unattended Unclassified misuse of material or product Abandoned or discarded material Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Worn out Automatic control failure Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Failure to clean Storm Installation deficiency Improper startup Unclassified operational deficiency Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Equipment not being operated properly Flammable liquid or gas spilled Unspecified short circuit arc Manual control failure Unclassified fire spread or control Collision, knock down, or turn over High water including floods Improper container or storage Arc or spark from operating equipment Other known factor

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,240

(21%)

12

(41%)

47

(25%)

$25

(33%)

1,070

(18%)

2

(6%)

19

(10%)

$7

(10%)

590 410

(10%) (7%)

5 0

(15%) (0%)

10 10

(5%) (6%)

$4 $1

(5%) (2%)

290

(5%)

6

(21%)

13

(7%)

$4

(6%)

270

(5%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

250 240

(4%) (4%)

5 0

(17%) (0%)

10 4

(5%) (2%)

$9 $1

(13%) (1%)

230

(4%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$1

(1%)

200 190 150 100 100

(3%) (3%) (2%) (2%) (2%)

1 0 0 3 0

(5%) (0%) (0%) (10%) (0%)

12 4 2 2 19

(6%) (2%) (1%) (1%) (10%)

$2 $1 $7 $2 $0

(3%) (1%) (9%) (2%) (0%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(2%)

70

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(2%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$0

(0%)

60

(1%)

1

(5%)

18

(9%)

$3

(4%)

60 60

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 3

(0%) (1%)

$0 $0

(1%) (0%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

1

(5%)

6

(3%)

$1

(1%)

270

(5%)

0

(0%)

8

(4%)

$8

(11%)

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Table 2-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 annual Averages by Factor Contributing to Ignition (continued) Factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

5,930 6,160

(100%) (104%)

30 37

(100%) (125%)

185 199

(100%) (107%)

$73 $81

(100%) (110%)

420

(7%)

3

(11%)

16

(9%)

$6

(8%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 2-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin Area of Origin Kitchen Heating equipment room Laundry room or area Duct for HVAC, cable, heating, or air conditioning Crawl space or substructure space Unclassified function area Unclassified area of origin Living room, family room, or den Garage* Exterior wall surface Attic or ceiling/roof assembly or concealed space Unclassified equipment or service area Wall assembly or concealed space Courtyard, terrace or patio Conduit, pipe, utility, or ventilation shaft Unclassified structural area Hallway or corridor Bedroom Closet Bathroom Unclassified outside area Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

3,360

(57%)

10

(34%)

64

(34%)

$17

(23%)

820 200

(14%) (3%)

1 0

(4%) (0%)

39 2

(21%) (1%)

$6 $5

(9%) (6%)

160

(3%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

140

(2%)

2

(8%)

10

(6%)

$4

(6%)

130

(2%)

0

(0%)

7

(4%)

$2

(3%)

130

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

110 80 80

(2%) (1%) (1%)

6 1 0

(20%) (4%) (0%)

12 4 1

(7%) (2%) (0%)

$2 $5 $2

(3%) (7%) (3%)

70

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$3

(4%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$2

(3%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$7

(10%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(2%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

40 40 40 40 40

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

1 0 6 0 0

(4%) (0%) (20%) (0%) (0%)

6 6 4 4 4

(3%) (3%) (2%) (2%) (2%)

$3 $0 $1 $0 $1

(4%) (0%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

30

(1%)

1

(4%)

1

(0%)

$2

(2%)

250

(4%)

1

(4%)

13

(7%)

$7

(10%)

5,930

(100%)

30

(100%)

185

(100%)

$73

(100%)

* Does not include residential garage reported as separate property. Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 2-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Major Property Use Group

Property Use Public assembly Stores and offices Residential Educational Health care or correction Outside or special property Manufacturing Storage Industrial, utility, defense, agriculture, or mining Unclassified None or undetermined Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

940 360 360 110

(44%) (17%) (17%) (5%)

0 1 1 0

(0%) (58%) (42%) (0%)

15 9 6 2

(35%) (21%) (15%) (5%)

$9 $6 $2 $0

(20%) (14%) (4%) (0%)

90

(4%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

90 70 50

(4%) (3%) (2%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 0 3

(0%) (1%) (6%)

$0 $11 $8

(0%) (24%) (18%)

40 10 40

(2%) (0%) (2%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

6 1 0

(14%) (1%) (1%)

$8 $0 $1

(17%) (0%) (1%)

2,150

(100%)

2

(100%)

41

(100%)

$45

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 2-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, by Year

Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

2,790 2,270 2,530 2,030 2,010

0 0 11 0 4

117 140 235 254 90

$17 $29 $24 $17 $34

$47 $71 $56 $38 $73

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

2,040 2,070 1,700 1,580 1,520

12 0 0 7 7

88 83 107 127 82

$21 $18 $28 $13 $19

$44 $37 $55 $24 $35

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1,380 1,400 1,470 1,390 1,320

25 9 5 2 0

82 65 97 54 61

$242 $16 $31 $19 $22

$416 $27 $49 $30 $33

1995 1996 1997 1998

1,190 1,130 1,200 1,190

0 2 0 0

77 49 33 56

$38 $16 $20 $17

$57 $23 $28 $23

1999 2000 2001

2,340 1,880 2,590

0 0 0

0 0 80

$28 $10 $113

$37 $14 $144

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

2,200 2,700 2,290 1,900 2,130

11 6 14 0 0

62 87 30 54 54

$22 $15 $46 $54 $15

$28 $18 $54 $63 $17

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

2,410 2,300 2,000 2,000 2,020

5 7 0 0 0

40 38 39 46 41

$58 $72 $22 $25 $49

$63 $75 $23 $25 $49

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustment based on consumer price index.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 2-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source

Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Flame or torch used for lighting Unclassified heat source Heat from direct flame or convection currents Arcing Unclassified hot or smoldering object Match Unclassified heat spread from another fire Cigarette lighter Heat or spark from friction Lightning Molten or hot material Hot ember or ash

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

750

(35%)

1

(58%)

17

(41%)

$23

(51%)

390

(18%)

0

(0%)

4

(9%)

$5

(11%)

240

(11%)

0

(0%)

2

(5%)

$2

(4%)

190

(9%)

0

(0%)

10

(23%)

$0

(1%)

180

(8%)

0

(0%)

1

(3%)

$7

(16%)

90 50

(4%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 1

(1%) (2%)

$0 $2

(1%) (4%)

50 50

(3%) (2%)

0 1

(0%) (42%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $1

(0%) (1%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 3

(0%) (8%)

$0 $0

(1%) (0%)

20 20 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

1 0 0 0

(2%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

$3 $1 $0 $0

(6%) (2%) (0%) (0%)

50

(2%)

0

(0%)

2

(5%)

$1

(3%)

2,150

(100%)

2

(100%)

41

(100%)

$45

(100%)

Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of firse with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 2-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Range with or without oven Deep fryer Portable or stationary space heater Central heating unit Water heater No equipment involved Grill Oven or rotisserie Portable cooking or warming equipment Fireplace, chimney or connector Unclassified portable appliance designed to produce heat Washer or dryer Torch, burner or soldering equipment Incinerator Heat treating equipment Steamline, heat pipe, or hot air duct Lamp, light bulb or light fixture Other known equipment Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

460 430

(22%) (20%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 8

(7%) (18%)

$5 $14

(12%) (31%)

230 210 200

(11%) (10%) (9%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

7 4 9

(17%) (9%) (21%)

$1 $4 $2

(3%) (9%) (4%)

150 120 90

(7%) (6%) (4%)

0 0 2

(0%) (0%) (100%)

3 3 3

(8%) (7%) (7%)

$6 $0 $0

(13%) (1%) (1%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (1%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(3%) (0%)

$0 $0

(1%) (1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

60

(3%)

0

(0%)

1

(3%)

$11

(24%)

2,150

(100%)

2

(100%)

41

(100%)

$45

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment). Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustment based on consumer price index.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 2-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Factor Leak or break Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Worn out Abandoned or discarded material Automatic control failure Failure to clean Unclassified operational deficiency Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified misuse of material or product Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Manual control failure Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Improper startup Collision, knock down, or turn over Equipment unattended Equipment not being operated properly Installation deficiency Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Flammable liquid or gas spilled Storm Unspecified short circuit arc Arc or spark from operating equipment Short circuit arc from defective or worn insulation Unclassified design, manufacturing or installation deficiency

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

730

(34%)

1

(58%)

14

(34%)

$16

(35%)

360 120

(17%) (6%)

1 0

(42%) (0%)

3 2

(8%) (6%)

$10 $0

(22%) (0%)

110

(5%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

110 100

(5%) (5%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 1

(4%) (3%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

80

(4%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

70

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

60

(3%)

1

(42%)

6

(15%)

$0

(0%)

60 60

(3%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(3%) (0%)

$1 $0

(2%) (0%)

50 50

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 6

(1%) (14%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

40 40

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 1

(2%) (2%)

$11 $0

(24%) (0%)

30 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 1

(0%) (3%)

$0 $1

(0%) (2%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 0

(4%) (0%)

$0 $3

(0%) (6%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(4%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(2%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(2%)

$1

(2%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 2-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued)

Factor Other known factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

60

(3%)

0

(0%)

1

(3%)

$4

(9%)

2,150 2,260

(100%) (105%)

2 3

(100%) (142%)

41 45

(100%) (109%)

$45 $48

(100%) (107%)

70

(3%)

0

(0%)

3

(7%)

$1

(2%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustment based on consumer price index.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 2-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin

Area of Origin Kitchen Heating equipment room Unclassified equipment or service area Laundry room or area Unclassified outside area Unclassified function area Duct for HVAC, cable, exhaust, heating, or air conditioning Incinerator room or area Unclassified storage area Unclassified area of origin Processing or manufacturing area or workroom Exterior roof surface Storage room, area, tank, or bin Conduit, pipe, utility, or ventilation shaft Maintenance or paint shop or area Unclassified service facility Machinery room or area Closet Unclassified structural area Wall assembly or concealed space Dining room, bar or cafeteria Lobby or entrance way Garage*

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,280

(60%)

2

(100%)

19

(45%)

$4

(9%)

220

(10%)

0

(0%)

6

(14%)

$2

(3%)

70 40

(3%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

4 0

(9%) (1%)

$3 $0

(6%) (0%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(2%)

$4

(9%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 0

(8%) (0%)

$3 $0

(6%) (0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$3

(6%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(3%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

20 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 0

(5%) (0%)

$1 $0

(2%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 1 0

(0%) (1%) (0%)

$0 $0 $0

(0%) (0%) (1%)

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 2-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued)

Area of Origin Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

140

(7%)

0

(0%)

6

(16%)

$21

(47%)

2,150

(100%)

2

(100%)

41

(100%)

$45

(100%)

* May not include or be limited to garages coded as property use. Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustment based on consumer price index.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Section 3. LP-Gas During 2007-2011, an average of 13,340 fires per year were reported as having begun with the ignition of LP-gas as the type of material first ignited. These fires caused an average of 46 civilian deaths per year, 349 civilian injuries per year, and $100 million in direct property damage per year. Table 3-A.1, 3-A.2, and 3-A.3 show how these fires divide, first into fires at homes versus any other property use, and within those two groups, into structure, vehicle, and outdoor or other fires. Nearly all home losses are in structure fires, but nearly half of the fires are not in structure fires. Vehicle fires are a much larger share of non-home fires than home fires. Table 3-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Property Use Property Use Home Non-home Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

7,620 5,720

(57%) (43%)

34 12

(74%) (26%)

190 159

(54%) (46%)

$62 $38

(62%) (38%)

13,340

(100%)

46

(100%)

349

(100%)

$100

(100%)

Note: See text box on p. 46 for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 3-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

3,110 70 4,440

(41%) (1%) (58%)

34 0 0

(100%) (0%) (0%)

160 6 24

(84%) (3%) (13%)

$61 $1 $1

(97%) (1%) (2%)

Total

7,620

(100%)

34

(100%)

190

(100%)

$62

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 3-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

1,090 540 4,090

(19%) (9%) (72%)

8 3 1

(66%) (25%) (9%)

76 58 25

(48%) (36%) (16%)

$29 $8 $2

(76%) (19%) (5%)

Total

5,720

(100%)

12

(100%)

159

(100%)

$38

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

45

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Data Sources, Definitions and Conventions Used in This Section Unless otherwise specified, the statistics in this analysis are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. These estimates are projections based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey. In general, any fire that occurs in or on a structure is considered a structure fire, even if the fire was limited to contents and the building itself was not damaged. "Home” includes one- and two-family homes, manufactured homes, and multi-family housing, including apartments. Flammable gases are identified in NFIRS 5.0 Type of Material First Ignited: 10 - Unclassified or unknown type flammable gas, including benzene, benzol, carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide, ethylene, ethylene oxide, and vinyl chloride. Corresponds to codes 10 (unknown and 19 (unclassified) in earlier version of NFIRS and may include Codes 13 (manufactured gas) and 17 (specialty gas other than anesthetic) in earlier versions of NFIRS. 11 – Natural gas, including methane and swamp gas. 12 – LP-gas, including butane, propane, and butane-air mixture, which was coded separately as LP-City gas in earlier versions of NFIRS. 13 – Anesthetic gas, which was code 15 in earlier versions of NFIRS. 14 – Acetylene gas, which was code 16 in earlier versions of NFIRS. 15 – Hydrogen, which was not separately identified in earlier version of NFIRS. NFIRS 5.0 includes a category of structure fires collectively referred to as “confined fires,” identified by incident type. These include confined cooking fires, confined chimney or flue fires, confined trash fires, confined fuel burner or boiler fires, confined commercial compactor fires, and confined incinerator fires (incident type 113-118). Losses are generally minimal in these fires, which by definition, are assumed to have been limited to the object of origin. Although detailed data is not required for these fires, it is sometimes present. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Property damage has not been adjusted for inflation. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian deaths and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million. Additional details on the methodology may be found in Appendix A. Reporting of Type of Material First Ignited is not required if Item First Ignited is coded in the range of 70 to 99. As with confined fires, the field is nevertheless reported for many fires, but the percentage of unknowns and blanks is higher. Fires are analyzed separately for (1) non-confined structure fires, (2) confined structure fires, (3) vehicle fires, (4) outdoor or other vegetation fires, and (5) outdoor or other non-vegetation fires (principally trash). For each of these, fires are analyzed separately for Item First Ignited 70-99 and Item First Ignited not 70-99.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

In 2009, more homes used natural gas (69.2 million housing units) than LP-gas (48.9 million housing units). These figures include use of outdoor grills, which means risk should be calculated using total home fires, including structure, vehicle and outdoor and other. (See Table 3-B.) Table 3-B. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Natural or LP-Gas 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Natural gas Incident Type

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Direct Property Civilian Damage Injuries (in Millions)

Fires

Civilian Deaths

LP-gas Direct Property Civilian Damage Injuries (in Millions)

Structure Vehicle Outdoor or other

5,930 20 1,950

30 1 0

185 2 7

$73 $0 $1

3,110 70 4,440

34 0 0

160 6 24

$61 $1 $1

Total

7,900

31

194

$75

7,620

34

190

$62

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

LP-gas has a much larger share of its home fires outdoors, which is understandable because grill users constitute a much larger share of total LP-gas users than natural gas users. (See Table 3-C.) Table 3-C. Homes Using Natural or LP Gas, by Type of Use Millions of Housing Units Using Natural gas LP-gas Heating Main Central warm-air furnace Other (including steam or hot water system, built-in room heater, floor or wall pipeless system) Secondary Fireplace Other (including central warm-air furnace)

57.2

8.0

Water heating

58.4

4.2

Cooking

39.2

5.7

Other (e.g., outdoor grill, clothes dryer) Clothes dryer

21.5

Total

69.2

55.6 44.3 11.3

5.6 3.9 1.7

7.2 4.8 2.5

2.8 1.5 1.4

43.9 17.4

1.0 48.9

Note: See text box for details on calculations Source: Table HC1.1, “Fuels Used and End Uses in U.S. Homes, by Housing Unit type, 2009,” 2009 Residential Energy Consumption survey, http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/data/2009/#undefined.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

The ratio of natural gas user homes to LP-gas user homes (1.4-to-1) implied by Table 3-C is higher than the ratios for home fires and losses implied by Table 3-B, which implies a higher combined risk for LP-gas. However, the uses are so different for the two gases that it may reflect differences in risk between central warm-air heating equipment (the principal use for natural gas) and outdoor gas grills (the principal use for LP-gas) more than inherent differences in risk between the two types of gas.

A. Homes LP-gas home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown no consistent trend up or down in recent years. Table 3-1 and Figure 3-1 show the trends in home fires starting with ignition of LP-gas, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by nearly half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the early 1980s when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has been level with considerable year-to-year variation. Figure 3-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas 4,500 4,000 3,500

Fires

3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 3-1.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Most home structure fires starting with ignition of LP-gas involve cooking or heating equipment as the heat source. Table 3-2 shows three of the five leading heat sources, accounting for nearly half the fires, involve equipment. Table 3-3 shows that cooking and heating equipment are the types of equipment involved for most home LP-gas fires when equipment is involved. Because these are structure fires, they do not reflect the large role of gas grills in outdoor home fires starting with LP-gas, but even so, grills are the leading type of equipment for home structure LP-gas fires with roughly half (49%) of the fires. Torches, burners, and soldering equipment, with 1% of home LP-gas structure fires, had the largest equipment share for any equipment other than cooking and heating equipment. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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Note that when equipment ignites gas, the gas ignited may not have been fueling the equipment that ignited the gas. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for gas leaking from anywhere near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released gas. One-third (35%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of LP-gas involved a leak or break as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 3-4 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including insufficient separation between heat source and combustible, and leaving equipment (such as cooking equipment) unattended. Intentional fires accounted for 5% of home LP-gas structure fires. Four of ten (40%) home structure fires starting with ignition of LP-gas began in the courtyard, terrace or patio (16%), exterior balcony or unenclosed porch (13%), or unclassified outside area (11%), suggesting a gas grill fire that spread to the home. Another 18% of fires began in kitchens. This is all consistent with the large role of cooking equipment in general and grills in particular as heat sources in these fires. Table 3-5 shows the leading areas of origin.

B. Properties Other Than Homes More than half (56%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of LP-gas occur at public assembly (23%), residential (22%), or store or office (11%) properties. Many of these places feature commercial cooking as an activity, which makes it possible that the significant role of cooking equipment as heat sources for home gas fires may be repeated in nonhome properties. The other leading property use group is outside or special property (20% of fires), which suggests outdoor grill fires that spread to nearby structures, at least for public assembly and residential properties. Table 3-6 shows the shares of non-home LP-gas structure fires by major property use group. LP-gas non-home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown no consistent trend in recent years. Table 3-7 and Figure 3-2 show the trends in non-home fires, starting with ignition of LP-gas, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by about half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the early 1980s shortly after NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, year-to-year variations have been large, with no clear trend up or down.

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Figure 3-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas 1,800 1,600 1,400

Fires

1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 3-7.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Most non-home structure fires starting with ignition of LP-gas involve cooking or heating equipment as the heat source. Table 3-8 shows three of the six leading heat sources, accounting for nearly half of the fires, involve equipment. Table 3-9 shows that cooking and heating equipment are the types of equipment involved for most non-home LP-gas fires when equipment is involved. Torches, burners, and soldering equipment, with 2% of non-home LP-gas structure fires, had the largest equipment share for any equipment other than cooking and heating equipment. Note that when equipment ignites gas, the gas ignited may not have been fueling the equipment that ignited the gas, In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for gas leaking from anywhere near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released gas. One-third (36%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of LP-gas involved leak or break as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 3-10 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including insufficient separation between heat source and combustible, and spills (or perhaps releases) of flammable liquid or gas. Intentional fires accounted for 4% of non-home LP-gas structure fires. One-third (34%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of LP-gas began in a kitchen. This is consistent with the large role for cooking equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 3-11 shows the leading areas of origin.

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Table 3-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Year Year 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

Fires 3,990 3,820 3,890 3,560 3,400

Civilian Deaths 79 66 38 63 46

Civilian Injuries 418 422 382 355 307

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars $29 $80 $27 $67 $23 $54 $28 $62 $32 $69

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

3,290 3,140 3,070 3,290 3,080

48 38 43 33 43

339 235 371 336 324

$32 $27 $24 $44 $26

$67 $56 $47 $83 $46

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

2,970 3,150 2,920 2,990 2,620

47 22 55 48 12

315 345 343 334 297

$34 $50 $76 $46 $40

$59 $82 $122 $71 $61

1995 1996 1997 1998

2,550 2,540 2,100 2,010

25 38 54 41

299 216 185 277

$47 $37 $29 $34

$70 $53 $41 $47

1999 2000 2001

3,600 3,490 2,690

0 31 9

545 298 276

$40 $64 $56

$54 $84 $71

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

3,040 3,360 2,680 3,010 3,660

0 63 19 28 41

245 175 134 204 191

$43 $77 $33 $35 $40

$54 $94 $39 $40 $44

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

3,140 3,330 2,790 2,910 3,330

30 21 28 30 63

178 164 131 161 166

$77 $72 $52 $58 $44

$84 $75 $54 $60 $44

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 3-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source

Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat source Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Flame or torch used for lighting Unclassified heat from powered equipment Heat from direct flame or convection currents Match Cigarette lighter Unclassified hot or smoldering object Arcing Unclassified heat spread from another fire Lightning Hot ember or ash Radiated heat from another fire Candle Unclassified chemical or natural heat source Other known heat source* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

990

(32%)

14

(41%)

44

(28%)

$14

(23%)

420

(13%)

0

(0%)

17

(11%)

$6

(10%)

290

(9%)

2

(6%)

16

(10%)

$3

(6%)

240

(8%)

7

(21%)

8

(5%)

$6

(9%)

200

(7%)

3

(8%)

4

(3%)

$3

(4%)

180 160 140

(6%) (5%) (4%)

1 2 0

(4%) (7%) (0%)

5 18 21

(3%) (11%) (13%)

$3 $5 $3

(5%) (9%) (6%)

70 70

(2%) (2%)

0 1

(0%) (4%)

3 9

(2%) (6%)

$0 $2

(1%) (4%)

70 60 40

(2%) (2%) (1%)

1 0 0

(2%) (0%) (0%)

0 1 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

$2 $4 $0

(4%) (7%) (1%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 5

(0%) (3%)

$0 $0

(0%) (1%)

20

(1%)

1

(4%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

100

(3%)

1

(4%)

7

(4%)

$6

(10%)

3,110

(100%)

34

(100%)

160

(100%)

$61

(100%)

* Leading heat source for deaths not shown above is unclassified fireworks or explosives (4% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 3-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Grill, hibachi, or barbecue No equipment involved Range with or without oven Portable or stationary space heater Water heater Unclassified equipment Central heating unit Oven or rotisserie Deep fryer Torch, burner or soldering equipment Fireplace, chimney or connector Washer or dryer Gas regulator

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,530

(49%)

3

(9%)

42

(26%)

$15

(25%)

320

(10%)

1

(4%)

14

(9%)

$22

(36%)

310

(10%)

3

(10%)

13

(8%)

$1

(2%)

280 190

(9%) (6%)

6 6

(16%) (18%)

39 10

(24%) (6%)

$10 $4

(16%) (7%)

120 90 80 30

(4%) (3%) (2%) (1%)

0 12 0 0

(0%) (34%) (0%) (0%)

2 14 2 2

(1%) (8%) (1%) (1%)

$2 $2 $0 $0

(3%) (2%) (0%) (0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(2%)

20 20 20

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

9 3 0

(6%) (2%) (0%)

$1 $0 $0

(2%) (0%) (0%)

70

(2%)

3

(8%)

10

(6%)

$2

(3%)

3,110

(100%)

34

(100%)

160

(100%)

$61

(100%)

Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

* Leading equipment for deaths not shown above is power drill or screwdriver (8% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 3.4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Factor Leak or break Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Heat source too close to combustibles Worn out Unclassified misuse of material or product Outside or open fire for warming or cooking Failure to clean Equipment unattended Flammable liquid or gas spilled Installation deficiency Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Equipment not being operated properly Abandoned or discarded material Improper fueling technique Storm Automatic control failure Improper startup Manual control failure Unclassified operational deficiency Design deficiency Unclassified design, manufacturing, or installation deficiency Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Exposure fire Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Arc or spark from operating equipment Backfire

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,080

(35%)

12

(35%)

56

(35%)

$24

(39%)

490

(16%)

4

(12%)

22

(14%)

$7

(12%)

230 170

(7%) (6%)

1 0

(4%) (0%)

15 5

(10%) (3%)

$5 $1

(8%) (1%)

140

(4%)

5

(16%)

6

(4%)

$5

(9%)

120 100 90

(4%) (3%) (3%)

0 0 2

(0%) (0%) (5%)

0 0 3

(0%) (0%) (2%)

$1 $0 $3

(1%) (0%) (5%)

90 90

(3%) (3%)

4 1

(12%) (4%)

11 5

(7%) (3%)

$2 $2

(4%) (3%)

80

(2%)

1

(4%)

9

(5%)

$5

(8%)

60

(2%)

0

(0%)

4

(2%)

$1

(1%)

60

(2%)

2

(5%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

60 50

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 1

(1%) (1%)

$1 $1

(2%) (2%)

50 40 30

(2%) (1%) (1%)

2 1 0

(5%) (2%) (0%)

5 14 1

(3%) (9%) (1%)

$0 $1 $1

(0%) (2%) (1%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 2

(1%) (1%)

$0 $0

(1%) (0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30 20

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(4%) (0%)

0 1

(0%) (1%)

$1 $0

(1%) (1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$1

(1%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

2 0

(5%) (0%)

1 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

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Table 3.4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued)

Factor Other known factor* Total Total factors

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

110

(4%)

3

(8%)

3

(2%)

$3

(6%)

3,110 3,290

(100%) (106%)

34 41

(100%) (120%)

160 170

(100%) (106%)

$61 $67

(100%) (110%)

* Leading factor for deaths not shown above is equipment used for not intended purpose (4% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 3.5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin

Area of Origin Kitchen Courtyard, terrace or patio Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Unclassified outside area Unclassified area of origin Heating equipment room Garage* Unclassified function area Crawl space or substructure space Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Laundry room or area Living room, family room, or den Exterior wall surface Unclassified structural area Exterior surface of vehicle Bedroom Duct for HVAC, cable, heating, or air conditioning Unclassified equipment or service area Exterior stairway or fire escape Wall assembly or concealed space Closet Unclassified means of egress Bathroom Unclassified storage area Lawn, field or open area

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

570

(18%)

6

(16%)

31

(19%)

$4

(6%)

500

(16%)

1

(3%)

19

(12%)

$3

(6%)

400

(13%)

0

(0%)

8

(5%)

$8

(12%)

330

(11%)

1

(2%)

3

(2%)

$9

(14%)

190

(6%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$2

(3%)

150 110

(5%) (4%)

5 3

(15%) (8%)

12 9

(7%) (6%)

$3 $3

(5%) (5%)

100

(3%)

0

(0%)

6

(4%)

$2

(3%)

60

(2%)

8

(22%)

11

(7%)

$5

(8%)

60 60

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 5

(0%) (3%)

$0 $2

(0%) (4%)

60 50

(2%) (2%)

2 0

(6%) (0%)

14 0

(9%) (0%)

$4 $2

(6%) (3%)

40

(1%)

4

(12%)

1

(1%)

$2

(4%)

40 30

(1%) (1%)

0 2

(0%) (6%)

3 13

(2%) (8%)

$0 $1

(0%) (2%)

30

(1%)

1

(4%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$1

(1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 4

(0%) (2%)

$0 $1

(0%) (1%)

30 20

(1%) (1%)

0 1

(0%) (3%)

0 2

(0%) (1%)

$0 $0

(0%) (1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

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Table 3.5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued)

Area of Origin Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

150

(5%)

1

(3%)

10

(6%)

$7

(12%)

3,110

(100%)

34

(100%)

160

(100%)

$61

(100%)

* Does not include residential garage reported as separate property. Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 3.6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Major Property Use Group

Property Use Group Public assembly Residential Outside or special property Stores and offices Storage Unclassified Educational Industrial, utility, defense, agriculture, or mining Health care or correction Manufacturing None or undetermined Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

240 240

(23%) (22%)

0 1

(0%) (10%)

15 12

(19%) (16%)

$6 $3

(20%) (9%)

220 120 100 30 30

(20%) (11%) (9%) (3%) (2%)

1 3 3 0 0

(9%) (35%) (34%) (0%) (0%)

19 15 11 1 1

(25%) (19%) (14%) (1%) (1%)

$2 $5 $4 $0 $0

(7%) (16%) (15%) (0%) (0%)

30

(2%)

1

(12%)

3

(4%)

$4

(14%)

20 20 40

(2%) (2%) (4%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 1 0

(0%) (1%) (0%)

$0 $5 $1

(0%) (17%) (2%)

1,090

(100%)

8

(100%)

76

(100%)

$29

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 3-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, by Year Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

1,320 1,460 1,440 1,320 1,300

14 0 4 10 7

88 126 124 337 186

$24 $22 $26 $73 $18

$66 $54 $61 $164 $40

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

1,310 1,030 950 1,080 900

0 5 0 0 11

141 110 84 135 79

$28 $27 $17 $23 $9

$58 $55 $33 $44 $17

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

860 780 840 820 830

11 4 0 3 4

136 69 57 82 89

$16 $23 $31 $18 $18

$27 $38 $50 $28 $28

1995 1996 1997 1998

680 850 690 680

14 0 2 3

45 87 71 46

$22 $20 $39 $40

$32 $28 $54 $55

1999 2000 2001

2,160 940 1,400

0 0 0

155 179 87

$5 $14 $40

$7 $19 $51

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

950 1,410 1,530 920 1,110

22 0 10 2 10

63 36 55 109 69

$34 $31 $19 $25 $7

$43 $38 $23 $29 $8

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

970 1,110 1,060 910 1,350

14 7 6 3 12

78 42 116 72 77

$45 $31 $21 $23 $26

$48 $33 $22 $24 $26

Year

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 3.8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat source Flame or torch used for lighting Unclassified heat from powered equipment Cigarette lighter Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Match Heat from direct flame or convection currents Unclassified hot or smoldering object Arcing Unclassified heat spread from another fire Smoking material Heat or spark from friction Molten or hot material Unclassified chemical or natural heat source Lightning Radiated heat from another fire

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

340

(31%)

0

(0%)

28

(36%)

$8

(29%)

160

(15%)

0

(0%)

2

(3%)

$2

(7%)

120

(11%)

1

(16%)

6

(8%)

$1

(3%)

100 70

(9%) (6%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 16

(2%) (21%)

$3 $0

(10%) (2%)

60 50

(5%) (4%)

2 2

(21%) (24%)

2 7

(2%) (9%)

$2 $0

(7%) (1%)

40

(4%)

2

(24%)

3

(4%)

$1

(3%)

30 20

(3%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 4

(0%) (5%)

$0 $1

(1%) (4%)

20 10

(2%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 2

(0%) (3%)

$0 $2

(0%) (7%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $2

(1%) (8%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $4

(0%) (13%)

10

(1%)

1

(15%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

5

(7%)

$1

(4%)

1,090

(100%)

8

(100%)

76

(100%)

$29

(100%)

Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 3.9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Grill Portable or stationary space heater Range with or without oven No equipment involved Oven or rotisserie Central heating unit Water heater Deep fryer Unclassified equipment involved in ignition Torch, burner or soldering equipment Portable cooking or warming device Swimming pool equipment Hoist or lift Refrigerator or refrigerator/freezer Lawn equipment Washer or dryer

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

260

(24%)

0

(0%)

4

(6%)

$1

(3%)

210

(19%)

8

(100%)

17

(23%)

$5

(19%)

160

(14%)

0

(0%)

13

(17%)

$1

(2%)

120 60 50 40 30

(11%) (5%) (5%) (4%) (3%)

0 0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

9 2 3 5 10

(12%) (3%) (4%) (6%) (13%)

$1 $1 $2 $0 $0

(3%) (3%) (8%) (1%) (0%)

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

30

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

5

(7%)

$0

(1%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 0

(3%) (0%)

$0 $2

(0%) (6%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

$0 $0 $0

(1%) (0%) (0%)

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

5

(6%)

$15

(51%)

1,090

(100%)

8

(100%)

76

(100%)

$29

(100%)

Other known equipment Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment). Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 3-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Factor Leak or break Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified misuse of material or product Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Flammable liquid or gas spilled Equipment unattended Worn out Automatic control failure Abandoned or discarded material Failure to clean Unclassified operational deficiency Manual control failure Equipment not being operated properly Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Improper startup Improper container or storage Unclassified fire spread or control Improper fueling technique Storm Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Outside or open fire for warming or cooking Installation deficiency Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Equipment overloaded Unclassified natural condition Exposure fire

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

390

(36%)

1

(15%)

24

(31%)

$9

(32%)

160

(15%)

0

(0%)

6

(8%)

$3

(10%)

90

(8%)

2

(21%)

5

(7%)

$4

(15%)

50

(5%)

1

(16%)

3

(4%)

$1

(4%)

50

(4%)

0

(0%)

7

(9%)

$2

(6%)

40 40 30

(4%) (3%) (3%)

4 0 0

(47%) (0%) (0%)

11 0 0

(15%) (0%) (0%)

$2 $1 $0

(5%) (4%) (0%)

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(1%)

30 30

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

30 20

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 1

(4%) (1%)

$0 $0

(2%) (1%)

20

(2%)

1

(16%)

3

(5%)

$0

(1%)

20 20

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

5 3

(7%) (3%)

$0 $0

(2%) (0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

1

(2%)

$0

(0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(2%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$4

(15%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 4

(0%) (6%)

$0 $1

(0%) (3%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 1

(0%) (16%)

0 1

(0%) (1%)

$4 $0

(15%) (1%)

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 3-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

Factor

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Collision, knock down, or turn over

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(2%)

$0

(1%)

Other known factor

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

7

(10%)

$1

(4%)

1,090 1,180

(100%) (109%)

8 11

(100%) (131%)

76 88

(100%) (116%)

$29 $35

(100%) (121%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$5

(16%)

Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 3-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin

Area of Origin Kitchen Unclassified outside area Courtyard, terrace or patio Heating equipment room Unclassified area of origin Garage* Unclassified equipment or service area Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Unclassified storage area Storage of supplies or tools Unclassified structural area Processing or manufacturing area or workroom Unclassified function area Crawl space or substructure space Lawn, field or open area Storage room, area, tank, or bin Maintenance or paint shop or area Shipping, receiving or loading area Laundry room or area Living room, family room, lounge or den Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Exterior wall surface Office Unclassified vehicle area Construction or renovation area

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

370

(34%)

0

(0%)

26

(34%)

$5

(16%)

100

(10%)

0

(0%)

5

(6%)

$0

(0%)

60

(6%)

0

(0%)

2

(3%)

$0

(0%)

50

(4%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(4%)

40 40

(3%) (3%)

1 0

(8%) (0%)

1 4

(1%) (5%)

$0 $3

(1%) (9%)

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

3

(4%)

$0

(1%)

30

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

20

(2%)

1

(7%)

3

(4%)

$2

(6%)

20

(2%)

1

(11%)

2

(2%)

$1

(2%)

20

(2%)

1

(13%)

1

(1%)

$0

(1%)

20

(2%)

1

(7%)

2

(2%)

$5

(16%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

4

(5%)

$0

(1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(2%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(2%)

$0

(2%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(3%)

$0

(1%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

2 0

(19%) (0%)

1 2

(2%) (2%)

$2 $0

(5%) (1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

4

(5%)

$0

(0%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

1 0 1

(1%) (0%) (1%)

$0 $0 $0

(0%) (1%) (1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(1%)

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 3-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of LP-Gas, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued)

Area of Origin Conduit, pipe, utility, or ventilation shaft Machinery room or area Unclassified assembly or sales area Bedroom Lobby or entrance way Small assembly area for less than 100 people Laboratory Wall assembly or concealed space Exterior stairway, ramp, or fire escape Swimming pool Incinerator room or area

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$3

(9%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 1 0

(0%) (1%) (0%)

$0 $0 $1

(0%) (0%) (2%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(1%) (0%)

$0 $0

(1%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

60

(6%)

3

(35%)

11

(14%)

$4

(13%)

1,090

(100%)

8

(100%)

76

(100%)

$29

(100%)

Other known area of origin** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

* May not include or be limited to garages coded under property use. ** Leading area for deaths not shown above is passenger area of vehicle (35%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Section 4. Flammable or Combustible Liquid Flammable and combustible liquids are recorded under Type of Material First Ignited and are grouped on the basis of flash point by the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Flammable liquids have a flash point less than 100ºF:     

Class IA flammable liquid (flash point less than 73ºF and boiling point less than 100ºF), including ethyl ether and pentane; Class IB flammable liquid (flash point less than 73ºF and boiling point at or above 100ºF), including acetone, ethyl alcohol, and methyl ethyl ketone; Gasoline; and Class IC flammable liquid (flash point at or above 73º and below 100ºF), including butyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, and turpentine. Many industrial solvents are Class IB or Class IC flammable liquids.

Combustible liquids have a flash point at or above 100ºF:    

Class II combustible liquid (flash point at or above 100ºF but less than 140ºF), including kerosene, diesel fuel, paint thinner, and Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil (Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil are the principal types of home heating oil); Class IIIA combustible liquid (flash point at or above 140ºF but less than 200ºF), including Nos. 4, 5 and 6 fuel oil, cottonseed oil, and creosote oil (Nos. 4 and 5 are the principal types of commercial and industrial heating oils); and Class IIIB combustible liquid (flash point at or above 200ºF), including cooking oil, transformer oil, and lubricating oil. Depending on location (region) and time of year, any fuel oil may fall into any class of combustible liquid.

There is a category for “other” flammable or combustible liquid, but considering that the specified categories include all possible flash point values, this is probably unknown-type flammable or combustible liquid. During 2007-2011, an average of 160,910 fires per year were reported as having begun with the ignition of flammable or combustible liquid as the type of material first ignited. These fires caused an average of 454 civilian deaths per year, 3,910 civilian injuries per year, and $1,544 million in direct property damage per year. Tables 4-A.1, 4-A.2, and 4-A.3 show how these fires divide, first into fires at homes versus any other property use, and within those two groups, into structure, vehicle, and outdoor or other fires. Nearly all home losses are in structure fires, but one-fifth of the fires are not in structure fires. Vehicle fires are a much larger share of non-home fires than home fires.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Data Sources, Definitions and Conventions Used in This Section Unless otherwise specified, the statistics in this analysis are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. These estimates are projections based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey. In general, any fire that occurs in or on a structure is considered a structure fire, even if the fire was limited to contents and the building itself was not damaged. “Home” includes one- and two-family homes, manufactured homes, and multi-family housing, including apartments. Flammable and combustible liquids are identified in NFIRS 5.0 Type of Material First Ignited: 20 – Unclassified or unknown type flammable or combustible liquid. Corresponds to codes 20 (unknown) and 29 (unclassified) in earlier versions of NFIRS. 21 – Class IA flammable liquid, including ethyl ether and pentane. 22 – Class IB flammable liquid, including acetone, ethyl alcohol, and methyl-ethyl-ketone. 23 – Gasoline. 24 – Class IC flammable liquid, including turpentine and butyl alcohol. 25 –.Class II combustible liquid, including kerosene, diesel, paint thinner, and Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil. No. 2 fuel oil includes the once separate category of No. 3 fuel oil. 26 – Class IIIA combustible liquid, including cottonseed oil, creosote oil, and Nos. 4, 5 and 6 fuel oil. Creosote oil is primarily introduced into buildings when wood burns incompletely. 27 – Class IIIB combustible liquid, including cooking oil, transformer oil, and lubricating oil. 28 – Ethanol, added in 2008. NFIRS 5.0 includes a category of structure fires collectively referred to as “confined fires,” identified by incident type. These include confined cooking fires, confined chimney or flue fires, confined trash fires, confined fuel burner or boiler fires, confined commercial compactor fires, and confined incinerator fires (incident type 113-118). Losses are generally minimal in these fires, which by definition, are assumed to have been limited to the object of origin. Although detailed data is not required for these fires, it is sometimes present. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Property damage has not been adjusted for inflation. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian deaths and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million. Additional details on the methodology may be found in Appendix A. Reporting of Type of Material First Ignited is not required if Item First Ignited is coded in the range of 70 to 99. As with confined fires, the field is nevertheless reported for many fires, but the percentage of unknowns and blanks is higher. Fires are analyzed separately for (1) non-confined structure fires, (2) confined structure fires, (3) vehicle fires, (4) outdoor or other vegetation fires, and (5) outdoor or other non-vegetation fires (principally trash). For each of these, fires are analyzed separately for Item First Ignited 70-99 and Item First Ignited not 70-99.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Property Use

Property Use

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Home Non-home

55,390 105,520

(34%) (66%)

202 252

(44%) (56%)

2,708 1,202

(69%) (31%)

$490 $1,054

(32%) (68%)

Total

160,910

(100%)

454

(100%)

3,910

(100%)

$1,544

(100%)

Note: See text box on p. 68 for details on calculation.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 4-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Property Use

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

43,620 4,000 7,770

(79%) (7%) (14%)

196 4 2

(97%) (2%) (1%)

2,559 79 70

(95%) (3%) (3%)

$469 $16 $5

(96%) (3%) (1%)

Total

55,390

(100%)

202

(100%)

2,708

(100%)

$490

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculation.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 4-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Property Use Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

11,710 68,390 25,420

(11%) (65%) (24%)

34 207 11

(14%) (82%) (4%)

458 641 103

(38%) (53%) (9%)

$374 $484 $196

(35%) (46%) (19%)

105,520

(100%)

252

(100%)

1,202

(100%)

$1,054

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Class IIIB combustible liquid accounts for the largest share of structure fires starting with ignition of any flammable or combustible liquid. Tables 4-B.1 to 4-B.4 list all fires, structure fires, home structure fires, and non-home structure fires, respectively, in order of type of flammable or combustible liquid first involved in ignition. The other three leading liquids are Class II combustible liquids, unclassified or unknown-type liquids, and gasoline. Class II combustible liquids rank higher for home fires, probably because home heating fuel oils are more likely to be Class II combustible liquids while non-home heating fuel oils are more likely to be Class IIIA combustible liquids. Gasoline ranks first for all fires (38%), primarily because of its involvement in vehicle fires. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-B.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Type of Liquid Type of Liquid Gasoline Class IIIB combustible liquid Unclassified or unknown-type liquid Class II combustible liquid Class IIIA combustible liquid Class IA flammable liquid Class IC flammable liquid Class IB flammable liquid Ethanol Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

60,650

(38%)

277

(61%)

1,125

(29%)

$457

(30%)

47,430

(29%)

28

(6%)

2,012

(51%)

$370

(24%)

36,490

(23%)

102

(22%)

525

(13%)

$506

(33%)

12,730

(8%)

31

(7%)

139

(4%)

$110

(7%)

1,650

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(0%)

$7

(0%)

840

(1%)

2

(1%)

23

(1%)

$12

(1%)

700

(0%)

2

(0%)

46

(1%)

$13

(1%)

260 160

(0%) (0%)

11 0

(3%) (0%)

15 21

(0%) (1%)

$56 $14

(4%) (1%)

160,910

(100%)

455

(100%)

3,910

(100%)

$1,545

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 4-B.2. Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Type of Liquid Type of Liquid Class IIIB combustible liquid Class II combustible liquid Unclassified or unknown-type liquid Gasoline Class IIIA combustible liquid Class IC flammable liquid Class IA flammable liquid Class IB flammable liquid Ethanol Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

33,740

(61%)

28

(12%)

1,972

(65%)

$283

(34%)

8,420

(15%)

12

(5%)

108

(4%)

$25

(3%)

7,220 4,190

(13%) (8%)

64 122

(28%) (53%)

375 482

(12%) (16%)

$276 $227

(33%) (27%)

1,290

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(0%)

$4

(0%)

270

(0%)

2

(1%)

39

(1%)

$12

(1%)

140

(0%)

1

(1%)

15

(0%)

$11

(1%)

40 30

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(0%) (0%)

6 18

(0%) (1%)

$2 $3

(0%) (0%)

55,330

(100%)

231

(100%)

3,018

(100%)

$842

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

70

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-B.3. Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Type of Liquid Type of Liquid Class III B combustible liquid Class II combustible liquid Unclassified or unknown-type liquid Gasoline Class IIIA combustible liquid Class IC flammable liquid Class IA flammable liquid Class IB flammable liquid Ethanol Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

28,180

(65%)

27

(14%)

1,838

(72%)

$222

(47%)

6,890

(16%)

10

(5%)

93

(4%)

$14

(3%)

4,710 2,410

(11%) (6%)

55 101

(28%) (52%)

256 325

(10%) (13%)

$97 $125

(21%) (27%)

1,140

(3%)

0

(0%)

2

(0%)

$2

(0%)

170

(0%)

2

(1%)

30

(1%)

$6

(1%)

90

(0%)

0

(0%)

11

(0%)

$1

(0%)

20 10

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(1%) (0%)

4 0

(0%) (0%)

$1 $0

(0%) (0%)

43,620

(100%)

196

(100%)

2,559

(100%)

$469

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 4-B.4. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Type of Liquid Type of Liquid Class IIIB combustible liquid Unclassified or unknown-type liquid Gasoline Class II combustible liquid Class IIIA combustible liquid Class IC flammable liquid Class IA flammable liquid Class IB flammable liquid Ethanol Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

5,560

(47%)

1

(2%)

134

(29%)

$60

(16%)

2,510 1,790

(21%) (15%)

9 21

(27%) (61%)

119 157

(26%) (34%)

$179 $102

(48%) (27%)

1,530

(13%)

2

(6%)

15

(3%)

$12

(3%)

150

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(0%)

100

(1%)

0

(0%)

9

(2%)

$6

(2%)

50

(0%)

1

(4%)

3

(1%)

$9

(3%)

20 20

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 18

(0%) (4%)

$2 $3

(0%) (1%)

11,710

(100%)

34

(100%)

458

(100%)

$374

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Risk comparisons are not possible because the two principal alternative home heating and cooking liquid fuels – fuel oil and kerosene – are both Class II combustible liquids and so are not distinguished in fire reporting.

A. Homes Flammable or combustible liquid home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown a level trend in recent years. Table 4-1 and Figure 4-1 show the trends in home fires starting with ignition of flammable or combustible liquids, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by more than half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the early 1980s when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has been mostly level. Figure 4-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 60,000 50,000

Fires

40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 4-1.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Most home structure fires starting with ignition of flammable or combustible liquid involve cooking or heating equipment as the heat source. Table 4-2 shows that the three leading heat sources, accounting for three out of five of the fires, involve equipment. Table 4-3 shows that cooking and heating equipment are the types of equipment involved for most home flammable or combustible liquid fires when equipment is involved. Note that when equipment ignites a liquid, the liquid ignited may not have been in use, as fuel or in any other way, by the equipment that ignited the liquid. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for the vapors released by liquid spilled, leaking, or otherwise released anywhere near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released liquid.

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One-fourth (24%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid involved unattended equipment as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 4-4 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition. Some other leading factors also point to behaviors that could be made safer, including misuse of the liquid, abandoned or discarded material (including heat sources, like lit cigarettes), failure to clean spills or equipment, and insufficient separation between heat source and combustible. Intentional fires accounted for 6% of home flammable or combustible liquid structure fires. Two-thirds (65%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid began in the kitchen. This is consistent with the large role of cooking equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 4-5 shows the leading areas of origin. The second leading area is heating equipment room or area, which is consistent with the large role of heating equipment as a heat source second only to cooking equipment.

B. Properties Other Than Homes Three out of five (60%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid occur at public assembly (23%), store or office (20%), or residential (17%) properties. Many of these places feature commercial cooking as an activity, which makes it possible that the significant role of cooking equipment as heat sources for home flammable or combustible liquid fires may be repeated in non-home properties. Table 4-6 shows the shares of these fires by major property use group. Flammable or combustible liquid non-home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 and have shown a slightly declining trend in recent years. Table 4-7 and Figure 4-2 show the trends in non-home fire, starting with ignition of flammable or combustible liquids, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by two-thirds from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the early to mid-1990s when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has been slightly declining. Figure 4-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid 30,000

Fires

25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 4-7. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Most non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid involve cooking or heating equipment as the heat source. Table 4-8 shows that the three leading heat sources, accounting for more than half the fires, involve equipment. Table 4-9 shows that cooking and heating equipment are the types of equipment involved for most non-home flammable or combustible liquid fires when equipment is involved. Torches, burners, and soldering equipment, with 3% of non-home flammable or combustible liquid structure fires, had the largest equipment share for any equipment other than cooking and heating equipment, although the burners reported here could include burners on a stovetop. Note that on Table 4.8, a different kind of torch, used for lighting, also accounted for 3% of these fires. Note that when equipment ignites a flammable or combustible liquid, the liquid ignited may not have been in use, as fuel or in any other way, by the equipment that ignited the liquid. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for vapors from liquid spilled, leaking or otherwise released anywhere near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released liquid. Non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid show many different leading factors contributing to ignition, with unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction having the largest share (15% of fires). Table 4-10 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including failure to clean spills or equipment, spills, leaving equipment unattended, and separation between heat source and combustible. Intentional fires accounted for 11% of nonhome flammable or combustible liquid structure fires. Two out of five (41%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid began in a kitchen. This is consistent with the large role of cooking equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 4-11 shows the leading areas or origin. The second leading area is heating equipment room or area, which is consistent with the large role of heating equipment as a heat source second only to cooking equipment.

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Table 4-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Year Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

Year

Fires

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

46,370 42,900 37,340 35,930 35,430

437 497 450 505 282

2,786 2,713 2,964 2,970 2,669

$263 $290 $235 $296 $295

$717 $716 $547 $666 $638

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

34,600 34,320 33,090 32,040 30,580

436 383 386 423 445

2,609 2,620 2,594 2,854 2,542

$291 $302 $283 $325 $317

$608 $619 $560 $617 $576

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

27,010 27,670 26,950 24,410 23,060

337 389 304 385 254

2,348 2,412 2,308 2,165 1,769

$322 $420 $287 $295 $257

$554 $693 $459 $459 $390

1995 1996 1997 1998

20,740 20,250 18,600 16,870

258 283 277 160

1,686 1,720 1,496 1,471

$248 $281 $219 $217

$366 $403 $306 $299

1999 2000 2001

25,840 29,840 38,460

207 125 76

1,926 2,643 2,488

$250 $284 $316

$337 $370 $401

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

38,630 43,750 49,610 44,390 46,820

155 186 292 247 157

2,113 2,369 2,429 2,406 2,339

$341 $367 $346 $441 $440

$426 $448 $411 $507 $491

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

43,300 44,310 43,290 44,090 43,100

257 223 172 184 144

2,602 2,439 2,513 2,687 2,599

$445 $496 $480 $461 $463

$482 $518 $503 $476 $463

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 4-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source

Heat Source Unclassified heat from powered equipment Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat source Unclassified hot or smoldering object Heat from direct flame or convection currents Match Cigarette lighter Backfire from internal combustion engine Molten or hot material Hot ember or ash Flame or torch used for lighting Smoking material Incendiary device Arcing Candle Other known heat source* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

11,230

(26%)

6

(3%)

546

(21%)

$77

(17%)

11,010

(25%)

26

(13%)

903

(35%)

$97

(21%)

4,970

(11%)

20

(10%)

229

(9%)

$50

(11%)

4,910

(11%)

15

(8%)

211

(8%)

$36

(8%)

2,770

(6%)

3

(1%)

113

(4%)

$26

(6%)

1,460 1,090 1,060

(3%) (2%) (2%)

2 45 45

(1%) (23%) (23%)

72 49 143

(3%) (2%) (6%)

$14 $29 $45

(3%) (6%) (10%)

810 800 570

(2%) (2%) (1%)

0 0 4

(0%) (0%) (2%)

2 60 12

(0%) (2%) (0%)

$5 $8 $3

(1%) (2%) (1%)

530 380 350 340 230

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

5 3 4 1 2

(3%) (2%) (2%) (1%) (1%)

33 30 3 34 45

(1%) (1%) (0%) (1%) (2%)

$14 $8 $8 $8 $4

(3%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (1%)

1,120

(3%)

16

(8%)

74

(3%)

$34

(7%)

43,620

(100%)

196

(100%)

2,559

(100%)

$469

(100%)

* Leading heat sources for deaths not shown above are multiple heat sources (6% of deaths) and unclassified chemical or natural heat source (2%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking material. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Range with or without oven No equipment involved Portable or stationary space heater Central heating unit Oven or rotisserie Portable cooking or warming device Deep fryer Water heater Microwave oven Fireplace, chimney or connector Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

17,790

(41%)

33

(17%)

1,374

(54%)

$156

(33%)

7,020

(16%)

98

(50%)

421

(16%)

$165

(35%)

6,460 5,690 2,430

(15%) (13%) (6%)

20 11 0

(10%) (6%) (0%)

347 25 21

(14%) (1%) (1%)

$39 $6 $7

(8%) (1%) (1%)

1,020 610 600 290

(2%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 18 0

(0%) (0%) (9%) (0%)

51 10 100 19

(2%) (0%) (4%) (1%)

$12 $8 $26 $0

(2%) (2%) (5%) (0%)

290

(1%)

0

(0%)

13

(1%)

$4

(1%)

1,410

(3%)

16

(8%)

178

(7%)

$47

(10%)

43,620

(100%)

196

(100%)

2,559

(100%)

$469

(100%)

* Leading equipment for deaths not shown above is transformer or power supply (4% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported or unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also equipment reported with a code of x zeros is tested as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g, unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

Factor Equipment unattended Unclassified misuse of material Abandoned or discarded material Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Failure to clean Heat source too close to combustibles Flammable liquid or gas spilled Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Automatic control failure Backfire Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Unclassified operational deficiency Equipment not being operated properly Improper container or storage Leak or break Unclassified fire spread or control Improper startup Worn out Improper fueling technique Playing with heat source Other known factor

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

10,610

(24%)

18

(9%)

814

(32%)

$111

(24%)

4,020

(9%)

41

(21%)

345

(13%)

$57

(12%)

3,930

(9%)

4

(2%)

204

(8%)

$35

(7%)

3,430

(8%)

43

(22%)

195

(8%)

$48

(10%)

3,270 3,160

(7%) (7%)

1 0

(1%) (0%)

60 19

(2%) (1%)

$13 $2

(3%) (0%)

2,950

(7%)

10

(5%)

191

(7%)

$36

(8%)

2,680

(6%)

47

(24%)

277

(11%)

$61

(13%)

2,140

(5%)

0

(0%)

132

(5%)

$20

(4%)

1,220 1,060

(3%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 21

(0%) (1%)

$0 $3

(0%) (1%)

1,030

(2%)

36

(18%)

72

(3%)

$40

(8%)

1,010

(2%)

1

(0%)

55

(2%)

$9

(2%)

730

(2%)

0

(0%)

51

(2%)

$5

(1%)

520 460

(1%) (1%)

4 2

(2%) (1%)

38 27

(1%) (1%)

$13 $10

(3%) (2%)

390 310 280

(1%) (1%) (1%)

1 0 2

(0%) (0%) (1%)

24 18 2

(1%) (1%) (0%)

$6 $2 $1

(1%) (0%) (0%)

250

(1%)

2

(1%)

35

(1%)

$5

(1%)

250

(1%)

3

(1%)

39

(2%)

$3

(1%)

1,630

(4%)

11

(5%)

133

(5%)

$32

(7%)

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued)

Factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

43,620 45,350

(100%) (104%)

196 223

(100%) (114%)

2,559 2,754

(100%) (108%)

$469 $511

(100%) (109%)

430

(1%)

2

(1%)

27

(1%)

$8

(2%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin

Area of Origin Kitchen Heating equipment room Unclassified area of origin Garage* Living room, family room, or den Unclassified function area Duct for HVAC, cable, heating, or air conditioning Crawl space or substructure space Bedroom Unclassified structural area Unclassified equipment or service area Unclassified outside area Exterior wall surface Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Multiple areas of origin Courtyard, terrace or patio Other known area of origin ** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

28,330

(65%)

34

(18%)

1,862

(73%)

$228

(49%)

5,680

(13%)

8

(4%)

62

(2%)

$7

(2%)

1,000 800

(2%) (2%)

1 14

(0%) (7%)

12 148

(0%) (6%)

$2 $58

(1%) (12%)

750

(2%)

32

(17%)

78

(3%)

$23

(5%)

730

(2%)

16

(8%)

45

(2%)

$15

(3%)

700

(2%)

1

(0%)

4

(0%)

$1

(0%)

640 450

(1%) (1%)

6 24

(3%) (12%)

32 77

(1%) (3%)

$6 $20

(1%) (4%)

450

(1%)

7

(4%)

32

(1%)

$8

(2%)

400

(1%)

0

(0%)

7

(0%)

$0

(0%)

350 320

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

7 11

(0%) (0%)

$3 $4

(1%) (1%)

300

(1%)

2

(1%)

20

(1%)

$10

(2%)

270

(1%)

11

(6%)

11

(0%)

$25

(5%)

250

(1%)

0

(0%)

10

(0%)

$3

(1%)

2,220

(5%)

38

(19%)

141

(5%)

$55

(12%)

43,620

(100%)

196

(100%)

2,559

(100%)

$469

(100%)

* Does not include residential garage coded as separate property. ** Leading areas of origin for deaths not shown above are hallway or corridor (4% of deaths), lobby or entrance way (3%), laundry room or area (3%), interior stairway (2%), and bathroom (2%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Major Property Use Group

Property Use Group Public assembly Stores and offices Residential Storage Manufacturing Outside or special property Educational Health care or correction Industrial, utility, defense, agriculture, or mining Unclassified None or undetermined Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,700 2,390 2,030 1,300 930

(23%) (20%) (17%) (11%) (8%)

2 10 11 9 0

(5%) (28%) (31%) (25%) (0%)

39 107 67 93 46

(8%) (23%) (15%) (20%) (10%)

$33 $104 $19 $52 $99

(9%) (28%) (5%) (14%) (26%)

740 440

(6%) (4%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

26 41

(6%) (9%)

$6 $9

(2%) (2%)

270

(2%)

0

(0%)

14

(3%)

$3

(1%)

270 130 520

(2%) (1%) (4%)

1 0 3

(2%) (0%) (10%)

11 7 8

(2%) (2%) (2%)

$41 $3 $6

(11%) (1%) (2%)

11,710

(100%)

34

(100%)

458

(100%)

$374

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, by Year Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

27,700 26,380 25,520 21,280 20,520

93 42 58 117 77

1,112 1,433 1,291 1,338 1,131

$373 $439 $426 $343 $304

$1,018 $1,083 $990 $773 $656

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

21,420 19,350 17,750 15,750 14,400

74 96 62 83 84

903 1,184 896 1,060 775

$446 $346 $371 $466 $1,746

$930 $710 $734 $886 $3,167

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

13,080 13,320 13,550 11,790 11,590

115 34 44 48 37

822 667 612 855 605

$316 $621 $450 $360 $313

$544 $1,025 $720 $560 $475

1995 1996 1997 1998

10,540 10,470 9,700 8,980

72 78 36 71

562 516 471 492

$316 $292 $233 $192

$466 $419 $326 $264

1999 2000 2001

11,560 11,610 13,280

42 32 5

590 945 484

$229 $264 $377

$309 $345 $479

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

13,540 14,060 13,810 11,890 11,490

16 42 34 21 45

494 405 423 397 345

$266 $393 $240 $235 $221

$333 $479 $286 $271 $246

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

12,720 12,330 11,840 11,320 10,420

33 50 36 18 36

409 494 513 485 376

$336 $439 $449 $336 $312

$364 $457 $470 $346 $312

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 4-8. Non-Home Structure Fire Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source Heat Source Unclassified heat from powered equipment Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat source Unclassified hot or smoldering object Cigarette lighter Match Flame or torch used for lighting Heat from direct flame or convection currents Molten or hot material Arcing Heat or spark from friction Backfire from internal combustion engine Incendiary device Chemical reaction Smoking material Hot ember or ash Unclassified chemical or natural heat source Multiple heat sources including multiple ignitions Candle Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,620

(22%)

1

(2%)

62

(13%)

$53

(14%)

1,930

(17%)

1

(3%)

79

(17%)

$30

(8%)

1,850

(16%)

5

(13%)

83

(18%)

$85

(23%)

1,170

(10%)

3

(10%)

18

(4%)

$19

(5%)

560 530 410

(5%) (5%) (4%)

0 7 5

(0%) (20%) (16%)

23 44 9

(5%) (9%) (2%)

$26 $35 $7

(7%) (9%) (2%)

340

(3%)

1

(2%)

21

(5%)

$10

(3%)

340 290 280

(3%) (2%) (2%)

0 0 4

(0%) (0%) (12%)

14 9 20

(3%) (2%) (4%)

$5 $9 $24

(1%) (3%) (6%)

190

(2%)

2

(6%)

13

(3%)

$15

(4%)

180 160 140 130 110

(2%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 1 0 0

(0%) (0%) (4%) (0%) (0%)

6 5 7 5 4

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

$4 $8 $5 $3 $1

(1%) (2%) (1%) (1%) (0%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(0%)

$4

(1%)

70 60

(1%) (1%)

5 0

(13%) (0%)

1 7

(0%) (1%)

$7 $1

(2%) (0%)

270

(2%)

0

(0%)

27

(6%)

$23

(6%)

11,710

(100%)

34

(100%)

458

(100%)

$374

(100%)

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Table 4-8. Non-Home Structure Fire Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source (Continued) Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking material. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Deep fryer No equipment involved Range with or without oven Portable or stationary space heater Central heating unit Portable cooking or warming device Torch, burner or soldering equipment Grill Oven or rotisserie Water heater Yard equipment including snow blower Generator, battery or other power source Unclassified equipment involved in ignition Heat treating equipment Lamp, light fixture or light bulb Grease hood or duct exhaust fan Unclassified hydraulic equipment Commercial or medical equipment Industrial furnace or kiln Fireplace, chimney or connector Pump

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,460

(21%)

0

(0%)

55

(12%)

$15

(4%)

2,260

(19%)

25

(74%)

138

(30%)

$101

(27%)

1,260

(11%)

0

(0%)

61

(13%)

$8

(2%)

1,080 950

(9%) (8%)

2 0

(5%) (1%)

26 12

(6%) (3%)

$16 $71

(4%) (19%)

410

(4%)

0

(0%)

4

(1%)

$1

(0%)

390 310 220 190

(3%) (3%) (2%) (2%)

0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (1%)

30 10 7 2

(7%) (2%) (2%) (0%)

$10 $1 $0 $3

(3%) (0%) (0%) (1%)

180

(2%)

0

(0%)

2

(0%)

$6

(2%)

150

(1%)

0

(0%)

7

(2%)

$5

(1%)

150

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(1%)

$14

(4%)

130

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(0%)

$9

(2%)

120

(1%)

2

(6%)

31

(7%)

$27

(7%)

120

(1%)

0

(0%)

6

(1%)

$1

(0%)

110

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$9

(2%)

90

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(0%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$5

(1%)

80 60

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 7

(0%) (1%)

$0 $2

(0%) (1%)

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition (Continued)

Equipment Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

930

(8%)

4

(12%)

49

(11%)

$71

(19%)

11,710

(100%)

34

(100%)

458

(100%)

$374

(100%)

* Leading equipment for deaths not shown above is charcoal lighter (11% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shsares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment). Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

Factor Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Failure to clean Unclassified misuse of material or product Flammable liquid or gas spilled Equipment unattended Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Abandoned or discarded material Leak or break Unclassified operational deficiency Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Cutting or welding too close to combustible Backfire Automatic control failure Equipment not being operated properly Improper container or storage Improper startup Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Exposure fire Playing with heat source Improper fueling technique Collision, knock down, or turn over Worn out Arc or spark from operating equipment

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,800 1,210

(15%) (10%)

1 0

(3%) (0%)

26 8

(6%) (2%)

$50 $8

(13%) (2%)

910

(8%)

2

(7%)

83

(18%)

$36

(10%)

900 890

(8%) (8%)

13 0

(37%) (0%)

79 29

(17%) (6%)

$53 $10

(14%) (3%)

810

(7%)

2

(5%)

57

(12%)

$25

(7%)

740

(6%)

8

(23%)

29

(6%)

$30

(8%)

460 450

(4%) (4%)

1 0

(2%) (0%)

11 17

(2%) (4%)

$11 $28

(3%) (8%)

390

(3%)

1

(3%)

14

(3%)

$6

(2%)

380

(3%)

7

(22%)

14

(3%)

$16

(4%)

370

(3%)

0

(0%)

4

(1%)

$3

(1%)

300 280

(3%) (2%)

1 0

(2%) (0%)

23 4

(5%) (1%)

$18 $4

(5%) (1%)

280

(2%)

0

(0%)

2

(0%)

$2

(1%)

240

(2%)

0

(0%)

9

(2%)

$3

(1%)

180 170

(2%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

12 5

(3%) (1%)

$12 $3

(3%) (1%)

160 140

(1%) (1%)

0 2

(0%) (5%)

3 1

(1%) (0%)

$11 $5

(3%) (1%)

130

(1%)

0

(0%)

9

(2%)

$2

(1%)

120

(1%)

1

(2%)

11

(2%)

$4

(1%)

110 100

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(4%) (0%)

11 0

(2%) (0%)

$12 $0

(3%) (0%)

100

(1%)

0

(0%)

14

(3%)

$8

(2%)

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued)

Factor Unspecified short circuit arc Unclassified fire spread or control Manual control failure

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

100

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$4

(1%)

80 80

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(3%) (0%)

5 0

(1%) (0%)

$2 $1

(0%) (0%)

490

(4%)

1

(2%)

18

(4%)

$40

(11%)

11,710 12,370

(100%) (106%)

34 42

(100%) (121%)

458 502

(100%) (110%)

$374 $409

(100%) (109%)

420

(4%)

0

(0%)

22

(5%)

$28

(8%)

Other known factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin

Area of Origin Kitchen Heating equipment room Garage* Unclassified equipment or service area Maintenance or paint shop or area Processing or manufacturing area or workroom Unclassified area of origin Unclassified outside area Machinery room or area Duct for HVAC, cable, exhaust, heating, or air conditioning Unclassified storage area Engine area, running gear or wheel area vehicle Unclassified function area Storage room, area, tank, or bin Storage of supplies or tools Exterior wall surface Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Unclassified service facility Lawn, field or open area Unclassified structural area Laboratory Lobby or entrance way Unclassified means of egress Crawl space or substructure space

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

4,760

(41%)

1

(3%)

119

(26%)

$29

(8%)

1,190 630

(10%) (5%)

0 4

(0%) (12%)

7 65

(1%) (14%)

$28 $27

(7%) (7%)

410

(3%)

0

(0%)

8

(2%)

$28

(7%)

380

(3%)

5

(13%)

51

(11%)

$39

(10%)

370

(3%)

0

(0%)

25

(6%)

$40

(11%)

250

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$2

(0%)

240

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$3

(1%)

230

(2%)

0

(0%)

4

(1%)

$16

(4%)

210

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(0%)

200

(2%)

2

(6%)

8

(2%)

$12

(3%)

190

(2%)

1

(3%)

10

(2%)

$8

(2%)

140

(1%)

1

(2%)

7

(1%)

$6

(2%)

140

(1%)

0

(1%)

10

(2%)

$9

(2%)

130 130

(1%) (1%)

1 1

(4%) (2%)

6 1

(1%) (0%)

$4 $4

(1%) (1%)

110

(1%)

1

(4%)

10

(2%)

$11

(3%)

100

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(1%)

$3

(1%)

100

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

90 80 80

(1%) (1%) (1%)

1 0 3

(3%) (0%) (10%)

5 24 3

(1%) (5%) (1%)

$3 $3 $5

(1%) (1%) (1%)

70

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$6

(2%)

70

(1%)

1

(3%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 4-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued)

Area of Origin Exterior roof surface On or near highway, public way or street Courtyard, terrace or patio Laundry room or area Other known area of origin ** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

70

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(0%)

$2

(0%)

70

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

60 60

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

6 1

(1%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

1,160

(10%)

12

(34%)

70

(15%)

$85

(23%)

11,710

(100%)

34

(100%)

458

(100%)

$374

(100%)

* May not include or be limited to garages coded as property use. ** Leading areas of origin for deaths not shown above are interior stairway or ramp (6% of deaths), unclassified vehicle area (6%), living room, lounge, family room or den (5%), and attic or ceiling/roof assembly or concealed space (4%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Section 5. Class IIIB Combustible Liquid During 2007-2011, an average of 47,430 fires per year were reported as having begun with the ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid as the type of material first ignited. These fires caused an average of 29 civilian deaths per year, 2,012 civilian injuries per year, and $370 million in direct property damage per year. Class IIIB combustible liquids include cooking oil, transformer oil, and lubricating oil. As will be clear in this section, nearly all these fires probably involve cooking oil and not transformer or lubricating oil. Tables 5-A.1, 5-A.2, and 5-A.3 show how these fires divide, first into fires at homes versus any other property use, and within those two groups, into structure, vehicle, and outdoor or other fires. Nearly all home losses are in structure fires, but nearly half of the fires are not in structure fires. Vehicle fires are a much larger share of non-home fires than home fires. Table 5-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Property Use Property Use

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Home Non-home

30,870 16,560

(65%) (35%)

28 1

(97%) (3%)

1,855 157

(92%) (8%)

$225 $145

(61%) (39%)

Total

47,430

(100%)

29

(100%)

2,012

(100%)

$370

(100%)

Note: See text box on p. 92 for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 5-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

28,180 180 2,510

(91%) (1%) (8%)

27 0 0

(99%) (0%) (1%)

1,838 0 17

(99%) (0%) (1%)

$222 $0 $2

(99%) (0%) (1%)

Total

30,870

(100%)

28

(100%)

1,855

(100%)

$225

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 5-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

Civilian Deaths

Fires 5,560 7,680 3,320

(34%) (46%) (20%)

1 0 0

(56%) (0%) (44%)

Total 16,560 (100%) Note: See text box for details on calculations.

1

(100%)

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Civilian Injuries 134 17 5

(86%) (11%) (3%)

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) $60 $33 $52

(42%) (22%) (36%)

157 (100%) $145 (100%) Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Data Sources, Definitions and Conventions Used in This Section Unless otherwise specified, the statistics in this analysis are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. These estimates are projections based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey. In general, any fire that occurs in or on a structure is considered a structure fire, even if the fire was limited to contents and the building itself was not damaged. “Home” includes one- and two-family homes, manufactured homes, and multi-family housing, including apartments. Flammable and combustible liquids are identified in NFIRS 5.0 Type of Material First Ignited: 20 – Unclassified or unknown type flammable or combustible liquid. Corresponds to codes 20 (unknown) and 29 (unclassified) in earlier versions of NFIRS. 21 – Class IA flammable liquid, including ethyl ether and pentane. 22 – Class IB flammable liquid, including acetone, ethyl alcohol, and methyl-ethyl-ketone. 23 – Gasoline. 24 – Class IC flammable liquid, including turpentine and butyl alcohol. 25 –.Class II combustible liquid, including kerosene, diesel, paint thinner, and Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil. No. 2 fuel oil includes the once the separate category of No. 3 fuel oil. 26 – Class IIIA combustible liquid, including cottonseed oil, produced creosote oil, and Nos. 4, 5 and 6 fuel oil. Creosote oil is primarily introduced into buildings when wood burns incompletely. 27 – Class IIIB combustible liquid, including cooking oil, transformer oil, and lubricating oil. 28 – Ethanol, added in 2008. NFIRS 5.0 includes a category of structure fires collectively referred to as “confined fires,” identified by incident type. These include confined cooking fires, confined chimney or flue fires, confined trash fires, confined fuel burner or boiler fires, confined commercial compactor fires, and confined incinerator fires (incident type 113-118). Losses are generally minimal in these fires, which by definition, are assumed to have been limited to the object of origin. Although detailed data is not required for these fires, it is sometimes present. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Property damage has not been adjusted for inflation. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian deaths and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million. Additional details on the methodology may be found in Appendix A. Reporting of Type of Material First Ignited is not required if Item First Ignited is coded in the range of 70 to 99. As with confined fires, the field is nevertheless reported for many fires, but the percentage of unknowns and blanks is higher. Fires are analyzed separately for (1) non-confined structure fires, (2) confined structure fires, (3) vehicle fires, (4) outdoor or other vegetation fires, and (5) outdoor or other non-vegetation fires (principally trash). For each of these, fires are analyzed separately for Item First Ignited 70-99 and Item First Ignited not 70-99.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

A. Homes Class IIIB combustible liquid home structure fires increased from 1980 to 2011 primarily as a result of the introduction of NFIRS Version 5.0 and have shown a slightly increasing trend in recent years. Table 5-1 and Figure 5-1 show the trends in home fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquids from 1980 to 2011. Fires rose and fell after 1980 for a net reduction as of 1998, then jumped, when NFIRS version 5.0 was introduced, to levels four times anything seen before. More recently, the trend has been slightly increasing. It seems clear that a large part of the increase in home Class IIIB combustible liquid fires is associated with the introduction by NFIRS 5.0 of confined fires, particularly confined cooking fires. Detailed reporting is not required for fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, incinerator, compactor, or trash). Cooking oil is a Class IIIB combustible liquid, but it is not a fuel for cooking equipment. It is a medium by which food is heated.

Fires

Figure 5-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid

Year Note: See Note on Table 5-1.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Most home structure fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid involve cooking equipment as the heat source. Table 5-2 shows that three of the five leading heat sources, accounting for two-thirds of the fires, involve equipment. Table 5-3 shows that four types of cooking equipment account for threefourths of the home fires when Class IIIB combustible liquid is ignited. Roughly three out of five of these Class IIIB combustible liquid home structure fires are confined fires. One-third (36%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid involved unattended equipment, a behavior associated with stovetop cooking fires. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-4 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including abandoning material (like a lit cigarette), misuse of material (like the combustible liquid), insufficient separation between heat source and combustible, and unintentionally leaving equipment (such as cooking equipment) turned on. Intentional fires accounted for only 1% of home fires starting with Class IIIB combustible liquids. Nearly all (96%) home structure fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid began in the kitchen. This is the clearest evidence that cooking oil dominates these fires and cooking-related ignitions provide the principal ignition scenarios. Table 5-5 shows the leading areas of origin.

B. Properties Other Than Homes Four out of five (81%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid occur at public assembly (38%), residential (25%), or store or office (18%) properties. Many of these places feature commercial cooking as an activity, which makes it possible that the significant role of cooking equipment as heat sources for home Class IIIB combustible liquid fires may be repeated in many types of non-home properties. Table 5-6 shows the shares of these fires by major property use group. Class IIIB combustible liquid non-home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown a roughly level trend in recent years. Table 5-7 and Figure 5-2 show the trends in non-home fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by roughly half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to levels more than double the highest levels previously seen when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has been up and then down with little or no net change. Figure 5-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid 7,000 6,000

Fires

5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 5-7.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

94

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Most non-home structure fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid involve cooking equipment as the heat source. Table 5-8 shows that three of the four leading heat sources, accounting for three out of five of these fires, involve equipment. Table 5-9 shows that cooking equipment is the type of equipment involved for most non-home Class IIIB combustible liquid fires when equipment is involved. Deep fryers alone account for more than one-third of the fires. Torches, burners, and soldering equipment, with 2% of non-home Class IIIB combustible liquid structure fires, had the largest share for any equipment other than cooking equipment, although the burners reported may have included burners on stovetops. Note that the specific Class IIIB combustible liquid most often ignited is cooking oil, which is not a fuel for cooking equipment but a medium for heating food. Even so, when equipment ignites liquid, the liquid ignited may not have been in use by the equipment that ignited the liquid. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for combustible liquids located near the equipment, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released liquid. One-third (34%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid involved failure to clean or unattended equipment as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 5-10 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with cooking equipment as the heat source. Some of the other leading factors also point to behavior that could be made safer, including insufficient separation between heat source and combustible, unintentionally leaving equipment turned on, and spilling combustible liquid. Intentional fires accounted for only 1% of non-home Class IIIB combustible liquid structure fires. Four out of five (81%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of Class IIIB combustible liquid began in a kitchen. This is consistent with the large role of cooking equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 5-11 shows the leading areas of origin.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

95

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Year Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

4,790 5,660 6,340 5,930 5,570

6 55 17 26 3

310 469 576 457 453

$9 $15 $10 $19 $20

$24 $37 $24 $43 $43

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

5,660 5,560 5,740 5,910 6,320

7 22 17 18 13

462 452 468 529 522

$16 $20 $18 $23 $26

$34 $40 $35 $44 $47

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

5,720 6,100 6,210 5,490 5,360

19 6 0 17 29

513 503 524 487 392

$26 $35 $25 $24 $22

$44 $58 $40 $37 $34

1995 1996 1997 1998

4,500 4,070 4,070 3,800

0 11 4 4

389 388 318 321

$24 $25 $26 $18

$35 $35 $37 $25

1999 2000 2001

10,490 14,230 20,968

0 0 18

1,245 1,266 1,536

$60 $86 $101

$81 $113 $128

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

20,710 23,010 25,910 24,380 27,000

18 6 17 10 18

1,347 1,505 1,605 1,536 1,607

$106 $160 $137 $175 $184

$133 $195 $163 $202 $206

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

26,650 27,760 27,460 29,520 29,240

47 9 8 33 38

1,763 1,671 1,957 1,888 1,980

$174 $253 $222 $226 $239

$188 $263 $233 $233 $239

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

96

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source

Heat Source Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Unclassified heat source Unclassified hot or smoldering object Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Heat from direct flame or convection currents Molten or hot material Flame or torch used for lighting Smoking material Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

9,820

(35%)

20

(74%)

837

(46%)

$84

(38%)

7,550

(27%)

2

(7%)

485

(26%)

$58

(26%)

3,440

(12%)

2

(6%)

152

(8%)

$21

(9%)

2,380

(8%)

0

(0%)

91

(5%)

$17

(7%)

1,290

(5%)

1

(5%)

72

(4%)

$13

(6%)

1,180 700

(4%) (2%)

1 0

(3%) (0%)

57 56

(3%) (3%)

$10 $7

(5%) (3%)

460 340

(2%) (1%)

0 0

(1%) (1%)

31 16

(2%) (1%)

$2 $5

(1%) (2%)

1,020

(4%)

1

(4%)

42

(2%)

$7

(3%)

28,180

(100%)

27

(100%)

1,838

(100%)

$222

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of firs reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking material. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

97

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Range with or without oven Portable or stationary space heater* No equipment involved Oven or rotisserie Portable cooking or warming device** Deep fryer Microwave oven Other known equipment Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

17,120

(61%)

26

(95%)

1,333

(73%)

$142

(64%)

3,470 3,040 2,220

(12%) (11%) (8%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (1%)

220 157 19

(12%) (9%) (1%)

$21 $33 $5

(10%) (15%) (2%)

990 610 290

(4%) (2%) (1%)

0 0 0

(1%) (1%) (0%)

42 10 21

(2%) (1%) (1%)

$10 $7 $0

(4%) (3%) (0%)

430

(2%)

0

(0%)

35

(2%)

$4

(2%)

28,180

(100%)

27

(100%)

1,838

(100%)

$222

(100%)

* Nearly all fires involving space heaters specifically involved “heating stoves,” which may have been miscoded cooking stoves or dual purpose heating and cooking equipment. ** Nearly all fires involving portable cooking or warming devices specifically involved woks, which use higher temperatures than other cooking devices. Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

98

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

Factor Equipment unattended Abandoned or discarded material Unclassified misuse of material Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Heat source too close to combustibles Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Flammable liquid or gas spilled Failure to clean Unclassified operational deficiency Equipment not being operated properly Unclassified fire spread or control Improper container or storage Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Other known factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

10,100

(36%)

17

(62%)

825

(45%)

$105

(47%)

3,460

(12%)

4

(13%)

206

(11%)

$30

(14%)

2,760

(10%)

3

(11%)

200

(11%)

$19

(8%)

2,500

(9%)

1

(3%)

152

(8%)

$16

(7%)

2,130

(8%)

0

(0%)

115

(6%)

$15

(7%)

2,030

(7%)

0

(0%)

135

(7%)

$19

(8%)

1,640 1,380

(6%) (5%)

4 0

(16%) (0%)

110 19

(6%) (1%)

$9 $1

(4%) (0%)

610

(2%)

1

(3%)

49

(3%)

$7

(3%)

570

(2%)

0

(0%)

45

(2%)

$3

(1%)

300

(1%)

1

(3%)

9

(0%)

$4

(2%)

270

(1%)

0

(0%)

16

(1%)

$1

(1%)

260

(1%)

0

(0%)

6

(0%)

$0

(0%)

1,180

(4%)

0

(0%)

51

(3%)

$7

(3%)

28,180 29,190

(100%) (104%)

27 30

(100%) (111%)

1,838 1,938

(100%) (105%)

$222 $236

(100%) (106%)

240

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(0%)

$1

(0%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

99

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin

Area of Origin Kitchen Unclassified area of origin Unclassified structural area Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

26,950

(96%)

27

(100%)

1,771

(96%)

$211

(95%)

280

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(0%)

$1

(0%)

150

(1%)

0

(0%)

16

(1%)

$1

(1%)

800

(3%)

0

(0%)

46

(3%)

$10

(4%)

28,180

(100%)

27

(100%)

1,838

(100%)

$222

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

100

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Major Property Use Group

Property Use Group

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Public assembly Residential Stores and offices Manufacturing Outside or special property Health care or correction Educational Storage Unclassified Industrial, utility, defense, agriculture, or mining None or undetermined

2,110 1,360 980 280

(38%) (25%) (18%) (5%)

1 0 0 0

(100%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

27 48 15 6

(20%) (36%) (11%) (5%)

$16 $8 $11 $17

(27%) (13%) (18%) (28%)

180

(3%)

0

(0%)

4

(3%)

$1

(1%)

170 120 100 50

(3%) (2%) (2%) (1%)

0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

10 19 2 2

(8%) (14%) (2%) (2%)

$0 $0 $1 $0

(0%) (1%) (2%) (0%)

50 160

(1%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(0%) (0%)

$5 $1

(8%) (1%)

Total

5,560

(100%)

1

(100%)

134

(100%)

$60

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

101

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, by Year Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

2,630 2,800 2,800 2,390 2,460

0 0 0 0 6

44 83 109 81 84

$13 $24 $20 $19 $63

$36 $60 $46 $42 $135

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

2,430 2,300 2,300 2,170 1,920

4 3 3 16 0

57 94 74 82 76

$30 $40 $29 $19 $28

$63 $83 $57 $37 $51

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1,780 1,820 1,630 1,650 1,730

5 0 0 0 0

83 53 141 125 71

$38 $44 $34 $106 $41

$66 $73 $55 $165 $62

1995 1996 1997 1998

1,380 1,390 1,310 1,380

0 0 0 7

74 50 29 29

$30 $27 $28 $18

$44 $39 $39 $25

1999 2000 2001

2,870 3,410 5,650

0 0 5

104 21 159

$70 $26 $109

$94 $34 $139

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

5,730 5,600 5,040 4,650 4,870

0 0 7 5 0

133 78 98 101 87

$49 $32 $38 $50 $39

$62 $38 $45 $58 $43

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

6,080 6,040 5,470 5,260 4,990

0 0 0 3 0

102 189 138 131 101

$77 $51 $63 $48 $64

$84 $53 $66 $50 $64

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

102

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source

Heat Source Unclassified heat from powered equipment Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Unclassified heat source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified hot or smoldering object Heat from direct flame or convection currents Flame or torch used for lighting Molten or hot material Arcing Smoking material Unclassified heat spread from another fire Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,510

(27%)

0

(0%)

31

(23%)

$14

(22%)

1,390

(25%)

0

(0%)

54

(40%)

$12

(20%)

720

(13%)

1

(100%)

8

(6%)

$4

(7%)

580

(10%)

0

(0%)

11

(8%)

$11

(18%)

310

(6%)

0

(0%)

6

(4%)

$2

(4%)

250

(5%)

0

(0%)

10

(8%)

$2

(4%)

240 180 100 90

(4%) (3%) (2%) (2 %)

0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

5 2 3 1

(4%) (2%) (2%) (1%)

$4 $4 $3 $1

(7%) (7%) (5%) (1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

160

(3%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$2

(4%)

5,560

(100%)

1

(100%)

134

(100%)

$60

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

103

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting with Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Deep fryer Range with or without oven Portable or stationary space heater No equipment involved Portable cooking or warming device Grill Oven or rotisserie Grease hood or duct exhaust fan Torch, burner, or soldering equipment Central heating unit Transformer Unclassified hydraulic equipment Unclassified equipment involved in ignition Separate motor Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,140

(38%)

*

(*)

47

(35%)

$12

(20%)

1,050

(19%)

*

(*)

54

(41%)

$6

(10%)

460 450

(8%) (8%)

* *

(*) (*)

6 4

(4%) (3%)

$5 $4

(8%) (7%)

340 220 190

(6%) (4%) (3%)

* * *

(*) (*) (*)

3 4 6

(2%) (3%) (4%)

$1 $1 $0

(2%) (1%) (0%)

100

(2%)

*

(*)

4

(3%)

$1

(1%)

90 60 50

(2%) (1%) (1%)

* * *

(*) (*) (*)

2 0 0

(1%) (0%) (0%)

$1 $0 $0

(1%) (0%) (0%)

40

(1%)

*

(*)

2

(1%)

$4

(6%)

30 30

(1%) (1%)

* *

(*) (*)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$1 $1

(2%) (1%)

310

(5%)

*

(*)

2

(2%)

$24

(40%)

5,560

(100%)

1

(100%)

134

(100%)

$60

(100%)

* Cannot be calculated because all deaths are in fires with equipment involved in ignition unknown.

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment). Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

104

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 5-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

Factor Failure to clean Equipment unattended Unclassified misuse of material or product Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Unintentionally turned on or not turned off Flammable liquid or gas spilled Abandoned or discarded material Unclassified operational deficiency Leak or break Equipment not being operated properly Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Automatic control failure Improper startup Improper container or storage Unspecified short circuit arc Unclassified fire spread or control Cutting or welding too close to combustible Worn out Manual control failure Equipment overloaded Outside or open fire for warming or cooking Other known factor

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,070 810

(19%) (15%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

6 28

(5%) (21%)

$7 $8

(12%) (14%)

480

(9%)

0

(0%)

40

(30%)

$1

(2%)

390

(7%)

0

(0%)

10

(8%)

$5

(9%)

390

(7%)

0

(0%)

8

(6%)

$6

(10%)

350

(6%)

0

(0%)

9

(7%)

$3

(5%)

330

(6%)

0

(0%)

6

(4%)

$3

(5%)

300

(5%)

0

(0%)

6

(4%)

$2

(3%)

300

(5%)

1

(100%)

8

(6%)

$6

(10%)

240 170

(4%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

6 2

(4%) (1%)

$1 $6

(1%) (10%)

130

(2%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

100

(2%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(2%)

100 90

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 0

(1%) (0%)

$1 $0

(1%) (1%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

70

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$2

(3%)

60

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(2%)

$1

(1%)

50 50 50 40

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

1 0 0 0

(1%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

$4 $0 $0 $1

(6%) (0%) (0%) (1%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

180

(3%)

0

(0%)

5

(4%)

$7

(12%)

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Table 5-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

Factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

5,560 5,860

(100%) (105%)

1 1

(100%) (100%)

134 142

(100%) (106%)

$60 $66

(100%) (109%)

200

(4%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$4

(7%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 5-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class IIIB Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin

Area of Origin Kitchen Unclassified equipment or service area Processing or manufacturing area or workroom Unclassified area of origin Machinery room or area Duct for HVAC, cable, exhaust, heating, or air conditioning Garage* Dining room, bar or cafeteria Maintenance or paint shop or area Unclassified service facility Unclassified outside area Heating equipment room Other known area of origin** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

4,510

(81%)

0

(0%)

101

(76%)

$27

(44%)

140

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$2

(4%)

110

(2%)

0

(0%)

5

(3%)

$13

(21%)

100

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$7

(12%)

60 40

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 2

(0%) (2%)

$0 $1

(0%) (1%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$2

(3%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$3

(5%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

350

(6%)

1

(100%)

25

(18%)

$5

(8%)

5,560

(100%)

1

(100%)

134

(100%)

$60

(100%)

* May not include or be limited to garages coded as property use. ** Leading area for deaths not shown above is exterior wall surface (100% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Section 6. Class II Combustible Liquid During 2007-2011, an average of 12,730 fires per year were reported as having begun with the ignition of Class II combustible liquid as the type of material first ignited. These fires caused an average of 31 civilian deaths per year, 139 civilian injuries per year, and $110 million in direct property damage per year. Class II combustible liquids include kerosene, diesel, paint thinner, and (with some exceptions based on region and time of year) Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil. Tables 6-A.1, 6-A.2 and 6-A.3 show how these fires divide, first into fires at homes versus any other property use, and within those two groups, into structure, vehicle, and outdoor or other fires. Nearly all home losses are in structure fires, but nearby half of the fires are not in structure fires. Vehicle fires are a much larger share of non-home fires than home fires. Table 6-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Property Use Property Use Home Other property use Total

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

7,340 5,390

(58%) (42%)

10 21

(32%) (68%)

95 44

(68%) (32%)

$15 $95

(14%) (86%)

12,730

(100%)

31

(100%)

139

(100%)

$110

(100%)

Note: See text box on p. 110 for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 6-A.2. Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

6,890 50 400

(94%) (1%) (5%)

10 0 0

(96%) (0%) (4%)

93 0 2

(98%) (0%) (2%)

$14 $1 $0

(95%) (5%) (0%)

Total

7,340

(100%)

10

(100%)

95

(100%)

$15

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 6-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

1,530 2,400 1,460

(28%) (45%) (27%)

2 18 0

(10%) (88%) (2%)

15 25 5

(34%) (56%) (10%)

$12 $80 $4

(12%) (84%) (4%)

Total

5,390

(100%)

21

(100%)

44

(100%)

$95

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Data Sources, Definitions and Conventions Used in This Section Unless otherwise specified, the statistics in this analysis are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. These estimates are projections based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey. In general, any fire that occurs in or on a structure is considered a structure fire, even if the fire was limited to contents and the building itself was not damaged. “Home” includes one- and two-family homes, manufactured homes, and multi-family housing, including apartments. Flammable and combustible liquids are identified in NFIRS 5.0 Type of Material First Ignited: 20 – Unclassified or unknown type flammable or combustible liquid. Corresponds to codes 20 (unknown) and 29 (unclassified) in earlier versions of NFIRS. 21 – Class IA flammable liquid, including ethyl ether and pentane. 22 – Class IB flammable liquid, including acetone, ethyl alcohol, and methyl-ethyl-ketone. 23 – Gasoline. 24 – Class IC flammable liquid, including turpentine and butyl alcohol. 25 –.Class II combustible liquid, including kerosene, diesel, paint thinner, and Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil. No. 2 fuel oil includes the once separate category of No. 3 fuel oil. 26 – Class IIIA combustible liquid, including cottonseed oil, produced creosote oil, and Nos. 4, 5 and 6 fuel oil. Creosote oil is primarily introduced into buildings when wood burns incompletely. 27 – Class IIIB combustible liquid, including cooking oil, transformer oil, and lubricating oil. 28 – Ethanol, added in 2008. NFIRS 5.0 includes a category of structure fires collectively referred to as “confined fires,” identified by incident type. These include confined cooking fires, confined chimney or flue fires, confined trash fires, confined fuel burner or boiler fires, confined commercial compactor fires, and confined incinerator fires (incident type 113-118). Losses are generally minimal in these fires, which by definition, are assumed to have been limited to the object of origin. Although detailed data is not required for these fires, it is sometimes present. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Property damage has not been adjusted for inflation. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian deaths and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million. Additional details on the methodology may be found in Appendix A. Reporting of Type of Material First Ignited is not required if Item First Ignited is coded in the range of 70 to 99. As with confined fires, the field is nevertheless reported for many fires, but the percentage of unknowns and blanks is higher. Fires are analyzed separately for (1) non-confined structure fires, (2) confined structure fires, (3) vehicle fires, (4) outdoor or other vegetation fires, and (5) outdoor or other non-vegetation fires (principally trash). For each of these, fires are analyzed separately for Item First Ignited 70-99 and Item First Ignited not 70-99.

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A. Homes Class II combustible liquid home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 and have shown a declining trend in recent years. Table 6-1 and Figure 6-1 shows the trends in home fires starting with ignition of Class II combustible liquids, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by more than half from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to higher levels than previously seen when NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, fires have shown a downward trend but from a higher starting point. Figure 6-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid 14,000 12,000

Fires

10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 6-1.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Most home structure fires starting with ignition of Class II combustible liquid involve heating equipment as the heat source. Table 6-2 shows that three of the four leading heat sources, accounting for four out of five of these fires, involve equipment. Table 6-3 shows that heating equipment is the type of equipment involved for most home Class II combustible liquid fires when equipment is involved. It seems clear that a large part of the increase in home Class II combustible liquid fires is associated with the introduction by NFIRS 5.0 of confined fires, where detailed reporting is not required. All of the common home heating liquid fuels – kerosene and Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil – are Class II combustible liquids. While there are separate statistics for kerosene vs. fuel oil usage, fires cannot be separated, which means comparative fire risk cannot be calculated. Note that when equipment ignited a combustible liquid, the liquid ignited may not have been in use by the equipment that ignited the liquid. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for combustible liquid spilled or otherwise released near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released liquid. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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Nearly three-fourths (72%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of Class II combustible liquid involved one of three equipment problems – unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction, automatic control failure, or backfire – as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 6-4 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with heating equipment as the heat source. Some of the leading factors point to behaviors that could be made safer, including failure to clean. Intentional fires accounted for 3% of home Class II combustible liquid structure fires. Two-thirds (65%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of Class II combustible liquids began in the heating equipment room. This is consistent with the large role of heating equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 65 shows the leading areas of origin.

B. Properties Other Than Homes Over half (56%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of Class II combustible liquid occur at store or office (26%), public assembly (15%), or residential (15%) properties. These appear to be places where heating equipment is fueled by common home heating fuels as opposed to common commercial or industrial heating fuels (Nos. 4 and 5 fuel oil), which are typically Class IIIA combustible liquids. Table 6-6 shows the shares of these fires by major property use group. Class II combustible liquid non-home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 and have shown a declining trend in recent years. Table 6-7 and Figure 6-2 show the trends in non-home structure fires starting with ignition of Class II combustible liquid from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by more than two-thirds from 1980 to 1998, then jumped to the levels of the late 1980s by 2003-2004 after NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. More recently, the trend has again been downward. Figure 6-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid 3,500 3,000

Fires

2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 6-7. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Most non-home structure fires starting with ignition of Class II combustible liquid involve heating equipment as the heat source. Table 6-8 shows that three of the four leading heat sources, accounting for three-quarters of the fires, involve equipment. Table 6-9 shows that, as in homes, heating equipment is the type of equipment involved for most non-home Class II combustible liquid fires when equipment is involved. Torches, burners, and soldering equipment, with 4% of non-home Class II combustible liquid structure fires, had the largest equipment share for any equipment other than heating equipment. Note that when equipment ignites a combustible liquid, the liquid ignited may not have been in use by the equipment that ignited the liquid. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for combustible liquid spilled, leaking or otherwise released near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released liquid. Half (51%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of Class II combustible liquid involved unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 6-10 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition, most of which are consistent with heating equipment as the heat source. Intentional fires accounted for 6% of non-home Class II combustible liquid structure fires. Three out of five (59%) non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a Class II combustible liquid began in a heating equipment room. This is consistent with the large role of heating equipment as heat sources in these fires. Table 611 shows the leading areas of origin.

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Table 6-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Year Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

8,540 7,530 6,520 7,680 8,060

23 105 75 100 70

137 197 244 344 217

$31 $29 $27 $38 $37

$85 $73 $64 $85 $79

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

8,010 7,900 7,860 7,220 7,540

127 93 107 88 150

350 244 286 343 305

$44 $38 $48 $38 $54

$91 $79 $96 $73 $98

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

5,490 5,240 5,110 4,850 4,560

62 84 52 48 70

260 219 218 223 198

$45 $45 $37 $38 $27

$77 $74 $59 $60 $41

1995 1996 1997 1998

4,120 4,220 4,160 2,890

29 50 71 29

205 132 144 116

$40 $28 $24 $22

$58 $40 $33 $30

1999 2000 2001

4,670 5,430 6,950

0 0 23

204 392 115

$6 $27 $19

$8 $36 $25

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

7,650 10,260 13,080 10,410 10,170

16 24 51 11 23

125 126 141 139 60

$20 $18 $28 $21 $19

$26 $22 $33 $24 $21

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

7,390 7,900 7,670 6,120 5,580

10 11 20 5 4

160 135 28 94 31

$14 $19 $12 $14 $9

$15 $20 $12 $15 $9

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 6-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source

Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Unclassified heat source Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Backfire from internal combustion engine Arcing Heat from direct flame or convection currents Flame or torch used for lighting Unclassified hot or smoldering object Match

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,550

(37%)

6

(59%)

30

(32%)

$4

(31%)

2,330

(34%)

1

(9%)

18

(19%)

$2

(15%)

670

(10%)

1

(11%)

25

(27%)

$1

(8%)

570

(8%)

0

(0%)

10

(11%)

$1

(8%)

290 100

(4%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 1

(0%) (1%)

$0 $0

(0%) (1%)

70

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(1%)

50

(1%)

1

(10%)

0

(0%)

$1

(5%)

50 50

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 2

(0%) (2%)

$0 $1

(3%) (9%)

150

(2%)

1

(10%)

6

(6%)

$3

(19%)

6,890

(100%)

10

(100%)

93

(100%)

$14

(100%)

Other known heat source* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

* Leading heat source for deaths not shown above is cigarette lighter (10% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking material. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 6-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Central heating unit Portable or stationary space heater No equipment involved Water heater

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

4,420

(64%)

3

(28%)

17

(18%)

$3

(20%)

1,910

(28%)

4

(43%)

57

(61%)

$5

(35%)

220 220

(3%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

7 4

(7%) (4%)

$4 $0

(30%) (0%)

120

(2%)

3

(29%)

8

(9%)

$2

(16%)

6,890

(100%)

10

(100%)

93

(100%)

$14

(100%)

Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

* Leading equipment for deaths not shown above is cigarette lighter (15% of deaths) and range (14%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 6-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition Factor Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Automatic control failure Backfire Failure to clean Worn out Unclassified operational deficiency Leak or break Improper startup Unclassified misuse of material Improper fueling technique Equipment not being operated properly Flammable liquid or gas spilled Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Heat source too close to combustibles Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Equipment overloaded Manual control failure

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

2,600

(38%)

1

(11%)

41

(44%)

$2

(17%)

1,250 1,080 610 240

(18%) (16%) (9%) (3%)

0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

1 15 0 1

(2%) (16%) (0%) (1%)

$0 $1 $0 $0

(1%) (5%) (1%) (0%)

220 190 160

(3%) (3%) (2%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

1 3 2

(1%) (4%) (2%)

$0 $1 $0

(1%) (7%) (2%)

80

(1%)

1

(12%)

7

(8%)

$1

(6%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

7

(7%)

$1

(7%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(5%)

$1

(5%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

11

(12%)

$4

(27%)

80

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(4%)

60

(1%)

2

(24%)

5

(5%)

$2

(12%)

60 40 40

(1%) (1%) (1%)

3 0 1

(27%) (0%) (14%)

1 0 0

(2%) (0%) (0%)

$1 $0 $0

(9%) (0%) (0%)

Other known factor*

180

(3%)

1

(12%)

4

(4%)

$2

(13%)

Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

6,890 7,130

(100%) (104%)

10 10

(100%) (100%)

93 104

(100%) (112%)

$14 $16

(100%) (117%)

40

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(2%)

$0

(2%)

* Leading factor for deaths not shown above is collision, knock down or turn over (12% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 6.5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin

Area of Origin Heating equipment room Duct for HVAC, cable, heating, or air conditioning Crawl space or substructure space Unclassified function area Unclassified area of origin Unclassified equipment or service area Living room, family room, or den Unclassified storage area Kitchen Bedroom Storage room, area, tank, or bin Unclassified service facility Garage* Laundry room or area Heating equipment room Duct for HVAC, cable, heating, or air conditioning Crawl space or substructure space Unclassified function area Unclassified area of origin Unclassified equipment or service area Other known area of origin **

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

4,470

(65%)

3

(30%)

42

(46%)

$2

(17%)

410

(6%)

0

(0%)

4

(4%)

$0

(2%)

400

(6%)

0

(0%)

5

(5%)

$1

(7%)

360

(5%)

0

(0%)

8

(8%)

$1

(10%)

250

(4%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

210

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

120

(2%)

1

(10%)

10

(11%)

$2

(15%)

90 60 50

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 1 1

(0%) (11%) (10%)

0 7 8

(0%) (7%) (9%)

$0 $1 $1

(1%) (9%) (7%)

50

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

40 40 40

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

1 1 1

(1%) (1%) (1%)

$0 $1 $1

(0%) (4%) (5%)

4,470

(65%)

3

(30%)

42

(46%)

$2

(17%)

410

(6%)

0

(0%)

4

(4%)

$0

(2%)

400

(6%)

0

(0%)

5

(5%)

$1

(7%)

360

(5%)

0

(0%)

8

(8%)

$1

(10%)

250

(4%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

210

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

310

(4%)

4

(39%)

6

(7%)

$3

(21%)

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Table 6.5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued)

Area of Origin Total

Fires 6,890

(100%)

Civilian Deaths 10

(100%)

Civilian Injuries 93

(100%)

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) $14

(100%)

* Does not include residential garage coded as separate property. ** Leading areas of origin for deaths not shown above are unclassified structural area (30% of deaths) and lobby or entrance way (9%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 6-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Major Property Use Group

Property Use Group Stores and offices Public assembly Residential Educational Outside or special property Storage Manufacturing Health care or correction Industrial, utility, defense, agriculture, or mining Unclassified None or undetermined Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

400 230 220 160

(26%) (15%) (15%) (10%)

1 0 1 0

(33%) (0%) (45%) (0%)

5 0 3 0

(30%) (0%) (23%) (0%)

$1 $0 $1 $0

(6%) (1%) (11%) (0%)

100 90 60

(7%) (6%) (4%)

0 0 0

(0%) (22%) (0%)

2 0 0

(11%) (3%) (0%)

$1 $2 $3

(10%) (13%) (29%)

50

(3%)

0

(0%)

1

(3%)

$0

(0%)

30 10 180

(2%) (0%) (12%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 1 4

(0%) (3%) (26%)

$3 $0 $0

(27%) (1%) (1%)

1,530

(100%)

2

(100%)

15

(100%)

$12

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 6-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, by Year Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1982 1984

3,050 2,730 2,680 2,220 2,490

0 3 0 11 2

58 98 83 73 70

$22 $31 $31 $27 $29

$60 $75 $71 $62 $62

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

2,630 2,290 2,140 1,760 2,240

4 9 0 15 4

52 76 33 65 56

$39 $40 $29 $44 $41

$82 $81 $58 $85 $74

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1,770 1,560 1,440 1,260 1,180

8 0 8 0 0

57 39 35 27 36

$27 $22 $46 $23 $53

$46 $37 $74 $36 $81

1995 1996 1997 1998

1,130 1,080 1,020 850

8 5 2 3

41 37 29 29

$60 $15 $23 $17

$88 $21 $32 $23

1999 2000 2001

1,840 1,340 1,270

0 0 0

0 70 10

$3 $15 $18

$4 $20 $22

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

1,720 2,510 2,660 1,790 1,760

0 0 7 2 0

21 21 37 5 0

$11 $11 $14 $15 $8

$13 $14 $17 $17 $9

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1,480 1,690 1,960 1,500 1,060

0 8 0 0 3

12 28 0 26 5

$6 $6 $34 $8 $5

$7 $6 $36 $8 $5

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 6-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source

Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Unclassified heat source Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Backfire from internal combustion engine Flame or torch used for lighting Unclassified hot or smoldering object Cigarette lighter Match Arcing Heat or spark from friction Heat from direct flame or convection currents Conducted heat from another fire Candle

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

530

(35%)

1

(45%)

4

(25%)

$2

(18%)

490

(32%)

0

(0%)

3

(23%)

$6

(55%)

160

(11%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

120

(8%)

0

(0%)

2

(15%)

$1

(8%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(2%)

0

(22%)

1

(6%)

$0

(4%)

20 20 20 10

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0 1

(0%) (0%) (0%) (33%)

0 0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

$0 $0 $0 $1

(0%) (1%) (0%) (6%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(3%)

$0

(2%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 1

(18%) (6%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

40

(3%)

0

(0%)

1

(4%)

$1

(5%)

1,530

(100%)

2

(100%)

15

(100%)

$12

(100%)

Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking material. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 6-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition

Equipment Central heating unit Portable or stationary space heater Water heater No equipment involved Torch, burner or soldering equipment Industrial furnace or kiln Internal combustion engine (nonvehicular) Unclassified equipment involved in ignition

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

830

(54%)

*

(*)

5

(31%)

$1

(7%)

380 90

(25%) (6%)

* *

(*) (*)

3 0

(23%) (0%)

$4 $0

(38%) (0%)

90

(6%)

*

(*)

7

(46%)

$1

(6%)

60

(4%)

*

(*)

0

(0%)

$1

(8%)

20

(1%)

*

(*)

0

(0%)

$2

(17%)

20

(1%)

*

(*)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

*

(*)

0

(0%)

$1

(7%)

20

(2%)

*

(*)

0

(0%)

$2

(16%)

1,530

(100%)

2

(100%)

15

(100%)

$12

(100%)

Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

* Cannot be calculated because all deaths are in fires with equipment involved in ignition unknown. Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 6-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition

Factor Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Backfire Automatic control failure Improper startup Flammable liquid or gas spilled Leak or break Unclassified operational deficiency Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Equipment not being operated properly Unclassified misuse of material or product Failure to clean Worn out Heat source too close to combustibles Equipment unattended Cutting or welding too close to combustible Manual control failure Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Exposure fire Equipment overloaded

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

780 150

(51%) (10%)

1 0

(45%) (0%)

3 0

(20%) (0%)

$3 $0

(29%) (1%)

100 60

(7%) (4%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 2

(0%) (11%)

$0 $0

(1%) (1%)

40 40

(3%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 2

(9%) (11%)

$1 $1

(11%) (8%)

40

(3%)

1

(45%)

2

(13%)

$0

(1%)

40

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

40 40 30

(2%) (2%) (2%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

1 1 0

(9%) (4%) (0%)

$0 $0 $0

(2%) (1%) (2%)

30 20

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 1

(12%) (9%)

$1 $0

(9%) (1%)

20 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(4%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(5%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

$1 $0 $0

(5%) (0%) (0%)

Other known factor*

40

(3%)

1

(55%)

3

(17%)

$3

(26%)

Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

1,530 1,570

(100%) (103%)

2 3

(100%) (145%)

15 17

(100%) (116%)

$12 $13

(100%) (108%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$2

(21%)

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Table 6-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Combustible Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued) * Leading factors for deaths not shown above are washing part or painting with flammable liquid (33% of deaths) and improper fueling technique (22%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 6-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Class II Liquid, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin Area of Origin Heating equipment room Duct for HVAC, cable, exhaust, heating, or air conditioning Unclassified equipment or service area Maintenance or paint shop or area Crawl space or substructure space Unclassified area of origin Garage* Unclassified function area Unclassified storage area Kitchen Unclassified service facility Processing or manufacturing area or workroom Storage of supplies or tools Unclassified outside area On or near highway, public way or street Trash or rubbish chute, area or container Construction or renovation area Heating equipment room Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

900

(59%)

0

(0%)

3

(18%)

$0

(4%)

110

(7%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

60

(4%)

0

(0%)

1

(4%)

$4

(34%)

50

(4%)

1

(33%)

0

(0%)

$0

(2%)

50

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

40 40

(3%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (22%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $1

(0%) (9%)

30 20 20

(2%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 1

(0%) (0%) (45%)

2 0 5

(15%) (0%) (33%)

$0 $0 $0

(4%) (2%) (2%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 1

(3%) (3%)

$0 $0

(1%) (1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(11%)

$0

(0%)

10 900

(1%) (59%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 3

(0%) (18%)

$0 $0

(0%) (4%)

110

(7%)

0

(0%)

2

(12%)

$5

(40%)

1,530

(100%)

2

(100%)

15

(100%)

$12

(100%)

* May not include or be limited to garages coded as property use. Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires Area of Origin reported as unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Section 7. Gasoline During 2007-2011, an average of 60,650 fires per year were reported as having begun with the ignition of gasoline as the type of material first ignited. These fires caused an average of 277 civilian deaths per year, 1,125 civilian injuries per year, and $456 million in direct property damage per year. Tables 7-A.1, 7-A.2, and 7-A.3 show how these fires divide, first into fires at home versus any other property use, and within those two groups, into structure, vehicle, and outdoor or other fires. Nearly all home losses are in structure fires, but nearly half of the fires are not in structure fires. Vehicle fires are a much larger share of non-home fires than home fires. Table 7-A.1. Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Property Use Property Use

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Home Other property use

7,960 52,690

(13%) (87%)

106 171

(38%) (62%)

432 693

(38%) (62%)

$136 $320

(30%) (70%)

Total

60,650

(100%)

277

(100%)

1,125

(100%)

$456

(100%)

Note: See text box on p. 128 for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 7-A.2. Home First Starting With Ignition of Gasoline 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

2,410 2,960 2,590

(30%) (33%) (37%)

101 4 1

(95%) (4%) (1%)

325 73 34

(75%) (17%) (8%)

$125 $11 $1

(91%) (9%) (0%)

Total

7,960

(100%)

106

(100%)

432

(100%)

$136

(100%)

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Table 7-A.3. Non-Home Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Incident Type Incident Type

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Structure fire Vehicle fire Outdoor or other fire

1,790 39,920 10,990

(3%) (76%) (21%)

21 143 7

(12%) (84%) (4%)

157 475 61

(23%) (59%) (9%)

$102 $193 $25

(32%) (60%) (8%)

Total

52,690

(100%)

171

(100%)

693

(100%)

$320

(100%)

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Note: See text box for details on calculations.

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Data Sources, Definitions and Conventions Used in This Section Unless otherwise specified, the statistics in this analysis are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. These estimates are projections based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey. In general, any fire that occurs in or on a structure is considered a structure fire, even if the fire was limited to contents and the building itself was not damaged. “Home” includes one- and two-family homes, manufactured homes, and multi-family housing, including apartments. Flammable and combustible liquids are identified in NFIRS 5.0 Type of Material First Ignited: 20 – Unclassified or unknown type flammable or combustible liquid. Corresponds to codes 20 (unknown) and 29 (unclassified) in earlier versions of NFIRS. 21 – Class IA flammable liquid, including ethyl ether and pentane. 22 – Class IB flammable liquid, including acetone, ethanol alcohol, and methyl-ethyl-ketone. 23 – Gasoline. 24 – Class IC flammable liquid, including turpentine and butyl alcohol. 25 –.Class II combustible liquid, including kerosene, diesel, paint thinner, and Nos. 1 and 2 fuel oil. No. 2 fuel oil includes what was once the separate category of No. 3 fuel oil. 26 – Class IIIA combustible liquid, including cottonseed oil, produced creosote oil, and Nos. 4, 5 and 6 fuel oil. Creosote oil is primarily introduced into buildings when wood burns incompletely. 27 – Class IIIB combustible liquid, including cooking oil, transformer oil, and lubricating oil. 28 – Ethanol, added in 2008. NFIRS 5.0 includes a category of structure fires collectively referred to as “confined fires,” identified by incident type. These include confined cooking fires, confined chimney or flue fires, confined trash fires, confined fuel burner or boiler fires, confined commercial compactor fires, and confined incinerator fires (incident type 113-118). Losses are generally minimal in these fires, which by definition, are assumed to have been limited to the object of origin. Although detailed data is not required for these fires, it is sometimes present. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Property damage has not been adjusted for inflation. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian deaths and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million. Additional details on the methodology may be found in Appendix A. Reporting of Type of Material First Ignited is not required if Item First Ignited is coded in the range of 70 to 99. As with confined fires, the field is nevertheless reported for many fires, but the percentage of unknowns and blanks is higher. Fires are analyzed separately for (1) non-confined structure fires, (2) confined structure fires, (3) vehicle fires, (4) outdoor or other vegetation fires, and (5) outdoor or other non-vegetation fires (principally trash). For each of these, fires are analyzed separately for Item First Ignited 70-99 and Item First Ignited not 70-99.

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A. Homes Gasoline home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 and have continued to decline in recent years. Table 7-1 and Figure 7-1 show the trends in home fires starting with ignition of gasoline, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by two-thirds from 1980 to 1998, then continued to decline after NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced. Since then, fires have declined by nearly half. Figure 7-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline 16,000 14,000 12,000

Fires

10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 7-1.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Intentional fires accounted for half (52%) of home gasoline structure fires. Intentional home structure fires starting with ignition of gasoline rarely involve equipment as a heat source, while other home structure fires starting with ignition of gasoline are a mix of fires with and without equipment as the heat source. Table 7-2 shows that three of the four leading heat sources do not involve equipment – match, lighter, and incendiary device. These devices accounted for 43% of home gasoline structure fires, 77% of intentional home gasoline structure fires, and 13% of non-intentional home gasoline structure fires. When equipment is the heat source, Table 7-3 shows that the leading types of equipment are a mix of equipment commonly powered by gasoline, such as lawn mowers, and equipment where fueling with gasoline would normally constitute misuse, such as water heater or space heater. Three of five (63%) home gasoline structure fires show no equipment involved in ignition. No equipment was also involved in 96% of intentional home gasoline structure fires and 32% of non-intentional home structure gasoline fires.

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Note that when equipment ignites gasoline the gasoline ignited may not have been in use by the equipment that ignited the gasoline. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for vapors from gasoline spilling, leaking or otherwise released near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released liquid. Half (50%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of gasoline had one of these three types of error or misuse as a factor contributing to ignition – spill (18%), kindling of a fire (17%), or unclassified misuse of material or product (15%). These factors accounted for 67% of intentional home gasoline structure fires – kindling (30%), unclassified misuse of material or product (26%), and spill (11%). These factors accounted for 37% of non-intentional home gasoline structure fires – spill (24%), unclassified misuse of product or material (7), and kindling (6%). Table 7-4 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition. Playing with fire accounts for 5% of these fires, 8% of the intentional fires, and 2% of the non-intentional fires. Other leading factors for non-intentional home structure gasoline fires are heat source too close to combustibles (16%) and improper container or storage (8%). One-fifth (20%) of home structure fires starting with ignition of gasoline began in the garage. This is the area where most home equipment fueled by gasoline will be stored. Table 7-5 shows the leading areas of origin. Garages accounted for only 6% of intentional home gasoline structure fires, where the leading areas of origin were exterior wall surface (10%), multiple area of origin (9%), and living room, family room or den (9%). Garages accounted for 37% of nonintentional home gasoline structure fires.

B. Properties Other Than Homes Over half (57%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of gasoline occur at storage (41%) or outside or special (16%) properties, which are not properties cited in large shares of fires for any other type of flammable gas or flammable or combustible liquid. Storage properties include garages for vehicles, most of which are gasoline-fueled, and for other gasoline-powered equipment, such as lawn mowers. Outside or special properties include roads, highways, and parking lots, which are also associated with vehicles. Table 7-6 shows the shares of these fires by major property use group. Gasoline non-home structure fires declined substantially from 1980 to 1998 but have shown a slower rate of decline in recent years. Table 7-7 and Figure 7-2 show the trends in non-home fires starting with ignition of gasoline, from 1980 to 2011. Fires dropped by roughly two-thirds from 1980 to 1998, then continued to decline after NFIRS Version 5.0 was introduced.

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Figure 7-2. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline 14,000 12,000

Fires

10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0

Year Note: See Note on Table 7-1.

Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Intentional fires accounted for 32% of non-home gasoline structure fires. Intentional non-home structure fires starting with ignition of gasoline rarely involve equipment as a heat source, while other non-home structure fires starting with ignition are a mix of fires with and without equipment as the heat source. Table 7-8 shows that two of the three leading heat sources do not involve equipment – lighter and match. These devices accounted for 22% of non-home gasoline structure fires, 60% of intentional non-home gasoline structure fires, and 6% of non-intentional, non-home gasoline structure fires. Table 7-9 shows that half (48%) of the non-home gasoline structure fires had no equipment involved. No equipment was involved in 89% of intentional, non-home gasoline structure fires and 31% of non-intentional non-home structure fires. Yard equipment (including snow blower), with 10% of non-home gasoline structure fires, had the largest equipment share. Note that when equipment ignites gasoline, the gasoline ignited may not have been in use by the equipment that ignited the gasoline. In fact, pilot lights for equipment that is not turned on can serve as a heat source for vapors from gasoline spilled, leaking or otherwise released near the pilot light, as can hot surfaces from any operating equipment near the released gasoline. Half (49%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of a gasoline involved one of four errors – a spill (19%), insufficient separation between combustibles and heat source (11%), unclassified misuse of material (10%), or use of liquid to kindle fire (9%) – as a factor contributing to ignition. Table 7-10 shows the leading factors contributing to ignition. These four factors accounted for 64% of intentional, non-home gasoline structure fires – kindling (28%), unclassified misuse of material or product (23%), spill (11%), and insufficient separation (2%). These factors accounted for 42% of non-intentional, non-home gasoline structure fires – spill (21%), Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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insufficient separation (13%), unclassified misuse of material or product (5%), and kindling (3%). One-fifth (22%) of non-home structure fires starting with ignition of gasoline began in a garage. This is the area where most gasoline-fueled equipment would be stored. Table 7-11 shows the leading areas of origin. Garages accounted for 10% of intentional, non-home gasoline structure fires, where unclassified outside area accounted for another 10%, and exterior wall surface accounted for 8%. Garages accounted for 28% of non-intentional, non-home gasoline structure fires, with a comparable additional share of these fires starting in various areas in or on a vehicle.

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Table 7-1. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Year

Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

15,000 14,290 12,860 11,570 11,450

227 232 234 226 138

1,491 1,361 1,443 1,405 1,404

$106 $116 $98 $124 $126

$289 $286 $227 $279 $272

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

11,050 11,790 10,770 10,060 9,140

189 166 173 164 160

1,162 1,240 1,204 1,196 1,069

$124 $129 $112 $125 $121

$258 $264 $222 $238 $220

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

8,270 8,760 8,280 7,110 6,950

122 154 160 188 102

889 960 893 847 650

$127 $179 $100 $110 $99

$218 $295 $160 $171 $151

1995 1996 1997 1998

6,340 6,040 4,760 4,720

131 119 138 86

662 649 525 463

$102 $107 $84 $92

$150 $154 $117 $127

1999 2000 2001

3,900 4,090 3,770

207 125 23

272 447 481

$82 $107 $98

$110 $140 $124

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

3,310 2,820 2,730 3,080 2,470

65 118 141 127 76

311 311 300 418 314

$102 $93 $93 $147 $118

$127 $113 $111 $169 $132

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

2,570 2,520 2,400 2,360 2,190

153 124 89 61 75

390 338 272 311 308

$151 $120 $126 $107 $120

$164 $125 $132 $110 $120

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

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Table 7-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source A. All Gasoline Fires Heat Source Match Cigarette lighter Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Incendiary device Unclassified heat from powered equipment Unclassified heat source Flame or torch used for lighting Smoking material Multiple heat sources Heat from direct flame or convection currents Arcing Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Hot ember or ash Backfire from internal combustion engine Unclassified hot or smoldering object Heat or spark from friction Candle Radiated heat from another fire Molten or hot material Unclassified heat spread from another fire Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

430 390

(18%) (16%)

30 34

(30%) (34%)

32 69

(10%) (21%)

$15 $22

(12%) (17%)

370 210

(15%) (9%)

10 1

(10 %) (1%)

85 3

(26%) (1%)

$25 $5

(20%) (4%)

160

(7%)

0

(0%)

15

(4%)

$9

(7%)

130

(5%)

6

(6%)

16

(5%)

$6

(5%)

90 70 70

(4%) (3%) (3%)

3 1 5

(3%) (1%) (5%)

10 9 3

(3%) (3%) (1%)

$6 $3 $4

(4%) (2%) (3%)

70 60

(3%) (3%)

1 1

(1%) (1%)

5 21

(2%) (7%)

$2 $5

(2%) (4%)

60 60

(3%) (3%)

2 2

(2%) (2%)

15 6

(5%) (2%)

$5 $1

(4%) (1%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$4

(3%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

9

(3%)

$6

(5%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 6

(1%) (2%)

$1 $1

(1%) (1%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 1

(1%) (0%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

4

(1%)

$1

(1%)

50

(2%)

4

(4%)

9

(3%)

$2

(2%)

2,410

(100%)

101

(100%)

325

(100%)

$125

(100%)

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Table 7-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source (Continued) B. Intentional Fires Heat Source Match Cigarette lighter Incendiary device Flame or torch used for lighting Multiple heat sources Unclassified heat source Smoking materials Heat from direct flame or convection currents Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Candle Unclassified hot or smoldering object Other known heat source* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

390 350 220

(31%) (28%) (18%)

24 33 1

(32%) (45%) (2%)

27 44 3

(27%) (45%) (3%)

$15 $21 $6

(25%) (35%) (10%)

60 60

(5%) (5%)

1 6

(2%) (8%)

6 3

(6%) (3%)

$5 $4

(8%) (7%)

60 30

(4%) (2%)

3 0

(4%) (0%)

5 2

(5%) (2%)

$3 $1

(6%) (2%)

20

(2%)

1

(2%)

2

(2%)

$0

(1%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 1

(2%) (1%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

30

(3%)

4

(6%)

5

(5%)

$2

(3%)

1,260

(100%)

74

(100%)

98

(100%)

$60

(100%)

* Leading heat source for deaths ot shown above is unclassified chemical or natural heat source (6%).

C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Unclassified heat source Match Cigarette lighter Arcing Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

330

(29%)

10

(35%)

82

(36%)

$19

(29%)

140

(12%)

0

(0%)

14

(6%)

$7

(11%)

70 70 70 60

(6%) (6%) (6%) (5%)

3 5 0 1

(12%) (19%) (0%) (5%)

11 5 27 21

(5%) (2%) (12%) (9%)

$3 $2 $3 $4

(4%) (2%) (5%) (7%)

60

(5%)

1

(4%)

15

(6%)

$5

(8%)

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Table 7-2. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Heat Source Hot ember or ash Smoking materials Backfire from internal combustion engine Heat from direct flame or convection currents Unclassified hot or smoldering object Flame or torch used for lighting Heat or spark from friction Radiated heat from another fire Molten or hot material Candle Unclassified heat spread from another fire Incendiary device Unclassified static discharge Chemical reaction Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

50 50

(4%) (4%)

2 2

(9%) (8%)

5 10

(2%) (5%)

$1 $2

(2%) (2%)

50

(4%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$5

(8%)

40

(4%)

0

(0%)

4

(2%)

$2

(3%)

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

9

(4%)

$5

(8%)

30

(3%)

2

(8%)

5

(2%)

$1

(2%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(2%)

20 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

1 1 5

(0%) (0%) (2%)

$0 $0 $1

(0%) (1%) (2%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(1%) (0%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 0

(1%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

4

(2%)

$1

(2%)

1,150

(100%)

27

(100%)

227

(100%)

$65

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to

Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. Separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 7-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition A. All Gasoline Fires Equipment No equipment involved Water heater Yard equipment including snow blower* Portable or stationary space heater Transformer or power supply Unclassified equipment Grill, hibachi, or barbecue Cigarette lighter Lamp or light fixture Internal combustion engine Power saw Torch, burner or soldering equipment Unclassified portable appliance designed to produce heat Washer or dryer Other known equipment** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,520 240

(63%) (10%)

68 12

(67%) (12%)

136 67

(42%) (21%)

$59 $23

(48%) (18%)

130

(5%)

4

(4%)

8

(2%)

$7

(6%)

110

(4%)

4

(4%)

23

(7%)

$5

(4%)

70

(3%)

5

(5%)

16

(5%)

$6

(5%)

50

(2%)

0

(0%)

6

(2%)

$3

(2%)

40 20 20

(2%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

3 8 9

(1%) (2%) (3%)

$1 $1 $4

(1%) (1%) (3%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 1

(0%) (0%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

7

(2%)

$6

(5%)

20 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 2

(1%) (1%)

$1 $0

(0%) (0%)

120

(5%)

9

(8%)

38

(12%)

$9

(7%)

2,410

(100%)

101

(100%)

325

(100%)

$125

(100%)

* Most equipment involving yard equipment specifically involved lawnmower, with snow blower having the next largest share. ** Leading equipment for deaths not shown above are range (4% of deaths) and central heating unit (4%).

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Table 7-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition (Continued) B. Intentional Fires Equipment No equipment involved Cigarette lighter Lawn mower Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

1,200 20 10

(96%) (2%) (1%)

69 0 0

(93%) (0%) (0%)

89 7 2

(91%) (7%) (2%)

$51 $1 $0

(85%) (1%) (0%)

30

(2%)

5

(7%)

0

(0%)

$8

(14%)

1,260

(100%)

74

(100%)

98

(100%)

$60

(100%)

* Leading equipment involved in deaths not cited above is water heater (7%).

C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Equipment No equipment involved Water heater Portable or stationary space heater Lawn mower Transformer or power supply Unclassified equipment involved in ignition Grill, hibachi, or barbecue Light fixture or lamp Internal combustion engine Power saw Torch, burner or soldering equipment Washer or dryer Unclassified gardening tool or agricultural equipment Fireplace, chimney or connector Range with or without oven Snow blower Pump

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

360 230

(32%) (20%)

6 6

(22%) (21%)

49 68

(22%) (30%)

$14 $20

(22%) (30%)

100 90

(8%) (8%)

3 0

(12%) (0%)

16 4

(7%) (2%)

$3 $6

(5%) (9%)

60

(5%)

3

(12%)

16

(7%)

$5

(8%)

40

(3%)

0

(0%)

6

(3%)

$2

(3%)

40 20

(3%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 10

(1%) (4%)

$1 $4

(1%) (5%)

20 20

(2%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 1

(0%) (0%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

7 2

(3%) (1%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 3

(0%) (12%)

8 6

(3%) (3%)

$3 $0

(4%) (0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

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Table 7-3. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Equipment

Fires

Refrigerator, freezer or ice maker Wet/dry vacuum Power sander, grinder, buffer, or polisher Central heating unit Cord or plug

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 7

(0%) (3%)

$1 $0

(2%) (0%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 3 0

(0%) (11%) (0%)

4 0 2

(2%) (0%) (1%)

$0 $1 $1

(0%) (1%) (1%)

70

(6%)

3

(11%)

19

(9%)

$2

(4%)

1,150

(100%)

27

(100%)

227

(100%)

$65

(100%)

Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

* Leading equipment for deaths not shown above is yard equipment (11%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Table 7-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition A. All Gasoline Fires Factor Flammable liquid or gas spilled Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Unclassified misuse of material Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Heat source too close to combustibles Improper container or storage Playing with heat source Improper fueling technique Leak or break Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Exposure fire Abandoned or discarded material Backfire Cutting or welding too close to combustible Arc or spark from operating equipment Washing part or painting with flammable liquid Collision, knock down, or turn over Improper startup Improper fuel used Unclassified operational deficiency Equipment unattended Unspecified short circuit arc Other known factor Total Total factors

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

440

(18%)

32

(32%)

93

(29%)

$36

(29%)

410

(17%)

22

(22%)

40

(12%)

$18

(14%)

370

(15%)

22

(22%)

56

(17%)

$17

(13%)

290

(12%)

30

(29%)

32

(10%)

$16

(13%)

220

(9%)

1

(1%)

29

(9%)

$10

(8%)

110

(5%)

4

(4%)

12

(4%)

$6

(5%)

110

(5%)

1

(1%)

22

(7%)

$1

(1%)

100 90

(4%) (4%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

19 13

(6%) (4%)

$3 $7

(3%) (6%)

70 60

(3%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

5 0

(2%) (0%)

$6 $2

(5%) (2%)

50 40

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 4

(0%) (1%)

$2 $2

(2%) (1%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

8

(2%)

$1

(1%)

20

(1%)

1

(1%)

6

(2%)

$2

(2%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

11

(3%)

$1

(1%)

20 20 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

3 0 0

(3%) (0%) (0%)

3 0 5

(1%) (0%) (2%)

$1 $0 $0

(1%) (0%) (0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 1

(0%) (0%)

$1 $0

(0%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

80

(3%)

2

(2%)

6

(2%)

$4

(3%)

2,410 2,610

(100%) (108%)

101 119

(100%) (117%)

325 372

(100%) (114%)

$125 $140

(100%) (112%)

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Table 7-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued) A. All Gasoline Fires Factor All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires 50

(2%)

1

(1%)

Civilian Injuries 10

(3%)

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) $5

(4%)

B. Intentional Fires Factor Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Unclassified misuse of material or product Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Flammable liquid or gas spilled Playing with heat source Abandoned or discarded material Improper fueling technique Heat source too close to combustibles Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Unclassified misuse of material or product Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Other known factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

380

(30%)

21

(28%)

21

(22%)

$18

(30%)

320

(26%)

14

(19%)

26

(27%)

$16

(26%)

290

(23%)

33

(44%)

24

(24%)

$17

(29%)

140 90

(11%) (8%)

20 0

(27%) (0%)

26 8

(27%) (8%)

$14 $1

(23%) (1%)

40

(4%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

380

(30%)

21

(28%)

21

(22%)

$18

(30%)

320

(26%)

14

(19%)

26

(27%)

$16

(26%)

290

(23%)

33

(44%)

24

(24%)

$17

(29%)

30

(2%)

0

(0%)

5

(5%)

$1

(2%)

1,260 1,320

(100%) (105%)

74 88

(100%) (119%)

98 110

(100%) (113%)

$60 $68

(100%) (113%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

141

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Factor Flammable liquid or gas spilled Heat source too close to combustibles Improper container or storage Unclassified misuse of material or product Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Leak or break Improper fueling technique Exposure fire Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Backfire Cutting or welding too close to combustible Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Playing with heat source Arc or spark from operating equipment Washing part or painting with flammable liquid Collision, knock down, or turn over Improper startup Abandoned or discarded material Unclassified operational deficiency Equipment unattended Unspecified short circuit arc Improper fuel used Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

280

(24%)

11

(42%)

67

(30%)

$21

(33%)

180

(16%)

1

(5%)

29

(13%)

$9

(14%)

90

(8%)

4

(14%)

13

(6%)

$5

(8%)

90

(7%)

4

(14%)

29

(13%)

$4

(6%)

70 70

(6%) (6%)

4 0

(15%) (0%)

18 13

(8%) (6%)

$3 $6

(4%) (9%)

70 60

(6%) (5%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

19 0

(8%) (0%)

$3 $2

(5%) (3%)

50 40

(5%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

4 3

(2%) (1%)

$5 $1

(7%) (2%)

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

7

(3%)

$1

(1%)

30

(2%)

1

(5%)

8

(4%)

$2

(3%)

20

(2%)

1

(4%)

16

(7%)

$0

(1%)

20

(2%)

1

(5%)

6

(3%)

$2

(3%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

8

(4%)

$1

(1%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

3 0

(10%) (0%)

3 0

(1%) (0%)

$1 $0

(2%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 1

(1%) (0%)

$1 $0

(1%) (1%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 2

(1%) (1%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(2%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

142

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-4. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Factor

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

Other known factor*

60

(5%)

1

(5%)

8

(4%)

$2

(4%)

Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

1,150 1,280

(100%) (111%)

27 32

(100%) (119%)

227 260

(100%) (114%)

$65 $72

(100%) (112%)

40

(4%)

1

(5%)

9

(4%)

$4

(7%)

* Leading factor for deaths not shown above is high water (5%). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as one, unknown, or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

143

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin A. All Gasoline Fires Area of Origin Garage* Living room, family room, or den Exterior wall surface Unclassified outside area Bedroom Multiple areas of origin Kitchen Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Courtyard, terrace or patio Unclassified function area Crawl space or substructure space Lobby or entrance way Unclassified means of egress Laundry room or area Unclassified structural area Engine or wheel area of vehicle Heating equipment room Unclassified storage area Interior stairway Unclassified area of origin Exterior stairway or fire escape Storage of supplies or tools Storage room, area, tank, or bin Unclassified vehicle area Lawn, field or open area Hallway or corridor Exterior surface of vehicle

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

490

(20%)

12

(12%)

124

(38%)

$44

(35%)

170 160

(7%) (7%)

16 0

(16%) (0%)

30 3

(9%) (1%)

$9 $1

(7%) (1%)

120 120

(5%) (5%)

0 16

(0%) (16%)

7 25

(2%) (8%)

$1 $7

(1%) (6%)

120 110

(5%) (5%)

5 2

(4%) (2%)

7 9

(2%) (3%)

$15 $4

(12%) (3%)

90

(4%)

1

(1%)

4

(1%)

$2

(2%)

80

(3%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

70

(3%)

10

(10%)

10

(3%)

$5

(4%)

70 70

(3%) (3%)

4 3

(4%) (3%)

12 7

(4%) (2%)

$4 $2

(3%) (2%)

60 60

(2%) (2%)

1 4

(1%) (4%)

2 8

(1%) (3%)

$1 $1

(1%) (1%)

50

(2%)

4

(4%)

7

(2%)

$2

(2%)

50

(2%)

0

(0%)

4

(1%)

$3

(2%)

50

(2%)

4

(4%)

9

(3%)

$3

(2%)

50 40

(2%) (2%)

1 4

(1%) (4%)

3 11

(1%) (3%)

$1 $2

(1%) (2%)

40

(2%)

1

(1%)

4

(1%)

$1

(1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(1%)

30

(1%)

2

(2%)

3

(1%)

$1

(1%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(1%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 5

(0%) (5%)

1 4

(0%) (1%)

$0 $3

(0%) (3%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$0

(0%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

144

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued) A. All Gasoline Fires Area of Origin Bathroom Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Vacant structural area Closet Dining room Ceiling/floor assembly or concealed space Wall assembly or concealed space Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

20

(1%)

3

(3%)

5

(1%)

$1

(1%)

20 20 20 20

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

1 0 0 0

(1%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

4 1 1 1

(1%) (0%) (0%) (0%)

$1 $0 $1 $0

(1%) (0%) (1%) (0%)

20

(1%)

1

(1%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

70

(3%)

1

(1%)

4

(1%)

$3

(2%)

2,410

(100%)

101

(100%)

325

(100%)

$125

(100%)

* Excludes residential garage coded as separate property.

B. Intentional Fires Area of Origin Exterior wall surface Multiple areas of origin Living room, family room, or den Bedroom Unclassified outside area Garage* Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Lobby or entrance way Kitchen Unclassified means of egress Courtyard, terrace or patio Unclassified function area Interior stairway Unclassified area of origin

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

130 120

(10%) (9%)

0 4

(0%) (5%)

2 6

(2%) (6%)

$1 $16

(2%) (27%)

110 100

(9%) (8%)

16 14

(21%) (19%)

10 16

(10%) (16%)

$5 $7

(9%) (11%)

80 70

(6%) (6%)

0 8

(0%) (10%)

6 14

(6%) (14%)

$0 $4

(0%) (7%)

60 50 50

(5%) (4%) (4%)

0 4 1

(0%) (5%) (2%)

4 5 3

(4%) (5%) (3%)

$1 $2 $3

(2%) (4%) (4%)

50

(4%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(2%)

50

(4%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

50 40 30

(4%) (3%) (2%)

8 5 0

(11%) (6%) (0%)

4 10 1

(4%) (10%) (1%)

$4 $2 $1

(7%) (3%) (1%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

145

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued) B. Intentional Fires Area of Origin Exterior stairway, ramp, or fire escape Crawl space or substructure space Unclassified structural area Hallway or corridor Vacant structural area Lawn, field or open area Ceiling/floor assembly or concealed space Exterior surface of vehicle Closet Bathroom Dining room Exterior roof surface Storage of supplies or tools Laundry room or area Unclassified storage area Wall assembly or concealed space Attic or ceiling/roof assembly or concealed space Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

2

(2%)

$0

(1%)

20

(2%)

2

(3%)

2

(2%)

$2

(3%)

20 20 20 10

(2%) (2%) (1%) (1%)

1 5 0 0

(1%) (7%) (0%) (0%)

3 3 0 1

(3%) (3%) (0%) (1%)

$1 $4 $0 $0

(1%) (6%) (1%) (0%)

10

(1%)

1

(2%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

10 10 10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 1 0 0

(0%) (0%) (1%) (0%) (0%)

0 1 1 1 0

(0%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (0%)

$0 $0 $1 $0 $0

(0%) (1%) (2%) (1%) (0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

2 1

(3%) (1%)

0 1

(0%) (1%)

$0 $0

(0%) (1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(1%)

30

(2%)

1

(1%)

1

(1%)

$1

(2%)

1,260

(100%)

74

(100%)

98

(100%)

$60

(100%)

* Excludes residential garage coded as separate property.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

146

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Area of Origin Garage* Kitchen Living room, family room, or den Laundry room or area Crawl space or substructure space Engine area, running gear or wheel area of vehicle Heating equipment room Unclassified outside area Unclassified storage area Unclassified structural area Exterior wall surface Storage room or area Courtyard, terrace or patio Storage of supplies or tools Unclassified function area Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Unclassified vehicle area Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Bedroom Lobby or entrance way Unclassified area of origin Maintenance or paint shop or area Lawn, field or open area Exterior stairway, ramp, or fire escape Exterior surface of vehicle Closet Bathroom

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

430 60

(37%) (5%)

6 1

(22%) (4%)

110 6

(49%) (3%)

$37 $1

(57%) (1%)

50 50

(5%) (4%)

2 3

(9%) (12%)

19 8

(8%) (4%)

$4 $1

(6%) (2%)

50

(4%)

2

(9%)

10

(4%)

$2

(3%)

50

(4%)

0

(0%)

4

(2%)

$3

(5%)

50

(4%)

3

(12%)

9

(4%)

$2

(4%)

40

(4%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(2%)

30 30 20

(3%) (2%) (2%)

3 0 0

(12%) (0%) (0%)

5 0 3

(2%) (0%) (1%)

$2 $0 $1

(2%) (1%) (1%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$0

(1%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(1%)

20

(2%)

1

(4%)

6

(3%)

$1

(2%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(1%)

$1

(2%)

20 10 10

(2%) (1%) (1%)

1 1 0

(4%) (4%) (0%)

3 11 3

(1%) (5%) (1%)

$1 $1 $0

(2%) (1%) (0%)

10

(1%)

1

(4%)

3

(1%)

$0

(0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(0%) (0%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

2 1 3

(1%) (0%) (1%)

$0 $1 $0

(0%) (1%) (0%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

147

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-5. Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Area of Origin Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

40

(3%)

1

(4%)

7

(3%)

$2

(3%)

1,150

(100%)

27

(100%)

227

(100%)

$65

(100%)

* Excludes residential garage coded as separate property. Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, metal, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

148

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-6. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting with Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Major Property Use Group

Property Use Group Storage Stores and offices Outside or special property Public assembly Residential Unclassified Industrial, utility, defense, agriculture, or mining Manufacturing Educational Health care or correction None or undetermined Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

730 420

(41%) (24%)

7 6

(35%) (30%)

71 53

(45%) (34%)

$25 $57

(24%) (56%)

280 110 90 30

(16%) (6%) (5%) (2%)

0 1 3 0

(0%) (6%) (13%) (0%)

14 1 4 3

(9%) (1%) (3%) (2%)

$2 $8 $4 $2

(2%) (8%) (4%) (2%)

30 20 20

(2%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

5 3 0

(3%) (2%) (0%)

$1 $1 $0

(1%) (1%) (0%)

10 20

(0%) (1%)

0 3

(0%) (16%)

2 2

(1%) (1%)

$0 $1

(0%) (1%)

1,790

(100%)

21

(100%)

157

(100%)

$102

(100%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

149

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-7. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, by Year

Year

Fires

Civilian Deaths

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) as Reported in 2011 Dollars

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

11,630 11,510 10,900 9,570 8,890

72 19 27 70 36

565 633 533 714 547

$103 $155 $135 $123 $78

$280 $382 $314 $278 $169

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

9,470 8,830 7,510 6,600 5,890

31 60 30 33 21

440 627 450 458 328

$131 $113 $98 $117 $89

$274 $232 $194 $222 $162

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

5,400 5,480 6,070 5,020 5,100

37 18 21 18 26

348 303 250 362 280

$107 $118 $179 $102 $115

$184 $195 $287 $159 $175

1995 1996 1997 1998

4,460 4,380 3,610 3,470

28 34 16 35

212 227 215 216

$110 $98 $77 $75

$162 $140 $107 $103

1999 2000 2001

3,730 3,630 2,590

42 21 0

259 369 204

$83 $146 $101

$112 $190 $128

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

2,610 2,490 2,360 2,280 1,730

12 18 20 13 30

171 157 169 147 127

$104 $109 $112 $95 $51

$130 $133 $133 $109 $56

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

2,050 1,700 1,820 1,800 1,560

11 38 17 13 30

147 157 188 178 119

$115 $103 $118 $94 $84

$125 $108 $124 $97 $84

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Also, because participation in NFIRS Version 5.0 was low in the early years (1999-2001), those estimates are especially volatile. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey. Inflation adjustments based on consumer price index.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

150

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source A. All Gasoline Fires Heat Source Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Cigarette lighter Match Unclassified heat from powered equipment Arcing Unclassified heat source Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Flame or torch used for lighting Incendiary device Backfire from internal combustion engine Heat or spark from friction Unclassified hot or smoldering object Smoking material Heat from direct flame or convection currents Hot ember or ash Multiple heat sources including multiple ignitions Unclassified static discharge Conducted heat from another fire Flying brand or ember or spark Molten or hot material Unclassified chemical or natural heat source Unclassified heat spread from another fire Other known heat source

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

390 210 180

(22%) (12%) (10%)

4 6 3

(18%) (29%) (15%)

45 20 2

(29%) (13%) (1%)

$25 $5 $5

(24%) (5%) (5%)

160 100

(9%) (5%)

1 2

(3%) (9%)

17 12

(11%) (8%)

$14 $10

(13%) (10%)

90

(5%)

3

(14%)

8

(5%)

$8

(8%)

90

(5%)

1

(5%)

8

(5%)

$6

(6%)

80 70

(4%) (4%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 1

(1%) (0%)

$1 $3

(1%) (3%)

70

(4%)

0

(0%)

5

(3%)

$3

(3%)

60

(3%)

1

(7%)

9

(6%)

$8

(8%)

60 40

(3%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

9 2

(6%) (1%)

$3 $1

(3%) (1%)

30 20

(2%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 2

(2%) (1%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(3%)

$4

(3%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

20 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 3

(1%) (2%)

$2 $1

(1%) (1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$2

(2%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

151

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source (Continued) A. All Gasoline Fires Heat Source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires 1,790

(100%)

21

(100%)

Civilian Injuries 157

(100%)

Direct Property Damage (in Millions) $102

(100%)

B. Intentional Fires Heat Source Cigarette lighter Match Incendiary device Flame or torch used for lighting Unclassified heat source Unclassified hot or smoldering object Multiple heat sources Hot ember or ash Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Smoking materials Heat from direct flame or convection currents Other known heat source* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

180 170 80

(31%) (29%) (15%)

7 3 0

(53%) (26%) (0%)

11 2 1

(52%) (10%) (3%)

$5 $4 $4

(17%) (13%) (12%)

40

(7%)

0

(0%)

1

(4%)

$1

(4%)

30

(4%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$4

(14%)

20 10 10

(3%) (2%) (2%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

3 1 0

(12%) (3%) (0%)

$0 $1 $0

(0%) (3%) (0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(8%) (0%)

1 0

(3%) (0%)

$2 $0

(7%) (1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

20

(3%)

2

(13%)

3

(14%)

$8

(27%)

580

(100%)

13

(100%)

21

(100%)

$31

(100%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

152

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Property Use Group Spark, ember or flame from operating equipment Unclassified heat from powered equipment Arcing Radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment Backfire from internal combustion engine Heat or spark from friction Unclassified heat source Cigarette lighter Unclassified hot or smoldering object Flame or torch used for lighting Heat from direct flame or convection currents Match Smoking materials Unclassified static discharge Conducted heat from another fire Flying brand, ember or spark Hot ember or ash Molten or hot material Unclassified chemical or natural heat source Unclassified heat spread from another fire Candle Other known heat source Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

380

(32%)

3

(33%)

46

(34%)

$22

(30%)

150 90

(13%) (8%)

1 2

(8%) (23%)

17 13

(12%) (9%)

$10 $10

(15%) (14%)

80

(7%)

1

(11%)

7

(5%)

$6

(8%)

70

(6%)

0

(0%)

6

(5%)

$3

(5%)

60 50 40

(5%) (4%) (4%)

0 2 0

(0%) (24%) (0%)

7 8 9

(5%) (6%) (6%)

$3 $4 $0

(5%) (6%) (1%)

40

(3%)

0

(0%)

6

(4%)

$2

(3%)

40

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30 30 20

(2%) (2%) (2%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

3 0 0

(2%) (0%) (0%)

$1 $0 $0

(1%) (1%) (0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(4%)

$4

(5%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

20 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

2 2 3

(1%) (1%) (2%)

$2 $0 $1

(2%) (0%) (2%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 2

(0%) (1%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

1,210

(100%)

9

(100%)

136

(100%)

$71

(100%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

153

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-8. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Heat Source (Continued) Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Heat Source reported as unknown or blank. Estimates for smoking material, match, lighter, candle, and other open flame sources include proportional shares of fires reported with Heat Source as “other” heat from open flame or smoking materials. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

154

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition A. All Gasoline Fires Equipment No equipment involved Yard equipment including snow blower * Generator, battery or other power source Lamp, light fixture or light bulb ** Portable or stationary space heater Grill Torch, burner or soldering equipment Water heater Unclassified equipment involved in ignition Internal combustion engine (nonvehicular) Power drill or screwdriver Pump Unclassified power tools Cigarette or pipe lighter Power sander, grinder, buffer, or polisher No equipment involved Other known equipment*** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

850

(48%)

10

(50%)

48

(31%)

$34

(33%)

180

(10%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$6

(6%)

110

(6%)

0

(0%)

7

(4%)

$3

(3%)

100

(6%)

3

(12%)

39

(25%)

$28

(28%)

100 70

(5%) (4%)

2 0

(11%) (0%)

14 2

(9%) (1%)

$5 $0

(5%) (0%)

70 50

(4%) (3%)

0 1

(0%) (3%)

15 3

(10%) (2%)

$7 $3

(7%) (3%)

50

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$3

(3%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$2

(2%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 4

(1%) (2%)

$4 $1

(4%) (1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

5

(3%)

$2

(2%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$0

(0%)

850

(48%)

10

(50%)

48

(31%)

$34

(33%)

90

(5%)

5

(23%)

10

(6%)

$4

(4%)

1,790

(100%)

21

(100%)

157

(100%)

$102

(100%)

* Most fires involving yard equipment specifically involved lawn mower, with snow blower having the next largest share. ** Most fires involving lamp, light fixture or light bulb specifically involved work or trouble lights. *** Leading equipment for deaths not shown above is charcoal lighter (22% of deaths).

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

155

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition (Continued) B. Intentional Fires Equipment No equipment involved Grill, hibachi, or barbecue Cigarette lighter Unclassified equipment Air conditioner Lawn mower Portable or stationary space heater Other known equipment* Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

830

(89%)

11

(70%)

38

(80%)

$48

(97%)

30 20

(4%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 5

(1%) (11%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

$0 $0 $0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

10

(1%)

5

(30%)

4

(8%)

$1

(1%)

930

(100%)

15

(100%)

47

(100%)

$49

(100%)

* Leading equipment involved in deaths not cited above is charcoal lighter (30%).

C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Equipment No equipment involved Transformer or power supply Lawn mower Lamp or light fixture Portable or stationary space heater Torch, burner or soldering equipment Water heater Unclassified equipment Unclassified kitchen or cooking equipment Leaf blower Grill, hibachi, or barbecue

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

270

(31%)

0

(0%)

24

(22%)

$9

(17%)

80 70 70

(9%) (8%) (8%)

0 0 2

(0%) (0%) (42%)

6 0 29

(5%) (0%) (27%)

$3 $4 $15

(5%) (7%) (29%)

60

(7%)

0

(0%)

9

(8%)

$4

(7%)

40 40

(5%) (4%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

13 2

(12%) (2%)

$3 $2

(6%) (4%)

30

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$2

(4%)

20 20

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 1

(1%) (1%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

156

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-9. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Equipment Involved in Ignition (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Equipment Internal combustion engine (nonvehicular) Unclassified shop or industrial equipment Unclassified power drill or screwdriver Pump Unclassified gardening tool or agricultural equipment Unclassified power tool Snow blower Unclassified heating, ventilating or air conditioning equipment Power sander, grinder, buffer, or polisher

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

10

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$5

(9%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 3

(2%) (3%)

$2 $0

(3%) (1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(1%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

4 1

(4%) (1%)

$1 $0

(2%) (1%)

10

(1%)

3

(58%)

4

(3%)

$1

(1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

50

(6%)

0

(0%)

9

(8%)

$2

(4%)

850

(100%)

6

(100%)

110

(100%)

$53

(100%)

Other known equipment Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Equipment Involved in Ignition reported as unknown or blank. Reports of no equipment involved are treated as unknown equipment unless Heat Source is coded as 40-99, indicating a known non-equipment Heat Source. Also, equipment reported with a code ending in two zeros is treated as a partial unknown and proportionally allocated (e.g., unclassified or unknown type cooking equipment. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

157

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition A. All Gasoline Fires Factor Flammable liquid or gas spilled Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified misuse of material or product Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Exposure fire Cutting or welding too close to combustible Leak or break Abandoned or discarded material Backfire Improper fueling technique Playing with heat source Arc or spark from operating equipment Improper container or storage Collision, knock down, or turn over Unclassified operational deficiency Outside or open fire for debris or waste disposal Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction Equipment not being operated properly Unspecified short circuit arc Improper fuel used

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

330

(19%)

8

(36%)

48

(31%)

$28

(27%)

190

(11%)

1

(6%)

23

(15%)

$7

(7%)

170

(10%)

3

(12%)

18

(12%)

$13

(12%)

160

(9%)

4

(17%)

7

(4%)

$6

(5%)

160

(9%)

3

(16%)

8

(5%)

$12

(12%)

100 90

(6%) (5%)

0 2

(0%) (9%)

5 1

(3%) (0%)

$5 $2

(5%) (2%)

90 80

(5%) (5%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

10 5

(6%) (3%)

$5 $5

(5%) (5%)

70 70

(4%) (4%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 4

(0%) (2%)

$0 $3

(0%) (2%)

60

(4%)

0

(0%)

10

(6%)

$2

(2%)

60

(3%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$0

(0%)

50

(3%)

0

(0%)

10

(6%)

$3

(3%)

50

(3%)

0

(0%)

7

(5%)

$6

(6%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

6

(4%)

$8

(7%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

4

(3%)

$1

(1%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 4

(1%) (3%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

158

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued) A. All Gasoline Fires Factor Unclassified fire spread or control Improper startup Equipment used for not intended purpose Other known factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(6%) (0%)

0 1

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$2

(2%)

60

(3%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$4

(4%)

1,790 1,960

(100%) (110%)

21 22

(100%) (103%)

157 180

(100%) (115%)

$102 $115

(100%) (113%)

90

(5%)

0

(0%)

13

(8%)

$6

(6%)

B. Intentional Fires Factor Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Unclassified misuse of material or product Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Flammable liquid or gas spilled Playing with heat source Abandoned or discarded material Outside or open fire for debris or waste disposal Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified fire spread or control Improper fuel used Other known factor

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

260

(28%)

4

(27%)

11

(23%)

$9

(18%)

220

(23%)

3

(20%)

16

(35%)

$17

(35%)

210

(22%)

2

(15%)

6

(12%)

$16

(32%)

100

(11%)

4

(25%)

7

(15%)

$3

(7%)

80

(9%)

0

(0%)

8

(17%)

$1

(1%)

50

(5%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

20

(3%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

2 0

(12%) (0%)

0 2

(0%) (5%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$7

(14%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

159

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued) B. Intentional Fires Factor Total Total factors All electrical failures or malfunctions

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

930 1,010

(100%) (108%)

15 15

(100%) (100%)

47 50

(100%) (107%)

$49 $53

(100%) (109%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Factor Flammable liquid or gas spilled Heat source too close to combustibles Unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction Cutting or welding too close to combustible Exposure fire Leak or break Unclassified misuse of material or product Improper fueling technique Backfire Abandoned or discarded material Improper container or storage Unclassified factor contributed to ignition Arc or spark from operating equipment Flammable liquid used to kindle fire Collision, knock down, or turn over Unclassified operational deficiency Equipment not being operated properly Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

170

(21%)

2

(37%)

35

(32%)

$18

(33%)

110

(13%)

1

(16%)

19

(17%)

$5

(9%)

60

(7%)

0

(0%)

4

(4%)

$4

(7%)

60 60 50

(7%) (7%) (6%)

0 1 0

(0%) (23%) (0%)

8 0 4

(7%) (0%) (4%)

$3 $1 $4

(6%) (2%) (7%)

50

(5%)

0

(8%)

10

(9%)

$2

(4%)

40 40

(5%) (5%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

7 3

(6%) (3%)

$1 $2

(3%) (4%)

40

(5%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(4%)

0

(0%)

6

(5%)

$5

(9%)

30

(4%)

1

(24%)

4

(4%)

$3

(6%)

30

(4%)

0

(0%)

8

(7%)

$2

(4%)

20

(3%)

0

(0%)

3

(3%)

$0

(0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

5

(5%)

$4

(8%)

20 10

(2%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 4

(1%) (3%)

$1 $1

(2%) (1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

160

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-10. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Factor Contributing to Ignition (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Factor Playing with heat source Unspecified short circuit arc Improper startup Washing part or painting with flammable liquid

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

2 0

(1%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(1%)

Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Factor Contributing to Ignition reported as none, unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

161

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin A. All Gasoline Fires Area of Origin Garage* Maintenance or paint shop or area Engine area, running gear or wheel area of vehicle Unclassified outside area Unclassified storage area Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Storage of supplies or tools Exterior wall surface Unclassified equipment or service area Lawn, field or open area Lobby or entrance way Unclassified area of origin Storage room, area, tank, or bin On or near highway, public way or street Unclassified structural area Unclassified vehicle area Unclassified means of egress Exterior roof surface Unclassified function area Office Multiple areas of origin Courtyard, terrace or patio Kitchen Unclassified service facility

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

400

(22%)

3

(15%)

55

(35%)

$19

(19%)

160

(9%)

3

(12%)

32

(21%)

$24

(24%)

130

(7%)

1

(5%)

9

(6%)

$5

(5%)

90

(5%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

90

(5%)

2

(10%)

5

(3%)

$3

(3%)

90

(5%)

0

(0%)

9

(6%)

$7

(7%)

70 60

(4%) (3%)

1 0

(6%) (0%)

4 1

(2%) (0%)

$2 $2

(2%) (2%)

50

(3%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$4

(3%)

50 40

(3%) (2%)

0 1

(0%) (4%)

0 1

(0%) (1%)

$0 $2

(0%) (2%)

40

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$0

(0%)

30

(2%)

0

(2%)

4

(3%)

$1

(1%)

30

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30

(2%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$2

(2%)

30

(2%)

2

(9%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

30 20

(2%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(1%) (0%)

$1 $0

(1%) (0%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

1 0

(3%) (0%)

3 1

(2%) (0%)

$2 $3

(1%) (2%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$2

(2%)

20 20

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

3 2

(2%) (1%)

$0 $1

(0%) (1%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

162

NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA

Table 7-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued) A. All Gasoline Filters Area Wildland area or woods Wall assembly or concealed space Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Heating equipment room Exterior surface of vehicle Cargo or trunk area of vehicle Living room, family room, lounge or den Bathroom, locker room or check room Shipping, receiving or loading area Exterior stairway, ramp, or fire escape Other known area of origin Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

1

(3%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(1%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

1

(3%)

0

(0%)

$1

(1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

1

(4%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

130

(7%)

5

(22%)

9

(6%)

$13

(13%)

1,790

(100%)

21

(100%)

157

(100%)

$102

(100%)

* May not include or be limited to garages coded as property use.

B. Intentional Fires Area Unclassified outside area Garage* Exterior wall surface Lawn, field or open area On or near highway, public way or street Lobby or entrance way

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

60 60 50

(10%) (10%) (8%)

0 1 0

(0%) (5%) (0%)

2 3 0

(7%) (16%) (0%)

$0 $2 $0

(0%) (7%) (1%)

40

(7%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

30 30

(5%) (4%)

0 1

(0%) (9%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $2

(0%) (5%)

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Table 7-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued) B. Intentional Fires Area Office Unclassified storage area Unclassified means of egress Exterior roof surface Multiple areas of origin Storage room, area, tank, or bin Unclassified area of origin Storage of supplies or tools Wildland area or woods Kitchen Bathroom, locker room or check room Common room, living room, family room, lounge or den Unclassified structural area Unclassified function area Exterior stairway, ramp, or fire escape Exterior surface of vehicle Sales or showroom area Small assembly area for fewer than 100 persons Shipping, receiving, or loading area Wall assembly or concealed space Exterior balcony or unenclosed porch Hallway, corridor, or mall

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

20

(4%)

0

(0%)

1

(3%)

$3

(9%)

20

(4%)

3

(22%)

2

(11%)

$2

(7%)

20 20

(3%) (3%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$1 $0

(3%) (1%)

20

(3%)

0

(0%)

1

(5%)

$2

(6%)

20

(3%)

1

(5%)

2

(11%)

$1

(2%)

20

(3%)

0

(0%)

3

(12%)

$0

(0%)

10

(2%)

2

(14%)

1

(2%)

$1

(3%)

10 10

(2%) (2%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 1

(0%) (2%)

$0 $1

(0%) (3%)

10

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(2%)

1

(8%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

10

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(2%)

0

(0%)

1

(4%)

$1

(3%)

10

(1%)

1

(9%)

1

(5%)

$1

(4%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

1

(5%)

1

(3%)

$1

(5%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(3%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$1

(2%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(2%)

$0

(0%)

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Table 7-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued) B. Intentional Fires Area Vacant structural area Courtyard, terrace or patio Other known area of origin** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

50

(9%)

3

(22%)

3

(16%)

$10

(31%)

580

(100%)

13

(100%)

21

(100%)

$31

(100%)

* May not include all or only garages coded as property use. ** Leading area of origin for deaths not shown above are ceiling/floor assembly or concealed space (12%) and bedroom (11%).

C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Area Garage* Maintenance or paint shop or area Engine area, running gear or wheel area of vehicle Fuel tank or fuel line of vehicle Unclassified storage area Unclassified equipment or service area Storage of supplies or tools Unclassified outside area Unclassified vehicle area Unclassified area of origin Unclassified structural area

Civilian Deaths

Fires

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

330

(28%)

2

(24%)

51

(38%)

$17

(24%)

150

(13%)

0

(0%)

34

(25%)

$25

(35%)

130

(11%)

1

(17%)

9

(6%)

$5

(7%)

80

(7%)

0

(0%)

9

(6%)

$5

(7%)

70

(6%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

50

(5%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$3

(4%)

50

(4%)

0

(0%)

4

(3%)

$1

(1%)

40

(3%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$1

(2%)

30

(2%)

3

(31%)

1

(1%)

$1

(1%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

20

(2%)

0

(0%)

2

(2%)

$2

(3%)

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Table 7-11. Non-Home Structure Fires Starting With Ignition of Gasoline, 2007-2011 Annual Averages, by Area of Origin (Continued) C. Fires That Were Not Intentional Area Unclassified service facility Storage room, area, tank, or bin Courtyard, terrace or patio Heating equipment room Lawn, field or open area Exterior wall surface Cargo or trunk area of vehicle Unclassified function area Kitchen Laboratory Unclassified means of egress Laundry or mail chute Wall assembly or concealed space Processing or manufacturing area or workroom Trash chute, area or container

Civilian Injuries

Direct Property Damage (in Millions)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$2

(2%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(2%)

$0

(0%)

20

(1%)

0

(0%)

3

(2%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$2

(2%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

0 1

(0%) (0%)

$0 $2

(0%) (2%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

1

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10 10 10

(1%) (1%) (1%)

0 0 0

(0%) (0%) (0%)

1 1 1

(1%) (1%) (0%)

$1 $0 $0

(1%) (0%) (0%)

10 10

(1%) (1%)

0 0

(0%) (0%)

1 0

(1%) (0%)

$0 $0

(0%) (0%)

10

(1%)

1

(11%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

2

(1%)

$1

(1%)

10

(1%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

$0

(0%)

0

(0%)

0

(0%)

6

(5%)

$2

(3%)

1,210

(100%)

9

(100%)

136

(100%)

$71

(100%)

Other known area of origin** Total

Civilian Deaths

Fires

* May not include or be limited to garages coded as property use. ** Leading area for deaths not shown above is passenger area of vehicle (18% of deaths). Note: These are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments and so exclude fires reported only to Federal or state agencies or industrial fire brigades. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with type of material first ignited unknown or blank. From 1999 on, separate analysis is conducted on fires reported as confined fires (confined to cooking vessel, chimney or flue, fuel burner or boiler, trash, incinerator, or compactor) or reported as item first ignited 70-99, because reporting of type of material first ignited is not required in either circumstance. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of one unusually serious fire. Fires are rounded to the nearest ten, civilian death and injuries to the nearest one, and direct property damage to the nearest million dollars. Estimates include proportional shares of fires with Area of Origin reported as unknown or blank. Source: NFIRS and NFPA survey.

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Appendix A. How National Estimates Statistics Are Calculated The statistics in this analysis are estimates derived from the U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual survey of U.S. fire departments. NFIRS is a voluntary system by which participating fire departments report detailed factors about the fires to which they respond. Roughly two-thirds of U.S. fire departments participate, although not all of these departments provide data every year. Fires reported to federal or state fire departments or industrial fire brigades are not included in these estimates. NFIRS provides the most detailed incident information of any national database not limited to large fires. NFIRS is the only database capable of addressing national patterns for fires of all sizes by specific property use and specific fire cause. NFIRS also captures information on the extent of flame spread, and automatic detection and suppression equipment. For more information about NFIRS visit http://www.nfirs.fema.gov/. Copies of the paper forms may be downloaded from http://www.nfirs.fema.gov/documentation/design/NFIRS_Paper_Forms_2008.pdf. NFIRS has a wide variety of data elements and code choices. The NFIRS database contains coded information. Many code choices describe several conditions. These cannot be broken down further. For example, area of origin code 83 captures fires starting in vehicle engine areas, running gear areas or wheel areas. It is impossible to tell the portion of each from the coded data. Methodology may change slightly from year to year. NFPA is continually examining its methodology to provide the best possible answers to specific questions, methodological and definitional changes can occur. Earlier editions of the same report may have used different methodologies to produce the same analysis, meaning that the estimates are not directly comparable from year to year. NFPA’s fire department experience survey provides estimates of the big picture. Each year, NFPA conducts an annual survey of fire departments which enables us to capture a summary of fire department experience on a larger scale. Surveys are sent to all municipal departments protecting populations of 50,000 or more and a random sample, stratified by community size, of the smaller departments. Typically, a total of roughly 3,000 surveys are returned, representing about one of every ten U.S. municipal fire departments and about one third of the U.S. population. The survey is stratified by size of population protected to reduce the uncertainty of the final estimate. Small rural communities have fewer people protected per department and are less likely to respond to the survey. A larger 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. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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population that it makes sense to survey all of them. Most respond, resulting in excellent precision for their part of the final estimate. 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 in NFIRS; (2) the number of on-duty firefighter injuries, by type of duty and nature of illness; 3) the number and nature of nonfire incidents; and (4) 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 results of the survey are published in the annual report Fire Loss in the United States. To download a free copy of the report, visit http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/OS.fireloss.pdf. Projecting NFIRS to National Estimates As noted, NFIRS is a voluntary system. Different states and jurisdictions have different reporting requirements and practices. Participation rates in NFIRS are not necessarily uniform across regions and community sizes, both 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 database -- 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. Scaling ratios are obtained by comparing NFPA’s projected totals of residential structure fires, non-residential structure fires, vehicle fires, and outside and other fires, and associated civilian deaths, civilian injuries, and direct property damage with comparable totals in NFIRS. Estimates of specific fire problems and circumstances are obtained by multiplying the NFIRS data by the scaling ratios. Reports for incidents in which mutual aid was given are excluded from NFPA’s analyses. Analysts at the NFPA, the USFA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission developed the specific basic analytical rules used for this procedure. "The National Estimates Approach to U.S. Fire Statistics," by John R. Hall, Jr. and Beatrice Harwood, provides a more detailed explanation of national estimates. Version 5.0 of NFIRS, first introduced in 1999, used a different coding structure for many data elements, added some property use codes, and dropped others. The essentials of the approach described by Hall and Harwood are still used, but some modifications have been necessary to accommodate the changes in NFIRS 5.0. Figure A.1 shows the percentage of fires originally collected in the NFIRS 5.0 system. Each year’s release version of NFIRS data also includes data collected in older versions of NFIRS that were converted to NFIRS 5.0 codes.

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Figure A.1. Fires Originally Collected in NFIRS 5.0 by Year 100%

88%

94%

94%

97%

99%

100%

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

79%

80% 65% 60%

48%

40% 21% 20%

7%

0% 1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

From 1999 data on, analyses are based on scaling ratios using only data originally collected in NFIRS 5.0: NFPA survey projections NFIRS totals (Version 5.0) For 1999 to 2001, the same rules may be applied, but estimates for these years in this form will be less reliable due to the smaller amount of data originally collected in NFIRS 5.0; they should be viewed with extreme caution. NFIRS 5.0 introduced six categories of confined structure fires, including:  cooking fires confined to the cooking vessel,  confined chimney or flue fires,  confined incinerator fire,  confined fuel burner or boiler fire or delayed ignition,  confined commercial compactor fire, and  trash or rubbish fires in a structure with no flame damage to the structure or its contents. Although causal and other detailed information is typically not required for these incidents, it is provided in some cases. Some analyses, particularly those that examine cooking equipment, heating equipment, fires caused by smoking materials, and fires started by playing with fire, may examine the confined fires in greater detail. Because the confined fire incident types describe certain scenarios, the distribution of unknown data differs from that of all fires. Consequently, allocation of unknowns must be done separately. Some analyses of structure fires show only non-confined fires. In these tables, percentages shown are of non-confined structure fires rather than all structure fires. This approach has the advantage of showing the frequency of specific factors in fire causes, but the disadvantage of possibly overstating the percentage of factors that are seldom seen in the confined fire incident types and of understating the factors specifically associated with the confined fire incident types. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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Other analyses include entries for confined fire incident types in the causal tables and show percentages based on total structure fires. In these cases, the confined fire incident type is treated as a general causal factor. For most fields other than Property Use and Incident Type, NFPA allocates unknown data proportionally among known data. This approach assumes that if the missing data were known, it would be distributed in the same manner as the known data. NFPA makes additional adjustments to several fields. Casualty and loss projections can be heavily influenced by the inclusion or exclusion of unusually serious fire. In the formulas that follow, the term “all fires” refers to all fires in NFIRS on the dimension studied. The percentages of fires with known or unknown data are provided for non-confined fires and associated losses, and for confined fires only. Cause of Ignition: This field is used chiefly to identify intentional fires. “Unintentional” in this field is a specific entry and does not include other fires that were not intentionally set: failure of equipment or heat source, act of nature, or “other” (unclassified).” The last should be used for exposures but has been used for other situations as well. Fires that were coded as under investigation and those that were coded as undetermined after investigation were treated as unknown. Factor Contributing to Ignition: In this field, the code “none” is treated as an unknown and allocated proportionally. For Human Factor Contributing to Ignition, NFPA enters a code for “not reported” when no factors are recorded. “Not reported” is treated as an unknown, but the code “none” is treated as a known code and not allocated. Multiple entries are allowed in both of these fields. Percentages are calculated on the total number of fires, not entries, resulting in sums greater than 100%. Although Factor Contributing to Ignition is only required when the cause of ignition was coded as: 2) unintentional, 3) failure of equipment or heat source; or 4) act of nature, data is often present when not required. Consequently, any fire in which no factor contributing to ignition was entered was treated as unknown. In some analyses, all entries in the category of mechanical failure, malfunction (factor contributing to ignition 20-29) are combined and shown as one entry, “mechanical failure or malfunction.” This category includes: 21. Automatic control failure; 22. Manual control failure; 23. Leak or break. Includes leaks or breaks from containers or pipes. Excludes operational deficiencies and spill mishaps; 25. Worn out; 26. Backfire. Excludes fires originating as a result of hot catalytic converters; 27. Improper fuel used; Includes the use of gasoline in a kerosene heater and the like; and 20. Mechanical failure or malfunction, other.

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Entries in “electrical failure, malfunction” (factor contributing to ignition 30-39) may also be combined into one entry, “electrical failure or malfunction.” This category includes: 31. Water-caused short circuit arc; 32. Short-circuit arc from mechanical damage; 33. Short-circuit arc from defective or worn insulation; 34. Unspecified short circuit arc; 35. Arc from faulty contact or broken connector, including broken power lines and loose connections; 36. Arc or spark from operating equipment, switch, or electric fence; 37. Fluorescent light ballast; and 30. Electrical failure or malfunction, other. Heat Source. In NFIRS 5.0, one grouping of codes encompasses various types of open flames and smoking materials. In the past, these had been two separate groupings. A new code was added to NFIRS 5.0, which is code 60: “Heat from open flame or smoking material, other.” NFPA treats this code as a partial unknown and allocates it proportionally across the codes in the 61-69 range, shown below. 61. Cigarette; 62. Pipe or cigar; 63. Heat from undetermined smoking material; 64. Match; 65. Lighter: cigarette lighter, cigar lighter; 66. Candle; 67 Warning or road flare, fuse; 68. Backfire from internal combustion engine. Excludes flames and sparks from an exhaust system, (11); and 69. Flame/torch used for lighting. Includes gas light and gas-/liquid-fueled lantern. In addition to the conventional allocation of missing and undetermined fires, NFPA multiplies fires with codes in the 61-69 range by All fires in range 60-69 All fires in range 61-69 The downside of this approach is that heat sources that are truly a different type of open flame or smoking material are erroneously assigned to other categories. The grouping “smoking materials” includes codes 61-63 (cigarettes, pipes or cigars, and heat from undetermined smoking material, with a proportional share of the code 60s and true unknown data. Equipment Involved in Ignition (EII). NFIRS 5.0 originally defined EII as the piece of equipment that provided the principal heat source to cause ignition if the equipment malfunctioned or was used improperly. In 2006, the definition was modified to “the piece of equipment that provided the principal heat source to cause ignition.” However, much of the data predates the change. Individuals who have already been trained with the older definition may Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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not change their practices. To compensate, NFPA treats fires in which EII = NNN and heat source is not in the range of 40-99 as an additional unknown. To allocate unknown data for EII, the known data is multiplied by All fires (All fires – blank – undetermined – [fires in which EII =NNN and heat source 40-99]) In addition, the partially unclassified codes for broad equipment groupings (i.e., code 100 heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, other; code 200 - electrical distribution, lighting and power transfer, other; etc.) were allocated proportionally across the individual code choices in their respective broad groupings (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; electrical distribution, lighting and power transfer, other; etc.). Equipment that is totally unclassified is not allocated further. This approach has the same downside as the allocation of heat source 60 described above. Equipment that is truly different is erroneously assigned to other categories. In some analyses, various types of equipment are grouped together. Code Grouping Central heat

EII Code 132 133

NFIRS definitions Furnace or central heating unit Boiler (power, process or heating)

Fixed or portable space heater

131 123 124 141 142 143

Furnace, local heating unit, built-in Fireplace with insert or stove Heating stove Heater, excluding catalytic and oil-filled Catalytic heater Oil-filled heater

Fireplace or chimney

120 121 122 125 126 127

Fireplace or chimney Fireplace, masonry Fireplace, factory-built Chimney connector or vent connector Chimney – brick, stone or masonry Chimney-metal, including stovepipe or flue

Fixed wiring and related equipment

210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219

Unclassified electrical wiring Electrical power or utility line Electrical service supply wires from utility Electric meter or meter box Wiring from meter box to circuit breaker Panel board, switch board or circuit breaker board Electrical branch circuit Outlet or receptacle Wall switch Ground fault interrupter

Transformers and power supplies

221 222 223 224 225

Distribution-type transformer Overcurrent, disconnect equipment Low-voltage transformer Generator Inverter

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226 227 228 229

Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) Surge protector Battery charger or rectifier Battery (all types)

Lamp, bulb or lighting

230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 241 242 243 244

Unclassified lamp or lighting Lamp-tabletop, floor or desk Lantern or flashlight Incandescent lighting fixture Fluorescent light fixture or ballast Halogen light fixture or lamp Sodium or mercury vapor light fixture or lamp Work or trouble light Light bulb Nightlight Decorative lights – line voltage Decorative or landscape lighting – low voltage Sign

Cord or plug

260 261 262 263

Unclassified cord or plug Power cord or plug, detachable from appliance Power cord or plug- permanently attached Extension cord

Torch, burner or soldering iron

331 332 333 334

Welding torch Cutting torch Burner, including Bunsen burners Soldering equipment

Portable cooking or warming equipment

631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 641

Coffee maker or teapot Food warmer or hot plate Kettle Popcorn popper Pressure cooker or canner Slow cooker Toaster, toaster oven, counter-top broiler Waffle iron, griddle Wok, frying pan, skillet Breadmaking machine

Equipment was not analyzed separately for confined fires. Instead, each confined fire incident type was listed with the equipment or as other known equipment. Item First Ignited. In most analyses, mattress and pillows (item first ignited 31) and bedding, blankets, sheets, and comforters (item first ignited 32) are combined and shown as “mattresses and bedding.” In many analyses, wearing apparel not on a person (code 34) and wearing apparel on a person (code 35) are combined and shown as “clothing.” In some analyses, flammable and combustible liquids and gases, piping and filters (item first ignited 60-69) are combined and shown together. Area of Origin. Two areas of origin: bedroom for more than five people (code 21) and bedroom for less than five people (code 22) are combined and shown as simply “bedroom.” Chimney is no longer a valid area of origin code for non-confined fires. Fires Starting With Flammable Gas or Flammable or Combustible Liquid, 2/14

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Rounding and percentages. The data shown are estimates and generally rounded. An entry of zero may be a true zero or it may mean that the value rounds to zero. Percentages are calculated from unrounded values. It is quite possible to have a percentage entry of up to 100% even if the rounded number entry is zero. The same rounded value may account for a slightly different percentage share. Because percentages are expressed in integers and not carried out to several decimal places, percentages that appear identical may be associated with slightly different values. Additional Information for Report Reporting of Type of Material First Ignited is not required if Item First Ignited is coded in the range of 70 to 99. As with confined fires, the field is nevertheless reported for many fires, but the percentage of unknowns and blanks is higher. Fires are analyzed separately for (1) nonconfined structure fires, (2) confined structure fires, (3) vehicle fires, (4) outdoor or other vegetation fires, and (5) outdoor or other non-vegetation fires (principally trash). In addition, fires are analyzed separately for Item First Ignited 70-99 and Item First Ignited not in 70-99. Here are the percentages of unknowns and blanks for these 10 categories of fires, for home and non-home fires. Item First Ignited 70-99 Home Non-Home Non-confined structure fires Confined structure fires Vehicle fires Outdoor/other vegetation Outdoor/other non-vegetation

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50% 51% 61% 68% 57%

57% 48% 63% 73% 56%

174

Item First Ignited Not 70-99 Home Non-Home 45% 94% 65% 77% 89%

52% 94% 69% 87% 93%

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