- Author
-
Twomey, E. R.
- Title
- Electrical Distribution and Lighting Equipment Involved in Home Structure Fires.
- Coporate
- National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA
- Keywords
-
building fires
|
lighting equipment
|
electrical distribution
|
fire statistics
|
electrical fires
|
structures
|
damage
|
NFIRS
|
fire departments
|
surveys
|
electrical equipment
|
death
|
injuries
|
electrical failure
|
ignition
- Identifiers
- wiring, switches, receptacles and outlets; light fixture, lamps, light bulbs and signs; cords and plugs; fuses, circuit breakers and other overcurrent protection devices; meters and meter boxes; transformers; non-home structure fires
- Abstract
- In 1999-2003, electrical distribution and lighting equipment were involved in an estimated 19,100 reported home structure fires per year. These fires caused an annual average of 140 civilian deaths, 610 civilian injuries, and $349 million in direct property damage. These statistics are national estimates derived from Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA's) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and NFPA's annual fire department experience survey. Fixed wiring, switches, receptacles and outlets account for the largest share of fires among major types of electrical distribution equipment, and account for the largest share of civilian fire deaths and injuries. Some type of electrical failure is the leading factor contributing to ignition in every group of electrical distribution equipment products except lighting.