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Home Heating Fires Richard Campbell January 2021

Copyright © 2021 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) Key Findings Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment Municipal fire departments in the US responded to an estimated annual • Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in US homes. average of 48,530 home structure fires caused by heating equipment in • Home fires involving heating equipment follow a clear seasonal 2014–2018. These fires resulted in an estimated 500 civilian deaths; pattern and are most common during the cold weather months. 1,350 civilian injuries; and $1.1 billion in direct property damage each • Municipal fire departments in the US responded to an estimated year. annual average of 48,530 home structure fires caused by heating equipment in 2014–2018. Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in US homes. Heating • Heating equipment fires resulted in an estimated 500 civilian equipment caused one in seven home structure fires (14%) that took place deaths; 1,350 civilian injuries; and $1.1 billion in direct property in 2014–2018, while also accounting for one-fifth (19%) of the home fire damage each year in 2014–2018. fatalities, one in seven injuries (12%), and 15 percent of the direct • Heating equipment caused one in seven home structure fires (14%) property damage resulting from home fires in 2014–2018, as shown in that took place in 2014–2018. Figure 1. • These fires also accounted for one-fifth (19%) of home fire Figure 1. Share of Home Structure Fires Caused by Heating fatalities, one in seven injuries (12%), and 15 percent of the direct Equipment, 2014–2018 Annual Averages

property damage resulting from home fires in 2014–2018. 20% 19% • Space heaters were most often responsible for the home heating 15% equipment fires, accounting for more than two in five fires, as well 15% 14% as the vast majority of the deaths and injuries in home fires caused 12% by heating equipment. 10% • Approximately two in five home heating equipment fires involved heating equipment that relied upon a solid , such as wood- 5% burning or pellet or wood-burning . • Failure to clean equipment was the leading factor contributing to 0% home fires involving heating equipment and accounted for a Fires Civilian Deaths Civilian Injuries Direct Property Damage quarter of all the heating equipment fires. • A frequent cause of fires was the ignition of creosote, a Types of Heating Equipment Involved in Home Fires highly combustible by-product of wood fires that can be deposited Space heaters were most often responsible for the home heating on the lining of chimney walls. equipment fires, accounting for more than two in five fires, as well as the • Home fires caused by heating equipment were less likely to occur vast majority of deaths (81%) and injuries (80%) in home fires caused by in the overnight hours from midnight to 8 a.m., but these fires heating equipment. Space heaters were also responsible for over half of accounted for nearly half of the fatalities, as well as a the direct property damage from home heating fires. disproportionate share of the injuries and direct property damage.

NFPA Research • pg. 1

The leading types of heating equipment involved in home heating Figure 2. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Type of equipment fires are shown in Figure 2. More detailed information on the Equipment, 2014–2018 Annual Averages types of heating equipment and associated losses can be found in Table 5 90% 81% 80% in the Supporting Tables for this report. 80% Fireplaces or chimneys were involved in approximately three in 10 fires 70% caused by heating equipment (29%). The vast majority of these fires 60% 54% were classified as confined fires that were limited in scope and did not 50% 44% extend beyond the chimney. As a result, fires caused by fireplaces or 40% chimneys resulted in a comparatively smaller share of deaths (9%) and 29% injuries (5%). 30% 23% 20% 12% Other leading types of heating equipment involved in home heating 9% 7% 10% 8% 9% 10% 5% 5% 4% equipment fires included systems and water heaters, with 1% each accounting for approximately one in 10 heating equipment fires. 0% Fixed or portable or Central heat Water heater These fires were responsible for a comparatively smaller share of deaths, chimney injuries, and direct property damage. Fires Civilian Deaths Civilian Injuries Direct Property Damage

Kerosene heater blamed for fire that kills three children

A fire that claimed the lives of three children started when a heater Trends in Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment was tipped over and ignited carpet and paneling, with the fire rapidly spreading through the residence. The number of home fires involving heating equipment has followed a distinct, though somewhat inconsistent, downward trend since 2002, as

The fire department was notified of the blaze by a 911 call from the shown in Figure 3. From over 70,000 heating equipment fires each year in children’s mother. 2002–2003, the estimated number of heating equipment fires has fallen to

The fire department indicated that the mother was trying to move the heater fewer than 50,000 a year since 2015, with the 43,620 estimated fires in

when it tipped over. According to newspaper reports, the exit was blocked 2017 representing a new low. Improvements in safety standards, such as by the fire and the mother straddled a window while trying to get the children out but fell out the window and was unable to get back inside. those requiring automatic cut-off devices that turn off electric or kerosene space heaters when they tip over and more guarding around the heating Firefighters arrived at the structure, a manufactured home, and used a hose coils of electric heaters and burners of kerosene heaters, are likely to have line in their initial attack on the fire. Reports indicated that the hose line

provided a quick knockdown. The children had succumbed to their injuries influenced the decline in the number of home heating fires. More

by the time crews gained entry. complete information on home fires involving heating equipment by year

is available in Table 1 in the Supporting Tables report. The fire department indicated that the family was using the in order to save money on heating bills.

Source: “Firewatch,” NFPA Journal, January/February 2017. NFPA Research • pg. 2

Figure 3. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Year, Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Time of Day 2002–2018 Annual Averages 80,000 73,600 Home fires caused by heating equipment were less likely to occur in the overnight hours from midnight to 8 a.m. (19% of total), but fires in that time 70,000 period accounted for nearly half of the fatalities (48%), as well as a 60,000 disproportionate share of the injuries (28%) and direct property damage (28%), as shown in Figure 2. 50,000 47,270 Occupants have less time to respond to fires in the overnight hours when 40,000 they are likely to be asleep and farther away from areas of egress, underscoring the importance of equipping residences with detection systems 30,000 that provide early warning.

20,000 The peak period for fires was the four-hour period from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 which accounted for nearly three in 10 fires (27%). These fires resulted in a smaller share of deaths (9%), injuries (20%), and direct property damage Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Month (20%), likely because people were awake and in the room or in a nearby Home fires involving heating equipment follow a clear seasonal pattern area. Figure 5 shows that one-fifth of the fires occurred between 8 p.m. and and are highest during the cold weather months. As shown in Figure 4, midnight, but most of these occurred between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., as nearly half (48%) of the heating equipment fires in 2014–2018 occurred indicated in Table 4 in the Supporting Tables report. in January, February, and December, while a much smaller share of the Figure 5. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Time of Day, fires (12%) occurred in the warm weather months of June through 2014–2018 Annual Averages September. Generally, the deaths, injuries, and direct property damage 30% 27% associated with these fires followed the same pattern as the distribution of 25% 23% 24% fires, as shown in Table 2 in the Supporting Tables report. 25% 20% 20% 19% 19% 20% 20% Figure 4. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Month, 20% 17% 17% 16% 16% 2014–2018 Annual Averages 15% 16% 15% 25% 15% 13% 12% 10% 10% 20% 9% 8% 9% 20% 10% 15% 15% 13% 5% 12% 11%

10% 0% 7% 6% Midnight - 4 4 a.m. - 8 8 a.m. - Noon - 4 4 p.m. - 8 8 p.m. - 4% a.m. a.m. Noon p.m. p.m. Midnight 5% 3% 3% 3% 3% Fires Civilian deaths Civilian Injuries Direct Property Damage 0% NFPA Research • pg. 3

Factors That Contributed to Home Fires Involving Heating Areas of Origin for Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment Equipment Heating equipment fires in homes most often originated in the kitchen or Failure to clean equipment was the leading factor contributing to home cooking area. While they accounted for approximately one in six of the fires involving heating equipment and accounted for a quarter of all the heating equipment fires, more than two in five injuries occurred in heating equipment fires. Most of these fires were confined fires, which kitchen fires (44%). Fires originating in the living room or family room limited the associated losses, as indicated in Figure 6. Fires in which a heat accounted for approximately one in 10 heating equipment fires, but source was too close to combustible materials were far more likely to almost two in five deaths (38%). Heating equipment fires originating in spread beyond the object of fire origin and were associated with the largest the bedroom represented a small share of the total but accounted for a share of civilian deaths and injuries, as well as direct property damage. disproportionate share of deaths (21%) and injuries (11%). The direct property damage from fires caused by heating equipment in a bedroom Anything that can burn should be kept at least three feet away from heating or wall assembly or concealed space (8%) was double their share of the equipment, whether it be a , fireplace, wood , or space heater. heating equipment fire total (4%). See Figure 7. Unattended equipment was determined to be a factor in fewer than one in Figure 7. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Area of Origin, 10 heating equipment fires (7%), but these fires accounted for one-fifth 2014–2018 Annual Averages (21%) of the heating equipment fire injuries. While unattended equipment 50% is not itself a direct cause of fire, fires can start or grow unnoticed when 45% 44% no one is present around fireplaces, stoves, or space heaters. 40% 38% Figure 6. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Factor 35% Contributing to Ignition, 2014–2018 Annual Averages 30% 25% 25% 21% Failure to clean 0% 2% 20% 5% 16% 16% 14% 15% 12% 12% 17% 11% 11% 11% 15% 10% 7% 8% 8% 8% 8% Mechanical failure or malfunction 8% 19% 4% 4% 5% 3% 0% 2% 1% 1% 1% 16% Heat source too close to 0% 50% Kitchen or Heating Living room, for Bedroom Wall combustibles 30% 31% cooking area equipment family room HVAC, cable, assembly or Fires room exhaust, concealed 9% heating space 13% Electrical failure or malfunction 7% Civilian Deaths 10% Fires Civilian Deaths Civilian Injuries Direct Property Damage Civilian Injuries 7% 11% Equipment unattended 21% Direct Property 11% Damage 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

NFPA Research • pg. 4

Type of Fuel or Power Source in Home Fires Involving Heating Type of Fuel or Power Source in Home Fires Involving Space Equipment Heaters Approximately two in five home heating equipment fires involved heating Space heaters accounted for the largest share of home fires involving equipment that relied upon a , such as wood-burning or pellet heating equipment in 2014–2018. Just over half of the space heaters stoves or wood-burning fireplaces. However, electric-powered heating involved in these fires relied upon electrical power (52%). The vast devices were the equipment responsible for the largest share of losses, majority of the space heater fires were non-confined fires. As indicated in accounting for more than half the fatalities, three in five injuries, and two- Table A, fires caused by electrical space heaters accounted for the vast fifths of the direct property damage. majority of the deaths, injuries, and direct property damage resulting from space heater fires. Space heaters that relied upon a solid fuel source Figure 8. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment by Fuel or Power Source, 2014–2018 Annual Averages accounted for a quarter of the space heater fires. Less than a quarter of the space heater fires relied upon a gas fuel (16%), but the majority of the 70% fires were non-confined incidents. 61% 60% Table A. Home Fires Involving Space Heaters by Fuel or Power Source, 54% 2014–2018 Annual Averages 50% 44% Direct 40% 38% 38% Civilian Civilian Property Equipment Power Fires Deaths Injuries Damage 28% 30% 26% 23% 25% Electrical 52% 57% 70% 56% 20% 18%17% Non-confined 48% 57% 70% 56% 8% Confined 4% 0% 0% 0% 10% 6% 5% 5% 3% Solid 25% 19% 5% 20% 0% Non-confined 8% 19% 5% 20% Solid Fuels Electrical Gas Fuels Liquid Fuels Confined 17% 0% 0% 0% Fires Civilian Deaths Civilian Injuries Direct Property Damage Gas Fuels 16% 17% 20% 20% Non-confined 13% 17% 19% 20%

Confined 3% 0% 1% 0% Liquid Fuels 6% 6% 5% 3% Non-confined 2% 6% 5% 3% Confined 4% 0% 0% 0%

NFPA Research • pg. 5

Type of Fuel or Power Source in Home Fires Involving Type of Fuel or Power Source in Home Fires Involving Fireplaces or Chimneys Central Heat Fireplaces or chimneys were involved in approximately three in 10 home Just over one in 10 home heating equipment fires involved central heating fires involving heating equipment in 2014–2018. These fires most often equipment. As Figure 10 indicates, electrical-powered and gas- or liquid- occurred in fireplaces or chimneys that relied upon a solid fuel source, fueled equipment accounted for sizeable shares of these fires. Equipment with only a small share of the fires involving equipment that was gas- powered by (38%) accounted for a somewhat disproportionate fueled or electrical, as indicated in Figure 9. share of deaths (50%), while gas-fueled equipment accounted for just over half of the civilian injuries. Few fires involving central heat were A frequent cause of chimney fires is the ignition of creosote, a highly powered by equipment using solid fuels. combustible by-product of wood fires that can be deposited on the lining of chimney walls. Annual inspection and maintenance of chimneys are Occasional maintenance of or by heating service important for reducing the risk of fire due to creosote buildup. Although professionals is important for detecting and repairing problems caused by the majority of chimney fires tend to be confined fire incidents, these fires the deterioration of equipment, such as the deterioration of the physical can present a challenge for firefighters. integrity of the .

Figure 10. Home Fires Involving Central Heat by Fuel or Power Figure 9. Home Fires Involving Fireplaces or Chimneys by Fuel or Source, 2014–2018 Annual Averages Power Source, 2014–2018 Annual Averages 60% 52% 50% 50% 100% 93% 91% 50% 46% 81% 42% 80% 74% 38% 40% 36% 34% 60% 30% 26%

40% 20% 22% 12% 20% 10% 8% 11% 4% 4% 4% 6% 2% 4% 2% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Solid Fuels Gas Fuels Electrical Electrical Gas Fuels Liquid Fuels Solid Fuels

Fires Civilian Deaths Civilian Injuries Direct Property Damage Fires Civilian Deaths Civilian Injuries Direct Property Damage

NFPA Research • pg. 6

Wood stove ashes start fatal fire Safety with Heating Equipment An elderly man suffered fatal injuries in a house fire that began when ashes from a wood stove ignited a cardboard box in which they were NFPA has identified a number of home safety practices that can help being stored. A friend of the resident called 911 after stopping by the to prevent fires caused by heating equipment. These include the

house and discovering the fire. following:

According to news reports, flames could be seen shooting from the • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating windows and roof of the house shortly after the fire was detected. equipment. Firefighters from at least six departments assisted in fighting the fire and • Maintain a three-foot kid-free zone around home fireplaces and were said to be at the scene for several hours. space heaters. Investigators indicated that the fire started in the , where the • Never use your oven to heat your home. wood stove was located, and spread via an open stairway to the main • Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating floor where the victim was located. The man was unable to escape due to poor health and was found in the doorway of the residence. equipment, water heaters, and central heating equipment according to local codes and manufacturer’s instructions. Source: “Firewatch,” NFPA Journal, January/February 2017. • Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected and cleaned every year by a qualified professional. Type of Fuel or Power Source in Home Fires Involving • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving a room or Water Heaters going to bed. Water heaters accounted for one in 10 of the home fires involving heating • Always use the appropriate type of fuel, as specified by the equipment, almost all of which were either electric-powered or gas-fueled manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters. equipment. Just under half of the fires were caused by gas-fueled water • Ensure that the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop embers from heaters, but these fires accounted for a substantially larger share of the flying into the room. Make sure that ashes are cool before placing deaths, injuries, and direct property damage, as shown in Figure 11. them in a bin for removal. Figure 11. Home Fires Involving Water Heaters by Fuel or Power Source, 2014–2018 Annual Averages 100% 81% 80% 65% 60% 60% 53% 46% 40% 40% 35% 19% 20% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% Fires Civilian Deaths Civilian Injuries Direct Property Damage Electrical Gas Fuels Liquid Fuels NFPA Research • pg. 7

Acknowledgments The National Fire Protection Association thanks all the fire departments and state fire authorities who participate in the NFIRS and the annual NFPA Fire Experience Survey. These firefighters are the original sources of the detailed data that makes this analysis possible. Their contributions allow us to estimate the size of the fire problem. We are also grateful to the US Fire Administration for its work in developing, coordinating, and maintaining the NFIRS. To learn more about research at NFPA, visit nfpa.org/research. Email: [email protected]

NFPA No. USS10

NFPA Research • pg. 8