U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Data Center Fire in the United States Thirteenth Edition 1992–2001 Thirteenth Edition October 2004 FA–286 October 2004 United States Fire Administration/National Fire Data Center Fire in the United States 1992–2001 Thirteenth Edition Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency United States Fire Administration National Fire Data Center U.S. Fire Administration Mission Statement As an entity of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the United States Fire Administration is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies through leadership, advocacy, coordination, and support. We serve the Nation independently, in coordination with other Federal agencies and in partnership with fire protection and emergency service communities. With a commitment to excellence, we provide public education, training, technology, and data initiatives. On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the Nation for all hazards and effectively manage Federal response and recovery efforts following any national inci- dent. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program, and the U.S. Fire Administration. Cover Photo Courtesy Wayne Tomblinson http://www.amazingfirephotos.com Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. 1 Purpose and Scope. 1 Losses by Property Type. 2 Residential Properties. 3 Non-Residential Properties. 5 Detection and Extinguishment Systems. 6 Ethnic, Age, and Gender Characteristics of Victims. 8 Firefighter Casualties. 9 Regional and State Profiles. 10 Conclusions. 10 CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION. 13 Sources. 14 National Fire Incident Reporting System. 14 Uses of NFIRS. 19 Methodology. 20 September 11, 2001 Casualties. 20 National Estimates. 20 Unknowns. 21 Adjusted Percentages. 21 Representativeness of the Sample. 21 NFIRS 5.0 Changes. 22 Trend Data. 23 Cause Categories. 24 Rounding. 25 Differences Between NFIRS and NFPA Data. 26 Unreported Fires. 26 Organization of Report. 26 CHAPTER 2 – THE NATIONAL FIRE PROBLEM. 29 Overview. 29 The Broader Context. 31 U.S. Fire Deaths Versus Other Nations. 33 Total Cost of Fire. 33 Fire Casualties by Population Group. 34 State and Regional Profiles. 34 Gender. 39 Age. 42 Ethnic Groups. 44 iii iv FIRE IN THE UNITED STATES: 1992–2001 Kinds of Properties Where Fires Occur. 46 Property Types. 46 Trends. 48 Losses. 50 Causes of Fires and Fire Losses. 51 USFA Resources on the National Fire Problem. 54 CHAPTER 3 – RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. 59 Overview. 59 Types of Residences. 61 Causes. 62 Cause Trends. 64 Smoke Alarm Performance. 70 Presence of Automatic Extinguishing Systems. 72 When Fires Occur. 72 One- and Two-Family Homes. 74 Overview of Trends. 75 When Fires Occur. 75 Causes. 75 Cause Trends. 79 Area of Fire Origin. 81 Smoke Alarm Performance. 81 Presence of Automatic Extinguishing Systems. 83 Mobile Homes Used as Fixed Residences. 83 Apartments. 87 Trends. 88 Causes. 88 Cause Trends. 91 Smoke Alarm Performance. 91 Presence of Automatic Extinguishing Systems. 93 When Fires Occur. 94 Room of Fire Origin. 96 Other Residential Properties. 97 Trends. 97 Property Types. 97 Causes. 97 Hotels and Motels. 99 USFA Resources on Fires in Residences. 102 Publications. ..