US Fire Administration Releases Civilian Fire Fatility Report

Here's a link to the US Fire Administration /FEMA Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) Report.

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/media/press/2012releases/031412.shtm

It's pretty much what you would expect, but there are some interesting facts included. According to the report:

Ninety-two percent of all civilian fatalities in residential building fires involve thermal burns and smoke inhalation.

The leading specific location where civilian fire fatalities occur in residential buildings is the bedroom (55 percent).

Fifty percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This period also accounts for 47 percent of fatal fires.

Thirty-six percent of fire victims in residential buildings were trying to escape at the time of their deaths; an additional 35 percent were sleeping.

"Other unintentionally set, careless" actions and "smoking" (each accounting for 16 percent) are the leading causes of fatal residential building fires.

Approximately 44 percent of civilian fatalities in residential building fires are between the ages of 40 and 69. Thirteen percent of the fire fatalities in residential buildings were less than 10 years old.

Two interesting facts that seem to be missing --

How many fatalities were in structures that had working smoke alarms? My guess is not very many. Smoke alarms usually give occupants enough warning to wake up and get out of the structure safely.

How many fatalities were in structures that had working fire sprinklers? My guess is none. Other than a firefighter that was killed by a structural collapse caused by water loading while fighting a fire, I don't recall every hearing of a fatality in a dwelling what was equipped with fire sprinklers.

Moderator