The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has released a special report regarding fatal residential structure fires with working smoke alarms. From 2001-2004, 391 fatal residential structure fires with working smoke alarms were reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), resulting in 452 civilian fire fatalities, according to the report.
“Each year an unacceptable number of American citizens lose their lives in residential structure fires where smoke alarms operated,” says Acting USFA Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson. “USFA has investigated the characteristics of the victims of these fires to better educate the public in taking preventative measures to reduce the risks involved with such fires.”
According to the report, alarms operated in 34 percent of fatal apartment fires and in 12 percent of fatal one- and two-family dwelling fires. Thirty-seven percent of the victims of fatal residential structure fires with working smoke alarms were sleeping at the time of their death. An additional 29 percent of victims were trying to escape the fire at the time of their fatal injury.
The report, Investigation of Fatal Residential Structure Fires With Operational Smoke Alarms, was developed by the USFA’s National Fire Data Center as part of its Topical Fire Research Series. The investigation results are based on data from the NFIRS for 2001-2004. The report examined residential structure fires with fatalities where smoke alarms operated, and addresses the characteristics of the fatalities.
“We know the value that smoke alarms, escape plans, child fire prevention programs and residential sprinklers can have on saving lives,” says Dickinson. “We continue to encourage all residents of this nation to take the steps necessary to ensure their homes are fire safe today.”
