Industrial and Manufacturing Facilities Statistics

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

Industrial Fire

During 2011–2015, an estimated 37,910 fires in industrial and manufacturing properties were reported to U.S. fire departments per year.

These included:

• 6,730 outside or unclassified
• 7,770 structure fires
• 3,410 vehicle fires
• An estimated $1.2 billion in property damage per year
• Structure fires are more common in manufacturing or processing properties, while vehicle fires are more common in agricultural properties.
• Electrical distribution and lighting equipment was involved in 24% of structure fires, and heating equipment was involved in another 16% of these fires.
• Hot ember or ash was the leading heat source in 15% of outside non-trash fires in industrial properties.
• Vehicle fires are more common in the fall months, particularly in October, likely due to harvesting activities.

During 2011-2015, there were an estimated 37,910 fires at industrial or manufacturing properties (including utility, defense, agriculture, and mining) reported to U.S. fire departments each year, with associated annual losses of 16 civilian deaths, 273 civilian injuries, and $1.2 billion in direct property damage. The vast majority of these fires (71%) occurred in outside or unclassified locations, with another 20% taking place in structures and 9% of the fires in vehicles. The 20% of fires taking place in structures accounted for the largest shares of losses in all categories – 49% of civilian deaths, 80% of civilian injuries, and 67% of direct property damage. Almost two-thirds (65%) of the combined industrial or manufacturing facility structure fires occurred specifically in manufacturing properties (as opposed to utility, industrial, defense, agriculture, and mining properties).