National Fire Protection Association Blog

Work in Progress: America Burning at 40 - We need data!!

This is the second in a series of posts about the 40^th anniversary of America Burning and the related NFPA Journal article. The National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control was frustrated by how little was known about the causes and circumstances of fires. In the very first chapter, the Commission recommended “that a national fire data system be established to provide a continuing review and analysis of the entire fire problem. USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), the source of detailed information in most of NFPA’s statistical analyses, was the result.

The country also needed a better understanding of fire behavior and fire department productivity. This led to NIST’s Center for Fire Research and fire.gov – “Better firefighting through research.”

We still have data needs. Currently, NFPA is entering the public comment phase for the second draft of the proposed NFPA 950: Standard for Data Development and Exchange for the Fire Service and seeking input or proposals for the proposed NFPA 951: Guide to Building and Utilizing Digital Information.

What kinds of data or information do you use or need about fire? Where or how do you get it? What are the obstacles? How could we get better data?

 

 

Fire Protection Research Foundation releases report on lithium-ion batteries

The Fire Protection Research Foundation has released a report on a study of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The Foundation and its affiliated Property Insurance Research Group (PIRG) requested a study of the flammability of Li-ion batteries in bulk storage to inform the development of sprinkler protection criteria.

 

Video: Kathleen Almand, executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation provides an overview of the project.

The study was conducted in collaboration with commercial and industrial insurer FM Global and contained two test series conducted at their research facility. The first evaluated the free burn fire growth patterns of three types of common Li-ion batteries stored in cardboard cartons with an external ignition scenario. The second evaluated the performance of sprinklers in protecting analogous commodities. Videos from three fire tests, which were part of the research, can be viewed on YouTube.

It was learned through this project that cartoned Li-ion batteries burn similarly when compared to other cartoned commodities in the early stages of fire growth. This is valuable information in understanding how to protect this commodity in storage facilities. Precluding battery involvement in the fire prior to sprinkler actuation makes us optimistic that water-based suppression systems, similar to those that are typically recommended for a variety of storage scenarios, is a viable option for Li-ion battery storage.

The Foundation’s report, “Li-ion Batteries Hazard and Use Assessment Phase IIB: Flammability Characterization of Li-ion Batteries for Storage Protection” is a summary of the companion detailed testing report by FM Global.

Limo fire that killed five leaves many wondering how many people die in auto fires

Five women were tragically killed Saturday evening in a limousine fire that happened on a bridge above the San Francisco Bay, according to news reports.  The limo passengers were a bride-to-be and her friends out for a bachelorette party to celebrate an upcoming wedding. We have had many people reach out to us today for information on automobile fires. Does this incident leave you wondering about how often automobile fires happen and how many people die because of them?  

NFPA’s Fire Analysis & Research Division tracks vehicle fire statistics and estimates that on average, 17 automobile fires were reported per hour and these fires killed an average of four people every week in 2006-2010.  During the same period, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 152,300 automobile fires per year in 2006-2010. These fires caused an average of 209 civilian deaths, 764 civilian injuries, and $536 million in direct property damage. The top causal factor in automobile fires was “mechanical failure or malfunction” at 45 percent and leading the list for automobile fire deaths was “collision or overturn” at 60 percent.

Do you know what steps you can take to prevent a car fire or what to do if your car is on fire?  Visit www.nfpa.org/vehicles to check out our tip sheet and find out.  

Have you experienced a car fire? 

 

 

Home fires report released; On average, seven people die each day in U.S. home fires

NFPA’ s new report on home fires finds that seven people die each day, on average, in U.S. home fires. Cooking remains the most prevalent cause of home fires, with older adults the age group most likely to die in home fires.

The report, which uses five-year averages (in this case, from 2007-2011), showed that one-quarter of home fire deaths occur in the bedroom, the same amount as fires in the family room, living room or den.

Home fire deaths from fires in which no smoke alarms were present, or in which smoke alarms were present but did not operate, accounted for 60 percent of all home fire deaths.

Visit the NFPA site for the full report and fact sheet.

New report on total cost of fire

NFPA has just released the most recent report on the Total Cost of Fire in the United States. It finds that the cost of fire in 2010 is 38 percent higher than in 1980, at about $328 billion. However, the proportion of U.S. GDP has lessened by one-third, to 2.2 percent.

Among other things, the report finds that, although the core total cost of fire has increased by 45 percent since 1980 to total $108.4 billion, the economic loss due to fire decreased by 29 percent, totaling $14.8 billion. Also, human losses were estimated at $31.9 billion.

For the full report, and the fact sheet on the total cost of fire, please visit www.nfpa.org/TotalCost.

Advisory Panel members invited for new Foundation project on separation distances of hazardous materials

Separation distances are specified in many NFPA codes and standards and have been developed over a number of years with varying technical basis. The Fire Protection Research Foundation has initiated a project to revisit of the historical basis of selected requirements, and develop information and guidance which may inform a sound technical basis for adjusting these distances. 

We are seeking those with an interest and expertise in this field to serve on the project advisory panel, which will provide input, review and guidance to the project. If you have a background in hazard assessment, code enforcement related to hazardous materials and NFPA 400 or have other expertise to bring to the topic and are interested in serving, please respond to kalmand@nfpa.org

 - Kathleen Almand 

NFPA Journal looks at sprinklers and high-volume low-speed fans

How do high-volume low-speed (HVLS) fans affect the placement of sprinklers in buildings such as warehouses and other large, open spaces? According to Matt Klaus in his column "Heads Up" in the most recent issue of NFPA Journal, NFPA’s Technical Committee for Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria first discused he impact of HVLS fans before the publication of the 2010 edition of NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Because the committee had no data on the subject, however, the published standard included no design requirements. 

The following year, the Fire Protection Research Foundation stepped up to find some answers, setting up a project to study the effects of HVLS fans on sprinkler performance in full-scale testing scenarios. The findings of the study were presented to the discharge committee, which used the information to develop a new set of design rules pertaining to this equipment for the 2013 edition of NFPA 13.

For more, turn to page 28 in your March/April issue of NFPA Journal or read Matt's column on line.

NFPA Journal discusses a new crop of fire risks in homes

Whether it's flammable furniture or sustainable construction, today's homes present a series of fire safety challenges that warrant a closer examination. Last year, Kathleen Almand, executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation attended an event sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration that explored responses to these potential threats.

In her latest NFPA Journal column, Almand discusses how she and other researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Underwriters Laboratories, and other organizations outlined the dangers the fire service may face when responding to today's home fires. Another task was to develop an action plan that could guide future research on this issue.

"Much of the Foundation's research program already focuses on how new technology affects fire hazards and changes to NFPA codes and standards," says Almand. "Perhaps this new initiative will accelerate implementation of that work into the home fire safety arena."

Read the entire column in March/April edition of NFPA Journal.

NFPA collects fire experience data from thousands of U.S. fire departments

Each year, NFPA’s Fire Analysis and Research group sends out a fire experience survey to over 20,000 U.S. fire departments protecting larger communities with populations of 50,000 or more, and to a sample of departments protecting smaller communities to collect data on their fire experience.   Now through the end of May, the survey forms will be collected by mail and e-mail, and the results will produce estimates on the overall fire problem in the U.S.   Statistics on the number of fires and associated losses, fire department calls, data by region and community size, as well information on firefighter injuries will be published in the September/October issue of NFPA Journal and in the annual fire loss in the U.S. report.   Read more about the fire loss report. 

The survey would not be possible without the help of the U.S. fire departments and we are truly appreciative of the fire departments that receive a survey form and respond.

NFPA Journal tells how IKEA deals with fire protection challenges worldwide

The challenges the retail giant IKEA faces in the design, construction, maintenance, and protection of its stores around the world are enormous, according to Steve Wolin, P.E.

"IKEA’s own design standards help bring consistency to the level of safety in those stores, which are built to a wide variety of local construction requirements," says Wolin in his article "IKEA: Big Retailer Storage Hazard Challenge" in the latest issue of NFPA Journal. And IKEA’s desire to expand ensures that "fresh challenges are never far away." 

As part of its effort to provide the best protection possible for its stores and customers, IKEA co-sponsored a series of tests in 2012, organized through the Fire Protection Research Foundation, to develop protection criteria for exposed expanded plastics stored in racks. Those criteria would be considered for inclusion in NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and used in hundreds of IKEA stores around the world.