Structure Fires in Medical and Mental Health Facilities

Overview of the fire problem in medical, mental health and substance abuse facilities. The report includes trend tables and statistics reported by cause, time of day, day of week, month of year, equipment involved in ignition, heat source, item first ignited and area of origin. Also includes published incident descriptions, published articles.

Executive Summary

During 2003-2006, municipal fire departments responded to an estimated 3,750 structure fires annually. These fires resulted in an average of one civilian death, 57 civilian injuries, and $26.9 million in direct property damage. Of all structure fires, 0.7% occurs in health care facilities.

During the same time period, an estimated 2,140 outside and other fires were reported on these properties, annually. These outside and other fires caused an average of six civilian injuries and $0.7 million in direct property damage per year. An estimated 470 vehicle fires reported on these properties, annually, caused an average of three civilian injuries and $1.4 million in direct property damage per year. No civilian fire deaths were reported from any outside or vehicle fires reported on these properties. Almost half of the medical, mental health, and substance abuse facility structure fires occur in hospitals or hospice facilities.

Approximately 43% of medical, mental health, and substance abuse facility structure fires occur in hospitals or hospice facilities. Another 39% of structure fires occur in mental health or substance abuse facilities and finally, 19% occur in clinics or doctor’s offices. Seventy percent of the direct property damage in health care facilities occurs in clinics or doctor’s offices.