Report: NFPA's "Structure Fires in Residential Board and Care Facilities" (PDF)
Author: Marty Ahrens
Issued: July 2016
This report examines causes and circumstances of structure fires in residential board and care facilities, assisted living, and related properties reported to local fire departments in the U.S. Trend data is provided for the past decade. Previously published incident descriptions are also included.
Report highlights
- During 2009-2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 1,830 structure fires in residential board and care facilities or similar properties per year. These fires caused annual averages of six civilian deaths, 46 civilian injuries, and $8.4 million in direct property damage.
- Cooking equipment was involved in 83% of the fires in these properties, including three-quarters (77%) of board and care fires coded as cooking fires confined to the object of origin.
- Overall, 88% of fires in these properties did not spread beyond the object of origin.
- Fires in residential board and care facilities peaked between 4:00 and 6:00 pm.
