Fires in health care facilities

Report: NFPA's "Structure Fires in Health Care Facilities"
Author: Richard Campbell
Issued: October 2017

Report and fact sheet

Structure Fires in Health Care Facilities

The annual number of structure fires in health care properties reported to United States fire departments has followed a moderate downward trend since 2003. After falling between 2003 and 2010, the estimated number of fires has increased each year since 2011. The greatest share of these fires occurred in nursing homes, followed by mental health facilities, hospitals or hospices, and clinics or doctor’s offices.

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Fact sheet

This printable fact sheet includes quick stats from the Files in Health Care Facilities report.

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Report highlights

• In 2011-2015, United States fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 5,750 structure fires in health care properties each year.

• These fires caused annual averages of two civilian deaths, 157 civilian injuries, and $50.4 billion in direct property damage.

• Fires in nursing homes accounted for a disproportionately higher share of civilian injuries, but a smaller share of direct property damage, relative to other health care facilities.

Related information

• "Hospital or hospice fires" fact sheet (PDF), 2016
• "Nursing home fires" fact sheet (PDF), 2016
• "Major Hospital Fires" report (PDF), 2012

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