What is a leading cause of fires in commercial and residential buildings?

by Nils Deacon, Manager, Inspections and Rating Services

There are approximately 7,400 to 8,000 fires in commercial buildings each year in the US caused by electrical malfunctions and failures, according to the US Fire Administration (USFA).

Residential fires from these causes are even higher; over 31,000 average each year. Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) home fire data has tracked these specific electrical infrastructure fires and have found them to be terribly destructive. The fires resulted in an estimated 425 to 470 civilian deaths, over 1,100 injuries, and roughly $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion in direct property damage annually.

NFPA has determined that electrical distribution equipment is one of the main causes of these fires. This includes electrical panel boxes with circuit breakers, which are often in dedicated utility rooms.

Residential electrical fires are also generated from this cause, but from older wiring in the walls and ceilings, as well. There are an estimated 47 million homes in the US over 50 years old. This is known as the aging home problem. ESFI

Millions of these homes were built in the 1960s to 1980s and were equipped with various electrical distribution equipment. Many of these installations were not built to handle today’s power load requirements that include upgraded appliances and devices.

Warning signs include flickering lights, frequent tripping of circuit breakers, and cracked wiring. Underwriters should consider the age of the electrical systems and most recent upgrades in buildings they are considering for coverage.

DISCLAIMER: This information reflects the interpretation of MSO, Inc. with regard to NFPA Standards and Codes and other code sources. It does not represent these codes’ official position on the items discussed.

Modern commercial electrical panel