With a staggering 1,358,500 reported fires in the U.S. during 2022 alone, the critical importance of fire and life safety has never been more urgent.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the U.S. experienced 1,358,500 reported fires, a 4% increase from 2021, causing $15.9 billion in property damage
- Residential structure fires accounted for 45% of all structure fires in 2022, with 354,500 incidents resulting in 2,490 civilian deaths
- Cooking equipment caused 49% of residential fires in 2022, leading to 166,000 incidents and $1.1 billion in direct damage
- In 2021, civilian fire deaths reached 3,800 in the U.S., with 93% occurring in homes
- Firefighter line-of-duty deaths were 83 in 2022, down 20% from 2021
- Nonfatal civilian fire injuries totaled 11,200 in 2022, costing $6.2 billion in medical expenses
- The global fire and life safety market was valued at $72.5 billion in 2022, projected to reach $118.2 billion by 2030 at 6.3% CAGR
- U.S. fire protection services market size was $45.2 billion in 2023, expected to grow at 5.8% CAGR to 2030
- Fire sprinklers market reached $15.6 billion globally in 2022, with 7.1% CAGR forecast to 2030
- Sprinkler systems were present in 96% of large-loss commercial fires but only 8% of small ones in 2022
- Working smoke alarms reduced fire death risk by 55% in homes from 2015-2019 data
- Automatic sprinklers controlled fire in 96% of reported large commercial fires 2014-2018
- 60% of U.S. buildings required NFPA 101 Life Safety Code compliance by 2023
- IBC mandates sprinklers in high-rises over 75 ft since 2012 edition
- OSHA 1910.157 requires annual extinguisher training for 1.2 million workplaces
Fire deaths remain alarmingly high in homes, driving a growing life safety industry.
Casualties
- In 2021, civilian fire deaths reached 3,800 in the U.S., with 93% occurring in homes
- Firefighter line-of-duty deaths were 83 in 2022, down 20% from 2021
- Nonfatal civilian fire injuries totaled 11,200 in 2022, costing $6.2 billion in medical expenses
- Home fire deaths averaged 2,620 per year from 2015-2019, 76% of all civilian deaths
- Children under 5 had a fire death rate of 2.3 per million population in 2021
- Adults over 65 accounted for 29% of home fire deaths despite being 17% of population
- African Americans faced 2.1 times higher fire death rate than whites in 2021
- Fire-related injuries hospitalized 3,400 firefighters annually 2015-2019
- Smoke alarms were absent in 37% of fatal home fires from 2015-2019
- 71% of fire deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms
- Wildland fires caused 18 civilian deaths in 2022
- Vehicle fire deaths averaged 390 per year 2015-2019
- Nonfire carbon monoxide deaths from fires averaged 80 yearly 2015-2019
- Firefighter injuries totaled 60,000 in 2022, with 24% from overexertion
- Home oxygen equipment fires caused 100 deaths yearly 2015-2019
- E-cigarette fires and explosions injured 2,035 people from 2012-2016
- Cooking fires led to 46% of home fire injuries, 166,000 injuries in 2022
- Electrical fires caused 430 deaths annually 2015-2019
- Heating fires resulted in 510 deaths per year average 2015-2019
- Smoking fires killed 480 civilians yearly 2015-2019
- Candle fires caused 80 deaths annually 2015-2019
- Grill fires led to 160 injuries per year 2014-2018
- Arson fires killed 290 people in 2021
- Global fire deaths reached 180,000 annually, 95% in low-income countries
Casualties Interpretation
This sobering data paints a stark reality: while fire largely respects the boundaries of a paycheck, staying alive in a home fire is a shockingly low-tech affair, overwhelmingly hinging on the humble, often neglected smoke alarm—a fact that renders the vast majority of these tragedies not just devastating, but deeply preventable.
Equipment
- Sprinkler systems were present in 96% of large-loss commercial fires but only 8% of small ones in 2022
- Working smoke alarms reduced fire death risk by 55% in homes from 2015-2019 data
- Automatic sprinklers controlled fire in 96% of reported large commercial fires 2014-2018
- Fire extinguishers were used in 10% of reported home fires, aiding suppression
- Multi-sensor smoke alarms detected 20% more smoldering fires than single-sensor
- Sprinklers activated in only 7% of high-challenge warehouse fires due to water demand
- CO alarms present reduced nonfire CO deaths by 26% in equipped homes
- Flame detectors used in 45% of industrial facilities, reducing response time by 30%
- Heat detectors suitable for 15% of commercial spaces where smoke detectors fail
- Portable fire extinguishers saved $293 million in property annually 2015-2019
- Aspirating smoke detection systems achieve 1% obsolescence rate vs 10% for point detectors
- Video image smoke detection (VISD) confirmed alarms 85% faster in tests
- Clean agent systems suppressed 92% of data center fires without water damage
- Linear heat detectors covered 2x more area in cable tunnels than spot detectors
- Wireless fire alarm systems installed 25% faster than wired in retrofits
- UV/IR flame detectors rejected 99% false alarms from sunlight in oil/gas sector
- Water mist systems reduced fire damage by 70% in machinery spaces vs sprinklers
- Emergency voice/alarm systems improved evacuation 40% in high-rise simulations
- Fire dampers tested to 4,000 fpm velocity closed in 95% of duct fire tests
Equipment Interpretation
The data suggests that in the fire safety world, our best tools are often like a talented but underemployed superhero—incredibly effective when they are actually present and properly matched to the threat, but too often absent from the scenes where they're needed most.
Fire Incidents
- In 2022, the U.S. experienced 1,358,500 reported fires, a 4% increase from 2021, causing $15.9 billion in property damage
- Residential structure fires accounted for 45% of all structure fires in 2022, with 354,500 incidents resulting in 2,490 civilian deaths
- Cooking equipment caused 49% of residential fires in 2022, leading to 166,000 incidents and $1.1 billion in direct damage
- Vehicle fires numbered 192,500 in 2022, representing 17% of highway vehicle fires with $508 million in damage
- Wildland fires burned 7.0 million acres in 2022 across the U.S., a 59% increase from the average
- Arson accounted for 18,500 structure fires in 2021, causing 290 deaths and $1.2 billion in damage
- Electrical malfunctions caused 8% of non-residential building fires, with 13,000 incidents in 2022
- Smoking materials ignited 16,500 home fires annually on average from 2015-2019, causing 480 deaths
- Heating equipment fires caused 13,400 incidents in 2022, 13% of home fires with $539 million damage
- Lightning caused 14,100 fires per year from 2014-2018, with $439 million annual average damage
- Industrial and manufacturing fires averaged 37,910 incidents yearly from 2015-2019
- Storage fires numbered 40,100 in 2022, causing $1.4 billion in property loss
- Public assembly fires averaged 4,100 per year from 2014-2018, with 10 deaths annually
- Healthcare fires caused 4,200 incidents in 2022, low casualties due to sprinklers
- Hotel and motel fires averaged 3,300 yearly from 2015-2019, 20 deaths per year
- Mall and mercantile fires numbered 11,000 in 2022, $300 million damage
- Educational property fires averaged 6,100 yearly 2014-2018, 2 deaths
- Outside and special structure fires totaled 386,000 in 2022
- Highway vehicle fires increased 5% to 192,500 in 2022 from 2021
- Non-highway vehicle fires averaged 39,500 yearly 2015-2019
- Wildfires caused $2.7 billion in suppression costs in 2022 across 62,314 fires
- Confined cooking fires comprised 74% of all home fires from 2015-2019
- Candle fires caused 7,400 incidents yearly 2015-2019, 80 deaths
- Grill fires averaged 8,900 per year 2014-2018, 10 deaths
- Christmas tree fires caused 210 incidents yearly 2015-2019, $12 million damage
- Halloween fires from decorations averaged 800 yearly 2014-2018
- Tires and wheels caused 2,900 vehicle fires yearly 2015-2019
- Engine, running gear, wheel areas caused 52% of highway vehicle fires in 2022
- Passenger vehicle fires totaled 127,500 in 2022, 66% of highway fires
Fire Incidents Interpretation
Even with our tendency to treat them as mundane, the stark reality is that fires—whether sparked by a forgotten stove, a frayed wire, or a deliberate act—remain a devastatingly efficient force, consuming lives, homes, and billions of dollars each year with a grim and predictable variety.
Market
- The global fire and life safety market was valued at $72.5 billion in 2022, projected to reach $118.2 billion by 2030 at 6.3% CAGR
- U.S. fire protection services market size was $45.2 billion in 2023, expected to grow at 5.8% CAGR to 2030
- Fire sprinklers market reached $15.6 billion globally in 2022, with 7.1% CAGR forecast to 2030
- Fire alarm and detection market valued at $36.8 billion in 2023, projected $62.4 billion by 2032 at 6.1% CAGR
- Global fire suppression market size was $8.9 billion in 2022, growing to $13.5 billion by 2030 at 5.4% CAGR
- U.S. fire safety systems market hit $12.4 billion in 2022, 6.2% CAGR to $20.1 billion by 2030
- Commercial fire protection market in North America was $10.2 billion in 2023
- Asia-Pacific fire safety market dominated with 38% share in 2022, valued at $27.5 billion
- Fire extinguisher market globally reached $7.8 billion in 2023, 5.9% CAGR to 2030
- Wireless fire detection market was $4.2 billion in 2022, projected 9.8% CAGR to $9.1 billion by 2030
- Fire pump market size stood at $6.5 billion in 2023, growing at 5.7% CAGR
- Emergency lighting market valued $5.9 billion globally in 2022, 6.4% CAGR forecast
- Fire doors and shutters market reached $9.1 billion in 2023, to $14.2 billion by 2030
- Video-based fire detection market was $1.2 billion in 2022, 12.5% CAGR to 2030
- Clean agent fire suppression market $3.4 billion in 2023, 7.2% CAGR
- Fire hose market globally $2.8 billion in 2022, 4.9% CAGR to 2030
- IoT in fire safety market projected $1.5 billion by 2027 from $0.8 billion in 2022
- Fire-rated glass market size $4.6 billion in 2023, 6.8% CAGR
- Gas-based fire suppression market $2.1 billion in 2022, to $3.2 billion by 2030
- Fire safety training market valued at $2.3 billion in 2023, growing 7.5% CAGR
Market Interpretation
In what is perhaps the only universally bullish industry that hopes for less business, these soaring market forecasts chillingly remind us that as our world gets smarter, taller, and more connected, the price of playing with fire—or rather, preventing it—only gets higher.
Regulations
- 60% of U.S. buildings required NFPA 101 Life Safety Code compliance by 2023
- IBC mandates sprinklers in high-rises over 75 ft since 2012 edition
- OSHA 1910.157 requires annual extinguisher training for 1.2 million workplaces
- NFPA 72 fire alarm code updated in 2022 requires 10-year battery replacement
- UL 199 tests smoke detectors to 99% reliability under bird/dust interference
- FM Global approves equipment to 1.5x safety factors in 80% of insured properties
- EU CPR Regulation 305/2011 certifies 70% of fire doors sold in Europe
- NFPA 13 sprinkler standard adopted by 45 U.S. states, spacing heads 6-12 ft
- IBC requires 2-hour fire-rated separations in Type II buildings
- ASME A17.1 elevator code mandates fire recall in 100% of NFPA 101 buildings
- California Title 24 requires 90% energy-efficient fire pumps statewide
- NFPA 80 fire door code inspections found 78% non-compliant in hospitals 2022
- IFC Section 903 mandates sprinklers in Group A occupancies over 12,000 sq ft
- EN 54 European standard harmonized 25 fire detection components since 2019
- NFPA 70 NEC Article 695 governs fire pumps with 125% motor overload protection
- ADA integrates with NFPA 101 for accessible egress in 95% public buildings
- Wildfire codes in California require 100 ft defensible space per PRC 4291
Regulations Interpretation
The industry is diligently building a towering stack of regulations to protect us, but the sobering reality is that we're still struggling to shut the door properly on basic compliance.
Workforce
- There were 1.1 million firefighters in the U.S. in 2022, 69% volunteers
- Fire departments responded to 36.9 million calls in 2022, 23% fires
- 82% of firefighters received EMS training beyond fire suppression in 2022
- Annual firefighter training hours averaged 60 for career vs 36 for volunteers
- Women comprised 9% of firefighters in 2022, up from 4% in 2000
- Fire officer certification required NFPA 1021 in 47 states by 2023
- Hazmat training reached 75% of departments, averaging 24 hours yearly
- Fire service budget averaged $1.2 million per career department in 2022
- 91% of stations had AEDs, used in 12% of medical calls
- Recruit academies trained 25,000 new firefighters annually pre-2020
- ISO Class 1 ratings held by 20% of departments, correlating to 50% faster response
- Fire prevention duties consumed 15% of department time in 2022 surveys
- Mutual aid agreements covered 85% of U.S. fire departments
- Technical rescue teams in 62% of career departments
- Fire safety educators numbered 50,000, reaching 20 million public yearly
- Online fire training platforms grew 40% post-2020, used by 30% trainees
- Pension costs averaged 65% of budgets in large departments 2022
- Drone usage for fire ops in 15% departments, reducing search time 50%
- Mental health programs adopted by 45% departments after 2020
- Wildland firefighter workforce 15,000 federal, turnover 25% yearly
Workforce Interpretation
While the backbone of American firefighting remains a remarkably dedicated army of volunteers—who juggle training, EMS calls, and 36 million annual emergencies with equal parts grit and wit—the industry is soberly modernizing, demanding more hours, diversity, tech, and mental health support to protect both the public and the protectors themselves.
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