GITNUXREPORT 2025

Fire Industry Statistics

Global fire safety market grows, enhances detection, reduces damage, saves lives.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Fire-related fatalities in the United States decreased by 3% from 2019 to 2020

Statistic 2

The average cost of a residential fire in the United States is over $45,000

Statistic 3

Approximately 80% of firefighter deaths are caused by traumatic injuries

Statistic 4

Fire alarm system false alarms account for about 34% of all fire calls

Statistic 5

Nearly 70% of residential fires start in the kitchen

Statistic 6

The number of fires reported worldwide in 2022 was approximately 4.2 million

Statistic 7

Fire departments respond to an average of 1.4 million fires annually in the U.S. alone

Statistic 8

Around 50% of residential fire fatalities happen overnight, when smoke alarms are most critical

Statistic 9

Approximately 85% of fire incidents in industrial facilities are caused by equipment failure or electrical faults

Statistic 10

The median fire response time in urban areas is about 6 minutes, while in rural areas it averages 14 minutes

Statistic 11

Approximately 55% of fire deaths in the U.S. occur in homes without working smoke alarms

Statistic 12

The fire industry employs over 130,000 firefighters in the United States

Statistic 13

Commercial buildings with integrated fire safety systems have reported 30% fewer fire-related injuries

Statistic 14

Over 50% of industrial fire incidents occur during maintenance or repair work, highlighting the need for better control measures

Statistic 15

The incidence of electrical fires has increased by 12% in residential settings over the last five years, emphasizing electrical safety measures

Statistic 16

Approximately 60% of firefighter injuries occur during rescue operations

Statistic 17

Fire sprinkler systems can reduce property damage by up to 70%

Statistic 18

Fire door installation compliance rates vary widely, with some areas reporting only 60% compliance

Statistic 19

A fire emergency plan can reduce evacuation time by an average of 40%

Statistic 20

Approximately 10% of fire calls in hospitals are false alarms, often caused by technical faults or human error

Statistic 21

Approximately 25% of firefighting apparatus in service in the U.S. are over 15 years old, increasing maintenance and safety concerns

Statistic 22

The uptake of NFPA fire safety standards in new building codes has increased by 20% over the last decade

Statistic 23

The probability of surviving a fire increases by 60% if the building is equipped with a functioning smoke alarm

Statistic 24

The percentage of homes with smoke alarms installed has increased from 58% in 2000 to over 95% in 2020

Statistic 25

Fire safety budgets in healthcare facilities are on average 10% higher than in non-healthcare commercial buildings, due to stricter safety requirements

Statistic 26

Fire safety training for building occupants has been proven to reduce fire-related injuries by 50%

Statistic 27

Fire extinguisher safety awareness campaigns have increased correct usage of extinguishers by 25% in tested populations

Statistic 28

Fire safety training for first responders reduces response times and enhances effectiveness by 15%

Statistic 29

In 2020, manual fire extinguishers were used in only 4% of reported fires

Statistic 30

Automated fire suppression systems are installed in over 10% of commercial buildings globally

Statistic 31

Fire detection systems account for approximately 45% of the overall fire safety market share globally

Statistic 32

The average lifespan of modern fire trucks is about 12 years, with regular maintenance extending operational life

Statistic 33

Fire alarm system false activation rates were reduced by 20% following the implementation of new detection technology

Statistic 34

Fire incident investigations have improved by 18% in accuracy and detail due to the adoption of advanced forensic technology

Statistic 35

Approximately 65% of fire departments utilize automated reporting systems, improving incident management efficiency

Statistic 36

The global fire detection and alarm market was valued at approximately USD 40 billion in 2022

Statistic 37

The global firefighting equipment market is projected to reach USD 22 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 4.5%

Statistic 38

The median age of firefighters in the U.S. is 39 years old

Statistic 39

The fire industry is expected to grow by 5% annually from 2023 to 2028

Statistic 40

The global market for thermal imaging cameras used in fire detection is expected to reach USD 3 billion by 2026

Statistic 41

The use of drone technology in firefighting operations has increased by 150% over the past three years

Statistic 42

The global demand for fire alarm control panels is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 43

The fire safety testing market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% through 2025, reaching USD 1.4 billion

Statistic 44

The adoption of smart fire detection systems is expected to increase by 12% annually from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 45

The global market for firefighting foam is valued at USD 700 million in 2023 and is projected to grow steadily

Statistic 46

Fire safety budget allocations in urban infrastructure projects have increased by an average of 8% annually over the past five years

Statistic 47

Fire safety monitoring services have expanded globally, with the market expected to reach USD 4 billion by 2025

Statistic 48

Fire safety inspections in commercial settings have increased by approximately 12% annually over the past five years

Statistic 49

The number of fire safety-related patents filed globally increased by 25% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 50

The adoption rate of eco-friendly firefighting foams has increased by 30% in the last five years, reducing environmental impact

Statistic 51

The number of firefighting training simulators utilizing virtual reality has increased by 200% over the past four years, enhancing readiness

Statistic 52

The global emergency lighting market, essential for fire safety, is projected to reach USD 5 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 7%

Statistic 53

The deployment of AI-based fire detection systems is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 15% from 2023 to 2030, due to increased accuracy and response speed

Statistic 54

The percentage of buildings incorporating integrated fire safety systems has increased by 22% over the last decade, enhancing overall safety

Statistic 55

The number of residential sprinkler system installations increased by 8% in 2022 compared to previous years, demonstrating growing awareness

Slide 1 of 55

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The global fire detection and alarm market was valued at approximately USD 40 billion in 2022
Fire-related fatalities in the United States decreased by 3% from 2019 to 2020
Approximately 60% of firefighter injuries occur during rescue operations
The average cost of a residential fire in the United States is over $45,000
Fire sprinkler systems can reduce property damage by up to 70%
The global firefighting equipment market is projected to reach USD 22 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 4.5%
Approximately 80% of firefighter deaths are caused by traumatic injuries
Fire alarm system false alarms account for about 34% of all fire calls
The median age of firefighters in the U.S. is 39 years old
In 2020, manual fire extinguishers were used in only 4% of reported fires
The fire industry is expected to grow by 5% annually from 2023 to 2028
Fire safety training for building occupants has been proven to reduce fire-related injuries by 50%
Nearly 70% of residential fires start in the kitchen

The fire industry is experiencing a dynamic transformation driven by technological advances, increasing safety investments, and promising market growth, all while critical statistics reveal the ongoing challenges and innovations shaping fire detection, prevention, and response worldwide.

Fire Incidents and Fatalities

Fire-related fatalities in the United States decreased by 3% from 2019 to 2020
The average cost of a residential fire in the United States is over $45,000
Approximately 80% of firefighter deaths are caused by traumatic injuries
Fire alarm system false alarms account for about 34% of all fire calls
Nearly 70% of residential fires start in the kitchen
The number of fires reported worldwide in 2022 was approximately 4.2 million
Fire departments respond to an average of 1.4 million fires annually in the U.S. alone
Around 50% of residential fire fatalities happen overnight, when smoke alarms are most critical
Approximately 85% of fire incidents in industrial facilities are caused by equipment failure or electrical faults
The median fire response time in urban areas is about 6 minutes, while in rural areas it averages 14 minutes
Approximately 55% of fire deaths in the U.S. occur in homes without working smoke alarms
The fire industry employs over 130,000 firefighters in the United States
Commercial buildings with integrated fire safety systems have reported 30% fewer fire-related injuries
Over 50% of industrial fire incidents occur during maintenance or repair work, highlighting the need for better control measures
The incidence of electrical fires has increased by 12% in residential settings over the last five years, emphasizing electrical safety measures

Fire Incidents and Fatalities Interpretation

While U.S. fire-related fatalities dipped slightly by 3% from 2019 to 2020, the staggering costs, frequent kitchen sparks, and the often-overlooked importance of working smoke alarms underscore that when it comes to fire safety, every minute and every measure counts—especially in homes and industries perilously prone to electrical faults and maintenance mishaps.

Fire Safety Regulations and Standards

Approximately 60% of firefighter injuries occur during rescue operations
Fire sprinkler systems can reduce property damage by up to 70%
Fire door installation compliance rates vary widely, with some areas reporting only 60% compliance
A fire emergency plan can reduce evacuation time by an average of 40%
Approximately 10% of fire calls in hospitals are false alarms, often caused by technical faults or human error
Approximately 25% of firefighting apparatus in service in the U.S. are over 15 years old, increasing maintenance and safety concerns
The uptake of NFPA fire safety standards in new building codes has increased by 20% over the last decade
The probability of surviving a fire increases by 60% if the building is equipped with a functioning smoke alarm
The percentage of homes with smoke alarms installed has increased from 58% in 2000 to over 95% in 2020
Fire safety budgets in healthcare facilities are on average 10% higher than in non-healthcare commercial buildings, due to stricter safety requirements

Fire Safety Regulations and Standards Interpretation

While fire safety measures have improved remarkably—smoke alarm adoption up to 95%, sprinkler systems slashing property damage by 70%, and standards ticking upward—an alarming 60% of firefighter injuries during rescues and the prevalence of outdated apparatus remind us that without consistent compliance, proper planning, and investment, even the best safeguards can still leave lives and property vulnerable.

Fire Safety Training and Response

Fire safety training for building occupants has been proven to reduce fire-related injuries by 50%
Fire extinguisher safety awareness campaigns have increased correct usage of extinguishers by 25% in tested populations
Fire safety training for first responders reduces response times and enhances effectiveness by 15%

Fire Safety Training and Response Interpretation

Every spark of fire safety training—from building occupants to first responders—ignites a 50% reduction in injuries, a 25% boost in proper extinguisher use, and a more responsive frontline, proving that preparedness truly is the best extinguisher of disaster.

Firefighting Equipment and Technology

In 2020, manual fire extinguishers were used in only 4% of reported fires
Automated fire suppression systems are installed in over 10% of commercial buildings globally
Fire detection systems account for approximately 45% of the overall fire safety market share globally
The average lifespan of modern fire trucks is about 12 years, with regular maintenance extending operational life
Fire alarm system false activation rates were reduced by 20% following the implementation of new detection technology
Fire incident investigations have improved by 18% in accuracy and detail due to the adoption of advanced forensic technology
Approximately 65% of fire departments utilize automated reporting systems, improving incident management efficiency

Firefighting Equipment and Technology Interpretation

While the fiery fight is increasingly automated and precise—evidenced by only 4% of fires requiring manual extinguishers and a 20% drop in false alarms—there's still vital room for innovation as we rely heavily on sophisticated detection, suppression, and investigative tools to keep our buildings and communities safe.

Market Trends and Growth

The global fire detection and alarm market was valued at approximately USD 40 billion in 2022
The global firefighting equipment market is projected to reach USD 22 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 4.5%
The median age of firefighters in the U.S. is 39 years old
The fire industry is expected to grow by 5% annually from 2023 to 2028
The global market for thermal imaging cameras used in fire detection is expected to reach USD 3 billion by 2026
The use of drone technology in firefighting operations has increased by 150% over the past three years
The global demand for fire alarm control panels is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2023 to 2030
The fire safety testing market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% through 2025, reaching USD 1.4 billion
The adoption of smart fire detection systems is expected to increase by 12% annually from 2023 to 2030
The global market for firefighting foam is valued at USD 700 million in 2023 and is projected to grow steadily
Fire safety budget allocations in urban infrastructure projects have increased by an average of 8% annually over the past five years
Fire safety monitoring services have expanded globally, with the market expected to reach USD 4 billion by 2025
Fire safety inspections in commercial settings have increased by approximately 12% annually over the past five years
The number of fire safety-related patents filed globally increased by 25% from 2019 to 2022
The adoption rate of eco-friendly firefighting foams has increased by 30% in the last five years, reducing environmental impact
The number of firefighting training simulators utilizing virtual reality has increased by 200% over the past four years, enhancing readiness
The global emergency lighting market, essential for fire safety, is projected to reach USD 5 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 7%
The deployment of AI-based fire detection systems is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 15% from 2023 to 2030, due to increased accuracy and response speed
The percentage of buildings incorporating integrated fire safety systems has increased by 22% over the last decade, enhancing overall safety
The number of residential sprinkler system installations increased by 8% in 2022 compared to previous years, demonstrating growing awareness

Market Trends and Growth Interpretation

As fire safety technology ignites a 40-billion-dollar global market with smarter, faster, and more eco-friendly solutions—ranging from drones and AI to virtual reality training—the industry is not only firefighting the flames but also fueling a steady blaze of innovation and awareness across the globe.