Between 2010 and 2014, fire departments from all over the US responded to an estimated average of 45,210 home structure fires that involved electrical malfunction, according to the latest report released by the National Fire Protection Associaton (NFPA). These fires resulted in about 420 civilian deaths, 1,370 injuries, and $1.4 billion worth of direct property damage per year during the period.

1. NFPA Data: Faulty
Electrical Network
Accounted for Most Home
Structure Fires
Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric

2. Between 2010 and 2014, fire departments from all over the US responded to an
estimated average of 45,210 home structure fires that involved electrical malfunction,
according to the latest report released by the National Fire Protection Associaton (NFPA).
These fires resulted in about 420 civilian deaths, 1,370 injuries, and $1.4 billion worth of
direct property damage per year during the period.
In a residential setting, per the NFPA report, 19 percent of fires were due to electrical
failure of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, nine percent were attributed to
cooking equipment, and seven percent involved personal and household equipment. The
major cause of electricity-ignited fires was faulty electrical distribution, accounting for 57
percent of all home structure fires during the 2010-2014 period.
How Does Faulty Electrical Wiring Cause Fire?
There are many ways an electrical fire may start, such as excessive thermal insulation
and poor connections. In the former, electric cords are exposed to high levels of insulation
(think coiling a cord multiple times and covering it with a cloth). Laboratory
demonstrations, according to the InterFire, a resource center for the firefighting service
industry, have shown that current-carrying electric cords that are buried in insulation may
ignite.

3. On the other hand, poor connections between fixtures, devices, and electrical cords could
result in progressive failure. The entire electric process could create localized heating,
increasing temperature, and ultimately resulting in combustion.
Apart from making sure there is a correct electrical network at home, homeowners can
prevent electrical fires through the following:
Installing tamper-resistant receptacles
Keeping electrical cords away from heat and water
Avoiding extension cord overload
Replacing frayed or damaged electrical cords
Connecting light bulbs in appropriate fixtures to match the wattage
Plugging appliances directly to outlet, not extension cords
Keeping space heaters away from combustible surfaces (e.g., curtains and rugs)
Updating or replacing wiring of an old home
Improper electrical distribution and wiring put a home structure at a heightened risk of
fire. To that end, it is crucial for homeowners to take preventative steps to save not only
their property or their neighbor’s, but also the lives of their families.

4. Sources:
https://www.actionplumbing.net/
https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/US-
Fire-Problem/Fire-causes/osHomeElectricalFires.pdf
https://www.esfi.org/resource/understanding-your-home-electrical-system-213
http://www.interfire.org/features/electric_wiring_faults.asp