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FIRE DAMAGE: Causes, Cleanup & Prevention

HEALTHCARE & HOSPITALITY FIRE STATISTICS

Common Causes: Healthcare
According to the U.S Fire Administration, between 2004 and 2006, an average of 6,400 fires occurred each year in medical facilities, resulting in more than $34 million in losses.

  • 55 percent of medical facility fires are small, confined cooking fires.
  • Medical facilities offering 24-hour care account for 89 percent of medical facility fires. 24-hour care facilities also account for 94 percent of cooking fires in all medical facilities.
  • Fire peaks coincide with meal preparation times.

Common Causes: Hospitality
When it comes to the Hospitality industry, an estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires are reported to U.S. fire departments each year, causing an estimated 15 deaths, 150 injuries and $76 million in property loss.

  • Cooking is the lead cause of hotel and motel fires (46 percent). Almost all hotel and motel cooking fires are small, confined fires (97 percent).
  • 18 percent of hotel and motel fires extend beyond the room of origin. The leading causes of these larger fires are electrical malfunctions, intentionally set fires and fires caused by open flames.

CLEANUP
Cleanup and restoration after a fire is something that requires training and specialized equipment. Engaging a professional will help bring your property back to a pre-loss condition.

There are many things to consider when cleaning after a fire, including:

  • Business interruption
  • Insurance coverage
  • Water damage
  • Smoke damage
  • Extinguisher damage
  • Burnt structure
  • Furniture, fixtures & content damage
  • Document damage
  • Electronics cleaning
  • HVAC cleaning
  • Odor removal
  • Insulation removal & replacement

PREVENTION
Disaster planning should always be top of mind with any business. Fire & Life Safety is something that needs to be taught, trained and relearned on a regular basis. If you need help with your disaster planning, contact a professional.

Here are a couple of websites that can help: