Statistics - Chimney Fires & Carbon Monoxide

CPSC Heating Equipment Estimates 2003-2005
The following statistics are excerpted from the 2003-2005 Residential Fire Loss Estimates released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), August 2008. These are the latest statistics available as of 9/1/08. (The full report is available from the USCPSC here: http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/fire05.pdf)

Estimated Residential Structure Fires

Equipment

2003 2004 2005 2003-2005 Average

Total Residential

374,700 386,100 375,100 378,700

Total Heating Equipment

58,000 57,900 56,100 57,300

Local Fixed Heater

4,200 4,200 5,000 4,500

Portable Heater

2,400 1,900 1,500 1,900

Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector

25,600 25,200 24,500 25,100

Central Heating

2,700 2,000 1,200 1,900

Water Heater

3,500 2,800 2,600 3,000
Air Conditioning
1,500 1,100 1,100 1,200

Other

18,000 20,700 20,300 19,700


Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA, from data obtained from the US Fire Administration and NFPA. Note: Fire estimates are rounded to the nearest 100. Selected categories presented; subtotals do not necessarily add to heading totals. Estimates exclude losses from fires ientifiable as intentionally set.

Estimated Residential Structure Fire Deaths

Equipment

2003 2004 2005 2003-2005 Average

Total Residential1

2740 2850 2630 2740

Total Heating Equipment

250 290 280 270

Local Fixed Heater

110 90 130 110

Portable Heater

40 130 30 70

Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector

50 20 20 30

Central Heating

10 10 30 10

Water Heater

20 10 30 20
Air Conditioning
10 * * 10

Other

20 30 50 30

Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA, from data obtained from the US Fire Administration and NFPA. Note: Death estimates are rounded to the nearest 10. Estimates less than 10 are denoted by an asterisk(*). Selected categories presented; subtotals do not necessarily add to heating totals. Estimate exclude losses from fires idetifiable as intentionally set.

1 = Includes an estimated 10 deaths in both 2003 and 2004, and an estimated 20 deaths in 2005 from confined cooking fires. 

Estimated Residential Structure Fire Property Loss (In Millions)

Equipment

2003 2004 2005 2003-2005 Average

Total Residential1

$5,311.5 $5,308.3 $6,215.6 $5,611.8

Total Heating Equipment 

$543.3 $490.8 $558.3 $530.8

Local Fixed Heater

$93.8 $75.0 $131 $99.9

Portable Heater

$75.6 $60.7 $75.9 $70.7

Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector1

$142.9 $120.2 $115.2 $126.1

Central Heating

$54.9 $50.2 $29.9 $45

Water Heater

$59.8 $53.9 $65.4 $59.7
Air Conditioning
$22.7 $37.5 $28.8 $29.7

Other1

$93.7 $93.3 $112 $99.7

Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA, from data obtained from the US Fire Administration and NFPA. Note: Property loss estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a million dollars. Selected categories presented; subtotals do not necessarily add to heading totals. Estimate exclude losses from fires idetifiable as intentionally set.

1= There are confinded fire property loss estimates included in Total Residential, Total Heating and Cooling Equipment, Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector, Other, and Total Cooking Equipment categories.

CPSC Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths
Associated with the Use of Consumer Products
2003 & 2004 Annual Estimates
The following statistics are excerpted from the Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths Associated with the Use of Consumer Products 2003 & 2004 Annual Estimates, released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., July, 2007
(The full report is available from the USCPSC or on its website at www.cpsc.gov)

Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths

Consumer Product

1999
2000
2001
2002
2003 2004

Total Deaths

109
137
122
181
154 162

Heating Systems

50
81
72
97
66 84

Unspecified Gas Heating

5
1
5
2
4 14

LP Gas Heating

22
28
24
41
22 25
Natural Gas Heating
20
42
28
32
27 30

Coal/Wood Heating

0
2
6
4
2 4
Kerosene/Oil Heating
2
8
6
8
6 4
Diesel Fuel
*
*
*
1
* *
Heating Systems, Not Specified
1
*
3
9
5 7


2= The Tenth Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) was implemented. Note: Detail may not add to total due to rounding.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is dedicated to chimney and venting system safety and to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney service professionals and the insurance industry about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting systems hazards.

Contact:

Media please contact:
Melissa Heeke
Director of Communications & Marketing
(317) 837-5362
mheeke@csia.org

Homeowners please contact:
office@csia.org