National Estimates
The 2019 national estimates for the leading causes of nonresidential building fire dollar loss show that there was:
- $433,000,000 loss from other unintentional, careless fires.
- $410,700,000 loss from electrical malfunction fires.
- $276,100,000 loss from other equipment fires.
Overall Trends
Overall trends in the leading causes of fire dollar loss for the 10-year period of 2010 to 2019 show the following:
- A 26% increase in nonresidential other unintentionally or carelessly set fire dollar loss.
- A 10% increase in nonresidential electrical malfunction fire dollar loss.
- A 12% decrease in nonresidential other equipment fire dollar loss.
The overall constant dollar-loss trends take inflation into account by adjusting each year's dollar loss to its equivalent 2019 value.
Leading Causes of Nonresidential Building Fire Dollar Loss (2010‑2019)
Adjusted to 2019 Dollars ($millions)
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Unintentional, Careless | 438.3 | 315.4 | 370.5 | 618.6 | 417.0 | 572.7 | 574.8 | 489.6 | 515.1 | 433.0 |
| Electrical Malfunction | 401.0 | 343.9 | 350.3 | 409.6 | 318.4 | 420.3 | 314.0 | 450.3 | 380.2 | 410.7 |
| Other Equipment | 187.5 | 549.4 | 316.6 | 168.5 | 149.2 | 250.2 | 239.9 | 237.9 | 356.9 | 276.1 |
| Natural | 163.6 | 200.3 | 195.9 | 107.9 | 170.8 | 166.8 | 201.7 | 158.2 | 126.8 | 271.9 |
| Equipment Malfunction | 198.6 | 198.8 | 302.5 | 224.4 | 213.3 | 216.3 | 165.5 | 242.2 | 241.9 | 257.4 |
| Cause Under Investigation | 217.3 | 158.0 | 155.0 | 152.1 | 220.1 | 182.8 | 315.1 | 205.9 | 115.8 | 236.2 |
| Exposure | 127.3 | 192.5 | 94.8 | 163.5 | 157.2 | 160.2 | 268.7 | 149.4 | 107.2 | 206.1 |
| Intentional | 433.3 | 209.9 | 299.5 | 208.8 | 208.9 | 200.6 | 219.5 | 233.5 | 165.5 | 177.8 |