The Collection and Uses of Fire Data

Authors

  • Henry Tovey

Keywords:

National Fire Incident Reporting System, National Fire Data System, fire analyses, ignition factors

Abstract

The main objective of the National Fire Incident Reporting system is collecting, analyzing, and disseminating comprehensive fire loss statistics reported by attending fire departments. Data are recorded in blocks on the NFIRS fire incident and fire casualty report forms, whose coding is based on a uniform classification scheme. NFIRS data can be used to investigate such relationships as those between construction type and actual fire loss experience. Fire Scenarios are another analytical tool used to rank fire hazards. With NFIRS report catalogs, feedback reports will be available to interested parties. Presently, the National Fire Data Center and NFIRS have joined in an effort to create a comprehensive National Fire Data System. The data presented in this study are not definitive and only illustrate potential utility of fire data.

References

Auerbach Assoc., Inc. 1975. National fire data system pilot system project, final report.nAuerbach Assoc., Inc. 1977. Initial NFIRS data validation study. AAI-TR-4343.nBuchbinder, Benjamin. 1975. Pilot implementation of the fire incident system. Fire J.69(3):65-69.nClark, Fredric B. III and John Ottoson. 1976. Fire death scenarios and fire safety planning. Fire J.70(3):20-22, 117-118.nFederal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. P.L. 93-498, 15 USC 2201. Statutes at Large88(2):1535-1549.nNational Fire Prevention and Control Administration. 1975. Highlights of the national household fire survey. 16 pp. Dep. Commerce, Washington, DC.nNational Fire Protection Assoc. 1976. Uniform coding for fire protection. NFPA Standard 901, Boston, MA.nPrivacy Act of 1974. Public Law 93-579, 5 USC 552a. Statutes at Large88(2):1896-1910.nProduct Safety Letter. 1977. Feb. 7.6(6):3 pp. Washington Business Information, Inc., Washington, DC.nTovey, Henry. 1974. The development of the national fire data system. Fire J.68(6):91-96.nTovey, Henry. 1976. Eine statistische Studie ueber die Brandgefahr bei Textilien. Lenzinger Berichte40:80-86.nTovey, Henry. 1977. The national fire incident reporting system: a key to fire hazard quantification. Fire Standards and Safety, ASTM STP614:11-25.n

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Published

2007-06-05

Issue

Number 1 / Spring 1977

Section

Research Contributions

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