Facts & Figures

FIRE SAFETY:
KNOW THE FACTS

Building fires are a sustainability issue:
They impact society, the environment and the economy.

EVERYDAY IN EUROPE

90% OF ALL FIRE VICTIMS ARE KILLED BY FIRES IN BUILDINGS.

In Denmark alone between 2010-2019 an average of 66 people have died per year in a fires.

Between 2010-2018, the number of building fires per year has even increased going from 7048 to 7217.

Building fires can negatively impact the economy

In Slovenia in May 2009 a tire in the company Lesna industrija Litilja (Bregu ori Litiji) destroyed the production equipment and the damage was estimated at 700.000.euros.

Building fires can have a substantial environmental toll

Building fires can release effluents and by-products' that contaminate the soil, the air and the groundwater as well as threaten our health and well-being.

An independent study led by the University of Central Lancashire revealed the existence or significant amounts of toxins in soils and pointed out the high concentrations or potential carcinogens in residue around the Grenfell tower and in burned debris.

A recent UK study also showed that following the Grenfell fire, elevated concentrations of benzene a prover carcinogen were discovered up to 140m away from the Grenfell Tower in quantities 25-40 times higher than those typically found in urban soils.

Building fires can adversely impact society

NOVEMBER 2014

A fire destroyed the whole of Campofrio's food-processing factory in Burgos (Spain).

1000

Families livelihoods depend on jobs in the factory.

774

People are relocated to temporary two-year posts.

Years to rebuild the new facility.

In Finland, in 2011, a fire in Turku Hospital led to its evacuation. There were no casualties, but three nurses suffering from smoke exposure were taken to the health centre for examination. The hospital building suffered considerable damage, and the hospital premises suffered various

degrees or smoke and soot damage Hospital equipment was rendered unusable. Total damage, including consequential loss, is estimated at EUR 17.5 million.

In Slovenia, in May 2017, the

warehouse of the company Kemis

(Vrhnika) which stored hazardous

waste caught fire. 250 firefighters

were needed to extinguish the fire, two

or them needed medical attention for

smoke inhalation and man suffered

health problems. The fire also caused

environmental damage, especially on

the nearby Tojnica stream.

Why does the EU need to act?

Because requirements vary significantly from one country to the next, leading to an unequal level of fire safety for EU citizens:

72% of respondents to the Fire Safe Europe's Comparative study of national fire safety requirements indicated that their country does not have requirements for sprinklers when it comes to high-rise residential buildings of 45m.

The requirements in terms of the maximum distance to escape routes varies widely from country to country, from 6 meters all the way to 100 meters.

Countries vary greatly when it comes to the maximum size of a fire compartment from 150m2 (Denmark) to 5000m2 (Italy). For people to escape fire, efficient compartmentation is essential. Shortcomings in compartmentation can lead to the fire and smoke spreading to adjacent compartments within minutes.

Because significant issues exist throughout Europe:

In Denmark in 2018 a nursing home called Plejehjemmet Farsohthus Norddjurs Kommun caught fire. It resulted in three deaths and it was concluded that the safety level did not comply with the regulations. This fire sparked further fire safety investigations in care facilities.

In Finland in 2019 a cabin caught fire in Levi, Kittilä, leading to the death of three children. During inspections, the building inspection authority found cause to comment on structures violating the

building permit and deficiencies in the documentation.