- U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 4,440 structure fires involving hot work per year. These fires caused an average of 12 civilian deaths, 208 civilian injuries and $287 million in direct property damage per year.
- From 2001-2015, five firefighters were fatally injured in four accidental fires started by torches.
- Forty-two percent of the fires involving hot work in 2010-2014 occurred in or on homes, including one or two-family homes and apartments or other multi-family homes, while 58% occurred in or on-non-home properties.
- Welding torches were involved in one-third (34%) of hot work structure fires. The leading types of hot work equipment involved in structure fires were different in homes than in non-home properties.
- Welding torches were involved in 37% of non-home hot work fires but only 29% of such home fires.
- Cutting torches were also involved in a larger percentage (31%) of non-home fires but only 15% of the home fires. Heat treating equipment was involved in 15% of the non-home hot work fires but only 7% of the home incidents.
- Soldering equipment was involved in one third (34%) of the hot work home fires but only 6% of such fires in non-home properties.
- The peak areas for home fires involving hot work were wall assemblies or concealed spaces (15%), and bathrooms or lavatories (14%). Exterior roof surfaces (12%) and processing or manufacturing areas (9%) were peak areas for non-home incidents.
- Structural members or framing were first ignited in one-quarter (25%) of the home fires but only 10% of the non-home fires. Insulation within structural areas was first ignited in 22% of home hot work fires and 9% of the non-home fires.
- Flammable or combustible liquids or gases, filters or piping were first ignited in 15% of the nonhome fires but only 5% of the home fires. Exterior roof coverings or finish were first ignited in 10% of the non-home fires but only 6% of the home fires.
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