Fire Performance Evaluation of the Federal Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standard

摘要

This report was developed for the Division of Mobile Home Standards, HUD, by the National Fire Data Center. The results of the study show that it is estimated that between 12,000 and 20,000 mobile home fires occur each year, causing 400-450 deaths, 1000-1600 injuries and $70-120 million in direct property loss. This study analyzed over 400 in-depth fire investigations to assess the role of smoke detectors, exit facilities, fire stopping, and flame resistance provided by wall, ceiling, and other interior construction materials in fire origin and development, and fire losses. Results of the Data Center show that the HUD standard has been effective in reducing deaths, injuries, and property loss in mobile home fires. Further reductions are expected to continue until all homes built before the date of the Standard have been replaced in about the year 2000. One important finding underscores the value of smoke detectors. Mobile homes with smoke detectors as required by the Standard, had much lower rates of deaths, injuries, and property loss than mobile homes without detectors.