Misinformation About Fire Safety is DangerousOur Industry Wants You to Know the FactsAt the American Wood Council, we are committed to ensuring the safety of our homes and buildings and the first responders who protect us. Our staff provides regulators and fire services with the science-based research they need to develop effective building codes and safely respond to fires.

Contrary to misinformation generated by competitors, and as evidenced by the following example incidents of non-combustible fires from just the last three years, fire is a danger for all buildings and construction sites – regardless of building material. The data doesn't

lie: cooking and heating are the most common causes of home fires, regardless of structural material. Fires start in the contents and furnishings we bring into our homes, and occur in concrete, steel, masonry, and wood buildings alike. What is most important is building to code to ensure safe buildings for occupants and first responders.

Learn more about construction fire safety at www.ConstructionFireSafety.org.

AMERICANWOODCOUNCIL

Honolulu, HI 2017

Sanford, ME 2017

London, England 2017

Atlanta, GA 2017

Lansing, MI 2017

Las Vegas, NV 2017

Pittsburgh, PA 20172016

New York, NY 2018201720172017201620152014

Lackawanna, NY 2016

San Jose, CA 2016

Rancho Dominguez, CA 2016

Wichita, KS 2016

New Orleans, LA 2016

Lakeland, FL 2016

Vestavia Hills, AL 2016

Ocean City, MD 2016

Adelphi, MD 2016

Naples, FL 2015

Colville, WA 2015

Newton, KS 2015

Los Angeles, CA 20152015

Grand Island, NE 2015

Baltimore, MD 2017

Dubai, UAE 201720152015

Louisville, KY 2015

Upper Marlboro, MD 2017

Bethesda, MD 2017

Trenton, NJ 2016

Ashburn, VA 2017

Liverpool, England 2018

Pompano Beach, FL 2018

2018New York City, New YorkMaterial: Non-combustibleOne man died and six firefighters were injured in a 50th floor fire in Trump Tower. The residential floors of the building did not have sprinklers.

Pompano Beach, FloridaMaterial: Non-combustibleA resident died from smoke inhalation and 100 residents were displaced due to a fire in a 15-story non-combustible building. The building had no sprinkler system.

Liverpool, EnglandMaterial: ConcreteApproximately 1,300 vehicles were destroyed during a fire in a concrete multi-story car park. The Mayor of Liverpool told the BBC it was unlikely that the building could be saved.

2017Ashburn, VA Material: ConcreteFire in an under-construction building caused by a space heater did an ~$150,000 in damage.

New York City, NY Material: ConcreteA 6-alarm fire displaced 40 families over the holiday season. A NYPD officer and a tenant were injured.

New York City, NYMaterial: Concrete/SteelFourteen people, including four firefighters, were injured in a four-story apartment fire.

Bethesda, MarylandMaterial: Non-combustibleSix people and one firefighter were hospitalized after a three-alarm transformer fire at an apartment building. Over 500 apartments were evacuated, 1,500 residents were displaced and the fire caused $1 million worth of damage.

Baltimore, Maryland Material: Masonry Walls/Steel FramingA 94,000sf warehouse constructed w/ steel framing and masonry bearing walls was destroyed by a fire. Neighbors complained of breathing difficulties throughout the day-long firefighting operation.

Upper Marlboro, MarylandMaterial: Masonry/SteelFire broke out on the roof of a building under construction, located on the grounds of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. Cause is unknown.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Material: Concrete/Aluminum CladdingOne of the tallest residential buildings in the world, 79-stories, caught fire for the second time in about two years. Videos posted online showed flaming debris falling. Residents were moved to shelter while the building was closed for investigation.

Honolulu, Hawaii Material: Concrete/Steel

A fire in a 36-story condominium complex killed 3 people. The building was constructed in 1971, before the city required sprinkler systems.

Sanford, Maine Material: Concrete/BrickFire destroyed a former textile mill, including 2 5-story brick and concrete buildings and a 1-story connecting structure.

London, United Kingdom Material: Concrete/Aluminum CladdingDeadly fire in 24-story high-rise apartment built with 10 concrete columns, fitted with aluminum cladding during a 2016 refurbishment. Investigators believe an air gap was created by the cladding, acting like a chimney and allowing the fire to spread. There was no sprinkler system. This led to inspection and failure of over 90 UK buildings.

Atlanta, Georgia Material: Concrete/SteelBridge collapse from fire severed a northbound highway which carries 250,000 vehicles/day. Southbound also closed for reconstruction.

Lansing, Michigan Material: ConcreteSingle-story concrete building suffered extensive damage and roof collapse due to fire. The cause remains under investigation.

Las Vegas, Nevada Material: ConcreteDeadly fire in a 1-story concrete apartment building. There were no smoke alarms.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Material: ConcreteDeadly fire in 17-story high-rise catering to seniors. The building was not equipped with a sprinkler system; however smoke alarms were functional. Firefighters were called back to the scene when fire was found in the pipe chases between the 7th and 10th floors. 100 residents were displaced.

New York City, New York Material: ConcreteOne fatality in a concrete high-rise fire.

2016Lackawanna, New York Material: SteelFormer Bethlehem Steel Factory burned and collapsed. Fire burned through 3 buildings, which were the size of 6 city blocks. No reported injuries, but nearby schools were evacuated and ash spread for miles in all directions. The cause was a hot light bulb falling on combustibles.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Material: Concrete/SteelConstruction fire damaged a steel chord, closing the Liberty Bridge for fear of collapse. The bridge, a major artery for the area, was closed for 24 days.

San Jose, California Material: ConcreteResidents displaced in a 12-story, concrete high-rise apartment building due to a 9th-floor fire caused by a faulty light fixture. The building's sprinkler system was activated.

Wichita, Kansas Material: ConcreteOne fatality in a concrete apartment fire.

New Orleans, Louisiana Material: ConcreteAn historic, 4-story, concrete building was at risk of collapse due to fire. The fire in the largely unoccupied building spread to an adjacent structure. Firefighters were removed from the building due to a potential collapse.

Lakeland, Florida Material: ConcreteA fatal fire in a 5-story building for seniors was likely caused by smoking. It was constructed in 1971, prior to Florida Fire Code requiring multi-family dwellings to have sprinklers. Fire inspectors noted that the facility had construction features that limited fire spread like concrete construction, fire-rated corridors and doors.

Trenton, New Jersey Material: ConcreteDeadly fire in a concrete high-rise.

Vestavia Hills, Alabama Material: ConcreteA deadly fire in a 2-story, concrete block apartment building. Firefighters cut a hole in the structure to perform rescues. Ten units were affected.

Ocean City, Maryland Material: ConcreteA generator fire that started in a 1st-floor parking garage damaged a 5-story, concrete condominium building under construction.

Adelphi, Maryland Material: Concrete/SteelNearly 50 units were affected by fire in a 6-story, concrete apartment building. Several residents and firefighters sustained minor injuries, and 4 units were destroyed. 100 residents were displaced.

New York City, New York Material: Concrete

Fire occurred at a hospital under renovation at the Langone Medical Center. The Fire Department said the cause was a spark from cutting metal.

2015Dubai, United Arab Emirates Material: Concrete/Aluminum CladdingA 63-story luxury hotel caught fire on New Year’s Eve, hours before the evening’s fireworks show. The building was evacuated and 16 people were treated for minor injuries. Fire alarms failed to activate. The building was fitted with aluminum cladding that had been outlawed for new buildings.

Louisville, Kentucky Material: Concrete/Steel RoofOutdated sprinklers and broken fire hydrants reportedly contributed to a fire that caused more than $50 million in damage to the General Electric Appliance Park. Employees were evacuated and production was canceled for over a week.

Naples, Florida Material: ConcreteDeadly fire due to ‘highly flammable foam insulation’ according to the local fire chief. The building did not have sprinklers.

Colville, Washington Material: ConcreteFatal fire in a 2-story concrete block apartment fire.

New York City, New York Material: ConcreteOne fatality in a 14th floor fire in a concrete apartment building. One firefighter hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Newton, Kansas Material: ConcreteOne fatality in a concrete high-rise fire in a low-income apartment building for seniors, many of whom had mobility issues. Two residents treated for smoke inhalation.

Los Angeles, California Material: ConcreteTwelve buildings – including both businesses and homes – were either damaged or destroyed by a fire. One of the buildings contained furniture, which fueled the blaze. One firefighter was injured.

Grand Island, Nebraska Material: ConcreteOne fatality, one injury in a concrete public housing high-rise. The building did not have sprinklers.

Los Angeles, California Material: ConcreteDeadly fire at 3-story concrete apartment building.

Learn more about construction fire safety at www.ConstructionFireSafety.org. See a full list of incidents at www.awc.org/firesafetymap.