Focus: Fire-Life Safety

Hospital smoking bans results in fewer fires

Number of fires from cigarettes and lighters drops in hospitals


U.S. hospitals have moved toward establishing smoke-free campuses to promote healthier lifestyles. But the 20-year movement has also seen a reduction in hospital fires, according to an article on The Bulletin website.

A new report by the National Fire Protection Association said smoking materials accounted for an average of 50 fires per year in hospitals and hospices from 2009 to 2013. 

That’s down from 100 fires per year from 2006 to 2010, and 3,800 fires per year from 1980 to 1984, when nearly half of smoking-related fires occurred in patient rooms.

In the early ’80s, smoking materials accounted for 30 percent of all hospital and hospice fires, but today cause less than 4 percent of the total.

Read the article.

 

 

 



December 13, 2016


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

5 Reasons Engineering is the Edge in Healthcare Master Planning

The most successful plans go further to unlock smarter investments, improve resilience and enable better patient outcomes.


Building an AI-Ready Healthcare Facility 

Creating a secure, standardized data foundation can help facilities teams put AI to work more effectively.


Family Medical Associates of Raleigh Reports April 2026 Data Breach

The investigation has found evidence that between April 18, 2026, and April 20, 2026, an unauthorized actor intermittently accessed some FMAR systems.


Every Detail Matters: A Patient's Story of Healing, Hope and Healthcare Facilities

In the Facilities in Focus season finale, 11-year-old Kendalynn and her mother share how Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital became more than a place for care.


Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Tops Off New 11-Story Tower

The expansion will improve the patient experience by transitioning the hospital to all private patient rooms while significantly increasing clinical capacity.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.