Causes, consequences and prevention of refrigeration fires in residential dwellings

• Published in: Fire safety journal Vol. 102; pp. 66 - 76
• Main Authors: Beasley, M.G., Holborn, P.G., Ingram, J.M., Maidment, G.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Data processing; Dwellings; Failure modes; Fire damage; Fire prevention; Fire protection; Fires; Freezers; Household appliances; Ignition; Property damage; Refrigeration; Refrigerators; Residential buildings; Risk reduction; Tumble driers; Washing machines; United Kingdom > UK
• ISSN: 0379-7112; 1873-7226
• DOI: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2018.11.001

There are around 300 residential dwelling fires in Great Britain each year where a fridge or freezer is cited as the cause. A number of these incidents have resulted in injuries/fatalities and produced significant levels of property damage. This paper examines the causes and consequences of refrigeration fires in residential dwelling fires in Great Britain (London and England) and the evidence collected via fire investigation of residential dwelling fires involving fridges or freezers. Analysis of the data collected from these fires suggests that, once ignition occurs, fires started by faults in fridge/freezers are more likely to spread beyond both the appliance and the room of origin, and tend to cause more damage than fires started by the other types of white goods appliance (washing machine, dishwasher or tumble dryer). A number of common failure modes leading to ignition in domestic refrigeration fires, along with specific fire escalation and spread mechanism are identified. Based upon the information obtained from fire investigations and a comparison between the design and construction of refrigeration appliances used in Great Britain and USA, a number of recommendations are suggested which could be used to help reduce the risk of domestic refrigeration fires. •Fires started by faults in domestic white goods appliances are compared.•Fridge/freezer fires are more likely to spread and cause significant damage.•Common failure modes leading to ignition in refrigeration fires are identified.•Specific fire spread mechanisms in refrigeration fires are identified.•Recommendations are suggested to reduce the risk of refrigeration fires.