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Volume :27 Issue : 2 2000
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Statistical analysis and cost/injury model for building fires in Kuwait
Auther : P.A. KOUSHKI AND M.J. TERRO
Department of Civil Engineering, Kuwait University, P.O. Box: 5969, Safat, 13060, Kuwait
ABSTRACT
Worldwide, buidling fires are a sources of significant property damage and human loss-and the danger of fire is ever present. This paper reports the findidngs of a research project aimed at the determination of general characteristics of building fires in Kuwait, the examination of their human and monetary damage results, the evaluation of relationships between the characteristics of fires and the resulting damages, and the development of models to estimate fire cost and person injuries in Kuwait. Two sources of data were utilized in the research. The records of the Fire-Fighting Department and a person-interview survey of the fire victims to obtain damage costs. Findings indicated that on the average a building fire in Kuwait lasted for 23 minutes, caused KD 2577 (US $8500) in damage costs, injured one person in every 3.5 fires, and killed one person in every 77 fires. Building fires were more frequent during holidays and summer months, mostly in the afternnons and evenings. Bedrooms and kitchen experienced the most fires. Two cross-classification models were also calibrated for a preliminary estimate of building fire costs and person-injuries. A number of recommendations have been made.