In 2010, an estimated 16,800 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines (including combination washer/dryers) resulted in 51 civilian deaths, 380 civilian injuries, and $236 million in direct property damage.
Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, causing excessive heat build-up.
- The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (22%). Eight percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or malfunction.
- The risk of fire is roughly equal for gas-fuelled clothes dryers and electric-powered clothes dryers.
Reducing the risk with Watermist Fire Protection
Automist uses an infrared sensor to detect the fire using our proprietary, intelligent fire detection algorithm. A reliable integrated early warning smoke and heat combination alarm is part of every installation to raise the alarm long before the fire starts to emerge. Automist activates fast to suppress the fire early and limit the production of toxic smoke, increasing the time available for people to escape or be rescued.