High numbers of deaths and injuries in German healthcare facilities
bvfa, the German fire protection trades association, has for several years used press reports to collect statistics on fire deaths and injuries in German healthcare facilities. It found that at least 20 deaths and 470 injures occured in 2022. These fell in 176 care home fires and 87 hospital fires. Given the way the information is collected, bvfa admits that it is unlikely to be complete. Nevertheless it is enough evidence to conclude that fire safety in these buildings need to improve. Unlike in some other European countries there are no requirements or building code incentives to fit sprinklers in hospitals or care homes in Germany. Data from the US show that sprinklers can reduce fire deaths by over 80% in these facilities.