NFIRS 5.0 Element: ‘Cause of Ignition’
Définition : The general causal factor that resulted in a heat source igniting a combustible material. The cause could be the result of a deliberate act, mechanical failure, or act of nature.
Purpose : This information is used to determine if further information about the factors related to the fire’s ignition will be collected later in the module. When combined with other data elements that make up the fire’s “ignition chain,” it provides critical information about the nature of the events and the circumstances that caused the fire. This is an important element in understanding the causes of fires.

Entry : Check or mark the box best describing why the heat source and the combustible material were able to combine to initiate the fire. If this is an exposure report, check or mark the top box in this block and skip to Section G.
Element Specification
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Requirement | Mandatory |
Expected Length | 1 |
Element Type | Coded Field – The coded field relating to an entry in the code table. Most coded fields allow for Plus+ One codes. For these fields the expected length of the coded entry is depicted as (National length OR Plus+ One length). Only fields with this notation in the expected length column allow for Plus+ One definitions. If the user has not provided information, an empty field should be transmitted. |
CAUSE OF IGNITION CODES
Here are the NFIRS codes for the ‘Cause of Ignition’ element
Building Status | Code |
---|---|
Under Construction | 1 |
In Normal Use | 2 |
Idle, Not Routinely Used | 3 |
Under Major Renovation | 4 |
Vacant And Secured | 5 |
Vacant And Unsecured | 6 |
Being Demolished | 7 |
Other | 0 |
Undetermined | U |
Topic: NFIRS
Last Updated on March 25, 2023