Energy Poverty and Fire Risk

In the sphere of Fire Safety, there is an opinion that the people living in energy poverty face a greater fire risk and so are exposed to a double penalty. Fires from electrical sources are predominant, FEEDS estimates that 50% of accidental domestic fires have an electrical source and that 132 million of dwellings have obsolete electrical installations in the EU. It is where people in energy poverty situation are potentially living.

The data regarding the link between fire safety and energy poverty is in development. As a consequence, FEEDS decided to undertake research with associations working in energy poverty. This research started in April and closed in June 2022 with an online questionnaire. 27 responses have been received covering 13 countries which is considered to be representative.

The analysis of the responses shows that the correlation between the risk of fire and energy poverty seems clearly established but that the preventive measures are not always well known and even less implemented.

A more consistent approach is required to integrate fire safety considerations into initiatives addressing energy poverty and energy efficiency, or more generally to address inadequate housing from all angles, including energy and safety. At the level of data, best practices, practitioners, there is a need to coordinate efforts to make renovation initiatives acting into a more holistic way.