Research Article

Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022)

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: July 24, 2026
TR EN

Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022)

Abstract

Fire incidents continue to pose a significant public safety and occupational health risk worldwide. According to the International Technical Committee on Fire Prevention and Firefighting (2023), fire-related death rates range from 3 to 5 per 100,000 people in developed countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan, while in developing countries such as India, Pakistan, and Nigeria, these rates can reach 25 to 45 per 100,000 people. In Türkiye, the fire-related death rate was approximately 7 per 100,000 people in 2022, placing the country in the middle-income group. The absence of a centralized and standardized national fire incident database in Türkiye limits the comprehensive analysis of fire-related workplace accidents. Therefore, this study examines the distribution and characteristics of fire-related workplace accidents using Social Security Institution (SSI) data covering the 2012–2022 period. Statistical analyses were conducted using Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher–Freeman–Halton tests. The findings indicate that fire-related accidents account for approximately 5.3% of all workplace accidents and 11.6% of fatal cases. According to SSI records, these accidents are predominantly concentrated in categories C1 (≈42%) and C2 (≈39%). A gender-based analysis indicates that male workers are significantly more affected by fire-related workplace accidents (p<0.001). These findings should be considered as preliminary evidence derived from existing official data. The results highlight the strategic importance of establishing a transparent, centralized, and internationally compliant national fire data monitoring system in Turkiye. Such an approach would also contribute to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 9.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

No ethical approval

Thanks

We would like to thank all the professionals who provided preventive services with their selfless efforts in the field of fire safety, public and occupational health in the implementation of this study. Your contributions to the protection of health and safety are admirable.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Urban Planning and Health, Architecture for Disaster Relief, Architectural Design, Fire Safety Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

July 24, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

April 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 18, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Simsek, S., & Er, H. (2026). Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022). Gazi University Journal of Science, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1685093
AMA
1.Simsek S, Er H. Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022). Gazi University Journal of Science. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.35378/gujs.1685093
Chicago
Simsek, Suleyman, and Habibe Er. 2026. “Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022)”. Gazi University Journal of Science, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1685093.
EndNote
Simsek S, Er H (July 1, 2026) Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022). Gazi University Journal of Science Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]S. Simsek and H. Er, “Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022)”, Gazi University Journal of Science, no. Advanced Online Publication, July 2026, doi: 10.35378/gujs.1685093.
ISNAD
Simsek, Suleyman - Er, Habibe. “Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022)”. Gazi University Journal of Science. Advanced Online Publication (July 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1685093.
JAMA
1.Simsek S, Er H. Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022). Gazi University Journal of Science. 2026. doi:10.35378/gujs.1685093.
MLA
Simsek, Suleyman, and Habibe Er. “Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022)”. Gazi University Journal of Science, no. Advanced Online Publication, July 2026, doi:10.35378/gujs.1685093.
Vancouver
1.Suleyman Simsek, Habibe Er. Industrial Fire Safety in Turkey: A Retrospective Analysis of Fire-Related Occupational Accidents (2012–2022). Gazi University Journal of Science. 2026 Jul. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.35378/gujs.1685093