{"id":16767,"date":"2026-02-20T14:12:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T14:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/?p=16767"},"modified":"2026-03-06T19:36:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T19:36:23","slug":"fire-safety-for-non-conventional-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2026\/02\/fire-safety-for-non-conventional-housing\/","title":{"rendered":"Fire Safety for Non-conventional Housing"},"content":{"rendered":"

A couple recently died by fire in a \u201cstorage-type building being used as living quarters.\u201d I was trying to find the story and found story after story of fires in non-conventional housing, many resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.<\/p>\n

The coroner said although the storage-type building was being used as living quarters, it did not have proper electrical connections and was being powered by an extension cord serviced by a home next door.<\/p>\n

Fowler added, “A kerosene heater was located inside the structure and is believed to have contributed to the fatal fire.”<\/p>\n

WYFF News 4 Greenville, SC<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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This is not a fatal fire.
Photo by Kpahor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What causes fires in sheds or campers converted to homes?<\/h2>\n

Many of the fires reported in non-conventional housing that made the news had the same details, powered by an extension cord and heated by a kerosene heater or some other potentially risky heat source.<\/p>\n

Extension Cords<\/h3>\n

Shed conversions are often powered by an extension cord plugged into a nearby house.  An extension cord runs to an exterior house outlet or is even run in through a window to an interior outlet. Everything in the house\/shed or camper is plugged into the same cord, overloading it.<\/p>\n

Even a heavy-duty 10 or 12-gauge extension cord will get hot if it is overloaded. Often the cord is run under furniture or rugs, increasing the risk of overheating and fire. Even when there are outlets, frequently the outlets are all powered by a single extension cord.<\/p>\n

Older or homemade campers are also often just plugged into a nearby outlet. Most newer RVs have 30-amp or 50-amp systems with breakers that cut power to prevent overloading, integrated surge protectors, Ground Monitor Interrupters (GMI), and robust, properly rated wiring. Older campers and DIY campers are not likely to have these safety systems.<\/p>\n

Heat or Cooking<\/h3>\n

Tiny Houses, RVs or campers, or shed cabins are usually quite small with limited or no ventilation. Fumes from kerosene heaters, space heaters or makeshift stoves can build up quickly.<\/p>\n

It can be a challenge to keep a heater far enough away from everything in a small space. If your entire living space is only 8\u2019x8\u2019, how are you expected to keep a 3-foot clearance on all sides from a heater?<\/p>\n

Space heaters are responsible for 43% of home heating fires, with small rooms making it harder to keep flammable materials (curtains, beds, clothes) at the required 3-foot, 360-degree clearance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Photo from a firefighter survival class 
Photo by Jess Mann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why are shed-to-cabin or RV fires so deadly?<\/h2>\n