Electric Candles

[Tomdstone]

According to the NFPA, which is the body that sets the standards for every fire department in the United States (and Canada under a different name), candles cause 4% of fires in religious buildings, and that number is statistically equivalent to the number of fires caused by lightning strikes.

Electrical fires account for 10%

Heating 16%
Cooking equipment fires 30%

Note that the statistics include both religious properties as such (churches, synagogues, etc.) and funeral homes. The NFPA groups those two together in their statistics because from a fire-fighting perspective, the buildings are similar. Still, church fires were 96% to funeral homes 4%, so statistically, the inclusion of funeral homes has little effect on the overall picture.

**
So statistically, it is far more dangerous to have a spaghetti supper in the church hall than it is to have candles burning in the Sanctuary. **

Statistically, electricity causes far more church fires than candles.

Source: nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/fires-by-property-type/assemblies/religious-and-funeral-properties

The bottom line is that the claims that candles in church are somehow inherently dangerous is nothing more than an urban legend. Of course, we need to be cautious with them, but real life experience tells us that when used responsibly they are not likely to cause fires in churches.

Onefactor which you fail to discuss is the property damage resulting from fires caused by cooking equipment.

 

[FrDavid96]

Onefactor which you fail to discuss is the property damage resulting from fires caused by cooking equipment.

Well, people can click on the link and see that for themselves. Likewise, property damage from other sources.

 

[FrDavid96]

Onefactor which you fail to discuss is the property damage resulting from fires caused by cooking equipment.

The property damage for candles vs. cooking is 5% vs 4%. That’s statistically insignificant.

Also, cooking equipment will naturally cause less damage because it’s far more likely that someone will actually be there to put out the fire, commercial cooking equipment often must have its own fire-suppression system, and its far more likely that people will be present at the time, so the fire department will get the call and respond quickly.

So if one wants to truly compare the two causes, one would have to compare only church fires caused by candles which occur during services.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Unfortunately; due to fire codes; electric candles have now become the norm in most churches. I still light wax candles at my home shrine.

Fortunately, that’s not the case around here. In fact, I know of only one place in our area using electric, but it’s an historic cathedral not in regular liturgical use. The other older, historic buildings have taken the precautions Clare describes.

 

[FrenzyJen]

During a lengthy hospitalization of my infant, the only masses that I was able to attend were offered at the hospital, using electric candles to comply with code. I can tell you that I was never closer to Jesus than during those months, so I find that the type of flame matters very little in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

During a lengthy hospitalization of my infant, the only masses that I was able to attend were offered at the hospital, using electric candles to comply with code. I can tell you that I was never closer to Jesus than during those months, so I find that the type of flame matters very little in the grand scheme of things.

In fact, where I have most encountered these “electric candles” has been in chapels of hospitals and homes for the aged. The regulation against having an open flame with no one present has never disturbed me.

After several separate incidents through the years of my priesthood, I see unattended candles as something to be meticulous about in terms of multiple layers of safeguard…and not allowing parishioners to try to circumvent those safeguards.

 

[fbl9]

In fact, where I have most encountered these “electric candles” has been in chapels of hospitals and homes for the aged. The regulation against having an open flame with no one present has never disturbed me.

After several separate incidents through the years of my priesthood, I see unattended candles as something to be meticulous about in terms of multiple layers of safeguard…and not allowing parishioners to try to circumvent those safeguards.

I have never really gave this much thought till now. Our parish has had electric for i don’t know for how long. I am some what disappointed with the electric but that is what they say they need to do so i guess.
Also this thread got me to thinking what if? During Mass the power when out and the electric candle stayed lit. How many people would notice it?

 

[psalm90]

In some industrial settings, there is required a ‘fire watch’ when there’s welding or grinding. Our city hall sustained some fire damage and lots of water damage (> $12 million) because there was no fire watch after a guy was grinding on a bolt.

I was an altar boy for 8 years from 1959 to 1967 and there was no mention of fire safety or fire fighting, or any obvious provisions for fire fighting.

As I now watch kids lighting candles, etc. I am very concerned for their safety. and, I still don’t see any obvious means of fire fighting if a cassock, surplice, or somebody’s hair caught fire.

I see much more opportunity for artistic and aesthetic purposes with spot lights and directed high intensity lighting, even laser lights in church.

Are the candles supposed to remind us how Mass was celebrated by candle light in the catacombs of Rome? Does anybody even care about that? In last week’s parish bulletin, I think the lighting of a candle by a bride and groom has been designated a retired practice. Years ago, our pastor noticed the carved wooden and painted statue of the Virgin was cracked which he attributed to the heat of banks of votive lights on that side altar. That may have been due to the ordinary expansion of the wood, but he banished the candles.

I like those flickering l.e.d. candle lights. I don’t know why they are so expensive, except for their popularity.

I shudder at all the candles I see on the youtube Taize videos.

 

[EricF]

In fact, where I have most encountered these “electric candles” has been in chapels of hospitals and homes for the aged. The regulation against having an open flame with no one present has never disturbed me.

After several separate incidents through the years of my priesthood, I see unattended candles as something to be meticulous about in terms of multiple layers of safeguard…and not allowing parishioners to try to circumvent those safeguards.

Alas, I went in to St. Mary Major in Rome to pray for a dying friend, and the candles were electric.

 

[pianistclare]

Alas, I went in to St. Mary Major in Rome to pray for a dying friend, and the candles were electric.

I imagine with it being popular with tourists replacing those little candles would be a full time job.