Fires are among the most devastating occurrences a home or business owner can face. No matter how big they are, the destruction they cause can be devastating. The actual burning of the property doesn’t always tell the whole story, however, because the extent and severity of the damage can’t be determined until after the flames are put out.
Your local water damage restoration and fire restoration contractor, Elements of Restoration takes an in-depth look at the different types of fire damage that can occur
The Basics of Fire Damage
In the context of home restoration, fire damage refers to the physical damage to a property as a result of burning. There are three types: damage from flames, smoke damage and damage from other substances. Here’s an overview of each one:
- Damage From Flames – A typical fire usually starts from a chemical reaction between oxygen in the atmosphere and some sort of fuel in a process called combustion. Fire burns differently depending on the cause. In other words, damage caused by an electrical fire may look different from damage caused by cooking oil splatter.
- Damage From Other Substances – Our fire damage restoration professionals often have to deal with water stains or mold, which are the result of water that was used to extinguish the flames on the burning property. Also, if chemicals were involved in the fire, they have to remove them immediately so as not to cause further harm.
- Smoke Damage – Even after the flames are put out, the damaging effects of the fire may still linger due to smoke. Permanent etching, staining and discoloration are all possible if smoke residue and soot aren’t removed following a fire.
The entire restoration process can take considerable amounts of time, effort and expertise. It also requires a deep understanding of the health and safety risks. We don’t just remove the debris, smoke and soot particles, and standing water from the property, but also ensure high-quality indoor air by eradicating pesky smoke smells.
The Different Fire Classes
Before our restoration pros get to work, we make sure to identify the type of material and fuel that caused the combustion and started the fire. For this, we turn to the fire class system for guidance, which is commonly used by firefighters to determine the type of extinguishing agent that can be used to put out that specific fire class.
- Class A – These are fires caused by a common flammable material as the source of fuel, including wood, paper, fabric, rubber and certain types of plastics. They are extinguished using common methods like water mist from fire protection systems and the red fire extinguishers found in fire exits and emergency fire cabinets.
- Class B – These are fires caused by flammable liquids and gasses. These include gasoline, oils, tars, paints, solvents and alcohols, as well as propane and butane. These are suppressed using dry chemical or halon-based fire extinguishers designed to inhibit chemical chain reaction.
- Class C – These are fires caused by electricity that powers appliances, computers, transformers and other electrical devices. They are put out using all extinguishing agents except water and others with conductive agents.
- Class D – These are fires caused by flammable metals such as potassium, lithium, magnesium and sodium. They’re difficult to suppress because many don’t know when these metals combust. Putting them out requires expertise because of the hazards involved. Dry powder extinguishers are recommended for such fires.
- Class K – These are caused by cooking oils and greases and often occur in kitchens. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are often used to suppress the flames from this fire class.
Common Sources of Residential Fires
Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reveal that more than 350,000 house fires occur in the U.S. each year, resulting in about 2,000 deaths. Recognizing and reducing the risks of residential fires are a must to ensure safety not just for your entire property but for your family as well. Here are some of the most common sources of residential fires:
- Kitchen Fires – They account for nearly half of all residential fires in Austin, TX. These are usually categorized under Class K because of the oils and greases that become overheated on a stove or in an oven. Kitchen fires start because of unsupervised cooking, which may involve the use of oil as a cooking agent or any food that produces grease. Failure to mitigate fire risks like cleaning ovens and stovetops and using appliances correctly can also result in fires.
- Heater Fires – They account for around 20% of all home fires. The high temperatures of residential space heaters and baseboard heaters increase the likelihood of fires, especially if fabrics and other combustible materials are left too close to them.
- Electrical Fires – About 15% of all homes fires are caused by electrical problems. They are also among the most fatal, accounting for 15% of home fire deaths. They usually ignite in hidden locations and build into major fires before residents become aware of them. Short circuits can cause sparks that ignite combustible materials, as well as current overload in circuits that cause wires to overheat, often lead to fires.
Finding yourself dealing with the aftermath of the house fire can be overwhelming, especially when you consider the mess from the fire and the damage created by how it was extinguished, as well as the irreplaceable valuables that might have been affected. If this unfortunate event happens, you need to be aware of the next steps so you know what to expect. First and foremost, you’ll need to hire a residential restoration company you can rely on.
Elements of Restoration is a leading contractor for your water and fire damage cleanup, remediation and restoration needs. We employ a team of knowledgeable technicians all around Central Texas to ensure the completion of the restoration process. Expect us to be with you every step of the way, making sure we minimize the stress that comes with the tremendous losses you might be facing. Learn more about our services by calling (512)-550-0645 or filling out our contact form to schedule an appointment.