Cleaning Up After A Fire

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that 370,000 residential fires occur in the United States each year. The property damage caused by these fires totaled $7 billion. But what types of flames are generating this damage, and how are they being put out?

Types of Fires

High-oxygen fires, low-oxygen fires, and kitchen fires are the three primary types of fires that commonly occur in American homes. Each of these flames has unique characteristics that enable it to cause different forms of damages. There are also several methods for thoroughly cleaning them.

The amount of oxygen in a fire has a significant influence on the amount of damage it produces. The fire triangle consists of heat, fuel, and oxygen.

High-oxygen Fire

Dry soot is produced by high-oxygen flames, making them simpler to clean than the other common types of home fires. They're usually cleaned with dry sponges and a low-alkaline detergent.

Low-oxygen Fire

Because it creates oily, wet soot, a low-oxygen fire is a little more difficult to clean than a high-oxygen fire. The fire smolders as a result of the damp, smoky residue. These fires are often cleansed using warm water and a high-alkaline detergent that may be used to wash walls and buildings.

Kitchen Fire

Kitchen fires are usually the most difficult type of fire damage to clean. The fact that soot residue is difficult to detect is the most problematic aspect of these fires. Cabinets, drawers, and other equipment must be removed after a kitchen fire.

Cleaning Fires

The majority of the damage caused by fires is caused by the smoke and soot that the fire creates, rather than the actual flames. The smoke and soot in the house have the power to infiltrate the paint, carpet, upholstery, and clothing. Some materials in the impacted residence may need to be removed and disposed of, while others may be cleaned. Regardless of where the fire happens, there are several crucial elements to consider throughout the cleanup procedure.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

When it comes to putting out a fire, the most crucial consideration is safety. Gloves, a protective mask, long-sleeved shirts, and pants should be worn by anybody cleaning up a fire. This equipment will assist to reduce the risk of coming into touch with the mold. Specialists are trained to deal with mold so that it does not affect them or anybody else in the house, which is one of the main reasons why mold should only be dealt with by professionals.

Remove Contents from the Home

All contents within the house should be removed, regardless of the material that has been damaged. However, depending on the type of material being handled, it may not be necessary to discard it. While some things must be discarded as a result of a fire, others can be cleaned.

Ventilation

Not just in putting out a fire, but also in recovering a property after a fire, ventilation is crucial. Smoke and grime make the building uninhabitable, and it desperately needs to be ventilated. When firemen get on the site, they will immediately begin the ventilation procedure to make the structure safer. Ventilation will assist in the removal of scents after they have left.

Additional Contaminants

While smoke and soot cause the bulk of the damage, lead and asbestos may also degrade the environment and necessitate rehabilitation. What started as a simple fire restoration might turn into a major environmental restoration if they are disrupted.

Duct Cleaning

The smoke and soot produced by a fire might become trapped in the building's duct system. As a result, following every fire repair, a complete duct cleaning is essential. It's possible that toxins and odors will spread to other parts of the house if duct cleaning isn't done.

A house fire may be a catastrophic occurrence. Depending on the type of fire, the damage may require a little clean-up or a complete clean-up. In any case, there are several components of the restoration that must be done. If your house has been damaged by a fire, contact SERVPRO to assure a thorough restoration.