What damages can come from a fire?

2/2/2023 (Permalink)

Flagler Fire Damage

Smoke damage
The residues, gases, and vapors produced by fire are products of incomplete combustion (PIC) that can include particle matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, heavy metals, dioxins, and other complex chemical compounds, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control. Chemical composition varies with the material burned, the amount of oxygen available, combustion temperature, and humidity. These variables change during the fire, as do the resulting PICs.

Heat damage
Damage from high heat is easily identified as physical damage, char, or blistering. Temperatures in a structure fire can exceed 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat can cause damage to surfaces and materials at much lower temperatures. For example, gypsum goes through a process of calcination at 176 degrees Fahrenheit where it changes both physically and chemically (release of water). At this point, the gypsum becomes brittle and can begin to crumble. The “heat line” is a visible demarcation between heavy and light smoke residue. An easy way to determine if the gypsum is damaged is to tap the drywall below the heat line and above the heat line; there will be an audible difference in the tone where this calcination has occurred. The heat line can be used as a reference to determine the potential restorability of structural components and contents.

Pressure damage
All fire damage has a pressure component that can help us understand why PICs end up in seemingly odd areas. A protein fire produces little pressure, but thermal dynamics will cause the PICs to be attracted to cool surfaces either by pressure or condensation. Areas in the kitchen behind cabinets and appliance mounting cavities, cool closets several closed doors beyond the source, and the inside of cabinets and case goods are suspect locations of residue and odors. Cleaning to remove the PICs will resolve the associated protein odor.

Addressing damages
Depending on the nature of the smoke and the surface involved, PICs often can be successfully removed by cleaning provided there is no heat damage. Heat damage often requires refinishing or replacing the surface. When addressing fire damage, restoration professionals must understand and consider the dynamics of fire, smoke, heat, and pressures to accurately assess the damage and prepare a successful scope of work.

Our team of technicians are professionally trained and super experienced with fire damage and know that it can be difficult to take in. However, we provide 24/7 service to keep damages to a minimum and get the restoration process done at a more rapid pace. Whether that be smoke, soot or odor! SERVPRO of Flagler County is ready for you call when you need us or if you have any questions or concerns at (386) 447-2202!