Fire Damage
The many different substances that can fuel a fire mean that fires may be very different in their cause, composition and waste. Understanding the chemistry of fire is necessary in order to react appropriately and to effectively restore surfaces impacted.
Fires are classified into two groups: simple and complex. Simple fires
result in complete combustion and are usually fueled by a relatively pure
fuel, producing no soot and only small amounts of gas, fumes and smoke.
Complex fires, on the other hand, are the result of incomplete combustion
and are fueled by many materials, including those found in plastics,
carpets, furniture, clothing, plumbing and bathroom equipment. Because
complex fires leave the most damage and waste, these are best handled by
restoration professionals like ServiceMaster Clean.
In a complex fire, the acid gasses combine with heat and water vapor and
penetrate cracks and crevices and deposit highly corrosive solutions on all
exposed surfaces. These solutions can permanently etch and stain many
sensitive surfaces including metal, glass, plastic and wood. The most
important thing to remember is to dry out the area and neutralize the
surfaces as soon as possible to avoid further damage caused by acids and
other contaminants.