Fires are one of the most terrible issues that homeowners can face. A fire can start from multiple sources in your home and could cause catastrophic damage if not extinguished immediately. As such, it’s in your best interest to be well-informed about the different classes of fire damage and their sources.

 

 

In today’s post, your residential construction expert, Kingdom Restoration Inc, shares the different types of fire damage and how you can prevent them. Read on to learn more.

 

Common Types of Fire Damage

 

  • Kitchen Fire. The most common source of kitchen fire in the United States stems from grease fire. This happens when someone unintentionally leaves a frying pan unattended. It could lead to serious injury or major fire damage to your home and those around it. Not to mention that this isn’t limited to frying pans as fires can start from different appliances such as your oven, dishwasher, or even your microwave. Always remember to keep your kitchen clean, be mindful when cooking food, and unplug unused appliances for everyone’s safety.
  • Electrical Fire. This kind of fire starts mostly from faulty appliances, worn or faulty wiring, improper outlet usage and old electrical breakers. Older homes are at a higher risk of faulty wiring. This is due to the old wiring within the home’s frame that could cause short circuits that can spark a flame. Be sure to have your residential remodeling contractor inspect your home’s wiring to see if they are still in good working condition. Lighting is another common source of electrical fires. Bulbs that have a higher wattage count than the recommended capacity can cause fires since they could strain the electrical circuits within your home.
  • Heater Fire. A heater fire commonly occurs during the winter months. Homeowners tend to use their heating system a lot during these times, and even carry portable heaters with them to keep them warm wherever they may be at home. You can avoid heater fires by purchasing one with an automatic shutoff function and keep them away from flammable materials. 
  • Smoke-Related Fire. Residential construction experts state that fires caused by cigarettes cause around 1,000 deaths in the United States every year. Smokers should be careful in disposing of their cigarette butts and should ensure that it’s no longer lit before throwing them away. Homeowners shouldn’t smoke in their bedrooms and should avoid doing so when they’re tired or inebriated. If you must smoke, be sure to smoke in a safe area outside your house, and dispose of them in fire-resistant bins or ashtrays.

 

Classes of Fire Damage

 

  • Class A Fire Damage. This classification involves flammable solids such as plastic, paper, rubber, wood and cloth. Be sure to keep these materials away from heat or any flammable object to increase your safety.
  • Class B Fire Damage. These include flammable liquids or solids that can be transformed into a liquid state. These include gasoline, kerosene, oil, waxes or even paint. However, fires caused by cooking oils do not fall under this category. Your residential remodeling company recommends taking extra caution when handling these materials.
  • Class C Fire Damage. Class C fire damage involves combustible gasses such as hydrogen, propane, butane and natural gas. Make sure that their tanks aren’t leaking and that they’re properly stored so that they’re not at risk of catching fire.
  • Class D Fire Damage. These fires are caused by combustible metals such as magnesium, potassium and sodium.
  • Class E Fire Damage. Class E fire damage is a combination caused by those in Class A and B that involve electrical elements such as faulty wiring. This helps your remodeling contractor factor in which parts of your home should have fortified flame and electrical resistance.
  • Class F Fire Damage. These are fires stemmed from cooking oils and fats. These are considered very dangerous as kitchen fires are very common and the fires caused by this damage are significantly hotter than the others.

 

With all of these details laid out, be sure to take extra caution whenever you cook up a delicious meal, put out a cigarette butt or even plug in your electrical appliances. Make sure that the appliances you use have failsafe features that prevent short circuits. Also, ensure that your home’s breaker and electrical wiring are in great condition so as to not cause a circuit overload that could spark a flame.

Do you need a certified remodeling contractor who can handle all of your needs? Call on Kingdom Restoration Inc! Whether you need a larger bathroom, a new addition to your home, or have your entire home remodeled, we’ve got you covered. We’re known for our exceptional work ethic, attention to detail and our commitment to giving our clients our best workmanship. Call us at (941) 263-8715 or fill out our contact form to get a FREE quotation. We serve customers in all of South Florida.