Fire is one of the most destructive forces you can encounter in your home. From the flicker of a small spark to a raging blaze, fire can spread quickly, leaving lasting damage. But did you know that not all fires are the same? Fires are classified differently based on their fuel source, and understanding these classes can help you protect your home and family.
Today we’ll discuss the six different classes of fires you could face, how to deal with each, and what you can do to prevent fire damage in your home. Also, if you do experience a house fire, we will go over what can you expect from the restoration process.
Topics Covered
Classes of Fire Damage
#1 – Class A Fires: Solid Combustibles
Think of Class A fires as the most common type of fire you might encounter. They’re typically caused by everyday materials like wood, paper, fabric, trash, and certain types of plastics. If a candle tips over onto a pile of papers or a spark catches on a wooden deck, you could be dealing with a Class A fire.
How to Fight It: Water is your best friend here. Water or foam extinguishers can cool and put out the flames by depriving the fire of heat.
#2 – Class B Fires: Flammable Liquids
Now, picture a fire fueled by liquids like gasoline, kerosene, or even some types of cleaning solvents. This is a Class B fire. These fires can be more dangerous because the liquid fuels can spread, making them harder to control.
How to Fight It:
Never use water! Instead, use foam or powder extinguishers that can smother the flames by cutting off the oxygen supply.
#3 – Class C Fires: Gas Fires
Do you cook with propane or have a gas heater at home? If so, you might be dealing with Class C fires. These are fueled by flammable gases like propane, butane, or iso-propane. A gas leak or faulty connection can spark this type of fire.
How to Fight It:
Turn off the gas supply immediately. Then, use a dry powder extinguisher to safely put out the flames.
#4 – Class D Fires: Metal Fires
While it’s rare, metals can catch fire. Class D fires are fueled by flammable metals like sodium or magnesium. Although they’re uncommon in the average home, they might occur if you work with certain materials or have a workshop on your property.
How to Fight It:
Water makes these fires worse, so avoid it! Use a special dry powder extinguisher designed for metal fires to safely put it out.
#5 – Electrical Fires
You’ve probably heard of electrical fires—they’re caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or damaged electrical appliances. These fires aren’t their own “class” per se, but they’re often linked to Class A, B, or C fires because they ignite other materials like wood or liquids.
How to Fight It:
CO2 extinguishers are the best option. They cut off the oxygen supply and reduce the chance of electrocution. Never use water on electrical fires—it’s extremely dangerous!
#6 – Class F Fires: Grease and Cooking Fires
Class F fires happen in the kitchen. Grease or cooking oils can catch fire when left unattended or when exposed to too much heat. These are common and can be particularly dangerous because the grease can splash and spread the flames quickly.
How to Fight It:
You need a wet chemical extinguisher or a fire blanket. Never use water—it will make the fire worse by spreading the oil and increasing the flames.
Preventing Fire Damage: 3 Tips
#1 – Educate Your Household
Make sure everyone in your home knows how to use a fire extinguisher and understands the different types of fires. Teach children to never attempt to put out fires by themselves—call an adult or the fire department instead.
#2 – Maintain Equipment
Regularly check your fire extinguishers and replace them if they’ve expired. Have your home inspected by a fire professional to ensure your fire alarms and electrical systems meet safety standards.
#3 – Be Proactive in the Kitchen
Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires. Keep a close eye on frying pans or any hot oil and have a fire blanket or the right extinguisher handy.
The Three Main Types of Fire Damage
When a fire breaks out, the immediate priority is to protect everyone involved. Firefighters do a heroic job of saving lives and stopping the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. But once the fire is out, what comes next? The aftermath can leave a property with all kinds of damage—fire, smoke, and water—that need to be addressed before life can get back to normal.
Let’s dive into the three main types of damage that happen from a fire:
#1 – Burn or Heat Damage
When we think of fires, we naturally think of things getting burned. The heat from a fire can be incredibly intense, especially near its starting point. In these areas, walls, floors, and even beams may suffer serious structural damage and need to be replaced. However, not everything affected by the fire has to go.
For instance, wood beams that are only charred on the outside can often be salvaged if they’re still structurally sound. Using special techniques, experts can remove just the outer layer of burnt wood, exposing the undamaged wood underneath.
#2 – Soot and Smoke Damage
Fire might do a lot of harm, but smoke can sometimes be just as troublesome. The closer an object is to the fire, the worse the smoke damage usually is. But other factors—like how long the fire burned and what materials were involved—also affect how deep the smoke penetrates. Ever notice how the smell of smoke seems to linger even after the flames are gone? That’s because smoke often seeps deep into walls, fabrics, and other surfaces, making it harder to get rid of.
Wet Smoke
If the fire burned at a lower temperature, it might have left behind a sticky, thick residue. This is wet smoke, and it’s a nightmare to clean up, especially when plastics and synthetic materials were involved. It tends to cling to surfaces and can be really tricky to remove.
Dry Smoke
On the other hand, high-temperature fires (think fast-burning blazes fueled by wood or paper) leave behind dry smoke. This is a powdery residue, much easier to clean than wet smoke, but don’t be fooled—the heat from these fires can do significant damage to your home.
Protein Smoke
Have you ever accidentally left food on the stove too long? Fires involving food often lead to protein smoke, which may not look that bad but can leave behind some truly stubborn, unpleasant odors. It’s the sneaky, invisible type of damage that you might not notice right away.
To truly eliminate smoke damage (and that stubborn smell), professionals often use abrasive cleaning methods. With careful blasting, they can strip away the smoke-damaged layers while preserving the surface underneath. This method works on many surfaces, including drywall, brick, wood, and even metal. The best part? Once the layers of soot are removed, the smell usually disappears too!
#3 – Water Damage or Water Staining
While water is great for putting out a fire, it can also leave behind its own set of problems. Materials like drywall and wood may become soaked, leading to potential mold issues. In these cases, removal and replacement might be the only option. But not all materials are beyond saving.
Brick or stone, for example, might only show surface staining after being doused with water. These stains are often caused by minerals or particles in the water. Fortunately, professionals can use special techniques to gently clean away the stains, speeding up the restoration process and making the space livable again.
The Fire Restoration Process
So, the fire is out. Now what? Restoration isn’t a quick fix—it’s a detailed, multi-step process that requires both patience and professionals.
#1 – Safety and Inspection
Before any cleaning or repairs can happen, safety comes first. Restoration teams will assess the property for hazards like unstable structures or dangerous air quality. After that, they’ll inspect the extent of the damage and create a plan of action.
#2 – Water Extraction and Drying
If firefighters had to use water to extinguish the flames, there might be water damage to deal with as well. Excess water is quickly removed, and industrial fans and dehumidifiers are brought in to thoroughly dry out the space.
#3 – Soot and Smoke Residue Cleanup
Here’s where the type of smoke damage comes into play. Based on whether it’s wet, dry, or protein smoke, experts will choose the appropriate cleaning method to remove residues from walls, floors, and personal belongings.
#4 – Odor Removal and Air Purification
Even after the soot is gone, the smell of smoke can stick around. Specialized deodorizing agents neutralize these odors, and air purifiers like HEPA scrubbers or ozone generators are used to clear the air of lingering particles.
#5 – Repairs and Rebuilding
Once everything’s cleaned up, it’s time to repair or replace the structural components that were damaged. This could include anything from drywall to flooring. At this stage, personal items that can be salvaged are restored to their pre-fire condition, and anything beyond repair is documented for insurance purposes.
#6 – Inspection and Handover
Before you can officially get back into your home, the restoration company will perform a final inspection to make sure everything is safe, clean, and stable. Once you’ve got the green light, they’ll hand your property back to you, hopefully better than ever.
Final Thoughts
Fire damage can feel overwhelming, but understanding the different classes of fires and how to address them is crucial for both prevention and recovery. From learning how to use the right fire extinguishers to knowing what to expect during the restoration process, being prepared can make all the difference in protecting your home and family. Should the worst happen, remember that professional fire restoration teams are equipped to handle every stage of recovery—from assessing the damage to restoring your home to its original condition. While fire can leave behind significant challenges, with the right knowledge and assistance, you can rebuild and move forward stronger than before.
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*Disclaimer: We offer content for informational purposes; Co-operative Insurance Companies may not provide all the services or products listed here. Please get in touch with your local agent to learn how we can help with your insurance needs.
Sources
First On Site. Types of Fire Damage and What to Expect From That Damage. https://firstonsite.com/resource/types-of-fire-damage-and-what-to-expect-from-that-damage/
Jenkins Restorations. Understanding Classification of Fires. https://jenkinsrestorations.com/classes-of-fire/
Puroclean. 6 Different Classes of Fire That Can Cause Fire Damage In Your Home. https://www.puroclean.com/herndon-va-puroclean-reston/blog/6-different-classes-of-fire-that-can-cause-fire-damage-in-your-home/
Spongejet. An Overview Guide on the Types of Fire Damage. https://blog.spongejet.com/an-overview-guide-on-the-types-of-fire-damage
1800 Water Damage. Different Types of Fire and Smoke Damage: Restoration 101. https://www.1800waterdamage.com/different-types-fire-smoke-damage-restoration/