Did you know that yearly fire damages result in a $21 billion loss? According to the U.S. Fire Administration, approximately 35% of fires occur to structures. In the case of fire damage to a building, it is critical to understand the causes, how to inspect fire damage properly, and the long-term effects of untreated fire damage. Our team of experts at Forum Forensics is experienced in structural inspections affected by fire damage and has provided insight into the process below.
Causes of Fire Damage
The leading unintentional causes of home fires occure more during winter and are due to cooking and heating equipment. During the winter months, fire damage peaks because occupants are cooking indoors and heating their space with permanent or portable heat sources. A few other common causes of home fires are:
- Candles
- Fireplace use
- Smoking
- Lightning
Taking necessary precautions to decrease the risk of a house fire is vital to protect your home and your family. For more information on how to reduce the risk of structural fires during the winter, check out the FEMA diagram below: (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/winter_infographic.pdf)
Types of fire damage
A structural fire is one of the most devastating disasters, resulting in a total loss in some cases. Types of fire damage include flame damage, smoke damage, and damages caused by extinguishing the fire. The flame intensity can vary depending on the cause of the fire, resulting in a broad spectrum of damage. The water or flame retardant used to fight flames can be adsorbed into walls and floorboards, causing it to warp and cause structural fragility or failure. Conducting a structural inspection will lead to a proper rebuild that can prevent issues in the future. No matter the cause or extent of the damage, you should always get it inspected professionally.
Effects of Fire Damage
When a fire does occur, it is not always catastrophic damages that occur. Even visibly minimal damages can affect the structure long term. Types of visible structural damage due to fire include:
- Surface cracking and spalling of concrete.
- Chemical decomposition.
- Corrosion or warping of steel members.
- Cracked, splintered, or charred wood components.
If fire damage goes without a structural inspection, it can create more problems for anyone inhabiting the structure in the future event after repairs are made.
Our team at Forum Forensics has extensive experience with fire-damaged structural inspections. An expert inspection will identify and distinguish any fire-related damage and conditions as well as account for potential long-term deterioration. If you have experienced fire damage, let our team provide conslusive reporting and advise you on the next steps. Contact our fire damage experts today: Home- FORUM FORENSICS- Structural Damage Assessments.
