5 Types Of Fires

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Fires are categorized into 5 different classes, and each class has different elements that make it unique. That is why it it critical to call certified fire remediation experts when your commercial or residential property suffers fire damage. 

Class A

Class A fires are defined as ordinary combustibles. These types of fires use common flammable material as their fuel source such as food, fabric, paper, trash. This class of fire is essentially the most common type of fire damage. Class A fires are commonly put out with water or monoammonium phosphate. 

Class B 

Class B fires are fueled by flammable liquids, such as gasoline, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, and alcohols. These fires also include flammable gases such as propane and butane. Class B fires do not include fires involving cooking oils and grease. 

Class C

A Class C fire is one in which an energized electrical element is the cause of the fire. “Energized” means that the electrical component  is connected to a power source. Class C fires may be started from faulty wiring, a short circuit, damage to power cords, overloaded electrical outlets, or overheated/overcharged devices.

Class D

Class D fires are characterized by the presence of burning metals. However, not all metals are flammable. Sodium, potassium, uranium, lithium, plutonium, calcium, magnesium, and titanium are all examples of combustible metals. The most common type of Class D fires involve magnesium and titanium.

Class K 

A Class K fire is defined as a cooking fire involving combustion from liquids used in food preparation. Technically a type of liquid fire, Class K fires are distinct enough to warrant their own classification. Cooking fires are fueled by a wide range of liquid cooking materials. Greases, cooking oils, vegetable fat, and animal fat are all fuel sources found in Class K.

Each class of fire damage requires specific remediation tools and techniques. No matter what type of fire you experience, SERVPRO of Natick/Milford is here to help! Our Disaster Remediation Teams have been expertly trained to restore the damage done to your home or business. Call us today to (774) 290-4300 and we will make it, "Like it never even happened."