Residential Fire Damage Restoration and Repair in Charlotte 

NICS of Charlotte is a full-service construction and damage restoration company that has been serving Charlotte and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. We are proud to be one of the leading companies in general contracting and disaster mitigation and restoration services. Our team consists of experienced professionals who are certified and accredited in all facets of the construction, damage restoration, and insurance claims process. We specialize in providing fast, reliable, and quality service to our clients no matter what the size or scope of their project may be.  

At NICS of Charlotte we understand how difficult it can be to deal with an unexpected disaster or structural issue. That’s why we strive to provide our customers with 24/7 support during these challenging times. We have a proven track record for getting projects completed on time and with top-notch results due to our dedication to exceptional customer service and quality craftsmanship at every phase of the job. All our work is backed by warranties which guarantee your satisfaction each step along the way. 

5 Different Types of Fires

Although fires may appear to be a singular, dangerous entity, there are in fact several classes of fires. A fire’s classification can determine the rate at which it burns, how risky it is, and the most effective method to suppress or extinguish it. The 5 unique classes of fires each have an optimal way to safely put them out.

Class A Fires: “Ordinary” Fires

Class A fires are the most frequent out of the 5 different classes, and they happen when materials that burn easily, like wood, paper, fabric lightweight plastics ignite. These types of accidental fires are present in many industries usually due to negligence, so it’s best advised to be prepared for these “ordinary”fires as well as others that may occur under more specific conditions. Even though Class A fires are "ordinary", don't rule them as low-risk; if there's a lot of fuel, these fires can become intense quickly.

Class B Fires: Liquids & Gases

Class B fires are more dangerous than Class A fires because they involve flammable liquids and gases, such as gasoline, alcohol, paint, petroleum grease, butane, methane, and propane. Water is not recommended for extinguishing a Class B fire.CO2, foam, and dry powder extinguishers starve a fire of oxygen, making them ideal for putting out fires involving flammable liquids. Dry powder extinguishers can also be used to put out fires caused by flammable gases.

Class C Fires: Electrical Fires

Class C fires, which are caused by electrical equipment, are common in industries that make heavy use of said machinery. However, they can occur anywhere. For example, while data centers might be an obvious risk area for Class C fires because of all the electronic components present, any facility could experience this type of fire. Before a disaster strikes, it's important to have safeguards in place to deal with electrical fires.

Another type of location that frequently has Class C fires is construction sites. It only takes a tiny spark from an electrical tool or appliance to set fire to nearby materials, and the flames can quickly become out of control. Older buildings are more dangerous because they often have faulty wiring or space heaters.

Also Read: Is Your Home a Fire Hazard?

Class D Fires: Metallic Fires

Although Class D fires are less frequent, they should still be given special care as they can be harder to put out. These types of fires include those with metallic materials like titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and potassium - which all occur regularly in labs.

Class D fires should not be fought with water as it will only make the fire worse. The best way to put out these flames and minimize damage is by using dry powder agents.

Class K Fires: Grease Fires or Cooking Fires

Class K fires are less common than Class B, but occur more frequently in the food service and restaurant industry. They start from the combustion of materials including grease, oils, and fats.

Class K fires are more troublesome and widespread than other types, making them some of the most dangerous. Although water can be a detrimental element, dousing the flames or using a wet agent fire extinguisher is an effective method for handling Class K fires.

Different types of fires require different extinguishing techniques. Ignoring this fact can lead to tragic consequences, like loss of home and life. A residential fire is often more complex than water damage or mold damage incidents because it not only produces soot, toxic gases, and hazardous chemicals that may result in serious health issues or death but also usually involves large amounts of water damage if the fire department extinguished the flames. A fire extinguisher is useful for small fires, but it can damage the area further and make cleanup more difficult. In these cases, it is best to call a professional fire damage restoration team.

The NICS of Charlotte team is experts in handling every commercial and residential fire and water damage restoration, including the aftermaths of chemicals from fires and fire extinguishers. For more information about fire damage restoration, contact the office by phone at (888) 600 6427 or email office@nicsrestoration.com.