After a fire, the damage sustained by a building can be dangerous and significant. That resulting damage can pose a serious health risk to any persons in contact with the remaining structure. If improper fire restoration is not performed, the ensuing hazardous conditions and chemical dangers alone can become life threatening.Â
Simply and directly put, appropriate skilled restoration service is mitigating the exposure to toxic substances and further preventing chemical and structural hazards from worsening. In short, to remove any and all traces that the fire even happened. What is left is a foundation and framework that is structurally sound, cleaned and fully restored to proper environmental conditions.
The unseen chemical dangers of a fire are easily the most alarming and threatening residual component of the destruction. Construction and building materials when burned release a host of toxic chemicals that immediately transmit into the surrounding environment. The air itself becomes threatening. The primary material culprits in this situation that require immediate removal and cleaning are plastics, upholstery, carpets and flooring, all organic materials such as wool, wood and cotton based textiles and all foam based goods.Â
Beyond soot and smoke, odor and discoloration are a clear indicator that a chemical release has occurred as a result of the burn and likely is still present in the aftermath. Now it’s time for a brief chemistry lesson, understanding why this is SO dangerous:
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) the world’s third-most widely produced synthetic plastic is generally used in construction and building materials from pipes to doors and windows, electrical cable insulation, flooring, many applications that substitute for rubber as well as in the production of canvas. Basically , everything around you can be and is likely to be made of PVC. The problem is that while PVC is flame resistant when it is heated it releases a chain of chemicals that are highly detrimental to humans. The resulting hydrogen chloride gas is lethal when inhaled and can easily trap an occupant before they realize what is happening. In many cases the damage is done before the damage is done. These corrosive gasses can spread more rapidly than flames and subsequently leave the remaining toxic dangers to the surrounding environment.
The necessity of skilled and proper fire restoration services, repair, recovery and renovation is imperatively left up to the professionals. At Affordable Home Works our goal is to be your most trusted , professional and reliable resource in the restoration process. Your peace of mind is our top priority and with this much at stake, we take our job very seriously.Â