Understanding How Water Damage Is a Result of Fire Damage

4/12/2020 (Permalink)

The primary contributor to water damage is the fire hoses used during rescue operations

Three Causes Of The Resulting Flood After A Fire

Many business owners think the worst thing about surviving a fire is the fire damage to their building, but many owners underestimate the extent of water cleanup and salvaging that also occurs. Restoration companies in Santa Ana, CA, will tell you that water damage is a real threat and a natural part of the fire cleanup process. There are at least three causes of the resulting flood after a fire.

1. Fire hoses
   
2. Water lines
   
3. Suppression systems
   
   

Fire Hoses

The primary contributor to water damage is the fire hoses used during rescue operations. While these tools are essential to extinguishing the flames in your property, they also push out hundreds of gallons per minute, and not all of that water will evaporate with the heat of the blaze. Most of the liquid will settle on the floors of the affected spaces, likely contributing to further damage to electronics and woodwork.

Water Lines

What material are your facility’s pipes made from? PVC may not stand a chance in a hot, prolonged fire, but copper water lines may survive. In either case, the heat from the fire is likely to cause pressure to build in the water lines. If releasing the pressure is not possible, your lines may burst, leading to an extensive water cleanup.

Suppression Systems

The fire suppression system you use can also contribute to water damage in the facility. If you have a water-based system, it automatically turns on when sensing heat. Some systems force all sprinkler heads on and others only turn on those heads in the affected areas. To control the amount of damage your building sustains, invest in a selective system.
Water cleanup is an inevitable part of fire restoration, like smoke cleanup. However, the amount of cleanup depends on the size of the fire, damage to existing water lines and the suppression system installed. If you would like to discuss fire prevention systems, contact your local fire department or disaster mitigation specialist.