Fire Restoration Revenue Center

Fire Damage Restoration
When considering fire damage it’s almost impossible to separate it from water damage. Water was used to put out the fire and, depending upon the severity of the fire where the roof and windows are compromised, additional water from rain may have entered the structure.

The first step in the fire restoration process is to ensure that the damaged structure has been secured from the elements. Once that is done then consideration has to be made in regard to what delays in restoration will mean to the structure and its contents.

Water damage is different from fire damage in that it is much more time sensitive in regard to additional damage that can occur when not dealt with. Still, when fire damage does occur, any delay in responding to it can result in additional damage as well but not as quickly as what can happen with water damage. The damage itself can affect surfaces differently since it’s a result of the soot residue which is acidic.

When fire damage happens:

Within minutes smoke can cause the staining or yellowing of marble and discoloration of plastic or plastic laminate surfaces.
Within hours household appliances can yellow (especially above the heat line where excess soot is deposited).
Furniture finishes may discolor and tile grout surfaces can become stained.
Metal surfaces can tarnish.
Within days metal can pit and corrode.
Painted walls and ceiling may become permanently yellowed.
Wood furniture may have to be replaced.
Clothing may become permanently soot stained and sheet goods (“no wax” floors) may have to be replaced.
Within weeks carpet and upholstery fibers can become permanently discolored.
Glass may etch and china and crystal become discolored and pitted.
Acid soot attacks circuit boards which can make electronic equipment unsalvageable.

“Smoke” Composition and Odors
The thing that makes fire damage so unique is the nature of the smoke that produces the soot in addition to the variety of odors that remain after the fire has been extinguished.

How can one tell the difference between smoke residues which many look “dusty” and actual dust? First of all, smoke residues vary in color from white to yellow to brown to black. Second, smoke residues differ from dust in that they are thin while dust is thick and billowy. Finally, unlike dust, smoke residues may be greasy and odorous.

Smoke/soot is the product of incomplete combustion. It is made visible through the presence of small particles of carbon. The fire that causes smoke and soot is non-discriminatory in that it will burn anything which can be burned.

The fire that causes smoke and soot is non-discriminatory in that it will burn anything which can be burned. Besides the residue that is created through a fire, when there is a structure that has a variety of different flammable materials such as particle board, wood, plastic laminate, vinyl, etc., the combination of these substances can produce very complex odors.

Smoke odors can normally be classified into three categories. These categories also need customized deodorization to restore them:

1. Protein odors - These are produced from burned meat, flesh and poultry. The residue is identifiable by a brownish or yellowish color and has a greasy texture. Odor removal and deodorization usually entails a complete cleaning of the affected surfaces.
2. Natural Substance Odors – Natural burned substances include paper, wood, jute, cork, feathers, and wool, anything that has a plant or an animal hair source. Identification is made through a gray/black residue that has a dry, powdery consistency.
3. Synthetic Substance Odors – Synthetic (man-made) burned substances encompass burned plastics and textiles. Residues from these substances are black in color and smudge easily since they come from petroleum-based sources. Burned synthetic residue can create smoke webs visible where walls and corners meet the ceiling and in streamers handing from curtain rods. These smoke webs are called soot tags. Some people mistakenly think that these are spider webs that became visible because of their exposure to the soot.

The very fact that a fire damaged structure has these varieties of odors makes it imperative that any residue removal and deodorization is done in a prescribed manner. The degree of fire-related restoration damage determines the equipment, chemicals, supplies and processes necessary for the restoration.

Restoration processes in the order they may be performed are:

1. Cleaning – Removes all foreign substances from the item being restored.
2. Resurfacing (including items such as refinishing, painting, reupholstering, etc.) – May include refinishing with a cream wood restorer such as for wood. If this fails then wood refinishing by a skilled subcontractor is in order.
3. Replacing – When all else fails a new item or item of comparable value may be substituted.

Dealing with Smoke Residue the “Professional” Way
When someone has a water damage situation they may consider handling it on their own which could include vacuuming up the water and then disposing wet contents and some structural materials such as drywall. Unfortunately this incomplete restoration can lead to later problems including residual odors and mold growth. Many people when trying to clean smoke residue themselves can easily make matters worse as well.

Smoke residue is carbon-based and as previously mentioned can be greasy. When cleaned improperly or not in a timely manner these residues can permanently stain or mar surfaces. Also, since smoke particles are so small and get into all kinds of voids in walls, ceilings, furniture and duct systems, it is almost impossible for the layman to effectively rid the structure and the contents of smoke odors which may linger for years to come. These lingering odors are most noticeable during warm temperatures and high humidity. This is something that only the true professional fire damage restorer can handle.