Post-Fire Smoke and Soot Mapping Analysis, IAQ and Clearance Sampling
After a fire loss, issues often arise pertaining to smoke odour and soot residue within a building and on contents. How far has the contamination reached? Have wall or ceiling cavities been compromised? What pathways are present? What building materials and contents require removal and replacement? What items can be cleaned and salvaged? Should sealing and encapsulation of some areas be considered? What about HVAC? Undertaking professional smoke and soot contamination mapping within a building will help answer these questions and establish a restoration protocol for the contractor to administer.
A detailed assessment and understanding of the building and building construction is essential. We offer a combination of qualitative sampling and quantitative air sampling and surface sampling services that give an overall analysis of the level of contamination within a building and/or on contents in question. We can assess quantitatively if incomplete products of combustion (broken down by smoke/soot/ash/charred material) are present on a material or surface or in an air space to establish how far the restoration needs to go to help avoid unnecessary costs, which can be significant.
For surface sampling there are two common options. The first is undertaking surface swab samples using laboratory grade Kimwipes saturated in either laboratory grade Hexane or Isopropyl Alcohol, depending on the surface material being sampled. Tape lift samples for microscopic evaluation of smoke/soot are also a very useful option, which can typically be analyzed by the laboratory more quickly and cost effectively and can offer a quantitative breakdown of what is present within a sample (by percent). This is helpful prior to a fire restoration being completed to establish the scope of work required and following the restoration to identify if the project was completed successfully.
For air sampling and screening there are several methods available. Solid Phase Micro Extraction Fibre (SPME) sampling and more conventional Charcoal Tube sampling are viable options prior to the fire restoration being completed. In an area close to where the fire occurred, often our eyes, a qualitative white glove or wet wipe test or even our olfactory systems are enough to tell what is contaminated as gross levels of contamination are often present. However, further away from the loss area is where it gets much more complicated and costs can balloon out of control. We use a portable photoionization detector (PID) for initial screening of the entire building (every room, closet, nook and cranny) to gather total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) readings down to parts per billion (ppb) concentrations in all areas prior to a fire restoration and often save the more costly air testing for final clearance. Laboratory calibrated SUMMA air canisters for TVOC’s and EPA target list of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) can be collected for an 8 hour or more conventionally a 24 hour air sample. This is a very useful tool to establish if building clearance has been achieved following the fire restoration prior to the building being reoccupied. A re-screening of the building following restoration using a PID is another step we undertake during clearance in addition to air sampling or if air sampling is not desired.
The results of a 24 hour air clearance air test can be compared to available Health Canada Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines and other guidelines or industry recognized levels where available. Even if contents have been removed from the building and cleaned and building restoration was properly completed, occupants may still think an issue exists. Whether the issue is psychosomatic or legitimate, we can assess buildings and contents to get you the answers you need. There will always be persons that want everything brand new no matter what and costs can rise very quickly if a proper assessment and alternative explanation is not offered. There are also persons who may have hypersensitivities to certain contaminants or special medical considerations, which needs to be evaluated. A consultation with a medical doctor (MD) in that instance may also be required.
Most samples (other than surface tapelift samples) are analyzed by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) at an accredited laboratory. Our laboratory experts can identify the compounds found within the samples down to parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb) concentrations and can even assist us with determining the source of the particular compounds identified in special or more unusual circumstances such as industrial/commercial fire losses.
Professional reports are completed outlining the results of the assessment to assist you with making an informed decision. A detailed restoration and cleaning protocol is established at the beginning of the project. These may be the critical answers you need to handle a claim both quickly and economically.
In addition to smoke and soot assessments following fire claims, we offer pre-remediation and postremediation assessments and sampling of marijuana grow ops and clandestine drug labs such as structures used for the manufacture or storage of methamphetamine or other narcotics, including fentanyl. Following a pre-remediation assessment, a remediation protocol can be provided for contractors when problems are identified.
We also offer professional consultation, sampling, remediation protocols and clearance sampling for fuel oil (home heating oil) spill cleanups, roadside emergency spills, mould and asbestos claims, designated substance surveys (DSS’s), hazardous material projects and microbial jobs such as sewer backups. We even offer professional radon assessment and sampling services.
At the conclusion of any project involving a professional consultant, homeowners and building occupants can have the peace of mind they need prior to re-establishing occupancy of a building and insurers, contractors and other stakeholders can find themselves better protected from potential future liability. Our team are always here to answer your questions and hope to see you on your next project.
