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6.0) FIRE and SMOKE:
(page
4 of 6)
6.21.a) Structural Soot Removal: The
removal of soot from a structure could require one or several
methods, all of which is dependent on the material make-up of
the surface, the soot composition and severity of the soot
deposit.
The inspection and mitigation of structural components could
include the following items:
Light fixtures, door and cabinet hinges, door and cabinet pull
or push knobs, window hardware, glass, mirrors, carpet, vinyl
floors, marble, tile grout, tubs, shower surrounds, kitchen and
bath faucets, bathroom wall accessories, fireplace screens,
built in appliances, base and wall cabinets.
6.21.b) Structural Metals: Metal
surfaces such as; brass, bronze, copper and chrome could have a
lacquered finish that was factory applied to retain its
brilliance under normal conditions.
When neutralizing
brass,
bronze,
copper or
chrome surfaces,
abrasive applicators and chemicals should be avoided. Metal
surfaces should be inspected for
pitting,
corrosion, wear and
possible
lacquer deterioration due to heat.
Painted metal surfaces could be factory sprayed over a primer or
the painted surface could be finished using the
powder coating
method. The powder-coated method is the most durable of the two
finishes since the paint is baked onto the metal surface. Most
metal paints are acrylic enamels and could withstand an
ionic
cleaner.
When removing soot deposits from metal surfaces, care should be
taken so not to scratch
the metals finished surface.
(Potential Corrosive Reaction Time:
Impact to Weeks)
6.21.c) Structural Steel Members: Structural
steel members would consist of
I-Beams,
trusses,
girders,
channel, angle iron, metal roof deck, etc. When acid fuel
sources are known, structural steel should be tested for its
acid content using the testing methods described in
Section 6.18.a.
Structural steel is vulnerable to heat, oxidation, alloying,
arcing, distortion and melting, and should be inspected.
Distortion, is when metals with a high melting point are bent or
bowed due to forced weight during thermal expansion. Distorted
structural steel members could affect the attached or
surrounding walls, floors and ceilings.
Structural steel members can weaken when exposed to heat of
1000º F to 1500º F.
(Potential Corrosive
Reaction Time: Impact to Weeks)
6.21.d) Steel (metal) Studs: Steel
or metal studs are used as both interior partition walls and
exterior
load bearing walls, are cold formed, galvanized and
susceptible to rusting from acidic atmospheres.
Exterior walls can have cold rolled (black iron) bridging as an
added support, which are not generally galvanized. Bridging
could be welded and/or tie wired into place.
Galvanized steel and black iron when impacted with hydrogen
chloride gases is subject to corrosion and should be
neutralized.
(Potential Corrosive
Reaction Time: Impact to Weeks)
6.21.e) Structural Glass: Glass
and mirrored surfaces can permanently
etch when acid soot
residue is combined with moisture. Heavy soot deposits should
be removed using methods that will not scratch the glass
surface.
(Potential Corrosive Reaction Time: Days to Weeks)
6.21.f) Floor Coverings: The
mitigation of floor coverings could require a two-step
process, and this would be dependent on the surface materials
and the severity of soot deposited.
Resilient,
hardwood
and tile floors could require sweeping and cleaning to prevent
soot
deposits from scratching the floors finished
surface. The same process could be required at the offset
of the mitigation process to remove fallout soot deposits.
Carpet: Carpet
should be vacuumed using a
HEPA vacuum upon
arrival to the loss site to prevent soils from being ground in
by foot traffic.
Hardwood: Heavy
soot residue should be removed using a soft bristle broom or
cellulose dry sponge. Then the floor should be cleaned with a
mild non-abrasive detergent. When applying mild detergents, the
surface should be wet, not saturated with water. Should the
humidity level within the room exceed normal levels,
dehumidifiers and airmovers should be used to reduce humidity to acceptable
levels.
Resilient and tile flooring: Heavy
soot residue should be
removed using a soft bristle broom, then
the floor should be cleaned with a mild
non-abrasive detergent. When applying mild detergents, the
surface should be wet, not saturated.
6.21.g) Sub-Flooring: Sub-flooring
could consist of plywood, particleboard or wafer board.
High-end housing, restaurants etc. could also have sound
insulation board.
Sub-flooring when covered with floor covering should not be
affected from pressure driven or horizontal fall-out of soot and
smoke deposits, while soot can affect sub-flooring when it
travels with runoff waters.
Sub-flooring is subject to heat and
charring when the fire was
in rooms below the sub-flooring.
Water damaged sub-flooring should be dried in an expedient
fashion to prevent mold and rot.
Smoke and soot damaged sub-flooring could be cleaned using a
cellulose
dry sponge, various washing methods, or blasted with
soda ash or
CO2. While the absorbing capabilities of soda ash
can enhance odor removal.
Residue free sub-flooring can be sealed with appropriate sealant
when minor odors persist.
When under-floor spaces are used as a plenum, the standards and
guidelines described in
Section 6.37.a should apply.
6.21.h)
Plastics, Laminates and Resins: Structural plastics can
be found as fiberglass/acrylic tubs, shower stalls, sinks,
faucets, windows, doors, counter tops, etc.
The removal of soot
should consist of first removing the heavy soot residue with a
soft bristle brush or cellulose dry sponge, then a non-abrasive
cleaner should be used to clean the surface.
(Potential Corrosive Reaction Time: Minutes to
Hours)
6.21.i) Porcelain: Kitchen
and bathroom fixtures with a
porcelain finish, should be wiped
clean using a mild non-abrasive cleaner, and cleaners should be
applied with soft terry towel or sponge.
(Potential Corrosive
Reaction Time: Weeks)
6.21.j) Marbles and Other Hard Surfaces: Hard
surfaces can be organic materials such as; marble and granite.
Synthetic hard surfaces are manufactured by Dupont, etc. with
the trade name of Corian, etc. Due to their sensitivity to
soot, acid and heat, marble and granite surfaces would require
immediate attention:
Marble: Heavy soot deposits should be vacuumed or wisked
using a soft-bristled brush or cellulose sponge. Then a mild
non-abrasive cleaner with a neutral pH should be used. Do not
use cleaners containing acid or bleach. Marble is crystallized
limestone and will etch or discolor from acids or bleach. Since
marble is lime based, cleaners with a high pH (alkaline) level
should be avoided.
Granite:
Heavy soot deposits should be vacuumed or wisked using a soft
bristled-brush or cellulose sponge. Then a mild non-abrasive
cleaner with a neutral pH should be used. Granite is a hard
igneous form rock with incredible endurance.
Synthetic hard surface:
With the trade name of Corain or equal, these surfaces are
subject to yellowing, requiring soot deposits to be removed ASAP
using a cellulose dry sponge, then a non-abrasive moderate
cleaner should be used to clean the surface.
Ceramic tile:
Glazed surfaces of ceramic tile could have hair-line cracks that
are invisible and susceptible to hot soot. Light soot deposits
can be cleaned using a cellulose dry sponge and a mild
non-abrasive cleaner, while hot and heavy deposits could be
irresolvable and require replacement. Grout stains could be
cleaned using a muriatic acid based cleaner.
When in doubt about a surface reaction, the manufacturer or
supplier should be contacted as per the best methods required to
clean the surface.
(Potential Corrosive Reaction Time:
Minutes to Hours)
Extracted from the Loss
Recovery Guide with Standards (LRGS)
© Copyright 1998-2008 William Yobe
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6.21.k) Cabinets, Wall & Base: Cabinets
are fabricated from varying materials, such as solid woods,
plywood or
particleboard with a wood or
plastic
veneer.
Cabinets should be inspected for post conditions of heat, soot
and water damage as well as pre-existing damages.
Heavy soot deposits should be removed with a cellulose dry
sponge, while metal and plastic surfaces should be cleaned with
non-abrasive cleaner.
Cabinet hardware, both metal and plastic
should be neutralized of acids.
6.21.l) Plaster and Gypsum Wallboard:
Plaster and
drywall containing light soot
deposits could only require cleaning after a loss. While medium
to heavy soot deposits could require cleaning, sealers and
painting.
Smoke, soot and gaseous residues should be removed from plaster
and gypsum wallboard (drywall) before sealers, primers and paint are
applied.
Wallboard (drywall) and plaster surfaces are subject to oxidation and heat
(stress) cracks when exposed to temperatures of 125º F or higher for a
considerable time. Oxidation can change the texture of gypsum
wallboard and plaster surfaces.
Plaster and gypsum wallboard are susceptible to
calcination. Per
the
NFPA, calcination is the numerous changes that can occur in
plaster and gypsum wallboard (drywall) , thus forcing the chemical bound
moisture out of the gypsum. When the chemical bound moisture in
wallboard has decomposed or
dissipated,
the wallboard (drywall) should be
replaced.
The discoloration of plaster and gypsum board surfaces after
cleaning are acceptable as clean and ready for sealers or stain
blockers when the discoloration is due to the
pigment
change of the surface paint or paper face of the wallboard.
Thermal expansion caused from heat can separate plaster from its
lath, and when inspecting plaster and gypsum wallboard, the
integrity of its fastening system should be checked and
confirmed.
Fire-rated gypsum wallboard shall be replaced when the integrity
of its flame spread or hourly rating has been reduced.
Gypsum wallboard is susceptible to the secondary damages of mold
(fungi) after a fire due to temperature and constant or excessive
moisture of 13% to 90% relative humidity. Excessive humidity
can also cause gypsum board to expand up to 1/2" per 100'
resulting in possible joint cracks. While
stress cracks caused
by nominal building expansion and contraction are
pre-existing
conditions.
Excess moisture exposure can separate the paper surface from its
gypsum core destroying its bond.
The mitigation or restoration of smoke and soot covered gypsum
wallboard or plaster could require physical/mechanical removal
actions and odor treatments, or replacement, which would be
dependent on the post-conditions of the wallboard or plaster.
When mechanically cleaning gypsum wallboard, some of the
pre-solvent techniques recommended by the
NIDR in
Table 6-B
could apply.
6.21.m) Acoustical Ceiling Systems: Acoustical
ceilings offer many advantages; noise reduction, increased
illumination, ventilation, decoration or re-decorating.
Acoustical ceiling materials come in varying styles, materials
and applications.
Ceiling tiles can be stapled, cemented or suspended. Acoustical
aggregates can be sprayed, rolled or troweled onto drywall,
plaster, concrete, etc. and come in varying textures. In
commercial and institutional facilities, suspension systems
could be exposed or concealed. Concealed suspension systems can
be used to support gypsum wallboard, plaster, fiber tiles, metal
panels, etc.
The space above suspension systems, when used as a return air
plenum should be tested for hydrogen chloride (HCl) and
carbonic acids when affected by smoke and soot as described in
Section 6.37.a.
When the metal suspension components of a suspension system or
the electrical, mechanical or telecommunication system within a
plenum are affected from acid by-products, the deposited acids
should be neutralized.
(Potential Corrosive Reaction Time:
Impact to Weeks)
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6.21.n) Insulation: Insulating
materials are available in varying materials, styles and
R-values, and are used for
thermal and sound barrier, while some
have vapor characteristics. Heat, smoke, soot and water will
affect each insulating material differently.
The cost to treat
insulation in open spaces could cost more than replacement,
while the removal of insulation in confined spaces could result
in the excess cost of removing and replacing finished wall
materials.
When the fire-spread rating of an insulation
material has been altered, the altered portion of the insulation
shall be replaced.
The mitigation of insulation could require physical or mechanical
actions and odor treatments, or replacement.
When determining the post-conditions of insulation, cost Vs
value should be considered.
Blanket and batt insulation: Batt
insulation is blankets of fiberglass or expanded shale and can
be faced on one or both sides with paper, vinyl or foil. Blanket
and batt insulation can be affected by heat, smoke, soot and
water. Moderate to heavy soot damaged insulation should be
replaced. Minor soot and smoke infiltration at accesses panels,
electrical outlets, duct and plumbing chases could be a
combination of smoke and soot, and/or normal dust and dirt
infiltration. Minor to moderate soot damaged batt insulation
can be cleaned and treated for odors.
Fiberglass
insulation generally has a moisture absorption rate of 0.05 % or
less and may not need replacement after drying.
Blowing/Blow-In Insulation: Blowing/blown-in insulation
could be cellulose, shredded fiberglass or
rock wool, while rock
wool insulation is also available in double faced batts. Heat,
smoke, soot and water can affect insulation. Blowing/blown-in
insulation when damaged by heat or water shall be replaced.
While horizontal placed blowing/blown-in insulation could only
require that the top 3" to 4" of the insulation be replaced
when affected by smoke and soot. When replacing the top 3" to
4" layer of blowing/blow-in insulation, an odor test should be
performed to confirm that the existing lower layer of
blowing/blown-in insulation is not retaining odors and will not
affect the new top layer when replaced.
Board insulation: Board insulation is available in
poly-foam, mineral-fiber and
glass-fiber board. Water, smoke and light cold soot should not
permanently affect poly-foam and glass-fiber insulation, while
hot soot deposits odors could retain . Mineral-fiber insulation
when not fire or moisture rated could retain odors.
Spray insulation: Spray insulation offers
thermal, acoustic, erosion and fireproofing to the surface they
are applied to, and is used on a multiple of surfaces, such as;
decks, columns, beams, piping to name a few, and is available in
polyurethane, organic wood fiber, vermiculite, inorganic mineral
fiber, etc.
When providing mitigation or restoration services in structure containing
spray insulation, manufacturers should be consulted on the best
method to remove smoke and soot deposits.
The replacement of insulation materials should conform with
The National Energy Policy Act of 1992.
Fire and
Smoke: Page
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