6.0) FIRE and SMOKE: (page 6 of 6)

6.26.a) Cataloging of Materials: Materials when removed during selective demolition should be cataloged. When removing baseboard, door or window casing, the craftsman or technician should begin to the left of the room's archway while looking into the room, and the removal process continues clockwise. 

The cataloging system should include a systematic approach of letters and numbers, and the letters and numbers should be placed on the reverse side of the casing or baseboard:

Letters can be abbreviated and should represent the room location. An example would be: "MB" for master bedroom or "K" for kitchen.

Numbers should be that of two part system, with the first number representing the first piece removed and the second number representing the total   number of pieces removed. For example, "MB, 1 of 7", the first number represents one of seven pieces of baseboard removed from the master bedroom. Nails should be removed and this should be accomplished by pulling the nail through the back of the baseboard/casing with pliers to prevent splintering of the wood face.

6.27) Board Up: Broken windows, damaged doors, roofs, floors, etc.  should be boarded-up and secured, whether fire-related or incidental.

Plywood should have a minimum thickness of 1/2" and be secured a minimum of 16" on center. Plywood when used on roofs should be type CDX. 

Material should be installed in a professional and workman-like manner.  All material shall conform to industry standards, local, regional and national codes.

When installing board up materials, every effort should be made not to damage adjoining materials.

The cost to perform a temporary board up should not exceed the value of a replacement or restoration unless replacement parts such as; windows, doors, roofing, siding materials, etc. are presently not available, or when safety, health, or vandalism is an issue.  

Insurance adjuster should receive verbal and written notice before proceeding with a board up that exceeds replacement value.

The U.S. Fire Administration has published the "National Arson Prevention Board Up Procedures' --- which is intended to protect buildings that are temporarily vacant pending rehabilitation and use.

6.28) Temporary Structural Supports: Materials used for temporary structural supports should conform to Section 3.6.c., and only experienced and competent persons should perform the installation of temporary structural supports.

6.29) Winterization: Building system components such as; potable water lines, sink and tub traps, toilets, water tanks, floor drains, etc., should be protected from freezing during cold months when electric and gas utilities are turned off.

When winterizing a structure the following procedures should apply:

Water lines: Should be drained and all excess water should be discharged using forced air.
Water tanks: Should be drained.
Sink and tub traps: Should be winterized with biodegradable anti-freeze.
Toilets: Reserve tanks should be drained and bowls should be winterized using biodegradable anti-freeze.
Floor drains: Should be winterized using biodegradable anti-freeze.

Excessive water conditions can freeze in winter months causing latent damage to plaster, drywall, hardwood floors, etc. when not addressed or properly mitigated.

6.29.a) Sump Pumps: When the electrical power has been disconnected, properties with basements should be inspected for sump pumps.  When a sump pump is present, technicians should monitor the sump wells’ water level.

Changing water levels in sump pump wells, mainly in finished basements, and basements with an extensive amounts of stored contents, should warrant temporary power or a pack-out.

6.30) Odors: Smoke and soot deposits are carbons and sulfur, which contain both positive and negative ions.  These positive and negative ions are attracted to surfaces through magnetics, and forced throughout a structure due to pressures. 

Odor molecules of gases can be readily released from pores of structural materials and contents even after the surface has been cleaned of all smoke and soot deposits.  

When smoke and soot is deposited on or attracted to a material’s surface, the materials capillaries can absorb the odor molecules, and in some instances the thermal expansion of a materials surface can entrap odors.  The entrapment of odors in materials capillaries could require repeated treatments of ozone, odor counteractants, encapsulates, etc. or the replacement of the odor-affected material.  The p1m Linear Expansion of Materials chart provides the expansion of materials based on (degree) °F.

The odor removal process should start upon arrival at the loss site and should include the use of fireman fans (airmovers) to exhaust smoke and soot off gassing to the exterior of the structure. 

Odor applications such as; ozone, thermo-fogging, crystals, air exchangers, smoke odor counteractants etc. could be a consideration based on the following:

    - Fuel source, soot and smoke severity. 
    - Whether the contractor will provide the full restoration
      of the property or not.
    - Material make-up of the surfaces that are affected.
    - If the property owner will continue to reside at
      the property.

When applying deodorization procedures, the safety precautions found in Section 3.0 and Section 4.0 should apply. Moreover, the deodorizing procedures and recommended results found in the NIDR Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repair should apply.  Table 6-E represents a listing of some of the NIDR recommended typical deodorization processes.
 

 
Typical Deodorization Processes
Source: ASCR International
NIDR Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repairs
Table 6-E
 

6.30.a) Ozone Generators: Ozone changes the molecule makeup of smoke, soot, and vapors, which can reduce or eliminate odors.  Based on scientific studies, high ozone concentration levels could be required to achieve odor elimination success as described in Section 4.11.a.

Hydrogen peroxide is produced while ozone is generated, and care should be taken not to use ozone in areas where moist or wet structural components and contents are located to avoid bleaching.

When using ozone generators, the safety precautions found in Section 3.0 should apply.

6.30.b) Negative Air Machines (NAM's): Negative Air Machines are designed for construction, renovation or restoration work and ventilation. The machines are suitable for handling dry air containing dust such as asbestos, quartz, hardwood, mineral wool, or micro-organisms, mold, spores, etc.

NAM's can be used as air scrubbers within a work area, or ducted to the exterior of a structure using lay-flat ducting. The principal behind air exchangers is to circulate the air volume of a room through a charcoal or HEPA filter, which can reduce odor fatigue while technicians are working in confined areas. 

NAM's will not eliminate large concentrations of odors from smoke and soot deposits.

NAM's are available in varying sizes; cubic feet per minute (CFM) and sizing should be calculated using air changes per hour (ACH).

6.30.c) Thermo Fogging: Thermo fogging chemicals are pairing agents that counteract with soot molecules to relieve odor fatigue. An odor supplemental means, such as thermo fogging could be used at the on-set of a project to help reduce odor fatigue, and could be used at the off-set of a project when mild odor still persist.

Thermo fogging should not be used in rooms while occupied and warning signs should be posted before thermo fogging.

The principal behind thermo fogging is to prevent natural wicking of the affected (soot & smoke) materials by filling the materials capillaries, and pairing the chemical with the odor-producing by-product.  This is accomplished when the solvent based chemicals are applied using a Thermo-Gen or Electro-Gen applicator.  These applicators break the chemical down into micro-size vapors that can duplicate the flow pattern of smoke.  

6.30.d) Odor Crystals: Odor crystals are releasing granules that contain aroma substances.  The principal behind odor crystals is to overpower the soot and smoke odor with a pleasant odor.  Odor crystals will not remove odors and should only be used as a supplemental treatment.

Odor crystals should not be left in areas where exposed to children or pets.  All odor crystals should be removed from all living spaces and ductwork upon completion of a project.

6.30.e) Smoke Odor Counteractants: Smoke odor counteractants are a blend of water based additives and deodorants, and when sprayed onto smoke damaged surfaces can curtail smoke and soot odors.  The principal behind the counteractants is to block and/or pair the release of odors from affected surfaces, thus temporally stopping the release of odorous gases.  Smoke odor counteractants in conjunction with a restorative cleaning; before, during and after the mitigation and restoration process have been known to eliminate fire and smoke related odors.

When applying smoke odor counteractants, occupants should be evacuated from the area and should only re-enter the treated area as stated on the product label.

6.30.f) Sealers: Sealers and stain blockers could seal-in minor odors and block oxidation.  Before attempting to use sealers as an odor encapsulating method, all other avenues of odor removal should have been exhausted. 

Sealers or stain blockers should only be applied over thoroughly cleaned and dry surfaces.

Before enclosing framing lumber or sub-flooring with finished materials, sealers should have cured and an odor barrier test is recommended to assure odors will not return.

Oil base sealers (alkyd or shellac) should not be applied where the permeance of the materials surface would retard or trap moisture.

A sealer/primer characteristics chart can be found at the p1m.com Paint Coverage Chart page.

6.30.g) Carbons: Odor absorbing carbons such as; gels, charcoal, etc. are used to absorb emitted odors from the atmosphere of a room or space.  Since carbons are organic, they do not emit toxic odors, nor do they camouflage toxic odors. 

Carbons are not an alternative for the physical or mechanical removal of soot or smoke, but will capture odors when wicked from a materials surface.

Carbon absorbing materials should be removed from a loss site when their intended life span has been exhausted or when odors are no longer emitting.   

6.35) Puff-Backs: Furnace puff-backs could be the result of mechanical malfunction or human error, resulting in subrogation. Contractors should confirm whether the furnace is of subrogation potential with the insurance adjuster before cleaning, altering or removing a furnace. (ref. 1.10)

Before a technician or furnace contractor attempts to clean or remove
a furnace, the following should be documented:

 - Make, model, manufacture date, serial numbers,
   voltage, amperage, BTU-input and output ports,
   should be documented.
 - Name, address and telephone number of persons or
   companies who serviced, and/or cleaned the  furnace in
   the last 36 months should be documented.
 - All control settings should be documented and photographed.
 - Photographs of the furnace at all angles should be taken,
   as well as an overall photo of the furnace  room.
 - Sample of the fuel oil should be taken and labeled.
 - The furnace should not be removed or disturbed until
   the adjuster or the loss cause and origin person
   grants permission, and all verbal orders should be
   confirmed in writing.

Should exterior temperature be at freezing or below, a temporary heating means or winterization of the structure should be performed when the structure would be without heat over an extended period of time. 

Temporary heating should be suited for indoor environments and shall be installed per local, regional and national codes.    

Puff-backs generally produce and deposit oily soot throughout a structure, which are generally deposited on walls, floor, and ceiling and within HVAC ductwork. 

Extracted from the Loss Recovery Guide with Standards (LRGS)
© Copyright 1998-2008 William Yobe

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6.35.a) Puff-Back Mitigation: Puff-backs generally produce oily deposits and will not harm or corrode structural metal or content items.  While varying structural components and content items should be cleaned and disinfected when mitigating a puff-back: 

Structural Components:
  - Counter tops, sinks and faucets in food service areas
    and in personal grooming areas should be cleaned
    and disinfected.
  - All cabinet and door pulls in food service areas and
    in personal grooming areas should be cleaned
    and disinfected.
  - All cooking appliances should be cleaned and
    disinfected in food service areas.
  - Toilets, bath tubs and wall accessories in should be
    cleaned and disinfected.
  - Oil deposits on solid floor surfaces, such as hard
    wood, solid vinyl and inlaid, ceramic tile, and VCT
    tile should be cleaned to prevent slips and falls.
  - Tracking paper should be laid over carpet traffic areas.
  - HVAC systems; replace furnace filter (save old filter),
    secure nylon or cheesecloth over HVAC diffusers, and
    schedule ductwork cleaning.

Content Items:
  - Food service items, such as, glasses, plate ware,
    silverware, utensils, pots, pans, etc., left out and
    exposed should be cleaned and disinfected.
  - Upholstered (cloth) furnishings such as; chairs,
    sofas, ottomans, drapes, etc., should be vacuumed,
    and covered with a clean drop cloth until a
    systematic approach of cleaning is determined.
    Photos of soiled furniture should be taken before
    cleaning.
  - Cloth and vinyl lampshades should be vacuumed.
  - Porcelain contents: oily soot should be removed.

6.36) Modular Homes: Modular homes are constructed (assembled) in a controlled factory environment and are built to control costs.  Since labor is more costly than materials, modular homes are built with speed in mind. 

The floor (joist) system will generally have a vapor barrier attached to the underside. Vapor barriers could be felt paper or plastic sheeting that can trap and retain water and moisture. 

Sub-floors are generally particleboard with fiberglass insulation beneath.  Electrical, plumbing and ductwork are installed between the sub-floor and vapor barrier.  During the assembly process, the following would be installed before any exterior and interior walls are erected; vinyl flooring for the kitchen, bathrooms, closets, etc. would be glued and stapled into its respective areas.  After the vinyl is installed, special width padding and carpet is installed throughout.  Then the exterior and interior walls are installed right over the carpet and vinyl.  The balance of the construction (assembly) methods for all intentional purposes could be considered typical.

6.36.a) Modular Home Mitigation: Based on the construction methods and materials used in modular homes, water extraction and removal should commence immediately when water was used to extinguish the fire.

The following mitigation procedures could apply after fire and smoke losses:

    - Standing and runoff water should be mopped up.
    - Wet saturated carpet should be extracted.
    - Baseboard and crown molding, in rooms where
      carpet and wall cavities are saturated could be
      removed and pilot (access) holes no larger than the
      baseboard or crown molding could be drilled for air
      moving equipment, when necessary.
    - Carpeting could be cut at an angle along the wall
      after the baseboard has been removed for air
      moving equipment, when necessary.
    - Hard furniture should be set on foam blocks
    - Standing water trapped between the
      vapor barrier and sub-floor should be relieved
      and/or removed.
    - An approved disinfectant could be applied in
      unoccupied rooms and between the vapor barrier
      and sub-floor. 

The objective when performing mitigation services in modular homes is to prevent secondary damages from occurring such as; mold growth, wood warping, etc. due to direct or incidental water. 

Smoke deposits can discolor wall surfaces within modular homes, and they are generally constructed with 5/16" vinyl covered drywall.

6.37) HVAC: Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems should receive prompt attention, and should be inspected for smoke, soot, and gaseous infiltration after fire and smoke losses. 

The interior components of an HVAC systems could be affected by heat, atmospheric pressure, magnetics and smoke, and is most prominent when the system was operable during a fire or smoke loss.  The treatment of HVAC systems after fire and smoke losses is only required when the system was infiltrated with fire residues or odors per NIDR Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repair.

During emergency mitigation services, the furnace filter should be replaced (save old filter) and all diffuser openings should be covered with nylon, cheesecloth, preferably HEPA type furnace filters.

Ductwork and plenum should be tested for acidic conditions, and when metal ductwork test positive for acid, the interior and exterior of the ductwork should be neutralized.

Metal ductwork is subject to distortion when it expands from excessive heat.  Round duct will generally retain its shape and integrity during excessive heating due to its shape, while rectangular and square duct are susceptible to deformity and loose their shape in conditions of high heat.

HVAC system cleaning shall conform with the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) · ACR 2005 Standard and supporting guidelines.

Manufacturers’ guidelines and standards should be followed when cleaning dampers, coils, insulation liners, sensors, mixing boxes, etc.

Access ports in plenum and ductwork should be systematically sized for equipment and physical access, such as:

    - 2" round
    - 12" x 12"
    - 8" x 14"
    - 14" x 14"

Access ports should be strategically located so not to interfere with the integrity of the operating system.

Access ports should be sealed using materials of integrity to prevent air leaks, and all materials shall meet SMACNA guidelines.  Access ports should be identified with physical markings on ports and as-built drawings.

Cleaning levels of HVAC systems shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in ACR 2005 Standard, while the scoping of ductwork for contaminates before and after cleaning is recommended. 

After mitigation and restoration methods have been applied, the HVAC system “...should not be a source of fire residues, fire odors or other scents.” per NIDR Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repair.

© 1999 ASCR, Reprinted with the permission of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, Millersville, MD

Special applications such as clean rooms, operating rooms, etc. could require that contaminate levels are reduced to specific levels as described in Section 3.23.b. 

When cleaning air conveyance systems (ACS) in facilities that have contaminate reduction level standards in place, contaminates within the ACS shall be reduced to the industries’ specified levels.  

Before duct cleaning begins, a site evaluation should be conducted and include the preparation of supply and return ductwork for screw holes and openings that could possibly re-distribute soot and dust throughout a structure.

6.37.a) Fiberglass Duct: Contaminated fiberglass duct systems cannot be properly inspected through normal visualization since contaminates can hide beneath the fiber lining.  When hidden conditions are suspected, samples should be taken by an industrial hygienist with the assistance of a certified fiberglass duct-lining technician.

Pesticides should not be applied to fiberglass lined ducts, ridged fiberglass ducts or flexible fiberglass ducts. 

Wet fiberglass linings could require replacement, while contaminated fiberglass linings should be replaced.

The encapsulation of fiberglass ducts should only be performed by those that are trained to do so, and all procedures and products shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in NFPA 90A Standard and NFPA 90B Standard.  

Before performing remedial actions or maintenance on fiberglass linings, the manufacturer should be consulted on the best methods, so not to damage the insulation’s integrity or void its warranty.

6.37.b) Plenum: Concealed ceiling and under-floor spaces when used as return plenum, should be neutralized of all acids and cleaned of all smoke, soot and gaseous by-products.

Plenums having or assigned a fire-resistance rating shall retain or exceed its assigned fire-resistance rating after neutralizing, cleaning and/or restoration services.

When using flammable solvents in concealed ceiling, or under-floor spaces, the ventilating system shall be de-energized (electrically shutdown), and the ventilating system shall not be turned on or re-energized until all flammable gases have completely dissipated and are no longer ignitable.

6.38) Hazardous Materials: During mitigation or restoration procedures, technicians could encounter hazardous building materials such as lead, asbestos, etc. 

All hazardous materials shall be cross referenced with the Finalized Toxicological Profile as presented in Section 3.21, and the insurance adjuster and property owner should be informed on all hazardous material findings.

6.38.a) Asbestos: Asbestos is a mineral fiber, and in the past it was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and add heat insulation and fire resistance.

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) can be found within; insulation, flooring tile (VAT), adhesives (cutback), pipe, duct wrap, ceiling tiles, etc. All of which could require removal or alteration after a fire, smoke, water or flood loss.

When asbestos (ACM) is suspected, materials must be inspected for asbestos, and if materials contain 1% asbestos or greater, the asbestos shall be removed in accordance with Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) guidelines. Without a proper asbestos inspection, asbestos must be considered present.  (ref. 3.21)

The testing of potential Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) can only be performed by a Certified Asbestos Inspector with Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and Asbestos School Hazard Abatement and Reauthorization Act (ASHARA) certification.

Although performed in the past, asbestos inspection reports must be re-done if:

    - the report is more than one year old,
    - the report was not performed by a Certified Asbestos Inspector,
    - the asbestos sampling was analyzed by a Transmission Electron
      Microscopy (TEM) after 1980.

If asbestos (ACM) has mold formation, the removal of the mold covered ACM shall conform with the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) asbestos removal procedures.  Asbestos is a regulated industry under Congressional Mandate --- mold (fungi) is not.

6.38.b) Lead: Lead (Pb) is regulated by the EPA and is listed as a hazardous material, and particularly affects young children and infants.

Before contractors perform renovation within homes, or structures  built before 1978, they should inform occupants of potential lead exposure, and unless tested and proven absent, all renovation must conform with Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) guidelines.

There are three types of lead testing methods;

    - lead-based paint inspection^{(1) (2)}
    - risk assessment⁽²⁾
    - lead hazard screen⁽²⁾

(1) Lead-based paint inspection: Surface-to-Surface investigation to determine whether there is lead based paint in a home and where it is located.
(2) Lead testing should only be performed by those having accredited EPA training.

Lead-based paint inspections would include, but not be limited to, the items in Table 6-F.
 

 Typical Lead Based Paint Inspection
Table 6-F

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