There are several scenarios where you may want to conduct environmental testing following a fire. The first scenario is where there is a dispute between the insurance company and the property owner regarding the extent of damage or the scope of work. By hiring an independent consultant, an objective analysis can provide a factual underpinning to the project design. The second scenario is to verify that fire-damage restoration was successful and that the property is safe for re-occupancy. A third scenario is where the fire didn’t happen within the subject property, but winds have carried the smoke indoors. This scenario is common when there are nearby wildfires or structural fires. Outdoor smoke finds it way indoors through small cracks, crevices, openings, or through the HVAC system.
Industrial Hygienist vs Restoration Contractor
The best fire damage restoration projects involve both a restoration contractor and an industrial hygienist. Each party brings a different area of expertise.
Industrial hygienists:
- Identify the scope of damage and develop a plan to restore a property to pre-loss conditions
- Test for mold or additional damage if water or chemicals were used to put out the fire
- Test for asbestos to ensure safe removal of materials
- Provide a post clearance test to verify the property has been returned to pre-loss condition ahead of any rebuild activities
Restoration contractors:
- Execute the plan often developed by an industrial hygienist to remediate and restore a property to pre-loss condition
Smaller, simple projects may not need an industrial hygienist as the restoration contractor can be trusted to develop the proper scope of work. But the greater the size and complexity of the project, the more it makes sense, financially and for personal wellbeing, to involve an industrial hygienist.
Types of Fire Testing
Industrial hygienists use their training and background to evaluate properties for hazards. That evaluation relies heavily on a visual inspection and an assessment of odors. But on many projects, there can be lingering environmental issues even where there are no visual signs of problems or obvious odors. For that reason, many projects require collecting environmental samples. There are several different sampling methodologies, each having their own unique application.
Chem sponge wipes. The simplest form of analysis involves wiping a surface and looking for the accumulation of black soot. This is best performed with a vulcanized rubber sponge, known as a “chem sponge.”
Surface Tape Lifts. Adhesive tape is placed on a surface to lift off fire-related particles such as char, soot, and ash. The laboratory analyzes these particles via optical microscopy. These particles are typically reported as a percentage of the sample’s surface area. Based on the type of material and percentage impacted, an Industrial Hygenist makes recommendations for how it should be cleaned or removed. There is a degree of professional interpretation needed because there can be background fire-related particles from candle burning, fireplaces, and urban pollution. Certain indicators can help distinguish between a wild fire and a structural fire. For example, ash without soot would point toward a wildfire source.
Fire VOCs. Not only are there special particles like soot that indicate combustion and fires, there are also chemical indicators. The VOCs analyzed are not the highly volatile chemicals emitted during active fires, but more associated with the lingering odors off-gassed slowly from impacted building materials. In some instances, a surface may not be impacted by soot, ash or char particulate, but the chemicals of a fire have impacted the material resulting in a fire odor and need for restoration.
Other Sampling Methods. There are several other contaminants that can be sampled following a fire. Briefly, these include:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Dioxins
- Furans
- Heavy metals
Selecting an Industrial Hygienist
Traditional industrial hygiene studied the risks associated with manufacturing environments, not homes, offices, schools, hospitals and other public buildings. Even industrial hygienists that work in homes and offices may not have any experience with hazards related to fires as they typically only focus on mold, asbestos, lead, and VOCs. It is important to hire an industrial hygienist with proven experience working on fire restoration projects.
Also, we recommend that building owners retain their own industrial hygienist. The insurance company may have their own industrial hygienist, but we recommend each party having their own expert to guide them. Because there are so many different types of environmental tests, two qualified industrial hygienists may draw different conclusions. The different parties can then evaluate the findings of the different experts to find common ground.
Finally, we recommend hiring an industrial hygiene firm with a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) on staff. The CIH is the pinnacle of professional accreditation within the field of industrial hygiene. You want a CIH to be involved in designing and reviewing the project to make sure it meets scientific and quality standards.
By following these recommendations, you should be able to retain a qualified industrial hygiene firm to represent your interests and ensure that your property is restored to a healthy and comfortable indoor environment.
About Indoor Science
Indoor Science has over 20 years of experience working for businesses, home owners, and insurance companies alike. We can work independently alongside an existing restoration contractor chosen by you or your insurance company. If your loss is covered or partially covered by insurance, our services are almost always covered as part of the claim. Although we typically act as a 3rd party, you can inquire about our services to turnkey your project and act as an owner’s rep / general contractor. We can leverage our network of IICRC certified restoration contractors nationwide. For more information, call Indoor Science at 312-920-9393. Also feel free to reach out to your insurance and put them in touch with our team.