During times of intense wildfires, it can be difficult to think of more than simply protecting your home from the blaze. But flames aren’t the only damage-causing elements of fire – poisonous gases and particles released by burning, soot, structural and environmental damage and smoke itself can all be hazardous to a person’s health. This disaster restoration information compiled by the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) is intended to provide assistance to people living in areas affected by recent wildfires. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
and Belfor Property Restoration were instrumental in helping to collect this information.
Protecting Existing Property from Fire Threats
As fire spreads, protecting the health and safety of occupants is the most important step. Do not ignore evacuation orders from public officials. Just a few minutes can make a difference between life and death. To protect your home or building when fire threatens your neighborhood, follow these steps.
- Clear flammable materials, including vegetation, construction materials and debris, 100 feet away from structures.
- Cut and remove tree branches 10 feet up from the ground.
- Remove accumulated leaves and debris from scuppers and gutters.
- Secure all door and window openings to structures.
- Shut down air-handling units or eliminate outside make-up air sources.
- Remove vehicles to a safe location.
- Remove critical equipment and business records to a safe location.
- Make sure your property address and/or company name are clearly displayed.
- Post “Clear Fire Lane” signs so emergency vehicles will have access to the property.
Personal Protection from Active Smoke and Soot
Exposure to smoke and gases produced by wildfire poses multiple health risks. Lungs, eyes, mouth and skin all provide means for toxins to enter your body. The best way to protect yourself when you are in an area with smoke in the air is to vacate the area to a clear place.
Lung protection is very important. Paper “dust masks” are unlikely to provide adequate protection in areas with sustained heavy smoke or soot in the air; however, if paper dust masks are the only protection available, they are far better than using no protection. Respirators and masks that provide greater protection for lungs can be purchased at most hardware stores. Look for the NIOSH rating (e.g. N-95) to assist in selecting the appropriate type of personal protection.
Eyes can be protected by wearing safety goggles. Unprotected eyes exposed to smoke and soot should be rinsed for several minutes with clean water, followed by medical attention.
Residual Smoke Poses Second Round of Hazards
The hurricane-force Santa Ana winds appear to be subsiding. While this is potentially good news to firefighters as they struggle to gain control of the many fires raging throughout southern California, it represents a second round of air quality hazards for citizens. As the winds shift to a predominantly onshore breeze, much of the smoke and particulate that has been blown out over the ocean for the last several days will likely inundate the immediate and adjacent areas. Without rain, which isn’t forecast, fine particulate matter may extend for hundreds of miles downwind and remain problematic for several weeks. Heating and air conditioning system filter changes may need to be performed several times over the course of the next several weeks, not just once. The same applies to filters protecting other machinery and appliances
Heating and air conditioning system ducting may need to be professionally cleaned, especially in those areas closest to the air handling unit.Whole house and room air purifiers should be checked frequently with filters changed as needed. If smoke odor is a concern activated charcoal media may be necessary in addition to particulate filters. If smoke or odors are noticeable outdoors, keep windows and doors closed to help prevent contamination inside your home.
To keep up with the latest news on
the fires, visit
www.fire.ca.gov.
The state site also includes useful
information on protection and
resource management.
Restoration and Recovery of
Property after the Fires
According to experts from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), smoke damage from forest fires can be as harmful to your home as that from more typical fires. Forest fires may create significantly more destruction because of the amount of smoke generated, the length of exposure and the widespread coverage areas of the smoke. What is often not understood is that, after the smoke clears and the ashes have fallen, the damage is just beginning.
Quick action is essential. When homeowners prolong the restoration of their home, they extend the effects brought on by the smoke exposure. Here is a timeline on the effects of fire and smoke on a home or office:
Within Minutes
Acid soot residues cause plastics to yellow; small appliances located close to the source of combustion discolor; highly porous materials (marble, alabaster) discolor permanently.
Within Hours
Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms; fiberglass bath fixtures yellow; metals tarnish, counter tops may yellow; finishes on applianc¬es, particularly refrigerators that extend into the heat line, may yellow; furniture finishes may discolor.
Within Days
In time, acid residues cause painted walls to yellow permanently; metal corrodes, pits and rusts; wood furniture requires refinishing; vinyl flooring requires refinishing or replace¬ment; clothing becomes soot stained; upholstery stains permanently.
Within Weeks
Restoration costs escalate tremendously. Synthetic carpet fibers may yellow or discolor permanently; silver plate is corroded permanently; glass, crystal, china may require replacement due to severe etching and pitting caused by prolonged exposure to acid soot residues.
IICRC recommends cleaning up soot residue as quickly as possible. During combustion, soot residue is carried by humidity, volatile vapors and air currents to surfaces throughout a structure and deposited. This deposition process occurs repeatedly until combustion ends, with soot residue building up on surfaces layer-by-layer. By the time restoration technicians arrive, the hardened, lacquer-like soot residue may be quite difficult to dissolve and remove.
In addition to the removal of residue, ridding your home of smoky odor is necessary. IICRC says professionals use this four-step process to remove odors:
- Remove the source of the odor, including unsalvageable debris that contributes to odor generation and recontamination of cleaned and deodorized areas.
- Physical removal of odor-causing residue through cleaning of salvageable surfaces and items.
- Recreate the conditions of odor penetration and apply an appropriate odor counterbalance. This is accomplished with direct application of deodorants or by generating a deodorizing fog that seeks out and combines with the odor causing substances.
- Finally, seal salvageable surfaces that are inaccessible or slightly scorched – not only for aesthetic purposes, but primarily to encapsulate odor and prevent progressive recontamination.
4. Finally, seal salvageable surfaces that are inaccessible or slightly scorched – not only for aesthetic purposes, but primarily to encapsulate odor and prevent progressive recontamination.
- Replace air-handling filters frequently until odor has gone.
- Inspect roofing material.
- Power wash building exterior and parking lot as required.
According to IICRC, understanding the effects of a fire can help homeowners evaluate the damage to their home. By learning more about residue clean up and deodorization after a fire, you can minimize the need for costly repair. Don’t hesitate to discuss these procedures with a trained fire and smoke restoration professional – increasing your knowledge will ensure that your home is correctly restored. Fire and smoke restoration experts can help you get your home and furnishings back to a “pre-loss” condition.
Selecting a Fire Damage
Restoration Contractor
Remember, in many cases, attempting the cleanup process yourself may only make matters worse. IICRC says its certified firms and technicians have the experience, training and knowledge to assess the damage and restore your home and belongings. To locate an IICRC-certified firm near you, visit the IICRC Web site at
www.CertifiedCleaners.org or call
(800) 835-4624.
The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) also maintains programs to train and certify fire damage restoration firms and technicians. To locate an RIA-certified member near you, visit the RIA Web site at
www.restorationindustry.org or call
(800) 272-7012.
After wildfire disasters, consumers need to be wary of fly-by-night operators seeking to take advantage of fire damage victims. IAQA recommends that consumers use the minimum guidelines to qualify any contractors they hire:
- Obtain references from your insurance company, friends, neighbors, etc.
- Know your contractor (check references).
- Check with the Better Business Bureau.
- Make sure the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured.
- Hire contractors certified by reputable trade organizations such as
IICRC,
RIA,
NADCA, and
AmIAQ.
- Certified contractors should follow a
code of ethics.
- Fire restoration contractors must work according to established industry standards and guidelines, such as those trained and certified in fire damage restoration by
IICRC or
RIA.
Specific Tips for Homeowners
Having Restoration Work
Compare the amount of the insurance check with the estimate by the restoration contractor. They aren’t always the same but should be close to each other for the covered part of the loss.
- Agree on completion criteria prior to beginning work.
- Pay only a portion of the cost up front, typically 30%.
- Pay another portion of the cost a halfway, typically 30%.
- Pay another portion on completion, typically 30%.
- Confirm quality of materials installed with those specified, inspect and verify satisfactory completion of work before paying the final 10%.
Warning Signs
- Contractor wants 50% deposit plus cost of materials.
- Contractor offers financing of the deductible or other significant costs.
- Contractor offers to act as the homeowner’s agent in representing them to FEMA and lists themselves as beneficiaries.
- Contractor works for the same company as the assessor who writes the scope and/or verifies completion of work.
- Contractor emphasizes cost saving over relationship, trust and final warranty of satisfaction.
Indoor Environmental Consulting and
Clean Up
Beyond the scope of fire damage restoration, homes and buildings exposed to the smoke, soot and ash from wildfires may incur indoor environmental damage as a result of contaminants deposited in and around the structure. For instances in which environmental conditions require evaluation by a trained consultant, the following organizations can be contacted for references for certified environmental consultants and certified environmental remediators and cleaners:
Indoor Air Quality Assessment
American Indoor Air Quality Council,
(800) 942-0832
American Industrial Hygiene
Association, (703) 849-8888
HVAC System Cleaning, Inspection,
and Filtration
National Air Duct Cleaners
Association, (202) 737-2926
National Air Filtration Association,
(757) 313-7400
International Kitchen Exhaust
Cleaners Association, (301) 230-0099
Air Conditioning Contractors of
America, (703) 575-4477
American Lung Association - search: air quality
Resources and Guidelines for
Disaster Restoration
This information was compiled by
Indoor Air Quality Association. For
more information, please contact:
Indoor Air Quality Association, Inc.
12339 Carroll Avenue
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 231-8388
Fax: (301) 231-8321
www.iaqa.org
E-mail:
iaqa@aol.com
