Smoke 101

7/24/2013 (Permalink)

• Fire damages are complex due to the unique nature of different types of smoke. Some things you may not know about smoke.
• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, using holes around pipes to go from floor to floor.
• They type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
• Once at a fire scene, a SERVPRO Professional tests the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred.

Types of Smoke:

Wet Smoke Residues: result from smoldering fires with low heat. Residues are sticky and smeary with a pungent odor. Smoke webs can be difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke Residues: result from fast burning fires at high temperatures. Residues are normally dry, powdery, small, nonsmeary smoke particles.

Protein Residues: are virtually invisible residues that discolor paints and varnishes. They have an extreme pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Soot:  occur when furnaces puff back, distributing fuel oil soot.

Other Types of Residue: include tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residues, all requiring cleanup.