Fire Restoration and Odor Removal

Fire restoration refers to smoke odor removal, removal of soot and other contaminants and increasing the indoor air quality. The kind of fire determines the kind of smoke that causes the damage. Even though the science of a fire remains the same; the decomposition of any material caused by the process of fire is known as Pyrolysis (the action of heat transforming a substance). The substance being altered by the fire will determine the fire restoration procedures that are utilized.

Complex Fire
Synthetic and natural items have burned. There will be black smoke residue on the surfaces and contents. The smell of synthetic smoke will be present. Emergency corrosion mitigation is necessary to protect any surfaces that are at risk.

Protein Fire
Is easily identified by the odor emitted by the fire, this type of fire is typically fueled by the slow carbonization of most every type of meat. The protein particles are released into the air and attached themselves to just about every surface. The residue is often unseen and has an oily feel to it, it will typically attach itself to furniture, carpeting and most porous surfaces.

Natural Fire
This fire includes the burning of bushes, shrubs and trees. The smoke will have penetrated from the outside. There will be smoke residue with odor present. As high pressure travels toward low pressure and visa versa, the evidence of the fire will be found in the cooler places of the house (closets, between the walls, and any other area with a temperature variance).

Furnace Malfunction or Puffback

Puffbacks

When heating appliances have malfunctioned causing smoke to be dispersed throughout the property is known in the industry as a puff back. The premature explosion inside an oil furnace will result in a black smoke accompanied by fumes, chemicals and oil being distributed through the dwelling. The various kinds of smoke are listed below:

A hot & fast fire creates dry smoke.
A low, smoldering heat creates wet smoke, which has a strong odor.
Protein smoke is hard to see, but has an extremely strong odor.
Fuel oil soot is created by furnaces, extinguishers, etc.
Smoke odors penetrate and absorb into the building’s materials, which makes them difficult to remove. A service provider has the knowledge and products necessary to remove the stubborn odors smoke creates.

Emergency Corrosion Mitigation
Soot is the by-product remaining from the smoke residues and have the ability to cause irreversible damage. Typically plastic and metal objects attract this soot, it attaches itself and becomes engrained unto the surface. Removing smoke residue and then treating surfaces with a corrosion inhibitor will protect these surfaces.

Emergency Water Damage Mitigation
Excess water that remains from fighting the fire needs to be extracted. Using the latest techniques in structural drying, including moisture mapping ensures a proper drying standard which is then compared to the relative humidity of an unaffected area of the residence. Drying and dehumidification equipment will be utilized.

Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning uses high frequency sound waves to agitate in a liquid. Cavitations bubbles induced by the agitation act on contaminants adhering to substrates like metals, plastics, glass, rubber, and ceramics. This action also penetrates blind holes, cracks, and recesses. The intention is to thoroughly remove all traces of contamination tightly adhering or embedded onto solid surfaces. Water or other solvents can be used, depending on the type of contamination. Contaminants can include dust, dirt, oil, pigments, rust, grease, algae, fungus, bacteria, lime scale, polishing compounds, flux agents, fingerprints, soot wax and mold release agents, biological soil like blood, and so on. Ultrasonic cleaning can be used for a wide range of contents, shapes, sizes and materials, and may not require the part to be disassembled prior to cleaning. An ultrasonic tank is used to clean delicate items, such as collectibles.

Upholstery & Furniture Cleaning
Specialty equipment and products are necessary and must be utilized by technicians that are trained and certified in the restoration of furniture. With extensive knowledge of textiles and new methods of treating these items at Enviral Restoration Fire and Water Corporation we are able to remediate most of these items.

After Cleaning Odor Removal
Various professional products, specialty equipment and systems are required for odor removal.

Thermal Fogging
This process is used to neutralize odor. It uses a strong deodorizer thermally charged that will penetrate everywhere that the smoke has traveled.

Encapsulation
This is a process used to trap the smell of smoke with an odor blocking paint. It also prevents the leeching of odor over time.

Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers utilize HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration to eliminate particles. This is effective in improving the indoor air quality.

Ozone
This is produced via a portable ozone generator. It is an oxidizing agent.

Fire restoration can be successful if the proper equipment and techniques are utilized. It is also guaranteed if the specifications set by Enviral Restoration Fire and Water damage restoration services are followed.