Fire Damage Resources

Smoke, soot and heat: what do those words describe?

A report may use several terms for the effects of the same fire. They describe different observations, so it helps to ask what each term means for the particular room or item being discussed.

• Smoke: the airborne mixture produced by burning. A report may discuss smoke-related residue or odour. The NIST fire-investigation glossary provides the technical definition.
• Soot: carbon-rich particles produced during combustion. If a report identifies soot, ask which surfaces or items were assessed and how that finding was reached.
• Heat damage: a description of effects attributed to heat. Ask the person using the term to explain the observed change and the area it relates to.

You do not need to identify a residue or assess an item’s safety yourself. Keep your description in everyday words and leave technical conclusions to the relevant professional.

Understand the purpose of the next visit

A fire claim can involve work on the building and its contents. The person discussing cleaning may have a different appointment from the person discussing structural repairs.

A fire-restoration specialist may assess residues and odours and plan restoration cleaning. This is the type of work described by the IICRC fire and smoke restoration standard. An assessor may gather information for the insurer, while a builder or technical specialist may be involved in separate building questions.

Ask: “Are you assessing the building, the contents, or both?” Then clarify which decisions remain with the insurer or another specialist. Knowing the purpose of a visit can prevent you waiting for an answer that person was never appointed to give.

Make room-by-room conversations easier

Use the same room and item names when you speak with different people. “Front bedroom wardrobe” is easier to trace than “the cupboard”. If you have several similar items, describe the location or another distinguishing feature.

Fictional communication example: “The report refers to cleaning the front bedroom. I’m not sure whether that includes the built-in wardrobe and the items inside it. Could you explain what was assessed and who is looking at the contents?”

This asks for the meaning of the report without assuming that an item is repairable, needs replacement or is covered. The answer can be recorded in your own words, with the speaker’s name and date.