Post-Fire Combustion By-Products Testing

After a fire, visible damage may only tell part of the story. Smoke, soot, char, ash and microscopic combustion particles can migrate throughout a structure and settle on walls, ceilings, flooring, furniture, equipment, HVAC components and other surfaces.

Laboratory testing can provide objective analytical information for environmental consultants, restoration contractors, industrial hygienists, insurance professionals, property managers, building owners and others evaluating a fire- or smoke-affected property.

Combustion by-products are particles, residues and chemical compounds created when materials burn or undergo incomplete combustion.

Depending on what burned and the conditions of the fire, residues may include:

The type and quantity of material generated can vary considerably depending on the fuel source, building materials, contents involved, combustion temperature, oxygen availability and duration of the fire.

Smoke and microscopic fire-related particles can travel well beyond the immediate area where a fire occurred.

Combustion residues may migrate through:

Particles can eventually settle on surfaces even where obvious fire damage is not present.

Post-fire testing can provide analytical data that helps investigators evaluate whether suspect material is consistent with combustion-related contamination.

EMSL's Fire Related Testing Program provides laboratory analysis of fire residues for materials including char, black carbon/soot and ash.

Testing may help provide information concerning the presence and distribution of fire-related residues following residential, commercial, industrial or wildfire incidents.

Results may be useful when evaluating:

Yes. EMSL provides laboratory services that can support investigations of buildings and materials potentially affected by wildfire smoke, soot, ash and related combustion residues.