Smoke Damage Analysis
Post wildfire, many property owners, relieved their properties survived, often realize their homes are greatly affected by the other consequences of such natural disasters. Residual odor, potential contaminants, and other damage deposited by smoke requires mitigation. But how do we get there? Before insurance coverage will cover the significant costs associated with mitigation, environmental consultants, industrial hygienists, or similar are often tasked with identifying through analytical testing to definitively prove smoke damage is or is not present.
For years, the most common analysis has been collection of tape lift samples and analysis for soot/char/ash, typically reported as percentages in reports. Consultants, however, often tell us that the results of soot/char/ash/carbon black/etc. are virtually worthless, as there is no regulatory standard for what an analysis result of 2% ash, 4% char, etc. mean in terms of definitively identifying smoke damage.
PEL's analysts utilize a current, cutting-edge methodology, known as Assemblage Analysis of Wildfire Combustion Particles, which provides far more definitive information. This method has been widely accepted and seen as a superior method of analysis by insurance agencies, consultants, etc. An in-depth explanation comparing the different methodologies and why we feel ours is superior can be found here. To briefly explain, Assemblage Analysis of Wildfire Combustion Particles selectively analyzes the main fuels that burn in a wildfire— grass char, leaf char, bark char, etc— and reports their presence on a scale of low to high. Soot, char, and ash can come from a variety of sources that have nothing to do with wildfires, such as from fireplaces, candles, smoking, or other sources.
If you have a project where you are the consultant, insurance agent, or property owner, then we highly encourage you to request this type of analysis. Please don't hesitate to contact PEL at (877)-220-3528 or info@pellabs.com if we can provide you or your clients with additional information.