Multi-step effort required to eliminate smoke, soot odors

Restaurant and kitchen fires are very demanding, primarily because of the complexity of the smoke and soot.

The first thing a cleanup team does is immediately get control of the soot and smoke odor. Until the soot and charred wood is addressed, it will continue to put off gas, contaminating every surface in the building.

The industry's most modern and effective odor control system is a four-step process. Each step is distinctive and unique, but most importantly, each step is necessary. Relying on a singular odor control technique very often results in a variety of principles, including counteraction, pairing and masking.

Deodorant blocks contain masking agents. Pairing agents combine malodors to form a new odorless compound. Counteraction (disinfectants) usually involves the destruction of bacteria and fungi.

Smoke odor removal should precede normal cleaning or repair activity.

There are four steps in smoke odor removal:

A. All vertical and horizontal surfaces should be media blasted with either corn cob or soda to remove charred wood. After blasting, all surfaces must be vacuumed to remove the residue.

B. All vertical and horizontal surfaces should be sprayed with a pairing agent. This step is the preliminary detoxification. The objective is to chemically block or seal to restrict odor-bearing molecules from evaporating into the atmosphere.

C. The second step is to liberally apply a granular odor counteractant to all horizontal surfaces. This product is specially formulated to quickly release odor counteractant vapors in to the air. This product should be placed into the attic, crawl spaces, voids above suspended ceilings, etc.

D. The last step is thermal fogging. Thermal fogging duplicates the heat and penetrating chrematistics of the fire. The small particles it produces penetrate the pores of the floors, walls and ceilings.

Fire cleanup requires specialized equipment and training. In next week's article, I will discuss both.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabrics and paints before using any chemical compounds. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do? For more information about Ed, check him out at NWEES.COM

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, and mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the chief executive officer of NWES, Inc.