Fire and smoke damage: what to sample and why

Not all dark residue is soot, and naming it correctly changes the claim scope, the liability and the remediation plan. IRIS identifies fire residue by microscopy: PLM for fast triage, TEM for definitive identification.

Pick the method

PLM separates combustion residue from background dust and fibrous from granular particles, and gives particle size and distribution. TEM tells soot from carbon black and fly ash at nanoscale and gives element-level composition. Both follow ASTM D6602 and the ASTM D3849 framework.

What you can send

• Surface wipes: walls, ceilings, electronics, HVAC registers
• Bulk debris: insulation, drywall, furniture residue, flooring
• Airborne filters: personal air samplers, area monitors, HVAC filters
• Settled dust: personal property, building surfaces, ventilation ductwork
• Water-extracted: aqueous wipe extracts for elemental characterisation

Sending samples

Ship from anywhere in the US, or drop off locally, with a completed chain-of-custody form. Analysis begins once receipt is confirmed. Rush turnaround is available, and TEM work can be scheduled around court filing deadlines.

The report

Every report includes particle identification with the reasoning behind it, annotated optical or TEM micrographs, ASTM method documentation, a written interpretation and the chain of custody. Expert witness support is available on request.

Not sure which method fits? Email support@irislaboratories.com and the lab will confirm the right approach.