The assessor establishes the actual affected boundary; this is a planning diagram.
Visible staining is only one part of the picture
Smoke-related questions are about where residues went, which materials were exposed and what can be cleaned or needs further assessment. A dark surface does not identify every contaminant; a pale or apparently clean surface does not establish that an area is unaffected. Record what you can observe without entering restricted areas or disturbing deposits.
Describe the room, material, visible residue, odour and nearby openings separately. “Smoke smell in the upstairs hall near the return grille” is more useful than “the whole house is toxic,” because it gives an assessor a specific location and question.
Map the assessment boundary
| Place to discuss | Why it belongs in the scope conversation |
|---|---|
| Adjacent rooms and circulation spaces | The affected boundary may extend beyond the room where the fire occurred. |
| Closets, cabinets and concealed spaces | A face-level inspection can miss areas that need access or a defined exclusion. |
| HVAC returns, supply paths and equipment | Building-system assessment is distinct from simply changing a filter. |
| Soft furnishings and stored belongings | Materials and item use influence how cleaning or replacement is considered. |
| Shared spaces and neighbouring units | A multi-unit building needs coordinated access and responsibility. |
IICRC S590 addresses assessment of HVAC systems following water, fire or mould events. Ask the assessor to identify which internal surfaces and equipment were included and which could not be examined.
Source: IICRC · S590 HVAC assessment scope.
Match the proposed method to the material
Ask for a test area before widespread cosmetic cleaning where the material allows it. Compare the proposed result with the original finish: colour, sheen, texture and odour. Clarify what happens if the test leaves staining, damages the finish or cannot reach the affected area.
- Hard finishes: specify preparation, cleaning products, rinsing where applicable and the check before repainting.
- Porous finishes and textiles: identify the cleaning trial, condition assessment and criteria for replacement.
- Electronics: separate appearance from safe operation; use an appropriate technician’s assessment before reuse.
- Food, medicines and personal items: follow public-health and pharmacist guidance rather than a cleaning trial.
Source: Alberta Health Services · restoring a home after wildfire.
Odour treatment needs a complete explanation
A proposal should identify the source of the odour, the cleaning or removal planned, and how the result will be reviewed after treatment. A scented product can change what you smell without demonstrating that the affected material has been addressed. Ask what spaces must be unoccupied, who controls access and what information supports re-entry after any treatment.
When an independent assessment may help
Consider asking for an appropriately qualified independent opinion when the proposed scope is disputed, an odour remains after completed work, vulnerable occupants have concerns, or no one can explain the assessment boundary. Define the question before commissioning testing: the material or contaminant of concern, the sampling locations and how a result would change the work.
A handheld particle display or a single air sample is not a universal occupancy certificate. The air-quality guide explains how to separate a specific test result from a broader decision about use.
Bring these questions to the assessment
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Use the smoke and soot work-scope guide for the contract and completion questions.
Sources and further reading
- IICRC · S590 HVAC assessment scope
- IICRC · S700 fire and smoke restoration scope
- Alberta Health Services · restoring a home after wildfire
- US EPA · ozone generators and indoor air
Reviewed October 11, 2026. Follow the source’s current guidance and the instructions for the actual property.