Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration FAQ

Your immediate priorities after a fire are safety, documentation, and getting professional restoration started:

1. Don't re-enter until fire department clears the structure as safe
2. Call Allied Restoration at (415) 529-5637 — we'll dispatch immediately for emergency board-up and site security
3. File your insurance claim — notify your carrier in writing as soon as possible
4. Document the damage — photograph everything before any cleanup begins
5. Arrange temporary housing — fire-damaged homes are unsafe due to structural damage and smoke residue

Do not attempt to clean smoke or soot yourself — improper cleaning can permanently set stains and void insurance coverage.

Most people focus on the visible burn damage, but smoke residue causes extensive damage throughout the entire structure — including rooms the fire never reached.

As smoke travels, it:

• Deposits acidic soot on every surface — which begins etching metal, glass, and plastic within hours
• Penetrates wall cavities, HVAC systems, and ductwork — contaminating the entire building
• Clings to soft surfaces — curtains, upholstery, carpet, clothing
• Creates a fire re-ignition risk — smoke residue is unspent fuel

Soot begins to cause permanent damage within 24–48 hours. Allied Restoration responds immediately to minimize the total scope of damage.

Allied Restoration's IICRC FSRT-certified fire restoration process:

1. Emergency stabilization — board-up, tarping, site security
2. Damage assessment — soot mapping, Xactimate documentation for insurance
3. Soot removal — dry-ice blasting removes soot from structural surfaces without chemicals; HEPA vacuuming throughout
4. Content cleaning — ultrasonic cleaning and hand-cleaning of salvageable items
5. Odor neutralization — hydroxyl generators and thermal fogging eliminate smoke odor at the molecular level
6. Water damage addressed — sprinkler and firefighting water extracted and dried
7. Reconstruction — Xactimate estimate submitted to insurance; rebuild to pre-loss condition

Yes — with professional treatment. Smoke odor is caused by microscopic particles that penetrate building materials and off-gas over time. Simply airing out a home or using air fresheners will not eliminate it.

Allied Restoration uses multiple techniques to permanently eliminate smoke odor:

• Hydroxyl generators — produce hydroxyl radicals that break down odor compounds at the molecular level; safe to operate while occupants are present
• Thermal fogging — a chemical fog that penetrates the same pathways smoke traveled and neutralizes odor compounds
• Ozone treatment — highly effective for severe cases; requires evacuation during treatment
• Sealing and encapsulation — affected surfaces sealed to prevent residual off-gassing

In most cases, yes — at least temporarily. Fire-damaged homes present multiple hazards:

• Structural instability — fire can weaken framing, flooring, and supports
• Smoke residue — breathing particulate-laden air causes respiratory harm
• Fire re-ignition risk — smoke residue is combustible and a subsequent fire can ignite
• Demolition dust — active construction creates additional hazards

If your homeowner's insurance policy includes Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, your temporary housing costs may be covered while the restoration is in progress. Allied Restoration can help you document ALE expenses for your claim.

A general contractor is not equipped to handle fire and smoke restoration. The key differences:

• Fire restoration requires specialized equipment — hydroxyl generators, thermal foggers, dry-ice blasting machines, HEPA air scrubbers
• Smoke residue identification requires training — missed residue leads to re-contamination and insurance disputes
• Insurance documentation — carriers expect Xactimate estimates from IICRC-certified specialists, not general contractors
• Liability — one oversight in smoke removal can lead to a subsequent fire

Allied Restoration holds IICRC FSRT certification and handles everything from emergency stabilization through final reconstruction — one company, one point of contact.

The materials that burned determine the type of residue and the cleaning methods required:

• Organic materials (wood, paper) — gray/black dry soot; removed with HEPA vacuuming and dry-cleaning sponges
• Protein fires (kitchen, cooking) — yellowish greasy film that sears onto surfaces; requires strong chemical cleaners and is notoriously difficult to remove
• Synthetic materials (plastics, synthetics) — black oily soot; very corrosive, requires immediate action
• Electrical fires — combination of residues plus wiring damage requiring electrical inspection

Allied Restoration assesses the fire type and customizes the cleaning approach accordingly.

Yes. Allied Restoration regularly performs smoke deodorization for rental properties, building sales, and tenant turnovers involving cannabis and tobacco smoke buildup.

The process involves thorough cleaning of all affected surfaces, HVAC cleaning and filter replacement, hydroxyl or ozone treatment for deep deodorization, and in severe cases, sealing and repainting walls to encapsulate embedded odors.

This service is popular with property managers across San Francisco who need to remediate units before re-leasing. Call (415) 529-5637 to discuss your specific situation.

Most homeowner's insurance policies cover fire damage. However, there are important details to understand:

• Fire from any cause — generally covered (kitchen fire, electrical, arson by third party)
• Smoke damage — covered as part of the fire claim, including rooms the fire didn't reach
• Additional Living Expenses — temporary housing costs while your home is being restored
• Contents — personal property is covered up to policy limits
• Intentional fire — not covered

Allied Restoration provides complete Xactimate documentation and works directly with your insurance adjuster to ensure your claim covers the full scope of damage. Call (415) 529-5637.

Before discarding anything, document every damaged item with photographs and create a detailed inventory list — even items that appear completely destroyed. These can be included in your insurance contents claim.

Allied Restoration's contents restoration team assesses all fire-damaged items to determine what is salvageable. Many items that appear beyond repair — including documents, photos, electronics, and furniture — can be restored through specialized cleaning techniques.

Items that cannot be restored are included in your insurance claim at replacement value. Never throw anything away before your insurance adjuster has had the opportunity to inspect it.