What Happens During a Fire Damage Inspection?

When a fire devastates a home or business, the aftermath can feel overwhelming.

Before you can get life back to normal, though, you need a fire damage inspection. 

This critical process assesses the damage and provides the foundation for a restoration plan. 

In this blog, we’ll explain what takes place during a fire damage inspection, why it’s important, and what happens during the recovery process.

What is a Fire Damage Inspection?

A fire damage inspection is a detailed assessment to evaluate the damage a fire caused on a given property. 

These inspections are often conducted by fire restoration specialists, insurance adjusters, or local fire department officials. 

Inspections are essential – regardless of the severity of the house fire. 

While major fires can compromise significant portions of the building (and often require more in-depth evaluation), minor fires can still cause considerable smoke and soot damage. 

They may also leave lingering odors that require professional attention. 

Whether the fire impacts a large or small area, a thorough inspection ensures that all damage is addressed correctly. 

They also determine necessary restoration steps and ensure that the property is safe enough for restoration professionals to enter. 

The Fire Damage Inspection Process

1. Initial Assessment and Safety Check

The first step of the fire damage inspection process is an initial assessment and safety check. 

This step includes a safety verification that ensures the property is safe to enter and identifies immediate hazards like structural instability and electrical issues. 

During this process, the technician performing the inspection will also check for the presence of firefighting chemicals or other toxins.

The team may also complete the following:

• Scanning for hotspots or smoldering areas that could reignite.
• Using infrared cameras to locate hidden fires within walls and ceilings.
• Employing drones for aerial assessments in larger or more hazardous areas.

Tools and Equipment Used:

• Thermal imaging cameras to detect heat signatures.
• Moisture meters to identify water damage from firefighting efforts.
• Gas detectors to check for harmful fumes and gasses.
• Flashlights and headlamps for visibility in dark or smoke-filled areas.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the assessment team, including helmets, gloves, and respirators.

2. Documentation of the Damage

After ensuring the property is safe, inspectors will document the scene with photos, videos, and detailed notes.

To do this, the inspector may use the following tools:

• High-resolution cameras
• Drones for aerial views
• Moisture meters
• Infrared thermography cameras
• Notebooks and digital tablets for documentation

While the process the inspector follows depends on the fire itself, most teams will take detailed photographs and videos of the damage. 

Some may use drones to capture aerial images of the affected area or use moisture meters and infrared cameras to measure moisture levels in walls and floors. 

This documentation is essential for later insurance claims and for developing a detailed restoration plan.

3. Analysis of Structural Integrity 

Next, inspectors will carefully check the building’s structural integrity. 

They will assess the condition of load-bearing walls, the foundation, roofing, and other important parts of the home. 

They will look for signs of warping, charring, and any other damage that might affect the building’s safety.

4. Assessment of Smoke and Soot Damage 

During this step, inspectors will check for smoke and soot damage throughout the property. 

First, they evaluate the fire damage by identifying all affected areas, including places where smoke and soot may have spread beyond the main fire zone.

They check surfaces, furnishings, and structural elements for visible soot and discoloration. They also use specialized tools and tests to find hidden smoke residues, such as in HVAC systems or behind walls.

Those tools include but are not limited to the following:

• Thermal Imaging Cameras: To detect hidden heat sources and potential areas affected by smoke and soot that are not visible to the naked eye.
• Air Quality Monitors: To assess the presence of harmful particles and gasses in the air.
• Swabs and Wipes: For collecting samples of soot and other residues for more detailed lab analysis.
• Infrared Cameras: To identify and document the extent of smoke penetration and damage within structural cavities.
• VOC Detectors: To measure the levels of volatile organic compounds released during the fire.

Finally, they assess the type of soot, as different fires produce different residues needing specific cleaning methods.

These steps help plan the necessary cleanup efforts and prevent long-term damage.

5. Evaluation of Electrical and Plumbing Systems

Fire can seriously damage a building’s electrical and plumbing systems. 

Inspectors will check the wiring, electrical panels, pipes, and plumbing fixtures for any signs of heat damage or melting. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

• Initial Inspection: Visual check for damage.
• Thermal/Moisture Detection: The team will use tools like imaging cameras, multimeters, borescopes, infrared thermometers, electrical circuit testers, and plumbing leak detectors to check for safety issues and anomalies.
• Functional Testing: Test circuits and outlets.
• Internal Inspection: Examine concealed spaces.
• Documentation: Record findings with photos and notes.
• Safety Assessment: De-energize risky systems.
• Reporting: Compile findings and recommendations.

Ensuring these systems are in good condition is crucial for the safety and functionality of the property after restoration.

6. Assessment of Personal Belongings 

Next, inspectors will check for damage to personal belongings and other items on the property, such as furniture, appliances, and clothing. 

They conduct a thorough examination of the affected area, checking for signs of heat, smoke, and water damage.

Inspectors will also document the extent of the damage, often using specialized tools and technology to measure the severity and determine the restoration potential of various items. 

This is important for insurance and planning restoration services.

7. Identification of Hidden Damage

Not all fire damage is visible to the naked eye. 

Because of this, inspectors use special tools like moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to find hidden damage behind walls, beneath floors, or in vent systems. 

These tools help detect moisture inside walls from firefighting, internal structural damage, and more – and ensure it’s dealt with properly.  

8. Development of the Recovery Plan

The last step is to create a detailed recovery plan based on the inspection findings. 

This plan details all the tasks that need to be completed during restoration, including structural repairs, cleaning smoke and soot, fixing electrical and plumbing issues, and restoring walls and flooring. 

What Happens After the Inspection?

Afterward, the fire damage restoration process begins.

Here’s what it entails:

1. Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarping Services: If necessary, the first step is to secure the property to prevent further damage and unauthorized access.
2. Water Removal and Drying: Firefighting uses water, which can drench a home’s interior. To address this, techs use specialized equipment to extract water and prevent mold growth.
3. Smoke and Soot Removal: Next, the team uses advanced techniques and cleaning agents to remove smoke and soot from all surfaces, including walls, ceilings, and personal belongings.
4. Cleaning and Sanitizing: Thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the property ensure it is safe to occupy. This step often includes odor removal and air purification to eliminate lingering smoke odors.
5. Repair and Restoration: Finally, the team will repair any structural damage,  which may involve rebuilding parts of the property, painting, replacing drywall, and laying new flooring. The goal is to return the property to its original state and to make it safe and liveable once more. 

Trust ServiceMaster of Lake Shore With Your Fire Damage Restoration Needs

The aftermath of a fire can be difficult and stressful to process. 

Fortunately, our team is here for you.

Offering fire damage restoration services to Chicago-area customers, we’ll help you restore your property and reclaim your sense of normalcy.

Contact us today to learn more.