IICRC S700:2025 Fire & Smoke Restoration — Odour, Soot Types & Protein Fire Cleanup for Australian Technicians
IICRC S700:2025: The Fire and Smoke Restoration Standard
ANSI/IICRC S700:2025 is the Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration. It defines the types of fire residues, the methodology for assessment and cleaning, and the professional responsibilities of the fire and smoke damage restoration contractor. Understanding S700:2025 is essential for any Australian restoration technician working on fire and smoke damage claims.
Types of Smoke Residue
Not all smoke and soot is the same. IICRC S700:2025 identifies four primary residue types, each requiring different cleaning approaches: ### Dry Smoke Residue Produced by fast-burning, high-temperature fires (paper, wood). The residue is dry, powdery, and non-smearing. It is generally easier to clean mechanically (dry sponge, HEPA vacuuming) before wet cleaning. Surfaces affected by dry smoke may appear heavily soot-covered but clean more readily than wet smoke residues. ### Wet Smoke Residue Produced by slow-smouldering, low-temperature fires (plastics, rubber, synthetic materials). The residue is sticky, smearing, and strongly odorous. Wet smoke penetrates deeply into porous materials and is significantly more difficult to clean. Smearing during cleaning is a major risk — always begin with dry methods before applying liquid cleaning agents. ### Protein Residue Produced by kitchen fires involving cooking oils, fats, and proteins (meat, fish). The residue is nearly invisible to the naked eye — it appears as a thin, yellowish film that is extremely pungent and difficult to detect without close inspection. Protein residue is the most commonly missed fire residue type and the cause of persistent odour complaints after fire restoration work. Protein residue requires enzymatic or alkaline cleaning agents, not standard smoke cleaners. It bonds strongly to painted surfaces and cabinet interiors, which are the first places to check on a kitchen fire. ### Fuel Oil Residue (Puffback) Produced by oil furnace puffback events. The residue is oily, greasy, and extremely pervasive — it penetrates HVAC systems and distributes throughout the structure. Puffback jobs require full HVAC system cleaning and often replacement of ductwork insulation. The odour is persistent unless all fuel oil residue is physically removed.
Assessment Protocol
Under IICRC S700:2025, the restorer must: 1. Identify all residue types present 2. Assess the affected area including concealed spaces (wall cavities, subfloor, roof void) where smoke has migrated 3. Determine which materials can be cleaned in place and which require replacement 4. Develop a written scope that identifies all affected areas and the cleaning methodology for each residue type
Odour Neutralisation
Odour control in fire restoration follows a specific sequence: 1. **Source removal**: Remove all charred and residue-coated materials that cannot be effectively cleaned 2. **Mechanical cleaning**: Remove accessible surface residues by HEPA vacuuming and dry sponging 3. **Chemical treatment**: Apply odour counteractants and/or enzymatic cleaners to residue-affected surfaces 4. **Thermal fogging or hydroxyl treatment**: For deep odour penetration into porous materials, thermal fogging (introducing deodorising agents as fine particles that follow the same path as smoke) or hydroxyl generators can be effective 5. **Encapsulation**: As a final step, odour-blocking sealers may be applied to residual odour sources before repainting Ozone treatment is sometimes referenced but is not recommended by IICRC S700:2025 while the building is occupied — ozone is a respiratory irritant.
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