Clean and Deodorize Minor Smoke-Affected Surfaces

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable set: one complete, dated cleaning record consisting of before-cleaning residue photographs indexed by area; a test-area log identifying every product, dilution, dwell time, and test result; a completed dry-cleaning pass with inspection notes; a completed wet-cleaning pass limited to washable materials that passed testing; a ventilation and waste-control record; and a post-ventilation odor evaluation stating findings honestly.

B. Deliverable Schedule (Component Schedule)

Deliverable	Quantity	Form / Medium	Content Requirement	Preparation / Purpose
Residue photograph set	1 set per area	Digital photographs, indexed	Residue pattern and boundary for every affected surface before cleaning begins	Preserves the pre-cleaning condition for comparison and insurance documentation
Test-area log	1 entry per product/material/residue combination	Written form	Location identifier, product, dilution, dwell time, and pass/fail result with before and after photographs	Confirms each method before it is used broadly
Dry-cleaning record	1 per affected surface	Written form	Method used, inspection result (improved or smeared), and readiness for wet cleaning	Confirms the required dry pass was completed and inspected before liquid was introduced
Wet-cleaning record	1 per affected washable surface	Written form	Product, dilution, application sequence, solution and rinse-water changes, and runoff control method	Documents the tested, controlled wet-cleaning pass
Ventilation and waste record	1 per project	Written form	Ventilation method, exhaust location, filtration equipment, and waste disposition for sponges, wipes, and filters	Confirms residue was not redistributed during cleaning or ventilation
Odor evaluation	1 per project	Written form and after-cleaning photographs	Post-ventilation, post-drying odor finding with identification of any materials needing further treatment	Provides an honest, non-masked result for the owner and next-chapter referral

C. Material and Supply Takeoff

• Dry-cleaning supplies: HEPA vacuum bags or filters, dry-cleaning sponges, and residue tools sufficient for the approved area with a reserve for redistribution or replacement mid-task.
• Wet-cleaning supplies: product-compatible cleaning solution, spray bottles, buckets, and cleaning cloths in quantities sufficient to change solution and rinse water frequently rather than reuse contaminated liquid.
• Ventilation and filtration: one ventilation fan and filtration unit sized to the approved area, with an exhaust path confirmed clear of openings, air intakes, and occupied spaces.
• Waste containment: labeled bags for spent sponges, wipes, and filters; containment sheeting for the debris and cleaning-solution path; and a controlled runoff-collection method.
• Deodorizer stock: one approved deodorizer product compatible with the cleaned material, applied only after cleaning is complete and the odor source has been physically removed.

D. Residue and Test Schedule

For every affected surface, record the following before cleaning: area identifier, material and finish, residue type identified to the extent the assessment supports (dry soot, oily soot, protein residue, ash, firefighting residue, or mixed deposit), test-area location, product tested, dilution, dwell time, test result, and whether the surface is cleared for dry cleaning only or dry and wet cleaning. Do not proceed to broad wet cleaning on any surface without a passed test result for that specific material and product.

E. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Protection	Every unaffected surface, content item, HVAC opening, and floor along the work path is covered or protected before cleaning begins
Dry-before-wet sequence	Every surface receives a complete, inspected dry-cleaning pass before any wet-cleaning solution is tested or applied
Test-and-verify	Every wet-cleaning product is tested on an inconspicuous area and inspected for color change, finish damage, swelling, streaking, and residue before broad use
Chemical control	No cleaning chemicals are mixed at any point in the project
Waste and runoff control	Spent sponges, wipes, and filters are collected and contained; runoff does not enter unapproved drains or materials
Odor evaluation honesty	The odor finding is recorded after drying and normal ventilation, without an active masking product present, and identifies any surface requiring further treatment

F. Preparation — Release, Assessment Review, and Scope Confirmation

1. Confirm fire-department release, structural safety, electrical safety, gas safety, and approved fire-residue assessment. Record each confirmation on the cleaning-record cover sheet before proceeding.
2. Exclude heavy soot, char, burned structure, melted plastics, chemical fire, HVAC contamination, or widespread residue from the basic project. Mark any excluded area on the scope record and refer it separately.
3. Review the fire source, fuel type, extinguishing method, affected materials, duration, and prior cleaning. File this information with the cleaning record before selecting products.
4. Identify possible hazardous combustion products and required PPE. Confirm PPE selection against the fire-residue assessment before entry.

G. Zone Setup, Protection, and Pre-Cleaning Documentation

1. Establish clean, transition, and work zones. Mark each zone boundary and confirm the entry and debris path before cleaning begins.
2. Protect unaffected surfaces, contents, HVAC openings, floors, and access routes. Cover or remove items according to the approved contents plan before any residue is disturbed.
3. Photograph residue patterns and affected boundaries before cleaning. Index each photograph to the area identifier used on the test-area log and cleaning record.
4. Identify dry soot, oily soot, protein residue, ash, firefighting residue, and mixed deposits only to the extent supported by the assessment. Record the identification with the supporting assessment reference; do not diagnose beyond it.
5. Select inconspicuous test areas for each material and residue type. Choose a location representative of the finish and out of normal view, and record its identifier on the test-area log.

H. Dry Cleaning (Progressive Residue Removal)

1. Begin with approved dry particulate removal before introducing liquid. Confirm no liquid has touched the surface before starting this pass.
2. Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum with appropriate attachment and low-contact technique. Select the attachment matched to the surface texture and residue type.
3. Do not drag a brush or tool across fragile soot-coated surfaces. Use a lifting or dabbing motion instead of a dragging stroke on fragile finishes.
4. Use approved dry-cleaning sponges or residue tools with controlled passes. Work in one direction per pass and avoid re-crossing a soiled section of the sponge.
5. Rotate or replace cleaning surfaces to avoid redistributing soot. Fold to a clean face or replace the sponge once its working surface is loaded with residue.
6. Collect and contain spent sponges, wipes, filters, and debris. Bag and label waste at the point of removal before it leaves the work zone.
7. Inspect whether dry cleaning improved the surface or caused smearing. Record the inspection result on the dry-cleaning record before proceeding to any wet-cleaning step.

I. Wet Cleaning (Test-and-Verify Method)

1. Select a product-compatible wet-cleaning solution for washable surfaces. Match the product to the substrate and finish identified in the residue and test schedule.
2. Read product labels, dilution, dwell, ventilation, rinse, and disposal requirements. Follow the label exactly; do not estimate dilution or dwell time.
3. Never mix cleaning chemicals. Use one product at a time in a dedicated, labeled container.
4. Protect porous, unsealed, electrical, paper, fabric, and water-sensitive materials from inappropriate wet cleaning. Exclude these materials from this chapter's wet-cleaning scope and refer them separately.
5. Test wet cleaning for color change, finish damage, swelling, streaking, and residue. Inspect the test area after the manufacturer's specified dwell and dry time before any broad application.
6. Clean from least affected to most affected and from lower-risk test areas outward. Begin broad application only after the adjacent test area has passed.
7. Change solution, towels, and rinse water frequently. Replace before visible loading or reduced effectiveness, not after.
8. Control runoff and prevent contaminated liquid from entering unapproved drains or materials. Route and collect runoff along the approved path established in Section G.

J. Ventilation, Odor Source Correction, and Deodorization

1. Ventilate using approved outdoor air and filtration without distributing residue. Confirm exhaust direction and filtration before opening any ventilation path.
2. Do not use ozone or reactive deodorization in occupied spaces or outside a qualified plan. Refer any condition that appears to require reactive treatment.
3. Remove odor sources physically before applying deodorizing products. Confirm the physical source has been cleaned or removed before any product is applied.
4. Apply approved deodorizer only after cleaning and only to compatible materials. Confirm material compatibility against the product label before application.
5. Allow surfaces to dry under controlled conditions. Maintain the ventilation and access controls established earlier until drying is complete.

K. Final Inspection, Documentation, and Restoration of Protected Areas

1. Inspect under normal and raking light for residue, streaking, finish damage, and remaining staining. Record findings by area identifier on the cleaning record.
2. Evaluate odor after ventilation and drying rather than while products are masking it. Do not record an odor finding while an active deodorizer is still working on the surface.
3. Identify materials requiring additional cleaning, sealing, replacement, or professional treatment. List each on the cleaning record with the reason and recommended next step.
4. Photograph results and record products, dilution, test areas, methods, waste, ventilation, and odor findings. Complete the full cleaning record before closing the project.
5. Restore protected areas and maintain follow-up monitoring. Remove containment and coverings in a controlled sequence and schedule a monitoring check consistent with the fire-residue assessment.