Cinnaminson, NJ, February 18th, 2015
Last month, CNN reported on a massive apartment fire that consumed 240 apartments and reportedly displaced 500 residents. Another 520 residents in adjacent buildings were also impacted. The fire, in a midrise building in Edgewater, took more than 200 firefighters to stop.
Reports indicate the fire caused millions of dollars in damages and was accidently started by building workers. Not only did the fire cause extensive destruction due to flames, but the extreme heat and smoke also impacted adjacent buildings and has likely left many nearby properties with varying degrees of smoke damage. These large structural fires produce an enormous amount of smoke that can be carried long distances in the wind. The smoke is filled with combustion by-products that include soot, ash and char that can have damaging effects to both properties and to humans breathing the smoke filled air.
“Tenants, landlords and property owners who have homes and businesses in the area should be on the lookout for signs of smoke damage,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc., a leading smoke damage testing laboratory. “Smoke can quickly infiltrate a structure and leave behind unpleasant odors and residues which can cause corrosion, etching and discoloration within the property. Its presence can cause indoor air quality concerns and even lower property values. At EMSL, we provide smoke damage testing services and test kits to help with recovery efforts. Surface and air testing can provide proof of smoke damage for insurance purposes and can then be used to help remediate the property back to pre-fire conditions.”
To learn more about EMSL’s fire and smoke damage test kit please visit: www.EMSLTestKits.com. EMSL has also produced an online video about soot in indoor environments that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/ycD5Q078-D4.
To learn more about testing for smoke damage, char, carbon black, soot and other indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services and products to government agencies, industry professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.