Developed by M.J. White & Son Inc.

1. Smoke and Odor Control Developed by M.J. White & Son Inc. Presented by James Tole, Joel Patterson, Marc Siegel IICRC Instructor Mitigation Manager Estimating Manager MS

2. Smoke and Odor Control Course Outline • Odor detection and Removal • Methods, Chemicals & Equipment • Specifically Smoke Odor • Cleaning and smoke odor • Methods of Cleaning

3. Smoke and Odor Control Course Outline • Sealing the odor • Mildew Odors • Urine Odors • Decomposition Odors • Mercaptan Odors • Ethics in Odor Removal • Equipment Use and placement • Cleaning & Deodorization vs replacement • Salvage of structure and Contents • Pre-existing Conditions • Cleaning and Deodorization failure

4. Smoke and Odor Control • Odor Detection • Common Measuring devices used.

5. Smoke and Odor Control • Facts about Odor detection • Nose is the best odor detector by use of the olfactory system. • Whether odors are pleasant or unpleasant, they are a gaseous molecule that is detected by the nose. • Psychological or Heightened awareness odors are coincidental or experience odors and do exist.

6. Smoke and Odor Control • Facts about Odor detection • Seven basic categories of Odor • Camphor-like ex. Embalming fluid • Musky ex. Stale home, slight bacterial • Floral ex. floral • Peppermint ex. peppermint • Etheral – sweet and almost fruity • Pungent – burning of nose – mustard gas • Putrid – odor of decay

7. Smoke and Odor Control • Psychological Odors • Vanilla – clean, baked goods, sensuous • Green apple fragrance – used decrease migraines • Citrus Fruit – vacation, sunny destination • Pumpkin Pie and Lavender – male stimulant

8. Smoke and Odor Control • Odor molecule enters nasal passage. • Odor is detected by olfactory bulb. Each ending is sensitive to different odors. • Olfactory nerve sends electrical signal to the brain. • Brain interprets signals based on repetition and experience. • Our brains are wired to associated odors with experience through association and repetition.

9. Smoke and Odor Control • Facts about Odors. • Our olfactory system can detect both type of odor and intensity. • Odor must be air borne • Odor must be water soluble • Odor must be able to penetrate olfactory nerve endings • In normal state, the odor must not be present in olfactory system.

10. Smoke and Odor Control • Facts about odor • Odor is stronger with increased temperature and humidity. • Increasing airflow, temperature or humidity allow more odor molecules to become airborne and potentially enter olfactory system. • Porous materials absorb/adsorb odors ex. Fabric, cellulose unsealed natural materials.

11. Smoke and Odor Control Systematic removal of Odor • Complete removal will not always require all steps. Process of elimination. • Physical remove as much of the source of odor as possible • Physical cleaning of source area. • Physical application of odor counteractant. (Into all affected materials ?????) • Apply barrier or sealer to all affected areas.

12. Systematic Odor Removal • Physical remove of the source. • Often times the only step required. • Example: Refuse bin beneath kitchen sink. Simply remove bin and odor dissipates. • Example: Scraping char from burnt stud walls prior to scabbing with new. • Example: Removing carpet and sub-flooring following contact with bodily fluids

13. Systematic Odor Removal • Physical cleaning of source area. • Pressure washing concrete floor after furnace fire. • Physical cleaning of all contact and non contact areas following skunk off-gassing. • Physical removal of blown-in insulation from attic space to alleviate odors.

14. Systematic Odor Removal 3.Physical application of odor counteractant. • Spraying Lysol brand deodorizer into kitchen trash receptacle. • Applying deodorizing polymer pre-sealer to stud walls prior to applying “Binn” sealer. • Applying deodorizing products to carpets prior to extraction cleaning to remove odor. • Using odor counteractants in all smoke / odor cleaning solutions.

15. Systematic Odor Removal 4.Apply barrier or sealer to all affected areas. • Apply polyurethane to finished/unfinished wood following cleaning. • Applying epoxy paint to fire damaged cement floors • Application of encapsulant sprays to interior ductwork when required. • Applying vapor barrier to earth in crawlspace where decay or mildew odor is infiltrating structure.

16. Smoke and Odor Control 10 Minute Break

17. Smoke and Odor Control Methods, Chemicals and Equipment. • Dilution: Example: using fan to evacuate refuse odors from beneath kitchen sink.

18. Smoke and Odor Control Methods, Chemicals and Equipment. • Adsorbant Materials: Example: 1. Activated carbon prefilters used with air scrubbers to adsorb smoke odors. 2. Gell-based adsorbants

19. Smoke and Odor Control Methods, Chemicals and Equipment. • Oxidizing Agents: Definition: a chemical compound that readily transfers its oxygen atoms. Carbon plus Ozone = carbon dioxide plus oxygen C + 2 O3 → CO2 + 2 O2 Sodium Peroxide & Carbon dioxide = Oxygen 2Na2O2 + 2CO2 → 2Na2CO3 + O2 (used as CO2 scrubber in submarines)

20. Smoke and Odor Control Methods, Chemicals and Equipment. Example: Ozone (O3) destroys organic odors such as skunk and smoke. Chlorine Bleach (NaOCL) destroys bacterial and minor organic odors. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) destroys infections on minor cuts and is used widely as a spot remover from carpets.

21. Smoke and Odor Control Methods, Chemicals and Equipment. • Biocides: Used to resolve bacterial odors. • Antimicrobial is an agent used to destroy or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms non-pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms • A biocide is a chemical substance capable of killing different forms of living organisms • Disinfectant are antimicrobial agents that are applied to destroy microorganisms. • Sanitizers are substances that reduce the number of microorganisms to a safe level. • Mildewcide an agent that destroys mildew.

22. Smoke and Odor Control • Chemicals and Equipment

23. Smoke and Odor Control Methods, Chemicals and Equipment. Masking Agents: Commonly used to mask the chemical odor of cleaning agents or to temporarily cover malodors with pleasant fragrance. Pairing Agents: Chemically merge with malodor molecule to change complex odors into more pleasing ones.

24. Smoke and Odor Control Methods, Chemicals and Equipment. Combination of Masking and pairing agents. • Standard deodorizers are not that complex. Sanitize air ??? • Most restoration products are combination of masking and pairing agents. • Available for direct application, fogging, crystals and additives.

25. Smoke and Odor Control Methods, Chemicals and Equipment. • Enzyme Digesters: Organisms that consume or digest malodors such as Urine, vomit, spoiled milk, rotting fish, eggs and meat.

26. Smoke and Odor Control 10 Minute Break

27. Smoke and Odor Control • Specifically Smoke Odor: • Smoke odor comes from the incomplete combustion process resulting in soot and smoke residue. 2. Particles range in size from one to four microns. A micron is one millionth of a meter. 3. If there is odor there is soot. The reverse is not always true.

28. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: • Protein Fires: – combustion of meats or poultry resulting in a persistent and unique soot and odor. • Resulting soot is not grey and fluffy. It is normally a white to yellow/brown film on surfaces. • Human tolerance for this type of odor tends to be lower and thus more difficult to remove. • Standard deodorization systems generally fail.

29. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: • Protein Fires: Odor counteractants specific for protein are generally lemon or citrus scented. • Critical steps in cleaning system. • ineffectiveness of Ozone treatments. • Lingering odor solutions. • Remaining odor = remaining soot/grease • Ozone vs grease

30. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: • Synthetic/ Natural Fire: Combustion of plastics, and synthetics as well as wood and cellulose materials. They almost never occur separately. • Standard odor counteractants are effective. • Counteractant products are available for specific odors such as fuel oil spills, mildew, sewage etc. • Counteractant shifts malodor towards a more pleasant one.

31. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor:- First step • Deodorization should always begin before cleaning commences. • Deodorizing twice lightly is always preferred to over-deodorizing. • Second step is application of deodorizing crystals, direct contact spray and thermal fogging are standard methods.

32. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: - third step • Thermal Fog: Application of masking and pairing agents through introduction via propelled hot gas phase. • Must be done using all PPE. • Must be done when property vacant. • Extreme over- application can leave residues. • Air space must be ventilated prior to re-entry • When is it safe to re-enter? Water vs solvent. • How does it work?

33. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: Thermal Fog: • Thermal fog allows better/healthier work environment for restoration crews. • Thermal fog produces particle size of .5 -2 microns • Penetration can be improved using air movers. • Most thermal fog agents are petroleum based. • Some cosmetic grade (water based) based agents are available. • Effective at dramatically lowering odors in large air space. Sears store at Devonshire Mall, School in Clev. • Extreme over application could result in explosion of vapor. • Re-entry in as little as 8 hours.

34. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: • Direct suppression spray: is effective at diminishing odors upon contact on structural items. Used on walls, carpeting, flooring and other low or non-porous materials. • Pump sprayers supply large droplet size • ULV foggers supply smaller droplet size (8-15 micron) (caution wet fogging adjacent absorbent materials )

35. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: Use of Ozone: Ozone (O3)is an alternative form of oxygen that is very unstable. It reverts to oxygen by donating it’s 3rd oxygen atom, thereby oxygenating its surrounding molecules. If those surrounding molecules are a type that willingly accept oxygen, it does so, resulting in a new substance with its own distinct properties. Example: Cologne/perfume is a mixture of organic molecules including the family of keytones (ex. acetone). When they age, (oxidize) these keytones turn into carboxylic acids and will damage clothing upon application and irritate skin.

36. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: Use of Ozone: • Ozone is produced electrically for use as an odor control. • Ozone is a strong oxidant that is heavier than air. • Ozone does not penetrate well on its own. • Most effective as an airspace deodorizer. • Very effective on natural odors, paper, cellulose etc. • Not as effective on oily, protein or plastic residues. • Prolonged exposure is harmful to humans, pets, plants • Ozone reacts with other chemicals producing new ones. • Ozone must be used in vacant structures only. • Ozone takes 24 to 72 hours to be effective.

37. Smoke and Odor Control Specifically Smoke Odor: Thermal deodorization: • A term invented by your presenter. Technique has been used for decades and is a simple one. Some items will capture odor during the heat of the fire and will virtually encapsulate odors as they cool. • By carefully re-heating these items, odors are allowed to escape. Counteractants could be applied to warm surface to aid in odor shift. Example: Vinyl examining table in doctor’s office. Very expensive to reupholster and business interruption.

38. Smoke and Odor Control Cleaning and Smoke Odor: • Cleaning is always the second stage of deodorization. Cleaning alone does not stop odor particles from becoming airborne. • Some contractors skip initial deodorization steps and may fail, particularly on heavy odors. • Some contractors skip cleaning step on protein fires, skunk odors and metallic fires and experience failures. • Some odors are completely removed following this stage of processing. • Odor counteractants have finite ability to act. Heavy volumes may impede their action.

39. Smoke and Odor Control Cleaning and Smoke Odor: • Cleaning is the physical removal of particles from a surface. Removal is based on matching the particles to the best detergent for their complete removal. • Example 1 - High alcohol based window cleaners are best for metallic fires. ie. pot left on stove, aluminum wiring. • Example 2 - Ammonia based degreasers are best for rapid cleaning of non porous materials but may damage finished wooden furniture. • Example 3 - TSP or other powered cleaners are best for cleaning flat finished surfaces.

40. Smoke and Odor Control Cleaning and Smoke Odor: Why is cleaning important? • Physical removal of oily soils so that ozone or deodorizers can penetrate to be effective. • Deodorizers are not able to effectively deodorize large amounts of solid materials. Removal of soils is critical for effectiveness. • Sealers will not stick to surfaces that are dirty. If sealers fail, odor permeates through. Encapsulant products encapsulate residues only. • Addition of deodorizers during cleaning aid in increasing their own penetration.

41. Smoke and Odor Control Cleaning and Smoke Odor: Methods of cleaning: • Air washing - blowing off with compressed air. Decreases penetration of soils during further cleaning. Decreases chances of smearing oily soils and causing permanent stains. Critical on sensitive surfaces. • Dry Cleaning Physical removal using dusters and dry sponges or adsorbents. Used mostly on sensitive surfaces such as ceilings, tapestries, upholstery, unfinished wood. Pre-cleaning method on surfaces that could be damaged by further aggressive methods.

42. Smoke and Odor Control Cleaning and Smoke Odor: Methods of cleaning: • Solvent cleaning: - Best cleaning method for sensitive upholstery fabrics, tapestries, lamp shades, clothing etc. Very pool cleaning method overall when compared to water alone. • Wet Cleaning: - High foaming detergent/deodorizing liquid used to suspend and lift soils from non porous surfaces such as walls, floors, figurines, countertops, bathrooms etc. (Contents such as wicker, carpets, are rugs and finished wood contents may not be damage by immersion cleaning in water. Wicker, wood and carpets are all manufactured submerged in water.)

43. Smoke and Odor Control Cleaning and Smoke Odor: Methods of cleaning: • Restoration Cleaning – Using low moisture and detergent injected powders or specialty restoration powders to “dry” clean where agitation or over wetting are a concern. Ex. artworks, tapestries etc. • Ultrasonic Cleaning – Utilizes sound waves to safely agitate items submerged in a mild liquid cleanser to improve cleaning for either improved results or expedited time frame. Offers ability to use less aggressive chemicals or softer agitation. Also used as a production tool.

44. Smoke and Odor Control 10 Minute Break

45. Smoke and Odor Control Sealing the Odor: • Sealing must follows the cleaning process. • Sealing is the process of containing remaining odor through application of a less permeable surface layer. • This can be done using: • Paint – latex or oil – common as finish • Encapsulant – common as pre-seal or mold treatment • Polyurethane – used for wood floors & drawers • Alcohol Shellac – Binn, kills primer/sealer • Epoxy coatings – garage floors, block walls. • Vapor barrier – earth protection

46. Additional Odor Control Mildew Odors • Mildew or musty odor indicates microbial growth. When there is odor, there is moisture. • Growth required remediation. • Same Deodorization system applies. • Locate and eliminate source of moisture. • Mold pre-testing and remediation protocol. • Locate and remove source material. • Clean affected area. • Seal or encapsulate area. • Clearance testing. Due to liability issues, mildew odors are a remediation concern and do not have a deodorization method.

47. Additional Odor Control Urine Odors. • Urine is a hygroscopic material which can be detected by several methods. • Urine is an alkaline residue that requires special detergents to dissolve. Standard detergents typically leave urine residues remaining behind but clean them very well. • Penetrates into surfaces such as sub-flooring, baseboards, sill plates, drywall walls and cement flooring. • Sensitivity of olfactory system makes detection normally simple and complete removal difficult. • Animals have a more sensitive olfactory system than humans??????

48. Additional Odor Control Urine Odor removal process. • Application of odor counteractants. • Cleaning using pre-soak acidic detergents. • Physical extraction of urine residues. • Potential use for enzymatic digestion. • Application of counteractant for urine. • Application of sealer or encapsulant material • Application of coatings or coverings for appearance. Absorbent materials such as carpeting, under pad and upholstered fabrics may not be restorable due to their absorbency.

49. Additional Odor Control Odors of Decomposition. • Includes odors from non-refrigerated foods, odors from degrading carcass etc. • Systematic approach to deodorization applies. • Bodily fluid contact dictates scope of demolition. May penetrate through multiple floors. Blood borne pathogens. • Insects can spread fluids to other surfaces. • Non-contact porous surfaces may be salvaged through cleaning/deodorization process.

50. Additional Odor Control Odors of Decomposition. • Includes odors from non-refrigerated foods, odors from degrading carcass etc. • Systematic approach to deodorization applies. • Bodily fluid contact dictates scope of demolition. May penetrate through multiple floors. • Insects can spread fluids to other surfaces. • Complete PPE must be worn for protection. • Non-contact porous surfaces my be salvaged through cleaning/deodorization process.