SDM Intelligence · Fire Incident Path
Fire Incident Builder
Use this path after a structure fire to organize observable conditions without assuming that a building is safe, structurally sound, electrically safe, or ready for cleanup.
Incident questions
Select the conditions that best match what you can safely observe.
Choose one answer for each question. SDM Intelligence will generate a browser-based Recovery Record from your selections and identify relevant priorities, uncertainty, and professional boundaries.
Is the fire fully extinguished and has the structure been released for entry?
Why this matters: Fire conditions can recur and structural or utility hazards may remain after visible flames are gone.
What areas show direct heat or flame effects?
Why this matters: Direct burn areas and remote smoke-affected areas can require very different evaluation and control.
Are there signs of structural instability?
Why this matters: Char, deformation, sagging, spalling, damaged connections, or compromised openings can require structural evaluation before mitigation work.
Were electrical, gas, HVAC, sprinkler, or other building systems affected?
Why this matters: Damaged utilities and life-safety systems can create hazards that are outside a mitigation contractor’s licensed scope.
How much suppression water is present?
Why this matters: Firefighting water can create a second incident involving migration, wet insulation, ceilings, flooring and concealed assemblies.
Where has suppression water migrated?
Why this matters: Water can travel below the fire area through floor systems, wall cavities, shafts, stair openings and penetrations even when visible fire damage is localized.
Which assemblies are wet from suppression activity?
Why this matters: Wet gypsum, insulation, subflooring, flooring systems, cabinetry and structural cavities require assembly-specific moisture evaluation rather than a fire-only cleanup sequence.
Has a moisture map or drying record been started?
Why this matters: Fire suppression water should be documented as its own moisture pathway with affected materials, readings, drying decisions and verification instead of being assumed dry when standing water is gone.
What is the current suppression-water status?
Why this matters: Reconstruction or sealing should not conceal unresolved moisture. Drying status must be verified separately from soot and odor verification.
What residues or debris are present?
Why this matters: Combustion residues vary by fuel and heat conditions; dry soot, oily residues, protein residues, ash and debris do not behave the same way.
Is the building envelope open to weather?
Why this matters: Broken glazing, roof openings, fire-department access points, and damaged exterior assemblies can create continuing water, wind, and security exposure.
Was the HVAC system operating during or after the fire?
Why this matters: Forced-air operation can extend smoke and residue pathways beyond the direct burn area and should be documented before system cleaning or restart decisions.
Which material groups show the greatest impact?
Why this matters: Hard surfaces, porous finishes, textiles, electronics, wood, and specialty contents differ in heat sensitivity, residue retention, and restoration options.
Has cleanup, demolition, debris movement, or strong air movement already started?
Why this matters: Prior disturbance can redistribute residue, change the original deposition pattern, and recontaminate areas that appeared cleaner.
How does residue behave on a small controlled test area?
Why this matters: Release, smearing, staining, or substrate change can alter the cleaning path.
Which retained material needs the most difficult restoration decision?
Why this matters: The restore, specialty-clean, remove, or later-seal decision should be tied to the actual substrate.
What HVAC evidence is observable right now?
Why this matters: Operating history and actual observations should drive system investigation rather than assumptions.
What remains after initial source control or cleaning work?
Why this matters: Verification separates apparent improvement from unresolved residue, odor, or recontamination.
Does the condition stay improved during normal building cycles?
Why this matters: A result that looks acceptable immediately after cleaning may change when HVAC operates or temperature and humidity return to normal.
What is the strongest verification evidence documented?
Why this matters: Verification should be tied to observable evidence rather than a single impression of cleanliness.