SDM Intelligence · Smoke Incident Path
Smoke & Soot Incident Builder
Use this path when smoke, soot, ash, combustion residues, or fire-related odor extend beyond the direct burn area or remain after initial stabilization.
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.
Where is visible soot or smoke residue present?
Why this matters: Distribution helps distinguish direct deposition from migration through doors, shafts, pressure differences, or HVAC systems.
What does the residue look and feel like?
Why this matters: Dry powdery soot, oily residues and kitchen/protein residues can require different cleaning sequences and testing.
Was the HVAC system operating during or after the event?
Why this matters: Air-handling systems can move particles and odor compounds beyond the visibly affected area.
Was firefighting water or sprinkler discharge part of this event?
Why this matters: Smoke and soot work can overlap with a separate moisture-loss pathway that needs its own mapping, drying and verification.
If assemblies became wet, what is their current drying status?
Why this matters: A surface can be visually clean while concealed moisture remains unresolved; smoke verification and moisture verification are separate hold points.
Which materials are affected?
Why this matters: Painted walls, unfinished wood, textiles, carpet, electronics and porous contents respond differently to smoke deposition.
Has cleaning already started?
Why this matters: Uncontrolled wiping or wet cleaning can smear some residues, move contamination, or complicate later verification.
Is odor still present after visible cleaning?
Why this matters: Persistent odor can indicate remaining reservoirs, concealed pathways, HVAC involvement, or incomplete source removal.
Where is odor strongest compared with visible residue?
Why this matters: An odor gradient can help distinguish a remaining source or reservoir from general airborne contamination and can point toward cavities or HVAC pathways.
Are sensitive surfaces changing color, corroding, or staining?
Why this matters: Some residues can damage metals, light-colored finishes, laminates, and other sensitive surfaces over time, making preservation timing important.
Are concealed smoke pathways suspected?
Why this matters: Smoke can move into wall cavities, attics, pipe runs, shafts, and other concealed spaces that are not represented by visible room surfaces alone.
Are cleaned areas protected from recontamination?
Why this matters: Soot can be carried by air currents, debris, hands, footwear, tools, and equipment; completed areas may need separation from active work zones.
What happened in a small controlled cleaning test?
Why this matters: Test response helps distinguish loose residue from smearing, persistent staining, or material damage.
Which material needs the most difficult restoration decision?
Why this matters: Material type and condition should determine the next test or specialty path.
Which contents category is most affected?
Why this matters: Sensitive and high-value contents often need a different handling path than ordinary hard contents.
What is the verification status after cleaning or deodorization?
Why this matters: A completed-looking surface is not the same as a verified outcome under normal conditions.
Does the condition stay improved during normal building cycles?
Why this matters: Persistent reservoirs and airflow pathways can become more noticeable after HVAC operation or normal temperature and humidity changes.
What is the strongest verification evidence documented?
Why this matters: A clean-looking surface does not alone establish that residue, odor reservoirs, or connected pathways have been resolved.