The odor from smoke is the result of chemical process of combustion. The gas or heat produced from burning if the combustion is complete will not cause odor. However, in an incomplete combustion, soot or “Smoke residue” deposit themselves in the building structure.
When synthetic substances are burnt incompletely they release gas and carbon with several tars, and acid. The tar becomes sticky because of the heat, affects the surface of the property, and creates smoke odor. The soot residue occasionally does not have odor but due to high carbon content it starts obtaining other odors in their surroundings.
There are three general categories of smoke odors:
- The brown / yellow smoke residue is the result of burned meat/fat content these are called Protein Odors.
- Odors resulted from burned paper; wood, etc. are called Natural Substance Odors. The residue is black/ gray and dry.
- Odors from burned plastics or textiles are called Synthetic Substance Odors. The residue is black and the texture of residue is soft.
The most important factor in intensity of an odor is the temperature of the fire causing the smoke damage.















