Deliver Your News to the World

Southern California Apartment Fire Causes Damage and Indoor Environmental Quality Concerns at the Complex

LA Testing provides analytical services, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits to identify smoke damage, residues and odors following a fire.


Huntington Beach, CA – WEBWIRE

Earlier this month, a two-story apartment building caught fire in Southern California. The fire is believed to have begun in a vacant unit on the second floor before it spread to other units. Fortunately, all the residents of the building were able to safely evacuate their homes as firefighters quickly got control of the fire. 

Initially, 31 people were forced from their apartments due to the fire. While some units are a complete loss, others need to be repaired and remediated due to the smoke and water used to put out the fire. Even some nearby homes and businesses not directly touched by flames may have sustained varying degrees of property damage.  This is due to the fact that building fires typically produce a tremendous amount of smoke that can be carried into neighboring properties. 

Smoke is made up of a number of combustion by-products that may include ash, soot, char and other materials. When it infiltrates a building it can leave behind odors and residues which can cause corrosion, etching and discoloration within the property. These conditions can get worse over time and will also often lower a property’s value if they are not properly addressed.

“Homeowners and tenants with property or renters insurance may have coverage for smoke damage, but it is often left to the policy holder to provide proof of damages,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Although the presence of visible damage can be obvious at times, subtle or hidden smoke damage frequently requires testing to provide proof of residues, odors and other damage that is not readily apparent. At LA Testing, we provide analytical services and all of the sampling supplies necessary to identify smoke residues and odors. We also offer easy-to-use test kits to help identify smoke damage, mold, lead, asbestos and other contaminants often associated with fire damage and suppression efforts.”

LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about smoke damage that can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUSODjn2N5w.

To learn more about testing a property for smoke and water damage, mold, asbestos, lead or other indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.  For access and more information about the fire and smoke damage test kit, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.    

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Leandro and South Pasadena.
 


( Press Release Image: https://photos.webwire.com/prmedia/9645/210260/210260-1.png )


WebWireID210260




 
 apartment fire
 smoke
 property damage
 soot
 smoke damage


This news content may be integrated into any legitimate news gathering and publishing effort. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.