IICRC Releases Statement Backing New Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Standard

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) leadership has studied and debated the two proposed fire restoration standards and believe the S700 adequately meets the needs of its registrants and certified firms. It is their feeling that one standard will minimize confusion in the property restoration market sectors. 

Sampling, testing and smoke residue assessment has historically been served through other industry organizations' members and associated experts. Furthermore, multiple documents currently address how to sample, test, and provide data interpretation to fire damage stakeholders. 

The IICRC board believes that property owners and insurance carriers have protocols in place to determine causation, coverage, and the cost to settle fire and smoke damage claims. It is the feeling of the IICRC board of directors that issues related to assessment, testing, sampling and remediation clearance criteria for smoke and fire damage claims is best left to insurance carrier's policy coverage. 

Existing organizations such as FEMA, AIHA, ASTM, ACGIH, or other similar entities, have expertise and have already published literature pertaining to fire and/or smoke damage. 

In summary, the final decision to publish an IICRC standard is ultimately made after the completion of the final draft to determine its suitability for the marketplace consistent with the mission of the IICRC. The IICRC board of directors would like to thank its standards staff and volunteers who assisted in compiling consensus information for the Fire Standard draft documents.