Fire Residue Laboratory Testing: Sampling, Chain of Custody & Reports
Fire-residue laboratory testing covers the laboratory portion of a fire and smoke assessment. We collect surface samples from accessible locations where residue or particles are suspected.
Depending on the surface and assessment purpose, we may use tape lifts, swabs, or another suitable surface-sampling method. Each sample is associated with its collection location and documented so the laboratory findings can be interpreted against the exact area it came from.
Sample Collection, Documentation, and Chain of Custody
Documentation keeps a clear record of each sample from collection through laboratory submission. Sample information may include the property, sampling location, type of sample collected, and other details needed to connect the laboratory result to the area evaluated during the assessment.
Collected samples are submitted under chain-of-custody procedures to an independent laboratory for analysis. Maintaining this documentation helps preserve the connection between the submitted sample, its collection location, and the resulting laboratory report so findings can be reviewed within the correct assessment context.
- Tape-Lift Samples
- Swab Samples
- Other Surface Samples
- Sample Documentation
- Chain of Custody
- Independent Laboratory Analysis
Understanding Laboratory Reports and Testing Limitations
Depending on the submitted material and analytical method, the laboratory may report findings related to particles, residue, or other material identified within the specific sample. Those findings should be interpreted together with the sample location, inspection observations, and the overall scope of the property assessment.
Laboratory testing has limitations. Analysis describes findings from the submitted samples and does not describe unsampled or inaccessible areas. Laboratory results also do not determine insurance coverage, legal liability, medical diagnosis, or the cause and origin of a fire.
Common Questions About Fire-Residue Laboratory Testing
Depending on the surface and purpose of the assessment, samples may be collected using tape lifts, swabs, or another appropriate surface-sampling method. The selected method is used to collect material from a specific location for submission and analysis by an independent laboratory.
Each collected sample is documented with information connecting it to the specific sampling location. Samples are then submitted under chain-of-custody procedures to an independent laboratory, helping maintain a clear record from sample collection through laboratory analysis and reporting.
Laboratory analysis can report findings related to material present in the submitted sample, depending on the analytical method used. It does not determine insurance coverage, legal liability, medical diagnosis, or fire cause and origin, and it should not be treated as representing unsampled areas.
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