According to the National Fire Protection Association, it is estimated that some 370,000 home fires occur each year, costing close to $7 billion in total property damage. Many of these fires, however, start and are contained in a certain area of a home or business. Even though containment eliminates the necessity for complete demolition and reconstruction, it is still necessary for proper cleaning of soot and smoke in order to restore the property to a pre-loss condition.

Fire restoration is not as simple as some people would think. The soot, ash, and other fire residues are generally considered to be a health hazard. In addition, the contamination from fire can cause significant damage to parts of the structure not directly impacted by flames or burning. As the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) notes in their summary of fire restoration: