When evaluating smoke damage, what aspect of contents should be assessed?

When evaluating smoke damage, assessing the content's relationship to the heat line is critical because it provides insights into the extent of the damage caused by both heat and smoke. The heat line indicates the temperature gradient during a fire and shows how far the heat penetrated into a space. Contents located closer to the heat line are likely to experience more significant damage, including charring or distortion due to intense heat, which can affect restoration strategies.

By understanding the relationship of contents to the heat line, restoration professionals can determine which items may need to be replaced versus those that may be restored. It also aids in prioritizing the cleaning and restoration process. Items further away may have only sustained smoke damage, which could be addressed with appropriate cleaning methods, while those near the heat may be irreparably damaged. This assessment is integral to developing effective restoration plans and ensuring proper handling of various contents during the restoration process.