Essence of the research

After a fire, property is damaged by flames, high temperatures, smoke, soot, water, and extinguishing agents. A product examination expert records the condition of movable items; the cause and source of the fire are determined by a fire-technical expert, and the value — by an appraiser.

Who conducts the research

Property examination after a fire in Moscow is carried out by product examination expert Andrey Viktorovich. The work takes into account the object, documents, posed questions, technical documentation, condition of the goods, signs of use, damage, completeness, and possibility of further use.

Objects and materials of the research

furniture and interior items
clothing, footwear, textiles, and fur products
equipment and electronics based on external condition
dishes, household, and personal items

Characteristic defects and controversial signs

charring, melting, and thermal deformation
soot, smell, and contamination from combustion products
cracking and loss of coating
wetting and corrosion after extinguishing

What the product examination expert determines

Identification of the object and its compliance with the submitted documents
Presence, location, and severity of defects, damages, and other commodity signs
Probable stage and mechanism of formation of the identified deficiencies
Impact of defects on completeness, appearance, and usability
Sufficiency of product examination methods or the need for another specialist

Questions that can be posed to the expert

Which items were damaged as a result of the fire?
What is the nature of the impact on each object?
Is it possible to restore by cleaning or repair?
What additional studies are needed for safety?

How the research is conducted

Preservation of the object, its labeling, and connection with documents are checked
signs related to objects are recorded: furniture and interior items, clothing, footwear, textiles, and fur products
Photographic documentation is performed, and if necessary — available measurements and comparison of similar elements
The actual condition is compared with the contract, instructions, acts, and the chronology of events
Conclusions are formulated separately for each issue, indicating any limitations

Documents and source information

fire service materials
photos before clearing and cleaning
inventory and property documents
acts of cleaning, storage, and disposal

Scope of competence

The appraiser does not determine the source, technical cause of fire, or the liable person. Toxic combustion products may require sanitary-chemical studies, and the monetary amount of damage requires evaluation.

Cost and timeframe

The cost is determined after examining the object, the number of issues, the volume of documents, the need for a site visit, laboratory work, or the involvement of other specialists. Before starting the study, the scope of work, timeframe, price, and format of the final document are agreed upon.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to start with photographs?

Yes. Competence, the composition of materials, and the need for inspection can be determined from photographs and documents. A categorical conclusion about the nature of a defect usually requires direct examination of the object.

What if the object has already been repaired or modified?

It is necessary to provide acts, work orders, and photographs before intervention. The report separately considers which features could have been lost or altered.

Will the report be suitable for a claim or court?

Yes. A specialist's report can be used for a claim, negotiations, preparation of a lawsuit, objections, or a motion for appointment of a judicial examination. If the examination is appointed by the court, the final document is issued as an expert’s report within the scope of the questions posed.

Examination of property after fire in Moscow