Smoke Damage: An Invisible Enemy to Electronics

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Smoke Damage: An Invisible Enemy to Electronics

Lawrie Hollingsworth • March 27, 2025

How Smoke Damages Electronics

When most people think about equipment fire damage, they picture charred walls and burnt equipment. But one of the most overlooked — and costly — consequences of a fire is smoke damage to electronics.

Even in rooms untouched by flames, electronics can suffer catastrophic failures days or weeks after exposure to smoke. Here's what you need to know.

Smoke is more than just soot — it's a complex mixture of:

Carbon particles that create conductive bridges across circuit boards
Chlorides and acids that corrode metal contacts
Moisture and oils that attract dust and accelerate failure

These contaminants can cause:

Short circuits
Overheating
Data corruption
Intermittent or complete equipment failure

Testing vs. Replacing: What’s the Right Call?

At PHC we help adjusters and property owners make data-driven decisions.
Our forensic evaluations determine:

Whether equipment is functionally sound
If damage is progressive or repairable
The replacement value vs. restoration costs

In many cases, proactive assessment can save thousands in unnecessary replacements — or reveal hidden liabilities.

Pro Tip for Adjusters & Inspectors

Always inspect adjacent rooms or floors above a fire for electronic devices — even if they appear undamaged.
Thermal cameras and residue tests can detect hidden smoke infiltration.