Navigating the Gray Areas of Respiratory Protection After Fire Losses

Why experience, documentation, and judgement matter when guidance falls short

Welcome back to another Technical Tip Tuesday. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Barry Rice, CSP, of Signal Restoration, and he breaks down how restorers can responsibly navigate the gray area when it comes to respiratory protection.

We know OSHA provides general respiratory protection requirements, but when it comes to post‑fire environments involving soot, char, and off‑gassing, clear, restoration‑specific guidance simply doesn’t exist. That puts contractors in a gray area. One where experience, documentation, and informed decision‑making matter more than rigid charts or one‑size‑fits‑all rules.

Barry explains that unlike controlled manufacturing environments, fire losses involve constantly changing exposures, by the hour, by the task, and by the materials burned, making precise measurement and fixed cartridge change‑out schedules nearly impossible.

Key articles mentioned in this safety tip include:

Join us next week as we continue the conversation with a critical follow‑up topic: respirator fit testing, not annually, but as an ongoing part of your safety culture.

We’ll see you on next week’s Technical Tip Tuesday.

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Kayla McGowan is the SPAR Partner Manager for PuroClean, where she manages and strengthens the company’s vendor partnership ecosystem. In her role, she serves as a key liaison between PuroClean, approved vendor partners, internal stakeholders, and Franchise Owners, helping connect the network with trusted tools, services, and products that support operational success.

With more than 10 years of experience in marketing and communications within the restoration and cleaning industry, Kayla has built her career around connecting people, ideas, and resources that move the industry forward. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Restoration & Remediation (R&R) Magazine and continues to contribute to R&R as a writer, bringing her industry knowledge and perspective to its audience.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and an M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Restoration Industry Association’s Marketing Committee.

Her industry credentials include Microbial Warrior®️, Certified Forensic Operator®️, and High Risk/High Level Decontamination Specialist™️. Passionate about elevating the restoration industry and the professionals within it, Kayla enjoys building meaningful relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for collaboration. Outside of work, she is a food lover who enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.