House fire particles tend to be dominated by charred wood, high hydrocarbon content soot agglomerates from burning plastics and synthetic fibers, charred paint, and soot coated glass fiber. The charred wood tends to be dominated by Douglas fir or Pine from the structural wood used in the building. Hardwoods from molding, furniture, and decorator wood is also generally present. The agglomerated soot tends to be absent in wild fires, fireplace emissions, field burning, and the backyard burning of leaf and plant trimming.

Large amounts of high hydrocarbon content soot are generated by burning tar roofing but some additional very characteristic particles are also generated. These are char particles with high mineral content or minerals coated with charred tar. Charred tar is highly reflective (8% to 14% as mounted).

Framing is most commonly a soft wood: Douglas fir, Pine, Hemlock, or Spruce.

Plyboard and oriented strand board (OSB) generally contain a mixture of wood types. Douglas fir, pine, spruce, and poplar or other hardwood are often mixed in sheetstock.

Hardwoods are most often from molding, furniture, decorator paneling, and flooring.

Burned Wire Insulation

Cigarette Ash

Marajana Ash In Homes