Burnaby General Hospital Fire Restoration
Elevator Shaft Soot & Odor Removal
On November 15, a fire broke out in the Mental Health Ward at Burnaby General Hospital, leading to the evacuation of the entire hospital.
While the fire was contained, smoke and soot spread through several critical building systems, creating a complex restoration challenge within an active healthcare facility.
Fire-related contamination in hospitals requires extreme care, precise containment, and specialized cleaning methods—particularly in areas not easily accessed through traditional restoration techniques.
Fire Remediation Led by Belfor Restorations
Belfor Restorations was brought in to manage the full remediation of the hospital following the incident. One of the most difficult areas to address was the elevator system, specifically three elevator shafts extending seven storeys through the building.
These shafts presented multiple challenges:
Confined vertical spaces with limited access
Heavy soot buildup on concrete and structural surfaces
Persistent smoke odor trapped deep within the shafts
The need to work without disrupting hospital operations
To properly resolve these issues, Belfor contacted Ocean Pacific Media Blasting for specialized media blasting support.
Confined Space Media Blasting Solution
Ocean Pacific was tasked with blasting three seven-storey elevator shafts to remove soot and smoke odor at the source. All Ocean Pacific personnel assigned to the project were fully trained and certified for confined space entry, allowing the work to proceed safely and efficiently without additional external crews.
This experience was critical given:
- The height and depth of the elevator shafts
- Limited entry and exit points
- The presence of sensitive hospital environments nearby
Containment and Air Quality Control
Because the hospital remained fully operational during the project, strict containment and air control measures were implemented prior to blasting.
Preparation measures included:
- Installation of negative air systems on all seven floors with elevator access
- Sealing of all elevator access doors with poly sheeting and tape
- Controlled work zones to prevent particulate migration
- Coordination with hospital staff to maintain safety and access
These steps ensured there was no fallout of soot or blasting media into occupied areas of the hospital.
Complete Removal of Soot and Smoke Odor
Media blasting was selected for this project due to its ability to remove smoke contamination embedded in concrete and structural surfaces—something surface cleaning or sealing alone cannot achieve.
The blasting process achieved:
Full removal of soot residue from shaft surfaces
Elimination of smoke odor at its source
Clean, restored concrete and structural materials
No damage to surrounding infrastructure
Once blasting was complete, Belfor arranged for an independent air monitoring company to test all three elevator shafts.
Verified Results and Project Outcome
Air quality testing confirmed that no detectable levels of soot or smoke odor remained in any of the three elevator shafts. With testing complete and results verified, the elevator system was cleared for continued use as part of the broader hospital restoration effort.
This project highlights the effectiveness of professional media blasting in fire restoration—particularly in confined spaces and sensitive environments such as hospitals—where precision, containment, and safety are critical.
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“Based on our experience with Saleem and Ocean Pacific Media Blasting Inc., we confidently recommend him and the media blasting services his company offers.”
- Greg Cruickshank
Project Brief
Media blasting restored hospital elevator shafts by removing soot and smoke odor.
Client Name
Burnaby General Hospital
Fire Restoration
Location
Burnaby, BC, Canada
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