The Rocky Mountain Affiliation of Public Insurance coverage Adjusters (RMAPIA) has produced a complete and scientifically grounded information to dealing with fireplace losses that deserves severe consideration from anybody concerned within the adjustment of fire-related insurance coverage claims. 1 These RMAPIA Fireplace Protocols are among the many most thorough paperwork I’ve seen on this space, providing not solely a rigorous framework for classifying fireplace losses but in addition a formidable depth of element in explaining why sure constructions and contents needs to be changed reasonably than repaired.
Having personally represented purchasers within the Colorado East Troublesome Wildfires and persevering with to signify householders within the aftermath of the Boulder Wildfires, I perceive firsthand the complexities and emotional toll of fireplace losses. The identical is true for the Los Angeles wildfires, the place most of my latest consideration has been centered.
These experiences make me significantly appreciative of the work achieved by RMAPIA and the consultants behind these protocols. Their efforts signify a commendable and much-needed contribution to the physique of steering accessible to all property insurance coverage adjusters, whether or not working for insurers as firm and impartial adjusters or as public adjusters for policyholders.
What stands out concerning the RMAPIA Fireplace Protocols is their reliance on exhausting science. The doc outlines a Common Fireplace Testing Methodology, which is grounded in toxicology. This technique permits professionals to evaluate the presence of hazardous byproducts like VOCs, PAHs, heavy metals, dioxins, furans, and asbestos. These usually are not theoretical issues. They’re actual threats to human well being, usually invisible to the bare eye, and able to seeping into each crevice of a fire-damaged construction. The protocols go additional to outline poisonous thresholds for every contaminant, present EPA-approved testing strategies, and current clear suggestions on how one can interpret the outcomes.
These protocols divide fireplace losses into 4 distinct classes primarily based on whether or not poisonous byproducts are current and whether or not the construction’s integrity has been compromised. These classes are sensible and provide adjusters a roadmap to find out whether or not restore or alternative is acceptable. In circumstances involving poisonous publicity, the protocols advocate unequivocally for alternative, emphasizing the dangers related to incomplete remediation, encapsulation, or reliance on superficial cleansing.
This dedication to security and complete restoration is admirable. On the similar time, it will be significant for me to be balanced and acknowledge that the protocols are clearly written with a public adjuster’s viewpoint in thoughts. They argue forcefully in opposition to insurer methods that favor restore over alternative, usually with the belief that insurers will look to attenuate payouts. In doing so, the protocols make a powerful case for policyholder safety, however additionally they assume a excessive customary of proof and value justification that insurers could problem. I don’t imagine that these have been peer reviewed.
One other considerate side of the doc is the consideration of distinctive property circumstances, corresponding to giant industrial constructions or compartmentalized buildings with remoted techniques. The protocols enable for nuance and don’t insist on one-size-fits-all options, although the burden of proving such exceptions is positioned squarely on the shoulders of those that argue in opposition to full alternative.
I think that probably the most controversial, however no much less essential, sections of the doc concern the arguments in opposition to encapsulation or the cleansing of HVAC techniques and contents. The protocols clarify, in granular element, why such strategies are prone to fail. From the microstructure of wooden and metallic to the real-world limitations of restoration crews, the doc leaves little room to imagine that deep, pervasive contamination may be safely and successfully reversed. I’m definitely curious what the standard insurer retained hygienists need to say about this discovering.
These RMAPIA Fireplace Protocols needs to be required studying for all events concerned within the adjustment of fireplace claims, from discipline adjusters, claims managers and restoration professionals. I discover that the work seems technically sound and morally targeted by putting the long-term well being and security of house owners and occupants on the heart of each advice.
Having stood with wildfire survivors, I imagine that is the form of principled, evidence-based method that deserves consideration. I applaud RMAPIA and its management for producing these.
Thought For The Day
“Probably the most harmful factor on this planet is the sin of putting revenue earlier than folks.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
1 Joe Nieusma, David Phalen. RMAPIA Fireplace Protocols. Rocky Mountain Affiliation of Public Insurance coverage Adjusters (2025).
