What defines a clean burn?

A clean burn is defined by minimal residue and pollutants resulting from the fire combustion process. This phenomenon primarily refers to the efficiency with which combustible materials are consumed and the characteristics of the smoke produced.

Choosing minimal smoke production during a fire as the defining characteristic reflects a situation where the combustion process is efficient, leading to fewer byproducts and clearer air quality. However, the essence of a clean burn relates more closely to visible fire effects caused by combustion on non-combustible surfaces. This means that during combustion, if non-combustible materials exhibit minimal discoloration or staining, it suggests that the fire was cleaner, indicating complete or efficient combustion.

In scenarios of complete consumption of all combustible materials, while it may be expected that there would be little or no residue, this does not necessarily define a clean burn in the broader sense. A clean burn also implies that the resulting smoke, lining the interiors of the affected areas, is minimal and less harmful. Therefore, recognizing a clean burn through the absence of visible effects on non-combustible surfaces describes an overall assessment of fire performance that includes both ideal combustion processes and the environment that results from it.