When it comes to achieving outstanding results in professional cleaning, having the right tools makes all the difference…
(Article adaptation – Actichem “Benefits of System 7 Pads”)
When a post-fire disaster recovery team steps onto a fire-damaged site, they are immediately confronted with one of the most volatile substances in the cleaning industry: soot. Unlike ordinary structural dust, soot deposits created by burning modern materials (like plastics, synthetic resins, and rubber) are heavily laden with aggressive oils that bond aggressively to porous substrates.
To achieve complete decontamination without permanently locking stains into surfaces, traditional dry soot sponges are no longer the industry benchmark. Modern technicians have transitioned to the System 7 Floor Pad system—a breakthrough advancement that delivers extreme dirt-pulling action across both vertical walls and hard floor restoration programmes.
The Science of Soot: Why Wet Extraction Fails
Attempting to wash heavy soot and char with high-volume water and standard detergents is a recipe for a restoration failure. When soot mixes with excess water, it immediately liquefies into a dark, ink-like fluid. Because materials like plasterboard, brick, and concrete are porous, this liquid ink is drawn deep into the structural pores via capillary action. Once deep inside, it creates permanent, ghost-like shadowing that can rarely be cleaned—forcing expensive structural replacement or multiple coats of specialty stain-blocking paint.
The System 7 Floor Pad completely bypasses this issue. By utilising a specialized, bi-component micro-porous fibre structure, this pad creates an incredibly high-friction surface. Instead of pushing soot deeper or scattering particles into the air, the pad generates a physical “attraction” that grabs microscopic smoke particles and encapsulates them directly within the pad matrix using minimal moisture.
Dual-Core Versatility: Hard Floors and Vertical Surfaces
While originally engineered as a high-performance mechanical disk for commercial floor scrubbers, the technology has been expanded to cover every phase of structural fire remediation.
1. Hard Floor Pore-Deep Remediation
On polished concrete, structured tiles, and masonry, years of carbon soot can settle into microscopic pits. When fitted to a low-speed rotary floor machine, the System 7 Floor Pad reaches deep into these depressions. It lifts out impacted rubber abrasion, charred carbon, and greasy film residues without abrading or scratching high-value finishes.
2. Walls and Ceilings (The Hand Pad Evolution)
For vertical surfaces where mechanical machinery cannot be safely operated, the exact same bi-component material is available as a handheld unit. The manual variant acts as a highly advanced alternative to old-school vulcanised rubber sponges. Because it doesn’t crumble or leave a black residue behind, it allows technicians to clean painted plasterboard so effectively that the requirement to repaint walls is frequently eliminated entirely.
The Restoration Workflow: System 7 Step-by-Step
To maximize the efficacy of your recovery programme, always pair mechanical pad friction with targeted chemical engineering:
- Dry Particulate Pre-Vacuuming: Preparation.
Before any chemical or pad touches the surface, utilise a commercial upright (Smartvac/Sensor) or backpack vacuum equipped with a certified HEPA filtration unit to extract loose, airborne soot particles from the area. - Targeted Pre-Spray Application: Chemical Activation.
Apply a specialised, high-performance fire restoration detergent. For heavy, oil-based synthetic smoke residues, use Actichem Fire Restore. For sensitive or delicate painted substrates, opt for the slightly gentler Actichem Fire Fix. - System 7 Pad Extraction Passes: Mechanical Agitation.
Dampen the System 7 Floor Pad (or hand pad) with your restoration solution. Execute overlapping passes with firm, consistent pressure. Watch as the micro-porous fibres pull the dark soot cleanly off the substrate. - Continuous Pad Rinsing: Rinse Phase.
Unlike traditional soot sponges which must be discarded once saturated, the System 7 material is entirely tear-resistant. Periodically rinse the pad in a clean water bucket to release trapped contaminants, wring out, and immediately return to the restoration face.
| Substrate Type | Suitability Rating | Operational Best Practice |
| Plasterboard & Painted Walls | 5 Stars (Excellent) | Use manually with mild hand pressure; completely removes oily smudges. |
| Ceramic & Structured Tiles | 5 Stars (Excellent) | Mount to a low-speed rotary machine; removes deep-pore soot haze. |
| Concrete, Brick & Masonry | 4 Stars (Highly Effective) | Ideal for lifting carbon from porous brickwork before final sealing. |
| Sealed Timber Flooring | 4 Stars (Highly Effective) | Safely lifts smoke film without stripping the underlying protective polyurethane sealer. |
| Textiles & Soft Furnishings | Not Recommended | Avoid use; designed exclusively for non-porous and resilient hard surfaces. |
Odour Control Tip:
Soot particles hold the vast majority of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for that pungent, lingering smoke smell. By utilising a System 7 Floor Pad to physically extract the particulate—rather than just washing over it—you remove the root source of the malodour, drastically improving the success rate of your subsequent thermal fogging or ozone deodorisation treatments.
How to Use System 7 Pads in Restoration
For best results, the System 7 Pad should be used with a suitable fire restoration detergent such as:
-
Fire Fix or Fire Restore (for general smoke/soot breakdown)
-
Oxyboost Plus (FibreTech Oxyboost Plus)(for stubborn organic staining)
-
Deostor Fire, Deostor Spray or Odourtak (as follow-up odour treatments)
(Note: odorX 9-D-9 option)
Application is simple:
- Dampen the surface or pad with the detergent solution (follow dilution rates as specified).
- Apply gentle hand pressure or use with a low-speed floor machine.
- Rinse and extract thoroughly.
The pad’s durability and reusability also make it an economical addition to any restoration professional’s toolkit.
A Trusted Solution Backed by Science
Actichem’s System 7 pad is part of a complete cleaning system designed for professional restorers, cleaners, and facilities managers. It is backed by extensive field testing and is designed to meet the demands of post-disaster recovery cleaning, commercial maintenance, and high-value surface care.
Whether you’re maintaining commercial flooring or restoring a fire-damaged site, the System 7 Floor Maintenance Pad offers a safe, effective, and versatile solution. Its unique material design makes it indispensable for both everyday cleaning and specialised restoration work.
Want to Learn More? 
Our training programs at Ascend Training – Cleaning Systems Ltd regularly explore practical restoration techniques, including the use of specialty pads and detergents in fire and smoke remediation.
If you’re in the cleaning or restoration industry and want to sharpen your skills or expand your services, check out our upcoming IICRC Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT) plus IICRC Odor Control Technician courses.
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