ISO 26367-2:2017

Overview - ISO 26367-2:2017 and fire effluents

ISO 26367-2:2017 provides a standardized methodology for compiling data needed to assess the adverse environmental impact of fire effluents. It guides users through site reconnaissance, establishing data quality objectives (DQOs), and designing sampling programmes (planning only - detailed sampling and laboratory analysis are covered by other parts of the series). The standard includes a standardized reporting format (Annex D) and informative annexes with examples, background on pollutants, and detailed treatment of key contaminant groups.

Keywords: ISO 26367-2, fire effluents, environmental impact, data quality objectives, sampling programme, reporting template

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability: Uncontrolled fires in commercial/domestic premises, unenclosed sites, agricultural storage, wildland/forest fires, and fires in road, rail, maritime transport.
• Data compilation methodology:
  • Conducting a site reconnaissance to document potential sources and pathways.
  • Defining data quality objectives (DQOs) to match assessment goals.
  • Designing a sampling programme (planning stage referencing ISO sampling guidance).
• Selection of pollutants: Focus on environmentally significant effluents, split into:
  • Short-term effect pollutants: halogenated acids (HX), metals, NOx, particulates, SOx.
  • Long-term effect pollutants: metals, particulates, PFC (PFAS), PAH, PCB, PXDD/PXDF (dioxins/furans).
• Reporting and templates: Standardized reporting structure covering incident description, contamination characterization, evaluation and findings (Annex D provides a compilation/reporting template).
• Informative annexes: Examples of pollutant levels (Annex A), pollutant background (Annex B), detailed PAH/PCB/dioxins info (Annex C).

Related normative references include ISO 5667 (water sampling), ISO 10381-1 (soil sampling), ISO 11771 (emissions), ISO 13943 and ISO 14050 (vocabulary), and ISO 26367-1.

Practical applications and intended users

ISO 26367-2 is designed for use in:

• Environmental regulatory authorities and emergency planners
• Firefighters, incident investigators, and hazardous‑materials teams
• Facility operators, storage site managers and logistics operators
• Environmental consultants conducting post-fire impact assessments
• Public health authorities and risk assessors

Practical uses:

• Structuring post-fire data collection for environmental damage assessment
• Preparing contingency and remediation plans based on standardized reports
• Prioritizing pollutants and sampling needs during incident response planning

Related standards

• ISO 26367-1:2011 - General guidance on environmental impact of fire effluents
• Future parts of ISO 26367 series - sampling and analysis methods
• ISO 13344 and ISO 13571 - human acute toxicity/health-related fire standards
• ISO 5667, ISO 10381, ISO 11771 - sampling and emissions guidance

ISO 26367-2:2017 helps organizations collect consistent, quality-focused data so environmental impacts from fires can be assessed, communicated and managed effectively.