All fires have potentially hazardous particles suspending in the air that can breathed in. N-95's should be considered a HEPA air scrubbers should be used not only for the health and well being of your employees but of your clients too.
You can't go by whether the insurance company will pay your rental or not, you have to do it for everyone's safety while in the environment.
I wouldn't blame a franchise, blame the owner of that franchise. There are a lot of under educated cleaner/restorers out there, franchise or not. A two week crash course on how to run, manage a business and learn technical skills all packed into that time, sounds scary. However its a step up above some that don't if get that.
How does Toburen say it? "The Fish rots from the head down".
