This paper summarizes a research project conducted by the University of Manitoba under contract with ASHRAE Research Canada, Inc., to identify the condensable components and their representative concentrations in the exhaust from selected commercial and industrial environments or processes. The commercial heat recovery applications studied were exhausts from kitchens (fast food restaurants) and areas of heavy smoking (a lounge). Industrial applications investigated were exhausts from pulp and paper (thermal mechanical pulping and drying) and industrial metal painting (application and drying). The exhaust from an office type building was used as a control. Details of chemical analyses and metallurgical examination of the deposits on test coupons of respresentative material and the results are described in companion papers.