How To Recover From Commercial Fire Damage

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

How To Recover From Commercial Fire Damage

If your business is affected by fire damage, the restoration process must begin as soon as the fire truck pulls away. Here are the steps you must take to recover from commercial fire damage:

1. Contact Your Insurance Company:


A fire damage claim should be placed as soon as the firefighters leave the house and the fire truck pulls away. Your insurance company also may be able to give you advice on what fire damage restoration company you should choose.

2. Find A Board Up Service:


Buildings that have been affected by commercial fire damage are vulnerable to vandalism and theft as soon as the fire truck pulls away and the firefighters leave. A board up service can prevent this from occurring. The board up service will take initial steps to prevent further soot damage and smoke damage from continuing to occur after the firefighters left. Choose a board up service that is reputable and is located as close to you as possible.

3. Choose A Company For Fire Restoration Services:


Choose fire restoration professionals that are experienced in the field. Also, try to find a company that is certified through the IIRC. Make sure that the fire restoration company meets local requirements for licensing.

Also, it's important to read reviews of a fire restoration company that you're considering. Google, Facebook and Yelp are good websites to find reviews. Also, check to see that the fire damage restoration company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). While accreditation with the Better Business Bureau is a strong sign that a company is reputable, there are many reputable commercial fire damage restoration companies that aren't accredited by the BBB.

The company that you choose to repair your commercial fire damage should also provide restoration services for smoke damage and soot damage. In many cases, smoke damage and soot damage are more serious than the damage caused by the fire itself.

The fire hose used to put out the fire and a fire sprinkler system may have caused damage. Therefore, try to find a company that can repair the water damage that's caused by the fire hose used by firefighters and your fire sprinkler system. The water from the fire hose and the fire sprinkler system can cause mold growth. Keep in mind that the fire hose on a fire truck can spray as much as 1500 gallons of water per minute.

Soot damage and smoke damage can cause a very strong odor that may deter customers. Make sure that the company you choose offers deodorization.

4. Investigation Of The Cause:


Always make sure the cause of the fire is precisely determined and repair the problem. Here are some common origins of fires that should be considered:

The Electric System
Utility Room Fires (often caused by electrical fires, by dryer lint, or flammable materials)
Kitchens
Heaters And Boilers (electrical fires are commonly caused by heaters)
Employees Smoking Indoors

5. Repair Of The Structure:


In addition to repairing parts of the structure that have been damaged by the fire, you may have to make other changes to the building during the restoration process. If you suffered an electrical fire, it's possible that some aspects of your electrical system don't meet code. As a result, you'll have to update your electrical system to prevent future electrical fires. If you suffered a utility room fire, it's possible that some parts of your utility room will need to be changed to prevent future utility room fires. Many utility room fires are caused by flammable materials being stored in areas where there could be a spark.

If your fire suppression system didn't meet code, it may have to be replaced with a newer fire suppression system. If a fire sprinkler system caused a lot of water damage, experts may recommend that you switch to a different type of fire suppression system, such as a dry chemical fire suppression system.
Visit www.SERVPROofparadisevalley.com  for more information on fire damage.