HOW DO YOU RECOVER FROM A COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE

10/26/2017 (Permalink)

After the fire suppression process is over and the fire truck pulls away, you're responsible for the fire restoration. Here are the steps that you need to follow after the firefighters leave:

1. Finance The Fire Restoration:


The best way to finance fire restoration is to contact your insurance company immediately. It might be possible to contact the company immediately even if the fire damage occurred outside of business hours. Look to see if they have a separate number for off hours emergencies. If they don't have an emergency line, it may be possible to contact them using an online chat. Also, check to see if your insurance company covers fire damage board up services.

Your insurance company is likely to have information about the fire restoration companies in your area. They also may be able to recommend a fire damage board up company.

2. Hire A Board Up Service As Quickly As Possible:


Once the fire truck is gone, your business is extremely vulnerable to burglary and graffiti. Additionally, firefighters don't remove soot from surfaces. If soot settles over a period of several weeks, it can become nearly impossible to repair soot damage. A board up service can secure the building and remove soot from surfaces, including materials that were damaged in a utility room fire.

3. Pick The Right Company To Repair The Commercial Fire Damage:


The company that you choose should be experienced with commercial fire damage, including recovery from electrical fires and utility room fires. Attempt to find a company that has been certified by the IIRC, and look for a Better Business Bureau accreditation.

It's important to see what customers have said about the fire damage restoration company. These are some of the best websites to look for reviews:

Google
Angie's List
Yelp
The Better Business Bureau Website

Soot Damage And Smoke Damage:


In many cases of commercial fire damage, soot damage and smoke damage is most destructive. Therefore, it's extremely important to pick a company that specializes in fixing soot damage and smoke damage. It's also essential that the company offers smoke damage deodorization.

Damage Caused By The Fire Truck And Fire Sprinkler System:


The fire hoses that most firefighters use cause water damage. A fire truck has multiple fire hoses capable of spraying more than 1,000 gallons of water per minute, and this is more than enough to cause mold growth. The fire sprinkler system often makes the water damage even more severe. The high pressure of the fire hose also increases the severity of the water damage. Therefore, it's important to make sure that the restoration company you choose specializes in repairing the damage caused by the fire hose and fire sprinkler system.

Damage Caused By Other Fire Suppression Techniques:


Many dry chemical fire suppression techniques can be as damaging as water. Make sure that the restoration company you choose specializes in repairing damage caused by all fire suppression techniques, including dry chemical fire sprinkler systems.

4. The Cause Of The Fire Must Be Determined:


If the firefighters didn't determine the cause of the fire, make sure that the restoration company will investigate the cause of your commercial fire damage and repair it. Make sure that the company considers the following potential causes during the investigation:

Electrical Fire
Utility Room Fire (can be caused in multiple ways, including by electrical fires)
The Heating System (sometimes an electrical fire and a common cause of utility room fires)
Cigarettes
Cooking