The United States fire department responds to a fire every 24 seconds.
This means that fires happen every day. However, most people tend to think of them abstractly when they happen to other people, not imagining that it could happen to them.
A commercial fire can interrupt business for weeks, if not months. Commercial fires leave property owners with substantial property damages, business owners with significant costs in damages, and many employees out of work. As hard as it is to come to terms with the situation, you need fire restoration immediately
Taking action right away will not only save time but also recovery costs.
In this post, we’ll discuss seven of the most important things you should do after a commercial fire and the process of fire restoration.
What’s Involved in Commercial Fire Restoration?
Fire restoration is a multi-step process that involves addressing not just the fire, but soot and smoke damages as well.
Depending on the fire’s heat and severity, you may have to deal with structural damages and might need board-up services for protection against elements. Fire restoration will involve removing all damaged contents and debris, soot and smoke particles, and standing water, and resolving any water damages.
The smell of the smoke and soot will also need to be eradicated before you can use the property again. The cleanup process will take a substantial amount of time and require expertise because there are safety and health risks involved.
Professional restoration companies have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to deal with fire damage restoration, and they can assist you in every step of the cleanup process.
What to Do After a Commercial Fire
The steps you take immediately after a commercial fire will determine whether you restore your property successfully or not. Your actions will have an impact on your health and safety due to the many hazards involved, such as smoke and soot inhalation.
So, what steps should you take after a fire?
1. Call Your Insurance Company
After 911, your insurance agent is the next person you need to call.
Your agent will play an essential part in the restoration process, so inform them about the fire immediately and ask what steps you need to take. The faster you get to them, the faster they can facilitate help and authorize a fire damage restoration company, and the sooner you can get back on track.
Depending on the severity of structural damages, you may need water mitigation services to prevent mold. Firefighters might damage a part of the structure while doing their job because sometimes they break windows for the smoke to escape and help them put out the fire. They will also use a lot of water to put out the fire, and that water is also likely to cause more damage to your property.
Beyond that, you may need to board up your property to prevent theft and vandalism. The insurance agent will authorize all these processes. The agent will help you file an insurance claim so the fire damage restoration process can start.
2. Document the Damages
The next order of business is to document the extent of the fire damages in the best possible way. The documentation process may be overwhelming because it’s during this time that you realize how much you have lost. However, it’s a necessary process because the insurance company needs to have that information before paying the claim.
Take your time during this process so you can catch all the details, and if it’s too emotionally taxing, ensure you take breaks once in a while. Consult with a professional contractor when assessing the structural damages.
Document everything using photographs and video is possible. Beyond that, it’s important that you collect all the receipts you get from the restoration services so the insurance claim will compensate you.
3. Call Your Accountant
Your business is currently halted, and you need to discuss the expenses you must keep up with during the fire restoration process. Your accountant will help you create a business plan that will help you through the coming weeks. You’ll need financial advice to help you keep your business afloat until the restoration process is over.
4. Review Your Inventory
Once you’re done reviewing the damages to your commercial structure, it’s essential that you get to your inventory.
Property inventory reviewing will be a long and tedious process, especially if your business is still operational. Check what has been damaged by the fire and don’t sign any insurance documents until you have a full assessment of all damages.
5. Secure and Remove All Supplies and Equipment
When you can finally re-enter the building, take any supplies and equipment that can be salvaged. Taking important documents and electronics like computers is essential because you’ll prevent further damages or looting.
The insurance agent should know about all this because they’ll conduct an inspection before approving the restoration process.
6. Find out How Long It Take to Reopen
Talk to the insurance company and contractors to get an estimate of how long the restoration process will take. The time between the fire and reopening is referred to as the period of recovery.
7. Fire Restoration and Repair
A commercial fire can leave lasting damages to your equipment, and soot and smoke particles can also damage fabrics, documents, and other contents. Water can leave mold and mildew, so having a company that offers fire restoration services take care of it is vital.
The insurance company will cover the restoration costs.
Follow This Fire Restoration Guide
A fire restoration process needs to happen immediately after the fire is put out. You need to call your insurance agent and have fire restoration professionals working on your property. As bad as it looks and feels now, things will get better, especially if you have the right insurance policies.
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