Commercial Fire and Water Restoration Services

9/11/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Fire and Water Damage Events Present Unique Challenges

Fire damage can cause significant problems for your business from the devastating consequences of a fire disaster. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the top five causes of fires in commercial facilities are issues with cooking equipment, heating units, electrical/lighting issues, smoking materials, and intentional fire starting.  

SERVPRO of North Sacramento understands the function, size, and complexity differences in commercial fire and water losses.  We provide commercial restoration services for fire-damaged structures, affected tenants, and contents.  This includes understanding the variables and complexities when coordinating services among property owners and/or property managers, carrier representatives, and associated professionals engaged in the decision making process.  Coordinating timely approval of workflow through decision-makers promotes efficiency in managing a project to completion.  It is also important to recognize and schedule the correct tools and equipment required to successfully complete a commercial remediation project.

SERVPRO of North Sacramento is aware that using the proper tools and equipment on a commercial project is important to our ability to handle the loss. Some of the equipment used on a commercial loss will not differ from that used on a residential loss; however, the type and size of the equipment can differ substantially.  Commercial losses can require large-format desiccant dehumidifiers, portable dehumidifiers, and various heating and cooling units.  This type of equipment is used to focus on temperature and humidity control.  In addition, it may be necessary to use various extraction units, generators, power distribution devices, lighting, air movers, and air filtration devices. This type of equipment is used to focus on extraction, power, lighting, and airflow.  The use of monitoring, cleaning, and deodorization devices are important in commercial remediation due to the size of commercial losses.  In some cases, aerial work platforms, scaffolding, and material handling equipment may be needed for unique commercial loss situations. This type of equipment is used to focus on monitoring, cleaning, deodorization, lifts, and material handling.  Due to the size of commercial remediation projects, some projects may require additional labor and equipment resources.

SERVPRO of North Sacramento has a well-developed network of local commercial subcontractors, vendors, and resource providers that it can rely upon should additional labor and equipment be required on a large scale project.  Having immediate access to quality vendors and subcontractors is vital to providing a fast response to our commercial clients.  Commercial projects require a systematic approach to proper coordination of decision-makers, tools, and equipment as well as labor and equipment that contribute to the successful completion of commercial cleaning and restoration projects.  

The following commercial fire damage statistics are provided by the NFPA:

Food Services:  From 2010-2014 there were an estimated 7,410 fires in food services facilities, which caused annual losses of $165 million in property damage.  Cooking equipment was the root cause of over 60% of those fires with electrical malfunctions the next highest cause.

Retail:  On average, 13,570 structure fires in stores and merchant properties each year, resulting in $604 million in property damage.  The average fire damage comes to $73,800 per facility.  Electrical issues are the primary cause of these fires.

Hospitality:  Each year the NFPA estimates there are 3,520 hotel/motel fires.  The main source of hotel fires happens in the kitchen.  Whether it’s the individual rooms’ kitchenette or the main kitchen of the hotel, 2 out of every 5 hotel fires start here.  Annual property damage estimates for the hospitality industry are around $84 million.

Education:  Education facilities have on average 4,980 structure fires resulting from cooking equipment issues in the cafeterias to intentionally set fires.  These fires cause around $70 million annually.  Seventy percent of educational facilities that have fire losses are nurseries, elementary, middle, and high schools. 

Healthcare:  5,750 healthcare facilities succumb to fire damage each year, with an astounding $50.4 billion in property damage.  A breakdown of healthcare structure fires shows 48% are in nursing homes, 22% in mental health facilities, 20% in hospitals, and 11% in doctors' offices.

Office Properties:  Office property fire damage has an annual estimate of $112 million with the top 3 fire sources being cooking equipment (6%), intentionally set (20%) and electrical/lighting (12%).

Fires put businesses out of business on a regular basis.  It's reported that 50-60% of businesses close down following a disaster. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.  At SERVPRO of North Sacramento, we believe pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind.  We can help you be "Ready for whatever happens" which speaks trust to your clients and employees in the event your business is affected by a disaster.  By developing a SERVPRO of North Sacramento Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business. 

In the insurance claim process, a speedy restoration company response matters, and that is why SERVPRO of North Sacramento is Faster to Any Size Disaster.