3 Problems You Might Face After a Commercial Fire
4/21/2021 (Permalink)
What To Expect After A Fire
Dealing with a fire at your Antioch, TN, business can be an extremely stressful experience. Knowing what to expect in the aftermath of a fire — including plans for water cleanup, smoke damage and other effects — can be very helpful in your efforts to rebuild and get back to normal.
1. You May Deal With Significant Water Damage
Though it sounds paradoxical, water cleanup may be a large part of the post-fire restoration process. Water from sprinklers or firetrucks, while necessary to control the blaze, may do harm to the building and you and your employees' personal effects. Be prepared to deal with soggy items, water-saturated furniture and even structural damage due to water.
2. Smoke May Be as Damaging as Fire
The need for smoke cleanup is often overlooked or seen as less important than fire cleanup. Unfortunately, the fact is that smoke alone can do significant harm to your workplace. Odors from smoke can linger in building materials, equipment, furniture and personal items long after the fire is over. Severe smoke can stain or discolor walls, ceilings and other surfaces.
3. Structural Integrity May Be Compromised
In ideal circumstances, a fire will be sufficiently controlled, preserving the majority of the building and contents. However, you may be left with structural damage from the fire itself, or from attempts to fight the fire. Flames may weaken your property's floors, foundation, or other supports. In desperate situations, firefighters may need to cut holes through the walls or roof to release smoke or gain access to certain areas of the building.
It is always useful to have a phone number for fire restoration services in your workplace contingency plan. A qualified company can help with water cleanup, smoke remediation and other restoration efforts. The better you prepare for the potential aftermath of a fire, the more quickly you'll be able to recover should one occur.