How Do I Protect My Business From Fire Disaster?

10/10/2022 (Permalink)

Protecting Your Business from Fire Damage

The best way to protect your business from a fire disaster is to prepare for it first. If you have employees, include them in the discussion and make sure they understand their roles during a fire emergency. Then make sure you have the right insurance coverage in place so that if there's ever a problem with your property or operations as a result of an unexpected fire, you're covered.

Plan and Practice

Practice, practice, practice is what the experts say, and the same is true when it comes to fire disaster preparation:

• Practice fire drills.
• Practice evacuation plans.
• Practice fire extinguishing.
• Test the fire alarm system monthly and inspect it every year; make sure to test smoke detectors as well as heat detectors, which are often combined into one device.
• If you have any questions about maintenance or inspection of your systems, contact an expert at your local hardware store or home improvement center to help identify any issues with your alarms before they become a problem

Purchase and Maintain an Alarm System

One of the most effective ways to protect your business is by installing an alarm system. These systems can be expensive, but they are a good investment and provide peace of mind for both your employees and customers.

An alarm system will sound when there's smoke or fire in the building, alerting everyone to get out safely before it spreads. It may also contain sprinklers in case of a fire; these will prevent damage from spreading by putting out the flames as soon as possible.

Install Fire Sprinklers

Sprinklers are a good investment. They reduce the fire damage to your building and can even help save lives. Sprinkler systems are also much more cost-effective than other methods of protection, like smoke alarms or fire extinguishers.

That’s why it’s so important to have sprinklers installed in all areas of your building, including hallways and stairwells if applicable.

Keep Exits Clear

You should also make sure that your business has a clear exit plan that everyone in the company knows about. In case of fire, people need to be able to get out quickly and without hesitation. If there's a fire drill or safety meeting, review your evacuation plan with everyone so they can know what to do in the event of an emergency.

If you have employees who use elevators for their work in the building, ensure that all employees are able to access the stairwell in case of an emergency. 

Train Employees

The most important thing you can do to protect your business is to train your employees. You should make sure they know how to recognize the signs of a fire and what steps they need to take if one breaks out. This training should be regular and ongoing, since employees may forget over time.

Training topics can include:

• Preventing fires in the first place
• How to extinguish a small fire before it spreads
• How to evacuate safely in case of a major disaster

Identify Documents to Be Saved First

When you have a fire, you will have very little time to react. The most important thing that you need to do is make sure that your critical documents are saved first. Your business is only as good as the records and information stored in it, so make sure that nothing important is lost during this disaster. This would include: 

• Business licenses and permits
• Contracts with clients
• Accounts payable/receivable (checkbooks)

Maintain an Offsite Backup for Critical Documents and Data

Many businesses overlook the importance of protecting critical data. If you’re not backing up your data, there is a chance that in the event of an emergency you will lose important documents and other information needed to continue operating. To avoid this possibility, it is crucial that you have a backup system in place for all of your files.

You can choose from multiple types of offsite backups: cloud storage or physical storage media such as tapes and drives. When deciding which option to go with, consider how much space you need and whether the service offers automatic backups (or continuous ones). Also, check what kind of protection they offer against natural disasters such as fires.

It is also important to store these backups somewhere that is fireproof and safe from theft or damage from natural phenomena such as floods or earthquakes—a safe deposit box in the bank would be a good place for some people because it's often kept at a high humidity level which helps prevent corrosion on magnetic tapes if any should occur over time due to air exposure during transport between locations where they're used regularly over long periods without being replaced when needed.

Prepare for a Disaster with Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage is a must and can protect your business in the event of a fire. An insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs, lost income, and other costs associated with a disaster. It may also cover property damage, liability, and workers' compensation should someone be injured on your premises during an incident or fire. You should contact your insurance agent today to discuss their specific policies and what they do or do not offer when it comes to covering these types of disasters.

If you are temporarily closed due to damage from an unexpected event such as a fire then consider purchasing business interruption coverage through your insurance company. This type of policy provides financial protection if you suffer losses related to the delayed opening or early closure due to fire on-premises as well as loss of inventory due to smoke damage caused by the fire itself.

Business owners often face legal action after experiencing a large-scale disaster such as this one which could lead them into courtrooms so consider purchasing legal defense coverage through your provider which will cover any legal expenses incurred while defending yourself against charges stemming from any incident involving this disaster including lawsuits filed by customers who were injured during the incident.

The best way to protect your business is by preparing for a disaster. In the event of an emergency, having the right kind of insurance coverage can help you recover more quickly. It’s also important to have a plan for responding to fires and other disasters that can be triggered by natural causes like lightning strikes or earthquakes. By taking these steps today, you can rest assured that your company will stay strong tomorrow no matter what unexpected challenges may come its way.

Does Your Business Need a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile?

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Your profile can be accessed through the ERP app

The latest research shows that after a disaster, as many as 50% of businesses close their doors permanently. Out of those that do survive, most of them had a disaster preparedness plan ready. When the unexpected happens, having a plan will save you and your staff the time spent trying to figure out what to do. You can begin the restoration process quickly and get back to business. Read on to see if your company would benefit from an emergency profile.

How a Disaster Could Affect Your Business

Your business could potentially experience interruptions caused by events such as:

• Storm damage
• Flooding
• Fire
  
  

While it's easy to think major damage couldn't happen to your facility, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Even minor damage could potentially interrupt your work, costing you time and income.

How an Emergency Profile Will Help After a Disaster
Preparing a disaster profile now will ensure you're ready to handle interruptions as quickly as possible. You and your employees will know what to expect in advance and what to do first. The sooner you begin the mitigation process, the faster you can begin cleanup and restoration, which will help minimize damage.

What a Disaster Profile Contains
A SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile has details about your facility, like shutoff valves and priority areas, that may be critical in the initial phase of a disaster. It also contains the line of command for authorizing restoration work. Your local professional will be identified, giving you a nearby industry leader to take you through the mitigation and restoration process. The profile will also have a guide to help you get back into your building after a disaster, providing you an immediate plan of action to minimize lost work time. Your profile can be accessed through the ERP app.
Before a disaster occurs in N.C. State University, NC, it's best to be prepared with an emergency profile. Knowing what to do right away will save time and money in the long run and let you get back to work.

2 Signals It’s Time to Call a Restoration Company

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

Two Signals It’s Time to Call a Restoration Company

As a landlord, water damage in your properties creates the potential losses of investment and high-quality tenants. Therefore, it is essential to take care of any water damage as soon as possible and know when to get help. If you witness either of the following signs, you may need to call a sewer cleanup company to assist you.

1. A Broken Pipe
In Holly Springs, NC, a pipe burst cleanup is an experience dreaded by landlords and tenants alike. If you suspect a pipe has burst but are not sure, be on the lookout for the following:

Misshapen floors: unseen water can seep in between the floorboards and cause them to buckle.
Strange odors: mold, which thrives in dampness, causes musty smells.
Discolored walls: stained or off-colored walls can be an indication that there is a leak somewhere, possibly inside the wall.

Depending on the extent of the damage, cleanup companies can help by pumping out the excess water, removing unsalvageable items, cleaning, sanitizing, and drying. Some will even do any necessary construction.

2. A Severe Storm
Unlike a pipe burst cleanup situation, which may end up soaking your property in mere drinking water, floodwater is likely to be contaminated. Thus, discarding carpet padding, upholstered furniture, and mattresses are best. You will need to reupholster valuable chairs and couches if you want to keep them. Try hosing off muddy plastic, solid wood, or metal pieces but let them dry in the shade since sunlight might cause them to warp. You can also attempt to clean rugs and carpets with a broom and shampoo, then add two tablespoons of bleach to a gallon of water for rinsing.
A restoration company in Holly Springs, NC, can get your business back on track, whether tending to a pipe burst cleanup or pumping out contaminated floodwaters.

Three Tips for Preventing Water Damage to Your Business

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

How To Keep Water and Moisture Out Of Your Building During a Storm

When you are preparing for a storm in Cameron Park, NC, it is important to keep your building envelope in mind. This is the area of the building that is responsible for keeping everything inside protected from the outside. This includes the sub floor, exterior walls, doors and windows as well as the roof. All of these should be considered when you are expecting bad weather. Here are some tips for how to best keep water and moisture out of your building during a storm.

1. Make Sure All Doors and Windows Are Properly Sealed

Because doors and windows might have gaps that allow moisture into the building, it is important to pay careful attention to these areas to prevent rain damage. Look to make sure that all of the insulation and weather strips are in good condition and add additional sealing if necessary.

2. Inspect the Exterior to Check For Problems

During a storm, it is possible for water to enter the walls even through small cracks. If this happens, it could damage your walls and they might end up needing to be replaced. Water inside of the walls can also lead to black mold growth that will require mold remediation to remove the damage.

3. Keep Drains Clean

In order to prevent rain damage on your roofs, you should make sure that all of the drains are clean and free of debris. If they are not, it could cause them to clog, creating a pool of water on the roof. This water could cause damage not only to the roof, but the areas underneath it as well if the roof were to leak.
A storm can cause quite a bit of damage to your building if you are not properly prepared. Rain damage can be costly and it can affect your ability to operate your business if you have to spend time rebuilding, so keep these tips in mind when you are expecting bad weather.

Smoke and Odor Cleaning After a Commercial Fire

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Ozone treatment uses oxidation to capture smoke from the air.

Cleaning Smoke and Odors After a Commercial Fire

If your Garner, NC, business has sustained a fire, there's likely a lot of work needed to get your building back to its former condition. If you're lucky, there's a minimum of structural damage, but you may still have a significant amount of smoke damage and smoke odor. So what's the best way to deal with it?

If you try to take care of the problem on your own using off-the-shelf products, it could take several weeks, and you may still not get the desired result. Your best bet is to contact a fire remediation company. The professionals can perform a thorough smoke cleaning using tools designed specifically for the task and get the job done within a few days. The restoration company typically uses the following equipment:

• Air scrubbers
  
• Ozone machines
  
• Thermal foggers
  
  

Air Scrubbers

Air scrubbers use filtration to pull smoke out of the building. The air is forced through a series of filters, then returned after all particulates have been completely removed. The most common types of filters used are activated carbon, HEPA (high efficiency particulate air), and specialized odor-eliminating varieties.

Ozone Machines

Ozone treatment uses oxidation to capture smoke from the air. Ozone contains three oxygen molecules. When released into the air, it oxidizes the smoke and neutralizes the odor. Besides its superior smoke cleaning properties, ozone treatment has the added advantage of working as a disinfectant.

Thermal Foggers

Some lingering smoke odor may be hard to reach with other methods, in which case thermal foggers are employed. Using heat and pressure, tiny droplets are diffused into porous surfaces. This method can be used to get into any area where smoke has penetrated, making it much easier to clean and deodorize.

Getting rid of smoke damage after a commercial fire is a big job. While it's possible to perform odor and smoke cleaning on your own, hiring a professional fire restoration company to do the work can ensure that the job is done quickly, safely and completely.