The Most Important Steps After a Partial Fire Loss
4/13/2022 (Permalink)
The common image of a large business fire is one that burns down the entire structure, leaving only a few smoldering ashes and a vacant lot. Most fires, though, do not result in a total loss of property, but instead only impact part of the company. This fire loss could also involve such things as smoke and soot damage, as well as damage from fire suppression techniques.
When dealing with a partial loss fire, the company must deal with two important elements. The first is the cleanup from a qualified fire restoration service in Pueblo, CO. This business will work through the damage in an orderly fashion and seek to repair, replace and restore damaged items. In some cases, a restoration of an item will be more cost-effective, while other scenarios will call for a replacement of a damaged item.
The goal is always to restore the business as quickly and efficiently as possible. There is also a concern for the overall cost of the cleanup and restoration process.
A Partial Fire Loss and Insurance
The second critical element of a commercial fire involves working with the insurance company. This is often done in coordination with the cleanup service. In the best of worlds, the cleanup company will provide accurate documentation of such things as smoke damage to the insurance provider, and this will make the claims process run more smoothly.
Part of the process involves a thorough inspection of the damage. Depending upon the scope of the fire, this could mean looking at everything from structural and electrical damage to harm to furniture, lighting, computer equipment and documents. Companies should watch out for their own interests and make sure insurance adjusters do not miss any of the following damages:
- Hidden damage that is not automatically obvious
- Cleanup procedures that do not follow industry standards
- Repairs that do not match the quality of the original construction
The fire restoration and the insurance process should be orderly and professional, but each situation after a fire is different. If the fire is part of a larger disaster, it might be difficult for a company to find the necessary personnel to do the work. The company could also be demoted to a lower priority as emergency crews become busy with other projects, including the saving of life and limb.
Restoration and Insurance
At some point, the cleanup will focus on damaged items that can be restored to good shape again. This saves both the insurance company and the business time and money. A professional fire cleanup company has many tools at its disposal to restore items. This includes cleaning soot from walls, ceiling and flooring, as well as removing it from personal items.
The process also involves cleaning and sanitizing with a variety of techniques embraced by industry leaders. Industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment can remove odors that cling to some items. In most cases, the insurance company should pay for these services.
A partial fire loss has many moving parts and can be a challenge for a company. Things tend to run more smoothly when the cleanup company and insurance work together after a fire.