Steps To Take After a Commercial Fire

9/11/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a Solebury, PA home

If you own your own business in Solebury, PA, you've probably considered what would happen if you had a building fire. You may sustain a significant financial loss from damage and repair costs, and your employees might be temporarily out of work. While no one likes to think about it, it's important to have a fire restoration plan in case disaster strikes. By acting quickly to follow the steps below after a commercial fire, you'll save time and money, and get your business back to normal sooner.

1. Call Your Insurance Agent

As soon as you are able, get in touch with your fire insurance company. They will send a claims adjuster to assess the damage and authorize the money needed to begin the restoration process.

2. Contact a Restoration Company

Once you've talked to the insurance company, call a reputable fire restoration company. They can come out right away to provide any necessary emergency repairs and do an inspection of the damage to see what else is needed. Then they will begin the process of smoke cleaning, clearing water damage, and then repairs and restoration.

3. Property Damage Assessment

It's important to find out what kind of damage has been done to material assets in the building. The insurance company will need this information to make sure you are properly reimbursed for damaged equipment. This includes items like vital documents, phones, computers, and other essential equipment and materials. If you are allowed to re-enter the building, be sure to wear a breathing mask to protect yourself from the residual smoke. At this point, try to save any assets or personal items that you can find. Many items such as computers and other office machines may still be operable or may function after a professional cleaning.

While going through a commercial fire can be devastating, it's important to know what to do in the aftermath. With a quick response on your part, you'll save time and money, and get your company back to normal sooner.