How to Limit Business Interruption When Facing Smoke Damage

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

Fires are unpredictable, but there are many things that we can do to prepare for them and minimize the damage.

How to Limit Business Interruption When Facing Smoke Damage

While fires are unpredictable, there are many things that we can do to prepare for them and minimize the damage. Fires in businesses can have a significant impact on your bottom line, so it's important to know what steps you need to take if it happens to you.

Determine the extent of your business interruption

When it comes to property insurance, many people associate business interruption coverage with a company's ability to replace lost income incurred from a fire or storm. But that's not what business interruption is. To be clear, business interruption insurance is an optional coverage that pays for lost profits caused by an insured event — like a fire or storm — and allows you to keep your doors open while you rebuild or repair the damage.

For example: say you run a restaurant and your stove catches on fire. Your business will have no way of making money until repairs are made and equipment replaced. Similarly, if there's enough smoke damage in your office building that it needs extensive cleaning before employees can return safely, this would also qualify as “business interruption” since no one will be able to work until after repairs are finished and workers can return safely.

Get in touch with a public adjuster

If you don't have a public adjuster and want to hire one, it can be hard to know where to start. A good first step is going online and searching for "public adjuster" in your region. You don't have to narrow down this search by city or state—just look for the term itself.

Once you've found a few public adjusters who seem appropriate, call them up and ask some questions: How long have they been doing business? What kind of clients do they work with? Do they specialize in smoke damage? How much does their service cost?

Contact your insurance company

It's important to understand that insurance companies are not. In fact, they can be very good at what they do. As such, it's vital that you contact your insurance company as soon as possible so that they know what happened and can help get things moving in the right direction.

Your first step here is to call them up and get a claim number. The sooner you have this information, the better off we'll be. Once you've gathered all your facts together, we'll need to determine whether or not it makes sense for us to file an actual insurance claim against our policy (which may entail more paperwork).

There are steps you can take to make sure your business interruption is limited after suffering smoke damage.

It is important to understand that your business interruption is a separate issue from the fire itself. You may be able to file for first-party coverage for property damage, but there will likely be limits on the amount of money you can recover for lost revenue and other expenses that result from smoke damage.

If your business has been damaged by a fire, you may be concerned with how long it will take to get it back up and running, and how much that downtime will cost.

When a fire hits your business, you’re going to want to get back up and running as soon as possible. You aren’t alone in this sentiment—the longer your facility is shuttered, the more it costs you in lost revenue and other ways. That said, there are ways to minimize these losses if you encounter smoke damage in your business. 

Be prepared before a disaster strikes.

One of the best things you can do to limit business interruption when facing smoke damage is to be prepared before a disaster strikes. Take time to understand and prepare for what could happen in your workplace, and you'll be better equipped to deal with any situation that arises.

For example: Having a fire plan can help prevent injury or death from fire and smoke exposure. You'll also want to make sure that you have fire extinguishers throughout the building, as well as smoke alarms installed (and tested) in every room throughout your workspace — this will alert people before they're exposed and give them time to get out safely if there's an emergency.

Another important thing is making sure that everyone knows where the nearest exit is located, so they know exactly where they need to go if there's ever any kind of problem with smoke or other hazardous materials in their area or building itself; having an escape ladder available just outside each floor makes this much easier because it means less walking distance needed once someone has been alerted about what's happening at hand! Finally: a good business interruption policy ensures everything runs smoothly during times like these when some unexpected event occurs like this one did earlier today.

Fires are unpredictable, but there are many things that we can do to prepare for them and minimize the damage.

Fires are unpredictable, but there are many things that we can do to prepare for them and minimize the damage.

You should have a fire plan in place. The plan should include:

• A list of exit routes from your building and all rooms within it, including emergency exits and stairwells.
• Where to look for all exits in case you need to use them in an emergency.
• Locations of any fire extinguishers in the building, as well as how to use them properly.

You should also have a fire alarm system installed, which will alert people when there is smoke, or heat detected inside your business premises, so they know it's time to evacuate immediately. It's important that everyone knows what their role is during an evacuation because confusion during an emergency could lead to injury or worse! You should hold regular drills, so employees know how quickly they need move when an alarm sounds.

If you’ve suffered smoke damage to your business, it can be overwhelming. You may not know where to start or what steps to take next. But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. We want to make sure that your business is back up and running as quickly as possible after a fire has hit so that no one loses money and time spent trying to repair the damage.

Understanding the Process of Fire Damage Restoration

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Herriman, UT.

Fire Damage Restoration Process

Nothing compares to the devastation a family feels witnessing the aftermath of a residential fire. While emergency services can ensure the safety of the family, they cannot protect the belongings that hold sentimental value. A fire restoration service in Herriman, UT, has a greater chance of recovering contents of emotional value, and it does so through the salvage and restoration process, in five steps.

1. Emergency Assessment
Most restoration services will have a 24/7 emergency contact line. Once reached, the service will send out a project manager to assess the scene. These professionals will inspect structural integrity and devise a safe and effective recovery plan.

2. Water Removal
Because of fire hoses, fire restorations often require significant water removal, and the damage cleaning will involve some tasks typically reserved for water disasters. For example, before the fire cleaning can commence, a restoration crew will need to use pumps or shop vacuums to remove excess water. The team will often follow this up with dehumidifiers and air movers to dry out the house.

3. Debris Removal and Inventory
While a recovery team will remove obvious trash - those items beyond repair - they will also take care to set aside anything that is salvageable or could hold sentimental value. Fire restoration is not only about rebuilding a structure; it is about maintaining memories and the sense of home.

4. Smoke and Soot Cleaning
People often make the mistake of believing that smoke damage only occurs on the surface of objects. However, smoke and soot will often make their way into the cracks, crevices, and nooks-and-crannies of appliances, computers, furniture, and so much more. Experienced restoration specialists will take the necessary time, using disinfectants and commercial cleaners, to ensure no smoke residue remains in your home.

5. Restoration
With all the cleaning complete, the restoration crew can resecure the structure and get the house ready for occupancy. All finishes will be restored, and the home will look like nothing ever happened.
Nothing can prepare a family for the devastation of a residential fire. While the sight is enough to leave anyone feeling hopeless, don't give up. Fire restoration seems miraculous with a trusted service.

Be Ready for Water Damage After a Fire

5/30/2022 (Permalink)

When your business suffers water damage after a fire, our team at SERVPRO is ready to help you and has the right equipment for drying.

Prepare For Water Damage Following A Fire

Businesses in Murray, UT, that have a fire break out have to deal with much more than fire damage. Even to extinguish the flames of a small fire, the fire hose used will unleash thousands of gallons of water that may easily lead to additional damage if not taken care of immediately.

Water Damage Expectations

A key issue with unwanted water is mold, which can start to grow within 48 hours. Items prone to welcoming this growth include:

• Ceiling panels
  
• Drywall
  
• Flooring
  
• Carpet
  
• Drapes
  
• Wood furniture
  
• Paper
  
• Permeable items

The key to avoiding mold from growing is getting any affected items dried out as quickly as possible, which isn't always easy since water may easily be lurking in hidden areas. Considering that a fire means tackling multiple forms of damage, that process can be difficult to handle on your own.

Contact a One-Stop Shop

Stay focused on getting your business back to normal operations by contacting a professional water and fire damage restoration company. A certified company will have the expertise, tools and processes in place to handle the different types of damage. After a professional arrives, below are a few things you can expect to happen:

• Water will be extracted using industrial-grade equipment.
  
• Industrial fans and other drying equipment are set up to dry out the building.
  
• The remaining moisture is removed with dehumidifiers.
  
• The property will be inspected for mold and a mitigation plan will be established if any is found.
  
• Any affected items and areas will be thoroughly sanitized.
  
• Restoration is the final step, which may include replacing unsalvageable items.

While no business wants to deal with fire damage, fires are more common than people may think. A fire also means dealing with water issues and smoke. Contacting a specialist that can handle all types of damage makes getting back to normal faster and easier.

5 Steps To Take After a Business Fire

5/22/2022 (Permalink)

Our disaster recovery team is ready for any fire damage in your business. Call us! You won't regret it!

After A Business Fire, Follow These 5 Steps

The aftermath of a fire in your Draper, UT, business often brings chaos and frustration. To ensure timely fire restoration, below are five steps to take once the flames are out.

1. Turn Off Utilities

Safety should also come first. Once the property is deemed safe to enter, it is recommended to turn off the gas, electricity and water as a precaution. An inspection should be completed before they are turned on again.

2. File a Fire Insurance Claim

The sooner a claim is filed, the faster you get your business back on track. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to speed up the process and maximize your claim.

3. Document Everything

While you shouldn’t move anything until the insurance adjuster arrives, you should document the damage. This includes taking photos and videos of the affected items and areas. If possible, gather any receipts or other documents to provide to the insurance company. During the fire restoration process, keep track of additional expenses incurred.

4. Prevent Secondary Damage

Although all policies may be different, they will include necessary protocols to minimize the damage. The claim will only cover damage from the fire. If the property isn’t properly secured, such as tarping a roof hole or boarding up broken windows, damage caused by weather or vandals will not be covered.

5. Get Professional Help

Along with damage from the fire, there will also be smoke and water damage. A professional fire damage restoration will have the expertise and equipment to handle smoke cleaning, mold remediation and soot cleanup, as well as provide the repair and restoration services to get your business back to preloss condition.

Although a fire may be a trying time, keeping a clear head and taking the steps above are key ways to get on the path to fire restoration quickly.

3 Tips for Preventing a Space Heater Fire

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

A burned out space heater is a common culprit that many fire cleanup specialists see on a regular basis.

3 Ways To Avoid A Space Heater Fire

Does your home in South Jordan, UT, have a space heater? Being responsible for more than 40% of heater fires, a burned space heater is a common culprit that many fire cleanup specialists see often. There are many easy ways to stay safe with one of these fixtures in your home.

1. Leave Space

It's called a space heater because it's designed to heat space, not your curtains. In addition to keeping your heater away from any fabrics or other flammables, be sure to inform your children about the dangers of leaving objects near them. Plastic toys melt if left close by a heater for a long time. If you have pets, take steps to ensure that they won't knock over the heater or otherwise harm themselves accidentally.

2. Keep It Clean

Another common cause of a burned space heater is a clogged filter. Though not all units come with one, it's important to clean it regularly if yours does. Different cleaning measures are recommended based on the manufacturer's instructions. If you lost your manual, check online for a pdf of it or look on your unit for a phone number to call. No matter what, be sure that you never clean your filter with any type of alcohol or scented aerosol spray as both are extremely flammable. The smoke cleanup from that is a hassle that you don't want to deal with.

3. Set a Timer

We all forget things every once in a while, but it's important that you don't forget to turn off your space heater. While some units come with a timer, most don't. If yours doesn't, try setting a timer on your phone, microwave, or oven. Additionally, if your home has a smart assistant, consider using wall plug accessories to automatically shut off your unit.

With some knowledge, it's certain that your home won't be affected by a burned space heater anytime soon.

How to do a fire damage estimate

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Professional cleaning can allow for a shorter business interruption. Restoration services are covered by most commercial property insurance policies.

How To Calculate Fire Damage

Fire damage is the fourth most common type of small business claim and the third most costly, according to The Hartford. The average insurance claim total is $35,000. There are several factors to consider when making an estimate of damage to a commercial structure in South Jordan, UT.

Extent of Damage

A minor fire will likely to cost less to restore than a major disaster. A property owner may want to consider:

• How many square feet of a structure are damaged
• Whether adjacent businesses or buildings have sustained damage
• The condition of building materials and contents

Cleanup and restoration costs will be higher if most of a building is damaged or a fire has affected neighboring properties. It may not be necessary to file a claim if a small fire was extinguished before spreading.

Cleaning Costs

A commercial fire cleaning service has the expertise and equipment necessary to quickly clean up and restore damage. Professional cleaning may allow for a shorter interruption in business. Most commercial property insurance policies cover restoration services.

Repair or Replacement

The amount of building materials and contents that can be cleaned or repaired or which must be disposed of and replaced also impacts the overall cost of fire restoration. Gather proof of purchase when making an estimate and ensure your policy covers replacement costs.

Duration of Interruption

The longer a business is closed due to fire, the more revenue will be lost. An interruption rider on a commercial insurance policy can be applied to:

• Continued expenses
• Loss of revenue
• Temporary relocation costs

Damage restoration can take weeks. Check policy limits to make sure that sufficient coverage is available. It may be possible to avoid filing an interruption claim if a business can operate out of another part of the affected structure or a temporary location.

These guidelines can be helpful in making preliminary calculations. Property owners should also obtain an estimate from a fire damage cleanup and restoration company in South Jordan, UT.

Tips To Prevent Kitchen Fires While Preparing Meals

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO to clean up fire damage and help eliminate odors. They can help you get your kitchen back and eradicate any leftover grease spills.

Tips For Preventing Kitchen Fires While Cooking Meals

Thanks to magazines, cooking shows and tips on the Internet, anyone in Herriman UT, can become a great home cook. Watching your family and friends enjoy the main dishes, desserts, baked goods and side-dishes you have painstakingly prepared can be rewarding and fulfilling. But since a lot of favorite recipes include a variety of oils or butter, you can be at risk of starting a grease fire and ending the fun in a hurry.

A fire can be an unnecessary complication. You can take some steps to avoid a nasty kitchen incident by following a few simple tips next time you are whipping up a new recipe.

Avoid a Fire While Cooking

• Never leave a handle hanging over a lit burner or beyond the edge of the oven
• Avoid spatters that could ignite by not overfilling a pan with oil when frying, and be sure not to let the oil overheat
• Make sure to wipe up spills of butter or other greases immediately, especially from any burners
• When grease spills during baking or broiling, turn the oven off immediately. Wipe up the spill or if there are any flames, dump baking soda on them and close the oven to smother the flames. Use a home extinguisher as a last resort. Never put water on a grease fire!

Prevent Further Problems

If flames do break out and spread through the kitchen, the first thing you should do is call 911 and get help. It is also important to get professional help to clean up the greasy residue. Contact a restoration service in Herriman UT, to clean up the fire damage and help remove odors. They can help you reclaim your kitchen and eradicate any leftover greasy spills.

When you are busy cooking things can escape your notice. Follow the tips above and you can enjoy your cooking without worry of dangerous flames destroying your dinner party or your kitchen.

The Leading Causes of Home Fires

9/21/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage to a house in Daybreak, UT

Common Causes That Lead To a Home Fire

In the United States, multiple home fires are occurring every minute. Many of these home fires could be avoided if the homeowners had taken safety precautions. Knowing some of the more common causes that lead to a home fire could help you assess your best practices in Daybreak, UT.

Cooking in the Home Kitchen
Cooking has been the most common among fire causes for the last several years. Homeowners become comfortable in their kitchen which leads to lax cooking practices. While most cooking fires are minor, they have the potential to get out of hand fast. Surprisingly, electric range fires were more common than those caused by a gas range. Always keep grease spills cleaned up in the kitchen, and protect clothing from getting caught in a flame.

Electrical Fires
One of the leading causes of a home fire in the last decade has been an electrical fire. Arcing was the primary cause of fire then there was an electrical malfunction.

Burning Candles
Burning candles are another common igniter of home fires. Multiple home fires started by candles receive emergency response every day. More than a third of these fires occur in a bedroom and the majority are caused by being too close to flammable material. Don't use candles in the bedroom, and never leave a candle burning in a room that is unoccupied.

Heating Equipment
Due to the danger of heating equipment, home fires are more common during the winter months. Most of these fires involve space heaters being placed in close proximity to flammable materials such as furniture, clothing, and bedding.

A home fire is one of the worst disasters a homeowner can experience. If you experience a fire, don't go back into the home until the fire department tells you it's safe. Call your insurance company and arrange for fire cleaning and restoration.

Most home fires are preventable. Use caution if you must use a space heater, and consider using alternatives to candles. Most importantly, have a fire safety plan in place for your family so you are prepared if a home fire occurs.

How To Avoid Fires From Cooking

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

It’s important to not leave any cooking food unattended.

How To Prevent Cooking Fires

Of all the rooms in your home, the kitchen is the one in which you may spend more of your active time than anywhere else. This is where you gather, entertain, eat and, of course, cook. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common areas in the home where fires start. Often, destructive fires start because of unsafe cooking practices. It’s important to follow some best practices and tips to keep fires away.

Stay Nearby

Whether you’re standing at the stove or using an electric skillet, it’s important to not leave any cooking food unattended. Unmonitored cooking can lead to extensive fire damage.

• Stay in the kitchen whether you’re grilling, frying or broiling your meal.
• If you have to leave for any reason, turn the stove or other appliance off.
• If possible, have someone at your West Jordan, UT home watch your food while you step away.

Use a Timer

It’s easy to throw something in the oven and forget about it, especially if you leave the kitchen and go into another room or outside. Setting a timer will help reduce the risk of a fire starting in the oven and spreading to other areas.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Not only will cleaning up grease and other materials help your kitchen look nicer, but this will reduce the risk of a grease fire. As soon as you’ve finished preparing and cooking your meal, wipe down the surfaces of your stove.

Watch Your Clothes

You may not think of your attire as being important when it comes to fire prevention tips. However, if you’re not careful, loose and dangling clothing could touch a burner or come into contact with grease. This could injure you and could even spread flames in your kitchen.

These simple fire prevention tips could help save you and your loved ones from catastrophe. Be conscientious as you cook and entertain so you can avoid the terrible consequences of a house fire.

How Do You Create a Fire Escape Plan?

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

A concrete, a laid-out fire escape plan is crucial in assuring everyone’s safety.

How Do You Create a Fire Escape Plan?

As a business owner in South Jordan, UT you may be concerned with protecting your employees and the valuable contents within your building from fire damage. While protecting those items is mainly an issue of not letting a fire start in the first place, your employees’ lives are both more valuable and easy to protect. Making sure you have a sound fire escape plan in your building is an essential safety measure. It’s not enough to just tell your employees to evacuate in the event of a fire, however. A concrete, a laid-out fire escape plan is crucial in assuring everyone’s safety. Here are a few pointers to make your plan easier to design, as well as some things it should include:

Check Smoke Alarms

First and foremost, you must be sure your building meets NFPA standards for smoke alarms. This means a smoke alarm in every room and office, and outside every major working area. Also, while it’s highly unlikely that your employees will have this problem, it’s important to verify that everyone in the building knows what a smoke alarm sounds like so that they can evacuate immediately upon hearing it.

Plan Escapes from Every Room

As an important part of your fire escape plan, every employee in your building must know of at least two ways to escape from every room. If every room does not already have two means of escape, it’s a good idea to create them. For example, for rooms on higher floors, a fire escape ladder on the outside can help ensure employee safety and escape in the event of a fire.

Establish a Meeting Place

Make sure every employee in the building knows where the designated meeting place outside the building is. This makes accounting for everyone easier after evacuation and creates a more orderly and efficient escape process.

Practice

It may seem like overkill, but an important part of any effective emergency escape plan is regular drills. You should conduct fire drills at least twice a year, or until everyone in your building can complete the evacuation process within a reasonable but short time period based on the size of your building.

Keep Your Candles Without Causing a Fire

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

Although candles are a bit of a fire hazard, you don’t necessarily have to stop using them.

Fire Safety Tips For Your Home

Although you probably know candles are a potential fire hazard, you may not be willing to stop using them in your home. There is something therapeutic and genuinely enjoyable about lighting a candle and breathing in that amazing scent of choice. The good news is that there are ways to use these products without causing a candle fire in West Jordan, UT.

Consider following these three steps in your home.

1. Don’t put your candle too close to the curtains. The worst decision to make when using candles of any size is to put them next to curtains in your home. Even if you think there is enough space between the two items, a quick draft of air could easily cause the flame to spread over to the curtain, causing a candle fire that could’ve been avoided.
2. Don’t sleep without blowing them out. Even if you’re only planning to take a nap, make sure you blow the candle out and cover it with a lid if it came with one. You could end up sleeping for much longer than you anticipated, and something could happen during that time that ultimately leads to a serious candle fire.
3. Keep your pets away from the candles. You may think you can trust your pets to steer clear from anything with a flame attached to it, but that isn’t always the case. A curious cat or dog could sneak over to the candle and end up knocking it over unintentionally. If that were to happen, you could end up dealing with the fire and smoke cleanup as well as the possibility of losing some of your valuable possessions.

Although candles are a bit of a fire hazard, you don’t necessarily have to stop using them. However, many people have made minor mistakes with candles in their homes that caused them to require the services of fire restoration experts. You can avoid those mistakes by following these important safety tips in West Jordan, UT.

How To Use a Fire Extinguisher

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

Most operate by using the P.A.S.S. technique

How you respond in the face of a fire emergency can affect the safety, health, and livelihood of yourself and many others. While evacuating and calling the fire department is always the best idea in the face of major fires, knowing how to operate a fire extinguisher could prevent a small fire from spreading. For example, a kitchen fire in your home in Riverton, UT, might be able to be stopped or contained by the proper use of an extinguisher.

How To Use a Fire Extinguisher

If it is safe to do so, use an extinguisher on small fires. They are simple to use. Most operate by using the P.A.S.S. technique.

Pull - Pull the pin.
Aim - Aim low while pointing the extinguisher hose at the base of the fire.
Squeeze - Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
Sweep - Sweep the flow of the extinguishing agent from side to side at the base of the fire until the fire appears to be out.

When the fire appears to be out, back away from the area in case it reignites. If it does reignite, repeat steps two through four of the P.A.S.S. technique. If the fire grows beyond small flames or is resistant to your efforts, evacuate immediately and call the fire department.

What To Do Next
If you called the fire department, back away to a safe area and wait for them. Do not attempt to go back into the home, even if the flames seem to be smaller. If you managed to put out the fire safely on your own, turn your attention to clean up and repairs. Fire damage to your home can be devastating and messy. In addition to the fire and smoke, flooding and the extinguishing agent add to the mess to be cleaned. Restoration specialists can help clean and restore your home to safe and livable conditions.
Fires are dangerous, unpredictable events that have the potential to cause devastation and threaten lives. Everyone should know the simple steps to operate a fire extinguisher.

3 Ways To Mitigate Commercial Roof Damage

10/28/2020 (Permalink)

Tarp over roof damage

Tips To Protect Your Commercial Roof

When the roof of a commercial building gets damaged by fire or any other cause, it may be possible to limit the severity of damage by immediately pursuing mitigation. Full-service restoration companies offer a variety of fire cleanup services to limit the extent of damage. Here are three good options to protect a vulnerable roof on a commercial property located in Riverton, UT.

1. Locate the Source of Leaks
It is necessary to know which parts of a roof are leaking in order to effectively apply tarps or other coverings. Business and commercial building owners may not have the expertise or equipment needed to identify the exact location of leaks and pursue mitigation measures, let alone roof repair. Damage restoration experts and roofers can recommend mitigation measures.

2. Tarp Over Roof Damage
Tarps are useful for covering leaky portions of a roof. If more than one leak is located in the same area, a tarp of sufficient size can keep more water from working through any of these breaches. More than one tarp may be necessary for a commercial roof with widespread damage until fire cleanup is complete.

3. Keep the Tarp Secure
Boards and fasteners may be helpful for strapping down a tarp. If high winds or storms can loosen a tarp, this material cannot provide adequate protection against continued leaks. Mitigation professionals specialize in tarp services and can quickly install equipment that requires at least two skilled workers.
Roof damage at a commercial structure can prove costly. The type of roofing material is the primary factor for determining repair costs. Practically any roof can benefit from temporary tarping after suffering damage, though the use of specialized fasteners may be necessary. If an internal or external fire breaches roofing materials on a building in Riverton, UT, the owner or manager should arrange for mitigation, roof repair and fire cleanup.

Necessary Tools for Fire Prevention

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

The key to prevention is inspection

Keep Your Business Safe

When you think of fire prevention, what comes to mind? Can you imagine your business thriving in the aftermath? Prevention comes down to preparation, as any fire restoration company in South Jordan, UT, will tell you. Therefore, to keep your business safe and thriving make sure you have the necessary tools.

Fire escape plan
Business interruption plan
Sprinkler System and Extinguishers
Inspections

Fire Escape Plan
Depending on the industry, a business fire can be fast and aggressive, enveloping office spaces in minutes. Keeping employees, customers, and managers safe should always be the primary concern for any owner. Design a fire escape plan that has multiple exits from every area and practice the plan several times throughout the year.

Business Interruption Plan
Another critical aspect of fire prevention is knowing that not every fire can be prevented. Therefore, it is vital to have a plan for the aftermath, especially as it relates to business operations. While there is no getting around some level of interruption, with a proper plan, you may limit the amount of financial loss.

Sprinkler System and Extinguishers
The best way to limit fire damage in your building is by installing and using fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems. Most sprinkler systems are automatic, but extinguisher use is a skill that may need practice. Consider contacting the local fire department to ask for instructions and a possible demonstration.

Inspections
The key to prevention is inspection. Make sure that all electrical, inventory, appliances, HVAC, and other elements of your facility receive the proper inspections. Faulty wiring or a malfunctioning appliance can lead to a significant commercial loss.
Fire prevention is only part of protecting your property and the people that make your business a success. Keep in mind that you cannot prevent every disaster, so preparation through planning is necessary. Contact your local fire department or a restoration service to discuss other prevention tips specific to your building.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover After a Fire?

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

Your renter's insurance policy can help you replace your belongings after an apartment fire

What Does Renters Insurance Cover After a Fire?

If you lease an apartment in Daybreak, UT, you probably have a renters insurance policy. Yet it is sometimes confusing exactly what the policy covers.
In general, your landlord's coverage will pay for any fire damage to the apartment building itself. Meanwhile, a renters policy pays for harm to the items within the apartment. The policy may also cover:

• Medical payments
  
• Loss of use
  
• Liability
  
  

Apartment Contents
Fire is considered a covered peril in nearly all circumstances. Your insurance claim should thus be accepted even if the fire resulted from your negligence.
As long as you did not purposely start the fire, your policy will help you pay for any personal property damaged by the blaze. You can also use the insurance money to help pay for fire restoration services.
Double-check your renter's insurance policy to make sure it pays the replacement cost rather than the actual value of destroyed items. After all, your furniture likely depreciated since you bought it.

Liability and Medical Payments
A fire may not just destroy your home. It could affect neighboring apartments, as well. Your renter's policy should have liability coverage for any third parties who suffer property damage as a result of the blaze.
Similarly, your insurance can cover the costs of some medical bills your neighbors or guests experience due to the fire. This medical payments coverage is typically small, but it could help if someone suffers a minor sprain or strain while escaping the apartment.
Loss of Use
After the fire, you may have to temporarily move out of your apartment and into a hotel. Your insurance should cover this additional expense, as well.
Your renter's insurance policy can help you replace your belongings after an apartment fire. It may even pay for fire cleanup services. You should thus be sure to make your insurance payments on time and keep your coverage up to date.

Home Care: How to Trouble a Chirping Smoke Detector

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Remember to change batteries on a yearly basis

How to Trouble a Chirping Smoke Detector

Smoke detectors are trusty devices that have stood the test of time. Despite being lifesavers, they are also dirt cheap, and some cities such as Daybreak, UT, give them out for free. However, a faulty fire alarm can produce an irritating chirping (or beeping) sound that won’t go away until you do something about it.
Common causes of chirping in a smoke detector include:

• Loose or dead battery
  
• Environmental factors such as humidity and steam
  
• An obstructed sensor
  
  

Battery Issues

The battery chamber should be your first suspect when troubleshooting a chirping fire alarm. The problem could be an open battery drawer, obstructed terminal or a dead battery.
First, turn off the power at the circuit breaker then release the detector from its wall bracket. Scrub the battery terminals properly then reassemble it for testing. If the problem persists, consider changing the battery.

Environmental Factors

Sometimes, smoke detectors act up when exposed to extreme humidity and steam. Maybe the device is too close to a wet area such as a bathroom or kitchen. Whatever the reason, this is a professional level situation. Don’t just disconnect the device and hope everything will be okay. It is better to let an expert diagnose the problem. That will bring peace of mind, and also go a long way in preventing fire and smoke damage.

Obstruction in the Sensing Chamber

Newer smoke detectors will chirp if the sensor is obstructed by dirt and debris. Cobwebs are the most common obstruction, and removing them is easy.
First, disconnect the device from power. Then take a blower, similar to those used in cleaning keyboards, and use it to remove any debris in the device’s vents. Generally speaking, cleaning your smoke detectors makes them more responsive and can even prevent expensive fire damage.
As a homeowner in Daybreak, UT, having some basic fire alarm maintenance skills will put money back in your pocket and save you from headaches. All you need is a screwdriver, spare batteries and a small blower to do a full service an all your detectors.