Commercial Property Fire: 4 Steps to Take After a Disaster

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

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Four Steps To Take After A Commercial Property Fire

Fire restoration is usually the first thing that comes to mind when property owners consider potential fire loss. However, there is a basic set of rules to follow immediately following a fire, and restoration is the last on that list.

1. Ensure Employees or Tenants are Safe

Safety should always be the top priority. Therefore, you should make sure that all of your employees or tenants are safe and accounted for. You can set up an emergency management team that is responsible for a set number of employees, making it their responsibility to count or contact every employee to ensure their safety.

2. Call Your Insurer

Once you know everyone is safe, you should reach out to your property or fire insurance provider. Fire restoration coverage depends on the adjuster’s assessment of the property and the cause of the fire, and it is vital to get this process moving as soon as possible to reduce business interruption.

3. Make a Record of Loss

Once you have contacted your insurer, you can begin making a photographic record of the property loss. You should go from room to room taking as many pictures as necessary to show the adjuster. Additionally, you may want to gather any relevant receipts and pair each with the corresponding items in the photographs.

4. Call a Restoration Specialist

Lastly, to mitigate further loss and to begin the fire and smoke cleaning process, you may want to call a disaster restoration specialist in the Williamstown, NJ, area. While your insurer may require several estimates, it is essential to find a restoration company sooner rather than later to minimize further damage.

Fire restoration is part of the aftermath of a fire, but it is not the first step. Safety is paramount followed by contacting your insurer and making a record of loss. Only after these steps are taken care of, should you reach out to a restoration specialist and begin remediation.