What To Do After a Fire

10/15/2022 (Permalink)

The aftermath of a fire.

How to Respond to a Fire

It can be hard to know what to do after a fire. The damage is extensive, and you may not even know if your insurance will cover it. Here are some tips that can help you get past the initial shock of a house fire and start planning.

Get your insurance information.

After you have evacuated your home and have been given the “all clear” from your fire department that it is safe to return, you will want to contact your insurance provider. 

Once you are connected with an agent, it is important that you provide them with a full list of the damage. For this reason, it is important to keep a running list of your belongings and any assets that may be affected in a disaster. This will help the insurance agent construct and accurate claim. 

When the fire is out, you should contact your insurance carrier. You'll need to report the event and get an adjuster to come out as soon as possible. This can be done by phone or in person at your local branch office. Do not clean up anything on your own until the adjuster has looked at it; otherwise, any damage that may have occurred during cleanup could affect your claim.

Contact a fire damage restoration service. 

If your house has been affected by fire or smoke damage, you will want to contact a fire damage restoration service. These companies help homeowners deal with the aftermath of fires in their homes. They can board up the house, clean it, and repair it, as well as help with insurance claims. The company may also be able to help find temporary or permanent housing for you and your family while repairs are being made on your home.

Document the damage.

One of the most important steps in your insurance claim is to document the damage. This will help you get a more accurate estimate and more money in your pocket.

Here's how:

• Take photos of the damage. Make sure you take pictures of what happened before, during, and after the fire so that you can clearly show how much work was done by firefighters or contractors hired on your behalf.
• Take detailed notes of what happened during and after the fire (dates, times, conversations with anyone from your insurance company). You may need this information when talking with an adjuster or at trial if it comes down to litigation for damages caused by negligence on someone else's part (i.e., someone not paying attention around an open flame).
• Measure everything—from flooring materials removed for cleaning purposes all way up through any smoke damage that has occurred on walls and ceilings above where firefighters were working at extinguishing flames below them.

Clean up any mess.

• After a fire, you will need to remove any debris and clean up the mess.
• Clean up any wet or dry materials on the floor.
• Remove smoke smell from walls, ceilings, and furniture by washing them with soap and water (if possible).
• Clean curtains, clothes, and furniture with mild detergent in warm water. 
• Use an industrial vacuum to suck up excess soot from carpets before washing them. Get rid of any large dust particles from air ducts with a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner hose or use a stiff broom to sweep it out through windows if necessary (make sure all windows are open for ventilation).

It is hard to know what to do after a fire, but here's some advice on how to start the process of recovery.

• Get the insurance company involved.
• Clean up the mess as much as possible.
• Document the damage with pictures or a video camera. If you can take pictures or video of your home before and after, that can be very helpful for both your own records and for your insurance claim.
• Contact a fire damage restoration service if you need help cleaning up after a fire in your home.

The aftermath of a fire can be overwhelming, but there are many things that you can do to help the recovery process. Keep in mind that it may take some time before your home is back to normal, and that’s okay! Be patient with yourself, and if there are any bugs or issues along the way, ask for help from friends and family members who will be happy to lend their assistance.

Mold Inspection Before Buying a Building

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

A mold inspection can be conducted to determine if the building has a mold problem.

Mold Inspection

Before purchasing a building, buyers typically have it inspected. This alerts the buyer of any structural damage or other problems that can impact the decision to buy the property or the price they are willing to pay. During this process, a mold inspection can be conducted to determine if the building has a mold problem.

Where to Look

Mold can be found in many different locations within a building:

• Air ducts or HVAC systems
  
• Basements or other areas that have experienced flooding
  
• Bathrooms
  
• Kitchens
  
• Ceiling tiles
  
• Near leaking pipes
  
  

While the buyer may be able to spot visible mold on their own, a professional building inspector will be able to identify more subtle signs and check the area more thoroughly.

High-Risk Buildings

Some buildings have a higher risk of mold presence than others. If the building you are considering purchasing has a high risk of mold, you should definitely have a mold inspection performed before buying it.

Mold grows in warm, moist environments. Buildings that have experienced flooding, leaking pipes or sewage backup should be considered high risk. Humidity should also be considered. Very humid climates allow moisture to accumulate in buildings, leading to mold growth. When deciding if you want the building inspector to check for mold, keep these high-risk factors in mind.

Hazards

A building with a mold problem poses significant risks that must be addressed immediately. Mold can damage building materials, such as wood, and threaten the structural integrity of the building. If this is the case, a mold remediation service in Lakeland, MN, should remove the mold and repair any damage immediately. They should also treat the area with a disinfectant to prevent the spread of harmful toxins.
Conducting a mold inspection before purchasing a building can save you a lot of money in repairs later on. Discovering a mold problem early helps ensure the safety of the building and its inhabitants.

Understanding Business Interruption Insurance

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

If a disaster strikes, having business interruption insurance provides needed financial relief to help stay afloat.

Business Interruption Insurance

If a fire happens at your Lake Elmo, MN, business, it means unexpected downtown and other financial losses. While waiting for a professional fire restoration company to get the property back up and running, there are still added expenses. Business interruption insurance is one way to help ensure recovery from the loss.

What Is Covered?

Knowing that the unexpected happens, a successful business needs to plan for those situations. While there are many ways to plan for that, it is also necessary to consider insurance. This type of additional coverage provides added peace of mind. While every policy is different, most will cover:

• Sales or revenue lost if operating normally
  
• Expenses associated with temporary relocation
  
• Rent or lease payments
  
• Utility services
  
• Taxes and loan payments
  
• Employee payroll
  
• Additional related expenses incurred
  
  

Business owners should thoroughly understand what is and isn’t covered, as well as know the coverage limits. This type of coverage is for financial losses, not property, which should be covered under general liability. In most cases, it won’t provide coverage for contingent or partial interruptions or ones not related to damaged property.

Business Fire Restoration Period

In most cases, it takes 48 to 72 hours for coverage to begin after a claim is accepted. It’s also important to note that regardless of the policy, it will include a restoration period. This is a set time frame that funds will be received after the claim is accepted. In many cases, the benefits will last up to one year. Of course, providers will expect that fire cleaning and other restoration services are being handled as quickly as possible.
While a successful business may be focused on growth and day-to-day operations, it also has to consider how it may be affected by unexpected events. If a disaster strikes, having business interruption insurance provides needed financial relief to help stay afloat.

A 3-Point Pipe Break Checklist

4/29/2022 (Permalink)

As soon a pipe bursts the first thing to do is to shut off the water.

Checklist for Pipe Breaks

Bursting pipes call for a quick response. Any delay in shutting off the flow of water or repairing causes of damage can lead to extensive primary water damage and secondary damage such as mold. This three-point checklist can guide commercial property owners or managers through the measures necessary to respond to a broken pipe at a building located in Oakdale, MN.

1. Shut Off the Water

The main water shutoff valve should be the first stop a commercial building owner or manager makes as soon as a pipe bursts. If a building is serviced by municipal water, this valve is typically located at the point where water piping enters a structure, near a water meter. This measure can reduce the amount of water that leaks into a structure and set the stage for a plumber to fix broken pipe.

2. Contain Water Damage

Any measures that commercial building owners, managers or occupants take to slow or stop the flow of water introduced by bursting pipes from spreading can limit the damage. Consider collecting water in containers with wheels, such as rolling mop buckets or trash cans, for easier disposal or extraction.

3. Arrange for Mitigation

Taking measures to keep water damage from getting worse can reduce the extent and severity of the damage. While a building owner or manager can take a few measures, restoration professionals have the equipment and expertise to safely extract any quantity of water from a structure and facilitate drying.

Following the steps in this checklist can help a property owner or manager deal with bursting pipes at a building located in Oakdale, MN. In most cases, it is worthwhile to have professionals mitigate, clean and restore water damage. Building materials that stay damp for longer than 48 hours run a high risk of developing secondary mold damage, which is even more costly to remediate.

7 Important Items To Have in Your Building’s First Aid Kit

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

What to include in your first aid kit?

First Aid Kit Supplies

From minor medical situations to serious emergencies, a first aid kit can be an important safety feature in your building in Stillwater, MN. By knowing what to include in a kit, you can be better prepared to handle scary situations.

1. Bandages

A vital item you should have in an emergency kit can be bandages. Hemostatic gauze and rolled gauze tape can be used to help stop bleeding on bigger cuts, while smaller bandages can be used for minor scrapes. Liquid bandage can also be a useful way to seal wounds.

2. Ointments

A good antibacterial ointment, such as bacitracin, can help prevent wounds from getting infected. Injury-specific ointments, such as blister treatment or insect sting treatments can also be good additions to your kit.

3. Medications

While first-aid medications may not be permanent solutions to medical problems, they can help get the situation under control until proper help can be reached. Basic medications such as ibuprofen and anti-acid tablets can help alleviate pain. Injectable epinephrine can be a lifesaving treatment for an allergic reaction.

4. Splints

Splints can be a way to immobilize injured areas of a person’s body until professional medical attention is available. Basic splints, including finger splints, can come in handy in emergency situations.

5. Tools

Medications and bandages may not be worth much if you can’t use them. Proper tools such as scissors and tweezers can be some of the most important elements of your first aid kit.

6. Personal Care

Personal care items may not be the first thing you think of when creating an emergency kit, but they can come in handy. These items can include:

• Eyedrops
  
• Lotion
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Chapstick
  
  

7. Emergency Supplies

Since first aid kits may be used during power outages, natural disasters and other serious situations, it can be helpful to include emergency supplies such as flashlights and duct tape.

By including these items in a first aid kit you should be prepared to handle almost any minor medical situation. After first aid has been administered, get injured or sick employees to the proper, professional care as soon as possible.

2 Reasons to Get Board Up Services After a Commercial Fire

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

There are various reasons to board up your business.

Reasons To Board Up Your Business

A fire can be absolutely devastating to a business. The best thing you as a commercial property owner can do is stop the fire damage from escalating out of control. This requires you to hire professionals to board up the windows. There are various reasons to board up your business until you can repair the damage and get back on your feet.

1. Keep Out Looters and Vandals

Looting is far too common following disasters. These criminals are more likely to target buildings that are easy to get into. Therefore, if your building’s windows were busted, then looters could enter your building to take whatever property had to be left behind. Additionally, there may simply be people who want to graffiti your building. This only leads to you spending more money in addition to what you need to spend on the initial fire cleanup. Even placing a board in the open windows and doorways is enough to deter many would-be criminals from entering.

2. Retain Insurance

You need to contact your commercial insurance provider immediately following fire damage to begin the claims process. The amount of money you end up receiving will depend on a number of factors. For instance, your insurance company will expect you to take action to prevent additional damage from taking place. You may have coverage against a fire, but if a looter breaks in because you did not board up the property, then your insurance may not cover any damage that looter commits. You never want to give your insurance provider any reason to deny your claim.

Ultimately, board up services can save you money in the long run. The professionals you hire for fire damage remediation should be well-versed in installing boards on windows and doorways. Ask about this service so that you do not have to worry as much about people breaking in.

How Can I Find Mold in My Building?

12/31/2021 (Permalink)

Mold found in Afton, MN.

Ways To Find Mold In Your Building

You may be concerned about mold growth in your building in Afton, MN. Maybe your concern is due to the nature of your business and the need for a clean environment, or maybe it is for the benefit of your employees. Either way, you want to be sure your building doesn’t have a mold problem and need help finding any source of mold. Since mold is abundant in the environment, indoors and out, but it may be hard to find colonies since they thrive in places where you are not frequenting. Here are some ways you can find mold:

• Consider an indoor environmental specialist. A specialist may also use special equipment to detect hidden moisture, where your mold source might be hard to see.

• Check out all plumbing areas. Look for slow leaks as well as obvious ones. If you suspect a pipe is leaking but can’t see it in action, wrap a paper towel or cloth towel around it and check it later to see if it is saturated.

• Look for old water damage. If you had water damage from a natural flood or an indoor pipe failure, then recheck the area affected. Improper repairs may hide moisture that is still present.

• Follow your nose. Notice any musty smelling areas? Try to pinpoint the source of the moisture.

The indoor environmental specialist may do a mold test. This is especially important to check an area that was thought to be cleaned or that may have been damaged by water long ago.

Mold Remediation

Once the source of mold has been identified, the indoor environmental specialists will work with a professional mold remediator to focus on containment, removal and disinfecting of the contaminated area. Sometimes the mold gets into hard to reach spots and porous building materials that may need removed and replaced, but the right specialist can handle all aspects of your recovery from inspection to rebuild.

Securing Your Business After a Fire

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage in Lake Elmo, MN

After a Fire, How to Protect Your Business

When a major fire shuts your business down in Lake Elmo, MN, it can result in additional damage and losses unrelated to the original accident. Fire damage may leave large holes in your walls and roof, exposing inventory, equipment and other valuables not only to further damage from the elements but also to theft. Unfortunately, disaster can attract the worst sort of people and looting is common when a business has been compromised by fire. Even worse, most insurance policies will not cover losses due to theft after a fire so it’s up to you to secure your property.

Preventing Fires

The best thing you can do is prevent fires from occurring in the first place. The following precautions can reduce the chances of a fire and minimize damage if one occurs.

• Keep electrical cords in good condition
  
• Turn off electrical appliances before closing for the day
  
• Keep work areas free of flammable materials
  
• Check smoke detectors to make sure they’re working
  
• Don’t place flammable materials near coffee makers, heaters, computers, or copiers
  
• Install a sprinkler system
  
  

What You Can Do After a Fire

Once a fire has already occurred, there are still things you can do to protect your investment. Boarding up large openings in the structure can prevent invaders from entering. Sheets of plastic placed over these areas can further ensure that rain, snow and wind don’t wreak havoc on the contents of the building. You don’t need to do the work yourself. The fire damage remediation company in Lake Elmo, MN, you contact to handle fire cleanup and restoration should also offer boarding up services. They can usually get to work as soon as the fire department has assessed the safety of the building.

Fire damage is difficult enough on a business without adding theft or water damage to the original problem. As soon as a fire takes place, contact a fire remediation company to perform boarding up services so that your investment is safe from further harm.

How Often Should Fire Sprinklers Be Tested?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Many buildings in the United States rely on an automatic fire sprinkler system as their primary source for overall fire protection.

Many buildings in the United States rely on an automatic fire sprinkler system as their primary source for overall fire protection. Because of the emphasis placed on these systems for protecting both life and property, there are stringent rules and regulations governing their upkeep—two of which (testing and inspection), are critical to maintaining fire sprinkler system effectiveness in the event of a fire.

Fire Sprinkler System Testing Frequency

Every 3 Months

Physically test fire sprinkler mechanical devices

Every Year

Physically test the entire fire sprinkler system—water flow, alarms, valves, dry pipe, fire pump, etc.

Every 5 Years

Physically test sprinklers exposed to high temperatures or harsh conditions as well as all sprinkler system gauges (alternatively, gauges can simply be replaced), then every 10 years thereafter

Every 10 Years

Physically test dry sprinkler systems

Every 20 Years or Longer

Physically test fast-response sprinklers at 20 years and then every 10 years thereafter

Physically test standard sprinklers at 50 years and then every 10 years thereafter

Fire Sprinkler Systems Inspection Frequencies

Every Month

Inspect dry pipe, pre-action, deluge, and wet pipe fire sprinkler system gauges

Every 3 Months

Inspect water flow and valve alarm devices, signal devices, hydraulic nameplates, electrically supervised control valves, and fire department connections

Every Year

Inspect hanger/seismic bracing and supports, signage, piping/fittings, and sprinklers, including spare sprinklers

Every 5 Years

Inspect all sprinkler piping for any blockage

As a Facility Manager, keeping up with your facility’s automatic sprinkler system is one of the most critical parts of your building’s overall fire protection plan. And because it’s so important, you need to trust it to a qualified National Fire & Life Safety Provider. Besides having the expertise to handle the testing and inspections of your fire sprinkler system, they are typically licensed, meaning they are trained and certified to do this kind of work.

Spring Cleaning Benefits and Tips for the Office

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

Warm weather is just around the corner and that can only mean one thing—spring cleaning. No more dreary weather, muddy footprints, and soaked carpets. Spring is almost here and that means we get to welcome a fresh start.

Now is the perfect time to stow away your winter-related items, declutter unnecessary items, reorganize, and refresh the office. We encourage you to make the most of the upcoming season by reading the rest of our blog post which contains the benefits of office spring cleaning and tips on where to begin.

Cleaning is always a good idea—especially now—as we continue to live with the pandemic along with practicing better hygiene. Five benefits that can stem from spring cleaning your office include:

Reduced stress

Increased productivity

Positive mood

Allergy symptom relief

Healtheir lifestyle

Reduced Stress

Cleaning can help reduce stress because it offers a sense of accomplishment and also makes for a very relaxing experience. Digging through piles of papers and other office materials can be extremely time-consuming and stressful if you cannot find what you are looking for. By cleaning out your office space, you’ll spend less time worrying and stressing about where specific items are.

Increased Productivity

It should come as no surprise that a clean workspace helps to increase productivity. Having pens, papers, staplers, and other office supplies scattered around your desk can be distracting you from your priorities. By cleaning, tossing away unnecessary clutter, organizing, and placing your items back where they belong, not only will your workspace look more presentable, but you’ll also improve your workflow efficiency.

Positive Mood

Clutter is often linked with negative emotions such as irritability and confusion, whereas a clean workspace is linked with positive emotions such as calmness and contentment. A clean environment will help to elevate your mood as it gives you better control of your surroundings. Not to mention, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment once your workspace is neat and tidy.

Allergy Symptom Relief

Aside from cleaning, the springtime is also unfortunately known for being allergy season. If you have employees who suffer from seasonal allergies, we recommend putting together a regular cleaning and disinfecting routine in order to get rid of immune system triggers such as dust and pollen. We also recommend checking your office’s ventilation system to ensure good indoor air quality.

Healtheir Lifestyle

All of the benefits above can be combined to support an overall healthier lifestyle physically, mentally, and emotionally. Spring is the season for new beginnings so get started by cleaning out your workspace today. Not sure where to start? Read our tips below!

Spring Cleaning Tips

Clean and disinfect all surfaces, especially the ones you are in daily contact with such as your desk, keyboard, door handles, etc.

Declutter and organize your drawers, placing everything back where they belong and tossing away unnecessary items

Keep only your frequently used items on your desk and store the rest

Manage long, messy wires or cables by using Velcro strips for a neat and professional look

Perform a digital declutter by getting rid of files and emails that you no longer need and organizing the icons on your desktop to make them more easily accessible

Check in with the appropriate manager regarding the office ventilation system

Make cleaning and disinfecting a part of your weekly routine if possible—if not, consider hiring a commercial cleaning company to come in once a week or as needed.

Understanding Commercial Floor Cleaning and its Benefits

4/9/2021 (Permalink)

It can be easy to take floors for granted when it comes to a comprehensive cleaning and maintenance plan for your facility.

It can be easy to take floors for granted when it comes to a comprehensive cleaning and maintenance plan for your facility. However, floors are just as important as any other part of a building, if not even more so.

Clean and shiny floors are a key aspect of any well-maintained building and successful business. However, over time, floors can easily become scuffed, worn, and permanently dirty. This can happen sooner if routine floor care and maintenance is neglected.

What is Floor Stripping and Waxing?

Many hard floors, such as linoleum, acrylic, hardwood, and vinyl have a special wax coating to keep them shiny and make them easier to clean. The wax protects the flooring from dirt, debris, scratches, and cracking.

Stripping is the process of completely removing the preexisting wax coating, while waxing refers to re-applying a fresh coat of wax finisher. Stripping and waxing can be a difficult undertaking without the correct training, tools, and materials, so hiring a commercial floor cleaning company is strongly advised.

Benefits of Hiring a Commercial Floor Cleaning Service

Not only is the process itself rather involved, but proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is also required, which may not be readily available given our current public health crisis.

To properly strip and wax a floor, expensive appliances and tools are needed, including a floor scrubber, a wet-dry vacuum, and a floor buffer. Unless you are a commercial cleaner, you likely do not have these items at your facility.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the potential cost if the process is performed incorrectly. If a floor cleaning project goes awry, there could be potentially irreparable damage to already expensive floors, massive inconveniences to everyone involved, and an even bigger financial burden by having to replace sections of the floor, or even the entire floor.

Stripping and waxing a floor is something that can be done by someone on your team, but hiring an industrial floor cleaning service would be a safer and more cost-effective solution.

SERVPRO ERP, the Bridge to Your Business Continuity Plan

3/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers all commercial, educational, and governmental buildings a free Emergency Readiness Plan.

SERVPRO offers all commercial, educational, and governmental buildings a free Emergency Readiness Plan, which includes a walkthrough of the building and a report in both hard and digital copies.  Which can be accessed on any mobile device, anywhere and anytime.  70% of businesses go out of business after a major disaster to the physical business, and of the 30% that make it through the disaster only half have some kind of plan in place.  And that 50% is who this article is directed at.

When I sit down and chat with businesses, nursing homes, schools, city governments, or hospitals that all have some sort of plan in place they don’t initially see the value in having SERVPRO put together an ERP for them.  That’s when I ask about their plan, and usually get the same types of answers: “Our employees will work remotely.” “Our residents and staff will be moved to another facility.” “Why reinvent the wheel?" And more answers along the same lines. All having to do with continuing work.

That’s when I ask the question, well how do you plan on stabilizing the building once the disaster is under control?  How do you plan on securing the premises and contents of the building?  What if you as the owner or decision maker aren’t available, will the employees know how to contact the next person in line, or your insurance agent.  Do they even know where the binder with the master plan is kept, and if you are at the scene, will you be able to get to it.  That’s why it’s nice to have an app on your phone that you can access with ease. 

If a company already has a continuity plan in place, the SERVPRO ERP is a great bridge to get your organization stable and into the plan you have in place for situations that stop you from working as normal.  The faster a damaged building can be secured and mitigation can be put in place, the more of the building that can be saved and the faster the reconstruction can begin.  If your business does not already have a plan in place, the ERP is a great base to build your plan from. 

We Had _________ Happen To Our Place of Business, What Now!

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

Every business owner’s worst nightmare is something happening to the physical location of their company.

Every business owner’s worst nightmare is something happening to the physical location of their company.  The place where your inventory, records, or employees report for work each day.  In a digital age, the brick-and-mortar location is still an important element of many companies.  What happens when a sprinkler head breaks, or that bag of popcorn in the breakroom microwave catches on fire?  Most businesses need to be in their facilities to conduct business, what’s your plan to get back into your building after an accident.

70% of businesses that go through some sort of disaster do not reopen.  Of the 30% that do reopen, half had emergency readiness plans in place.  It is hard enough to reopen a business after a loss, have you improved your odds by having a plan in place.  If not, SERVPRO of the Saint Croix Valley can help put one in place.  Our complimentary program, compiles the emergency contacts, shut offs and service entrances throughout the building.  Along with any other information of value, to first responders or employees.  The information is kept both in a hard copy, as well as, a mobile app on key employees’ phones.  Faster response times are always critical in any emergency situation. 

For our commercial insurance partners, teaming with SERVPRO to provide this plan is a fantastic way to give additional value and protection to your clients.  Reach out today to schedule a time to put your plan into place.

Please follow our page, as we continue to explore the benefits of mitigation, and how this approach helps both your clients and your business. Please call us with any questions you have, 715-381-2266. Visit our site: SERVPRO of The Saint Croix Valley

Your Client Has A Property Lost – What Now? 1-4-8 Response Time

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

Within 1 hour of receiving notice of loss your client will be contacted to determine scope of loss.

In last week’s article we discussed the potential cost benefits of using a remediation company, what that mean.  So, you have a client call in with a loss.  That’s when our 1-4-8 service guarantee kicks in.  Within 1 hour of receiving notice of loss your client will be contacted to determine scope of loss.  Within 4 hours of that notice, we will have boots on the ground to visual determine the scope and begin necessary work to mitigate further loss.  By the 8^th hour, we will have spoken with you and your client to provide an update on how the course of action will proceed.  Response time in any loss, be it fire, water, etc. is critical, when trying to salvage both building and personal materials.  That’s why we are faster to any size disaster.   

Please follow our page, as we continue to explore the benefits of mitigation, and how this approach helps both your clients and your business. Please call us with any questions you have, 715-381-2266. Visit our site: SERVPRO of The Saint Croix Valley

Emergency Ready Profile

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

The best way to reduce business interruption following a disaster is to plan for it NOW.

As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind.

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your Washington County and Saint Paul business, you can minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

Are you ready?

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?”

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile is a start-up approach that provides the critical information to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

• A no cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
• A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save you a lot of time if ever needed.
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This can help minimize the amount of time your business in inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
• Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information. Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are “Ready for whatever happens.”

Call us today to get started, 651-705-7028!

SERVPRO of Central Washington County representatives are happy to meet with property managers and business owners for a free assessment and set up an Emergency READY Profile for your business.

Disaster Shut Down

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

When you own a business, there’s never a convenient time for a disaster to strike. Fire, flooding, or destruction from a natural disaster can take time to mitigate and should be dealt with immediately before the damage spreads. Once the immediate danger is handled, cleanup and restoration of the damage can begin. In a world where time means money, any amount of downtime can put your business at risk of lost revenue and productivity. Remember, every hour spent cleaning up and repairing damage is an hour of opportunity lost for your business.

If you are a small business and have limited resources, it can be difficult to recover from a disaster, especially when it interrupts your daily operations. However, with the support of the right disaster commercial recovery team and a comprehensive recovery strategy, you can get back to business faster.

Be Prepared Before an Emergency Hits

According to FEMA, almost half of all small businesses affected by a disaster will never re-open their doors. For those that do, 90 percent will fail within a year if they don’t resume their operations within five days of the damage occurring. Why is that? Depending on the type and extent of damage, general operations may have to stop within the affected area. Meanwhile, life as usual goes on for customers and clients who are not directly impacted by the disaster. While some may be willing to wait for the business to reopen its doors, any long-term business disruption can send customers and clients looking elsewhere to get their needs met.

Businesses, large and small have a better chance of recovering from a disaster and successfully returning to business as usual if they have a plan before disaster strikes. Even when a disaster plan does exist, only 80 percent of companies spend time re-evaluating their plan each year. If you do not have one, it’s time to create one, so your business can go on as usual in the event of an emergency.

Creating a Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

If a fire, flood, or natural disaster were to occur, would you know who to contact to save your business? Regardless of the size of your business, having a ERP  for your business will give you a roadmap to recovery if an emergency occurs. This plan will help you save time and limit your property losses by saving as many assets as possible. It includes:

commercial services - commercial space with painters plastic hanging in windows

Compiling a list of emergency contacts, including phone numbers and addresses.

Phone calls

E-mails

What is Involved in Commercial Restoration?

SERVPRO of Central Washington County offers multiple restoration services to our commercial clients, including:

Emergency mitigation services to protect remaining business assets and building from secondary damage

Stabilization of building

Boarding-up your facility

Drying and dehumidifying your building

Recovering documents

Restoring electronics and wiring

Restoring your location to preloss condition

Reconstructing your building

What Should You Do if a Disaster Shuts Down Your Business?

When disaster strikes in the Washington County, Saint Paul and surrounding areas, SERVPRO of Central Washington County is ready to get to work. As a leader in property emergency services, we can help your business overcome the devastating setbacks of property damage caused by fire, water, or other natural disasters. We can assist our commercial clients in planning and project management in helping create a solid business disaster recovery plan.

SERVPRO ERP, the Bridge to Your Business Continuity Plan

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers all commercial, educational, and governmental buildings a free Emergency Readiness Plan, which includes a walkthrough of the building and a report in both hard and digital copies.  Which can be accessed on any mobile device, anywhere and anytime.  70% of businesses go out of business after a major disaster to the physical business, and of the 30% that make it through the disaster only half have some kind of plan in place.  And that 50% is who this article is directed at.

When I sit down and chat with businesses, nursing homes, schools, city governments, or hospitals that all have some sort of plan in place they don’t initially see the value in having SERVPRO put together an ERP for them.  That’s when I ask about their plan, and usually get the same types of answers:  “Our employees will work remotely.” “Our residents and staff will be moved to another facility.” “Why reinvent the wheel?" And more answers along the same lines. All having to do with continuing work.

That’s when I ask the question, Well how do you plan on stabilizing the building once the disaster is under control?  How do you plan on securing the premises and contents of the building?  What if you as the owner or decision maker aren’t available, will the employees know how to contact the next person in line, or your insurance agent.  Do they even know where the binder with the master plan is kept, and if you are at the scene, will you be able to get to it.  That’s why it’s nice to have an app on your phone that you can access with ease. 

If a company already has a continuity plan in place, the SERVPRO ERP is a great bridge to get your organization stable and into the plan you have in place for situations that stop you from working as normal.  The faster a damaged building can be secured and mitigation can be put in place, the more of the building that can be saved and the faster the reconstruction can begin.  If your business does not already have a plan in place, the ERP is a great base to build your plan from. 

Please follow our page, as we continue to explore the benefits of mitigation, and how this approach helps both your clients and your business. Please call us with any questions you have, 651-705-7028. Visit our site: http://www.SERVPROcentralwashingtoncounty.com/

Your Client Has A Property Lost – What Now? 1-4-8 Response Time

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

In last week’s article we discussed the potential cost benefits of using a remediation company, what that mean.  So, you have a client call in with a loss.  That’s when our 1-4-8 service guarantee kicks in.  Within 1 hour of receiving notice of loss your client will be contacted to determine scope of loss.  Within 4 hours of that notice we will have boots on the ground to visual determine the scope and begin necessary work to mitigate further loss.  By the 8^th hour, we will have spoken with you and your client to provide an update on how the course of action will proceed.  Response time in any loss, be it fire, water, etc is critical, when trying to salvage both building and personal materials.  That’s why we are faster to any size disaster.   

Please follow our page, as we continue to explore the benefits of mitigation, and how this approach helps both your clients and your business. Please call us with any questions you have, 651-705-7028. Visit our site: http://www.SERVPROcentralwashingtoncounty.com/

We Had _________ Happen To Our Place of Business, What Now!

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

Every business owner’s worst nightmare is something happening to the physical location of their company.  The place where your inventory, records, or employees report for work each day.  In a digital age, the brick and mortar location is still an important element of many companies.  What happens when a sprinkler head breaks, or that bag of popcorn in the break room microwave catches on fire?  Most businesses need to be in their facilities to conduct business, what’s your plan to get back into your building after an accident.

70% of businesses that go through some sort of disaster do not reopen.  Of the 30% that do reopen, half had emergency readiness plans in place.  It is hard enough to reopen a business after a loss, have you improved your odds by having a plan in place.  If not, SERVPRO of Central Washington County can help put one in place.  Our complimentary program, compiles the emergency contacts, shut offs and service entrances throughout the building.  Along with any other information of value, to first responders or employees.  The information is kept both in a hard copy, as well as, a mobile app on key employees’ phones.  Faster response times are always critical in any emergency situation. 

For our commercial insurance partners, teaming with SERVPRO to provide this plan is a fantastic way to give additional value and protection to your clients.  Reach out today to schedule a time to put your plan into place.

Please follow our page, as we continue to explore the benefits of mitigation, and how this approach helps both your clients and your business. Please call us with any questions you have, 651-705-7028. Visit our site: http://www.SERVPROcentralwashingtoncounty.com/

COMMERCIAL FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS MYTHS

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

If a fire breaks out in your business, acting fast to put out the flames could save you from costly damage and loss. That's why commercial fire sprinkler systems are so important.

Although sprinkler systems can protect you, your staff, your customers and your business from harm, myths about fire sprinklers still exist.

MYTH: Water damage caused by fire sprinklers is more costly than fire damage.

FACT: According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), sprinkler systems are actually more cost-effective than damage caused by other firefighting efforts. Since sprinklers can keep a fire contained within one room rather than allowing the flames and smoke to spread throughout the building, most fire damage clean-up will only occur in one space. Furthermore, water damage from fire hoses is typically more expensive to repair. Quick-response sprinklers only release 8 to 24 gallons of water per minute, whereas fire hoses release 50 to 125 gallons per minute.

MYTH: If one fire sprinkler is triggered, all fire sprinklers will go off.

FACT: When one sprinkler in your commercial sprinkler system goes off, only the adjacent sprinklers that sense high levels of heat will activate. According to FEMA, this means that only one or two sprinkler heads will go off in the event of a fire.

MYTH: Sprinklers are overly sensitive.

FACT: Fire sprinklers only ever activate when high heat is detected, so an employee burning their lunch or taking a smoke break too close to the building will not set off the sprinkler system. According to FEMA, only 1 in 16 million sprinkler heads activate accidentally, making their benefits far outweigh any risks.

As a business owner, safety and protection are important to keeping operations going smoothly. To help keep your company safe from any potential fire damage, install commercial sprinklers and place fire extinguishers throughout your facility.

If the unexpected does happen, know that you're not alone. SERVPRO of Central Washington County is committed to being by your side every step of the way to get your business on its feet as quickly as possible. Use our fire and smoke damage clean-up services and our water damage clean-up services to get your doors back open fast.