How Do I Prepare My Company for a Fire?

10/20/2022 (Permalink)

How Can I Prepare My Business for a Fire?

As a business owner, it’s crucial that you take steps to protect your Costa Mesa, CA company from fires. Fire can be devastating for any company, but it is especially devastating for restaurants and other food service businesses where an unexpected fire can result in the loss of thousands or even millions of dollars in revenue. Here are some ways to prepare your business for a potential fire:

Create a Fire Evacuation Plan

The best way to prepare is to have a plan in place. A fire evacuation plan should fit the needs of your business. This should be posted and employees should be familiar with the plan. Your evacuation plan should be posted in an area where it can be easily seen and understood by all employees.

The following are some tips for creating an effective fire evacuation plan:

• Create several different plans that fit the needs of your business. For example, if you have only one entrance and exit point, you may want to create two separate plans—one for when the main entrance is blocked by smoke and flames while the other details how employees should leave through a secondary exit. 
• It's also important that different types of buildings (e.g., warehouses) have their own unique evacuation procedures as well as instructions on how to get out after an earthquake or other natural disaster strikes.

Install Fire Extinguishers and Sprinkler Systems 

These will help reduce the chance of fires spreading. A fire extinguisher should be placed in an area of the building that is easy to reach and can be accessed without having to go through a door. This will make it easier for you and your employees to grab the extinguisher if there's a fire emergency.

If you have sprinkler systems, they should also be regularly tested and maintained. The professionals who install these systems will be able to tell you what type of maintenance is needed for each one, but generally speaking, sprinkler systems need annual inspections from experienced professionals who are certified in this field. In addition, it's important that you do not overwork or damage your sprinklers by tampering with them manually (for example spraying water on them).

Ensure Clear Exits, Well Lit Stairs, and Emergency Lighting

As a business owner, it’s crucial to ensure that your building is prepared for any emergency. Not only will this save lives, but it can also reduce the cost of a fire after it has happened. Here are some things you can do:

• Make sure all exits are clear, any stairs are well lit, and that emergency lighting is installed. If there is clutter blocking an exit or a staircase, then employees might not know where they need to go when there’s an emergency. Slippery floors could also present problems in an emergency situation—make sure your flooring has good traction!
• Ensure that all employees know where the fire exits are and how to use them in case of an evacuation (including disabled persons). Employees who don't know what's going on could end up running into each other or getting hurt as they try to escape from the building. Make sure everyone knows what their role is during such an event so no one gets left behind!
• Alert coworkers and visitors to any potential fire hazards in your building through signage and training sessions.

If you're unfamiliar with fire safety, the best way to prepare is by educating your employees on how a fire will affect them and what they should do in the event of one. This can be done through company-wide emails or training sessions. Post signs that warn of potential hazards, such as burned-out light bulbs or electrical outlets. Make sure that all your employees know how to react when they hear an alarm sounding as well as what their evacuation plans are.

Test Your Smoke Alarms

You should also confirm that your building has working smoke alarms installed on every floor and that they have been tested recently. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and replaced every 10 years. If you have a fire alarm system, make sure it is working properly.

If you are not currently required to install fire sprinkler systems, remember that sprinklers can save lives in ways other than putting out fires. Sprinkler systems may slow down the spread of flames in a way that allows occupants time to escape safely from the building without injury or death.

No business is immune to fire damage. If you want to protect your company from this danger, it’s important that you take care of the basics now. By creating a fire evacuation plan and installing sprinkler systems and other safety features, you can help prevent any emergencies from happening in the first place.

3 Ways To Prepare Your Business for a Power Outage

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

How Do I Prepare For A Power Outage?

According to a study by Primen, businesses lose a total of $150 billion annually from grid problems. In fact, 70 percent of companies will experience a power outage during the next year. Before your Fairview Park, CA, business is faced with this challenge, use these steps to put a plan in place.

1. Create a Continuity of Operations Plan

Make sure you and your employees know who is responsible for what in the event that your business loses power. Who will safely escort customers out of the building, if necessary? Who will make any important customer- or vendor-related phone calls? Identify key staff, and make sure that all phone numbers are easily accessible. It may be worth investing in cell phones for all essential personnel.

2. Consider Purchasing a Portable Generator

If your business absolutely needs the power to operate, it may be worth purchasing a generator well before you are faced with an outage. Read the manufacturer’s instructions closely upon purchase, and remind yourself of how to use it regularly. It is always important to exercise safety when using a portable generator.

3. Keep Water, Food, Batteries, and Flashlights On Hand

Depending on the cause of the power outage, it may not be safe to leave the building. In that case, you will likely be glad to have plenty of food and water available for staff. Flashlights and plenty of batteries to go with them could be extremely useful to anyone inside the dark building.

A power outage is a regular occurrence for business all across the country. By putting together a continuity of operations plan, investing in a portable generator and keeping an emergency stash of food, water and flashlights stocked, your business will be better prepared for such an occurrence. Not only will this help keep you and your staff safe, but it can also help prevent a costly business closure.

What to Expect During Fire Restoration

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Steps To Remove Fire And Smoke Damage

After a fire in your College Park, CA, building, restoration should be done as soon as possible. Waiting too long to begin the process can lead to further secondary damage that can increase the time it takes to finish repairs. If you have never experienced this before, you may not know what to expect. The following are some steps that will be taken to remove fire and smoke damage.

1. Inspecting Damage
The first thing that will be done by the fire damage remediation company is an inspection. This will allow them to assess the damage and determine what needs to be done moving forward.

2. Boarding Up Missing Walls and Roofs
If the fire was severe, there may be areas of the building that are completely missing. If this is the case, then these will need to be boarded up or covered with a tarp before smoke cleaning and repairs can be done. Broken windows may need to be covered as well.

3. Removing Water
Along with fire and smoke damage, you might have some water damage in the building as well. This is often the result of the use of fire hoses during severe fires. Water and moisture will need to be removed to prevent mold growth and deteriorating building materials.

4. Cleaning Surfaces and Belongings
Soot damage caused by smoke moving throughout the building can lead to serious long-term damage if not thoroughly cleaned. Acidic particles can rust metals and deteriorate other materials. Electronic devices will also need to be checked since smoke can easily find its way inside these objects.

5. Doing Repairs
The last step during restoration is making any necessary repairs. This can include major repairs such as rebuilding missing rooms, walls, and roofing as well as smaller tasks like placing new carpets and repainting walls.

While the process may seem lengthy, a professional company can get through these steps in a timely manner to remove fire and smoke damage without compromising the quality of their work. As a result, repairs may be less costly, and you can get back to your job more quickly.

4 Important Things To Know About Commercial Storm Insurance Coverage

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can happen when you least expect it.

Understanding About Storm Policy

What should commercial owners in Mesa Verde, CA, expect when filing a claim for storm insurance? This documentation is a safeguard when significant trouble occurs, and owners require financial assistance to fix the premises and tend to work again. The following are four things to understand about your storm policy.

1. Coverage Kicks in After You Pay the Deductible
Before an agent authorizes insurance coverage payment, proprietors must pay a deductible. This fee is listed in your policy. Sometimes, it even varies depending on what caused the concern. A hurricane may have a different price from hail or thunderstorms. Check to determine your upfront costs.

2. Water Damage Payments Depend on the Moisture's Source
Storm insurance isn't flood insurance. A policy may exclude water intrusion from bodies of water. If saturation happens from a collapsed roof, broken window or busted pipeline, you may receive funds. A thorough investigation of the fluid's origin is necessary to receive this financial aid.

3. Property Loss Compensation Is Usually Part of the Plan
If a roof collapses or water invades the space, inventory, furniture and documents are possibly harmed. Insurance coverage includes a property loss clause, offering financial reparation for these items.
Some things like electronics may be salvageable but require specialized content cleaning services. Funds are available for this treatment.

4. Remediation and Restoration Are Allowed
Before crews put a place back together, a water and mold restoration company should assess for fungal or bacterial hazards. This step is essential to avoid future complications; thus, it's important to both the agent and commercial owner. Coverage usually allows for it. Using this evaluation, a team should focus on remediating current damage before rebuilding.
Protect your assets and property with a storm insurance policy. Weather systems are unpredictable, and they could leave commercial owners facing mountains of bills to get back to work. Coverage could be a financial lifeline to reopening.

3 Steps To Take in a Fire Damage Estimation Process

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

Three Steps In The Fire Damage Estimation Process.

When a fire damages your Costa Mesa, CA, commercial building, the aftermath can often be difficult to handle. There are often many different types of damage, and you may not know how to receive an estimate for each. Learning the steps to prepare yourself in the event of a business fire may help you feel more confident should such an event happen and streamline the process so you can get operations up and running again as soon as possible. 

1. Document the Fire Damage 

Taking photos of the damage caused by fire can help you provide your insurance company with specific evidence and get a claim filed faster. Remember to only enter areas that have been deemed safe by the fire department and take pictures from a variety of angles so your insurance adjuster can provide you with more accurate estimates. 

2. Document Values and Expenses 

When a commercial fire happens, you may deal with a variety of different expenses and will also need to place a dollar value on items that were damaged, such as machinery or lost inventory. Try to estimate these numbers as closely as you can and keep records of what you document. While your insurance company will likely run its own numbers, providing an agent with your own recordkeeping may hurry the claim process along. 

3. Ask for a Restoration Estimate 

Once you have an idea of the overall damage the fire caused, ask your insurance company about estimates for the cost of a commercial fire restoration company and what kinds of services you might require to repair your building. These may include roof replacement, water damage and smoke and soot removal, as ridding the building of these issues on your own is often not possible.

A fire at your Costa Mesa, CA, commercial business can have you feeling uncertain about where to turn in the aftermath. Having a plan in place in case your property experiences fire damage can help you feel more confident when speaking to your insurance agent and adjuster about receiving estimates.  

3 Tips To Prevent Mold Growth on Your Commercial Property

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

3 Tips For Preventing Mold Growth On Commercial Property

Mold spores are microscopic organisms thriving in damp and dark conditions that provide them with adequate nutrients. Mold growth is the result of these spores attaching to materials that provide the nutrients they need to develop:

• Grout
• Wood
• Dust

As a property owner, you can ensure that mold spores are not given favorable conditions to grow. Here are three tips to prevent fungus growth on commercial properties in Costa Mesa, CA.

1. Install a HEPA HVAC Filter

Mold spores can be found everywhere, including inside your commercial property. Due to the microscopic nature of these organisms, it is impossible to prevent them from entering a building. HEPA filters are known for their capacity to catch organisms as small as .03 microns. Installing a HEPA filter in your HVAC system improves the air quality in your building by reducing the number of mold spores in the atmosphere.

2. Establish Ventilation Systems in Areas With Frequent Water Use

Fungus thrives in areas where there is lots of moisture, such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. The nutrients, standing water and darkness in these areas provide mold spores an ideal home. Installing a ventilation system in these locations lowers the humidity levels, making conditions less optimal for mold growth.

3. Purchase Commercial Air Purifiers

Air purifiers with HEPA technology can lessen the chances for microbial growth and the spread of bacteria. In addition to a filter for your HVAC system, consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter to improve air quality and prevent the circulation of mold spores. These are beneficial, especially for immunocompromised individuals in need of better air quality.

If you have damage from mold growth, contact a professional mold remediation and restoration service to aid in cleaning and restoring your property. Taking preventative steps to keep mold spores from circulating throughout a building lessens the chances of mold colonies destroying the natural construction materials of a commercial property.