Commercial fire damage can happen anytime, and sometimes even your best efforts can’t stop it. Whether you run a mom-and-pop shop, a sprawling manufacturing campus, or a storage warehouse, commercial fires can be devastating, threatening human and animal life, and even stopping business operations.
Before and after fire damage in your commercial property, there are several things you should keep in mind.
What is Commercial Fire?
Commercial fire is a term that refers to any fire that occurs in a business or non-residential building, such as an office, warehouse, store, or restaurant. Commercial fires can have devastating consequences for the property owners, employees, customers, and the community. They can cause injuries, deaths, property damage, business interruption, and environmental pollution. In this blog post, we will discuss the common causes, statistics, and prevention tips of commercial fire, and how PuroClean of Bradenton can help you recover from fire damage.
Common Causes of Commercial Fire
- Cooking equipment: This is the leading cause of commercial fire, especially in restaurants, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. Cooking equipment can ignite flammable oils, grease, food, or other materials if not properly maintained or supervised.
- Heating equipment: This includes furnaces, boilers, radiators, and other devices that generate heat. Heating equipment can overheat, malfunction, or come into contact with combustible materials, causing a fire.
- Electrical and lighting equipment: This covers wiring, cords, outlets, switches, lamps, and other electrical components. Electrical and lighting equipment can cause sparks, short circuits, or overloads that can ignite nearby materials or cause a fire within the walls or ceilings.
- Smoking materials: This refers to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other tobacco products that are lit or discarded. Smoking materials can start a fire if they are not properly extinguished or disposed of, or if they are left near flammable items such as furniture, curtains, or trash.
- Intentional fire setting: This is also known as arson, which is the deliberate or malicious act of setting fire to a property. Arson can be motivated by various reasons, such as vandalism, revenge, insurance fraud, or terrorism.
Commercial Fire Statistics
The NFPA reports that between 2014 and 2018, there were an average of 96,800 fires per year in non-residential buildings in the U.S., resulting in an annual average of 85 civilian deaths, 1,025 civilian injuries, and $2.6 billion in direct property damage. The most common types of non-residential buildings involved in fires were:
- Stores and mercantile properties (22% of fires)
- Office properties (12% of fires)
- Assembly properties (11% of fires)
- Educational properties (10% of fires)
- Manufacturing and industrial properties (10% of fires)
The NFPA also found that the time of day, day of week, and month of year had an impact on the frequency and severity of commercial fires. Most commercial fires occurred between noon and 2 p.m., on weekdays, and in July and August2.
How to Prevent Commercial Fire
Commercial fire prevention is a crucial responsibility for every business owner, manager, and employee. By following some simple fire safety tips, you can reduce the risk of fire and protect your property and people. Here are some fire prevention measures you can implement in your business3:
- Install and maintain fire alarm systems and carbon monoxide detectors to provide early warning in case of a fire or gas leak.
- Equip your business with fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and emergency exit signs. Make sure they are accessible, visible, and functional at all times.
- Ensure that electrical systems and appliances are well-maintained and in good working order. Avoid overloading circuits, using damaged cords, or placing wires near heat sources. Hire a licensed electrician to inspect and repair any electrical issues.
- Implement a commercial access control system to monitor and restrict access to high-risk areas, such as storage rooms, kitchens, or workshops. This can prevent unauthorized or untrained people from entering or tampering with fire hazards.
- Regularly inspect and maintain your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to prevent overheating and minimize fire risk. Clean or replace filters, ducts, and vents as needed. Hire a professional HVAC contractor to service your system at least once a year.
- Enforce a strict no-smoking policy in your business premises. Provide designated smoking areas outside the building, away from flammable materials and entrances. Provide proper ashtrays and disposal bins for smoking materials and ensure they are emptied regularly.
- Train your staff on fire safety procedures and practices. Educate them on how to identify and report fire hazards, how to use fire safety equipment, how to evacuate safely, and how to call for help in case of a fire. Conduct fire drills and review your emergency response plan periodically.
How PuroClean of Bradenton Can Help You Recover from Fire Damage
Despite your best efforts, fires can still happen. In the event of a fire, you need a professional restoration company that can help you recover quickly and efficiently. PuroClean of Bradenton is your trusted partner for fire damage restoration. We have the experience, expertise, and equipment to handle any fire damage situation, from small to large, from residential to commercial. We offer the following services:
- 24/7 emergency response: We are available anytime, day or night, to respond to your fire emergency. We will arrive at your property within an hour and assess the extent of the damage. We will also secure your property from further damage and coordinate with your insurance company.
- Smoke and soot removal: We use advanced techniques and equipment to remove smoke and soot from your walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, and belongings. We also deodorize and sanitize your property to eliminate any harmful contaminants and odors.
- Structural cleaning and repair: We clean and restore any structural elements that have been damaged by the fire, such as drywall, wood, metal, or concrete. We also repair or replace any electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems that have been affected.
- Content cleaning and restoration: We salvage and restore any items that can be saved, such as documents, photos, artwork, clothing, or electronics. We use specialized methods and equipment to clean, dry, and restore your valuables to their pre-loss condition.
- Reconstruction services: If your property has suffered extensive fire damage, we can provide complete reconstruction services to rebuild your property from the ground up. We have a team of licensed contractors, architects, and engineers who can handle any project, big or small.
PuroClean of Bradenton is more than just a restoration company. We are a local business that cares about our community and our customers. We treat your property and your belongings as if they were our own. We work with compassion, integrity, and professionalism. We are here to help you get back to normal as soon as possible.
If you need fire damage restoration services in Bradenton, FL, or the surrounding areas, don’t hesitate to contact PuroClean of Bradenton at (941) 877-2288. We are ready to serve you 24/7.
