Damage From Vandals Adds Insult To Injury On Fire-Damaged Properties

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

Fires and other major perils can leave business properties unoccupied and sometimes poorly secured. Unfortunately, these conditions can open the property to a greater risk for vandalism.

If your business has been vandalized, you are most likely covered for damages under your commercial insurance policy. However, Attorney Bill Voss knows this may not seem like helpful information when you are trying to get your business back to normal as quickly as you can.

Vandalism, the deliberate act of damaging or destroying others’ private property, is often seen as less damaging than burglary, the act of breaking into a private property with the intent of stealing. However, vandalism can be extremely damaging and expensive for owners of commercial property. In the event that your commercial property is damaged by vandals, it is vital that you file an insurance claim and work toward getting repairs completed quickly.

Examples of Vandalism on Business Properties

Vandalism can be much more than a little graffiti. It can ruin entire buildings and stop your business from welcoming customers for hours, days, or weeks. Some common examples of vandalism include:

• Breaking windows
• Spray-painting walls and other graffiti
• Intentional flooding
• Defacing property
• Ruining landscaping
• Damaging merchandise
• Destroying signs
• Breaking fencing or walls
• Destroying air conditioners or other appliances

*Courtesy of https://www.vosslawfirm.com/blog/commercial-property-vandalism-after-a-fire.cfm

Preventing Burglary and Vandalism on Commercial Properties

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

Burglary and vandalism are very expensive problems for commercial property owners. Getting money for repairs from the insurance company can be stressful and complicated, especially when a property has already been damaged by a fire. Preventing vandalism and avoiding the need for additional insurance claims can help save time, money, and worry. Here are five steps that you can take to protect your property:

• Invest in good lighting. Vandalism most often happens in night and under the cover of darkness. If your business property and surrounding parking area is well lit, it will not attract vandals, especially the type of vandals that are simply looking for easy targets. Keep the area lit even if it closed while awaiting repairs.
   
• Invest in great security. Is vandalism a big enough problem in your area that it would be cost-effective to have security at night or temporarily while the property is unoccupied? Look at the damage done by vandalism on your property in recent years as well as how much you have spent on insurance. Now look at how much extra security would cost. Does the math work?
   
• Make smart design and landscape choices. Just as lighting can help stop vandalism, using certain material choices and smart landscape design can also keep lawbreakers and mischief-makers away. For example, using thick, thorny bushes on the borders of your buildings can deter taggers.
   
• Clean up vandalism as soon as possible. Unfortunately, vandalism follows vandalism. Your buildings are less likely to be damaged if they are kept up and do not already have signs of property damage from vandals. This applies even to properties that have been damaged by other causes, even if repairs or repainting are already scheduled for the future.
   
• Get active in your community. What is at the root of vandalism? Usually, it is a combination of boredom, anger, and defiancé in the community’s youth. Go straight to the source of vandalism by getting active and being visible in your community: support youth recreation, help local schools, adopt a nearby park or road, and donate your time and money.

Sadly, not all vandals can be stopped, even if you take all of the precautions listed above. If your commercial property has been damaged by vandalism, it should at least be a relief to know that the costs of repair may be covered by your property insurance policy.

*Courtesy of https://www.vosslawfirm.com/blog/commercial-property-vandalism-after-a-fire.cfm

Most Common Causes of Fire in Commercial Buildings   

8/2/2019 (Permalink)

Fires due to equipment failures might make headlines but 85 percent of the fires that occur in commercial buildings are due to human error or intent, reports Maine Municipal Association Risk Management Services (MMARMS).

Over 3,000 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur every year in the US because of fire and fires consume $10 billion in property damage costs annually. MMARMS reports that 70-80,000 workplaces experience fire every year, causing disruption of public services and utilities and the loss of valuable property and information.

Arson

Arson is the leading cause of damage, death and workplace injuries that occur in commercial buildings. Arson doesn’t just financially affect a business owner or company, it injures or kills workers and fire fighters; it results in job loss for many; and fire can easily spread to other buildings and damage public utilities.

The motive for arson might be a way to camouflage other crimes, it can be instigated by an unhappy worker or client, or arson may occur due to mental instability. Economic and political grievances may lie behind an arson attack and arson may be committed in cases of insurance fraud. Simple vandalism is another common cause of arson.

Human Error

FM Global hazards manager George Capko points out that fires in warehouses are rare compared to those that occur in commercial buildings where people work. A smoldering cigarette, a forgotten coffee pot or a paper-laden computer are common causes of commercial fires.

Fire risk increase the higher the number of people that work in a building: it’s the use of equipment rather than the equipment itself that is usually the cause of a commercial fire.

Electrical Fires

Electrical appliances or systems can start a commercial fire but often, according to Donan’s Engineering Company, people are the origin of the problem. Unqualified individuals often modify electrical circuitry. Electrical code violations committed by unreliable builders or shoddy work by repairmen can start a fire in a commercial building. Electrical equipment that is misused or overloaded can cause fires and lack of proper maintenance can have disastrous results.

Boilers, Furnaces and Water Heaters

There are strict codes and regulations concerning the installation, use and maintenance of boilers, furnaces and water heaters. Improper installation can trigger a fire in a commercial building as can lack of regular maintenance. Boiler rooms and the like are often used as storage areas, increasing the risk of fire. Combustible materials should never be stored in such areas.

*Courtesy of:  //bizfluent.com/list-7653819-common-causes-fire-commercial-buildings.html

Most Common Causes of Fire in Commercial Buildings   

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

Fires due to equipment failures might make headlines but 85 percent of the fires that occur in commercial buildings are due to human error or intent, reports Maine Municipal Association Risk Management Services (MMARMS).

Over 3,000 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur every year in the US because of fire and fires consume $10 billion in property damage costs annually. MMARMS reports that 70-80,000 workplaces experience fire every year, causing disruption of public services and utilities and the loss of valuable property and information.

Arson

Arson is the leading cause of damage, death and workplace injuries that occur in commercial buildings. Arson doesn’t just financially affect a business owner or company, it injures or kills workers and fire fighters; it results in job loss for many; and fire can easily spread to other buildings and damage public utilities.

The motive for arson might be a way to camouflage other crimes, it can be instigated by an unhappy worker or client, or arson may occur due to mental instability. Economic and political grievances may lie behind an arson attack and arson may be committed in cases of insurance fraud. Simple vandalism is another common cause of arson.

Human Error

FM Global hazards manager George Capko points out that fires in warehouses are rare compared to those that occur in commercial buildings where people work. A smoldering cigarette, a forgotten coffee pot or a paper-laden computer are common causes of commercial fires.

Fire risk increase the higher the number of people that work in a building: it’s the use of equipment rather than the equipment itself that is usually the cause of a commercial fire.

Electrical Fires

Electrical appliances or systems can start a commercial fire but often, according to Donan’s Engineering Company, people are the origin of the problem. Unqualified individuals often modify electrical circuitry. Electrical code violations committed by unreliable builders or shoddy work by repairmen can start a fire in a commercial building. Electrical equipment that is misused or overloaded can cause fires and lack of proper maintenance can have disastrous results.

Boilers, Furnaces and Water Heaters

There are strict codes and regulations concerning the installation, use and maintenance of boilers, furnaces and water heaters. Improper installation can trigger a fire in a commercial building as can lack of regular maintenance. Boiler rooms and the like are often used as storage areas, increasing the risk of fire. Combustible materials should never be stored in such areas.

 *Courtesy of: https://bizfluent.com/list-7653819-common-causes-fire-commercial-buildings.html

Most Common Causes of Fire in Commercial Buildings  

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

Fires due to equipment failures might make headlines but 85 percent of the fires that occur in commercial buildings are due to human error or intent, reports Maine Municipal Association Risk Management Services (MMARMS).

Over 3,000 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur every year in the US because of fire and fires consume $10 billion in property damage costs annually. MMARMS reports that 70-80,000 workplaces experience fire every year, causing disruption of public services and utilities and the loss of valuable property and information.

Arson

Arson is the leading cause of damage, death and workplace injuries that occur in commercial buildings. Arson doesn’t just financially affect a business owner or company, it injures or kills workers and fire fighters; it results in job loss for many; and fire can easily spread to other buildings and damage public utilities.

The motive for arson might be a way to camouflage other crimes, it can be instigated by an unhappy worker or client, or arson may occur due to mental instability. Economic and political grievances may lie behind an arson attack and arson may be committed in cases of insurance fraud. Simple vandalism is another common cause of arson.

Human Error

FM Global hazards manager George Capko points out that fires in warehouses are rare compared to those that occur in commercial buildings where people work. A smoldering cigarette, a forgotten coffee pot or a paper-laden computer are common causes of commercial fires.

Fire risk increase the higher the number of people that work in a building: it’s the use of equipment rather than the equipment itself that is usually the cause of a commercial fire.

Electrical Fires

Electrical appliances or systems can start a commercial fire but often, according to Donan’s Engineering Company, people are the origin of the problem. Unqualified individuals often modify electrical circuitry. Electrical code violations committed by unreliable builders or shoddy work by repairmen can start a fire in a commercial building. Electrical equipment that is misused or overloaded can cause fires and lack of proper maintenance can have disastrous results.

Boilers, Furnaces and Water Heaters

There are strict codes and regulations concerning the installation, use and maintenance of boilers, furnaces and water heaters. Improper installation can trigger a fire in a commercial building as can lack of regular maintenance. Boiler rooms and the like are often used as storage areas, increasing the risk of fire. Combustible materials should never be stored in such areas.

*Courtesy of: //bizfluent.com/list-7653819-common-causes-fire-commercial-buildings.html

Biohazard, Crime Scene, and Vandalism Cleanup

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

Recognized as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies, SERVPRO® of Floyd County also offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup* and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO® of Floyd County professionals are trained to safely and effectively remove biohazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO® of Floyd County helps turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices.

SERVPRO® of Floyd County can help with the following issues:

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Methamphetamine Labs
• Crime Scene Residues
• Arson
• Vandalism 
• Sewage Backups 
• Black Water Intrusions
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation

State and local regulations vary. Contact SERVPRO® of Floyd County today at 706-802-1085 for 24-hour emergency service.

*Services vary by location

**Courtesy of Restoration Newsline Vol 29, Iss 6

Restoring Your Commercial Property After a Water Damage Event

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Floyd County

SERVPRO of Floyd County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Faster to Any Size Disaster: Cleaning After a Commercial Fire

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Mitigation requires quick action. The faster SERVPRO® of Floyd County arrives on-site to perform fire, smoke, and soot cleanup and restoration, the better the results—including lower claim costs. Within four hours of loss notification, SERVPRO® of Floyd County will be on-site to help ensure a fire damage is handled by utilizing the following services.

Structural Cleaning

After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. The experienced professionals at SERVPRO® of Floyd County will pretest to determine the extent of damage, then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found in your insured’s structure.

Contents Cleaning

All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies, and upholstery. SERVPRO® of Floyd County can provide wet or dry cleaning services. Additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, and much more. Finally, SERVPRO® of Floyd County can provide an inventory list of all “to be claimed” items for your insured.

Deodorization

SERVPRO® of Floyd County provides specialized services that rid your insured’s place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO® of Floyd County does not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them.