How Hazard Assessment Helps in Raleigh Properties after Fire Damage

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

Call our experts after you experience fire damage in Raleigh. We have training in fire & smoke restoration, odor control, and fabric cleaning.

SERVPRO Runs Smooth Fire Restoration in Raleigh Homes

Whatever financial or sentimental losses you face after fire damage pale compared to the threat of personal injury. Fire causes not only immediate property deterioration but also poses other significant hazards that can prevent you from entering your Raleigh home or taking the appropriate restoration actions. A professional can help identify and mitigate the risks at your premises.

A speedy conclusion to any task is desirable when dealing with Raleigh fire damage restoration processes. Therefore any action that does not seem to facilitate progress may seem unnecessary. Setting aside time to look for hazards that may or may not be there might seem like wasting time. However, since hazards can affect equipment and personnel, stopping all work, any time spent on evaluation is not lost even if you do not find anything of concern. Since SERVPRO crews are made up of several technicians, we can perform such assessments quickly.

Likely hazards after a fire:

• Overhead hazards from partially burnt panels
• Openings that may allow unauthorized entry 
• Electrical shock hazards
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards

Fire precipitates these hazards in many ways, including compromising the structural integrity of materials through combustion. Our SERVPRO technicians check the level of char depth for solid wood or hanging materials attached overhead to ensure there is minimal risk of collapse. We can perform controlled demolition or provide temporary support for any vulnerable areas before we start working. 

Hazards From The Utilities In Your Burnt House

Utilities such as water and electricity can make your house hazardous in the event of a fire. The insulation of the electric cables running through the affected sections of the house can be compromised by the exposure to high temperatures leaving frayed wires that can shock anyone who touches them or damage any equipment plugged into outlets. Our SERVPRO technicians turn off power at the mains immediately on arrival at the property. If power is needed, we use equipment such as circuit analyzers to check for anomalies before turning on the power.

Water can cause hazards directly or affect other utilities, making them hazardous. For instance, the water spilled to quell flames can get into electrical circuits. Since moisture can conduct electricity, electrocution is possible when handling wet structural materials. Our technicians use non-contact voltage detectors to establish whether electric current flows through wet materials or standing water. Another problem from moisture, whether deposited during firefighting efforts or from damaged pipes, is leaving surfaces slick, leading to injury when people slip. 

Other likely sources of the slip or trip hazards:

• Cables and hoses
• Debris
• Inadequate lighting

Your home can be hazardous after a fire because of poor management of resources and waste. For instance, most of the equipment used for cleaning, drying, and other restoration tasks requires cables and hoses to supply power or transport air or liquids. Careful positioning is essential when using or storing them. Our crews establish a staging area for all equipment before starting restoration. We also ensure a tidy layout of cables and hoses by taking actions such as bundling and zip-tying them.

Debris can also trip people if left scattered. We use large, wheeled trash cans to hold pieces of drywall, ceiling, or insulation that we tear down from the structure. Such demolition is necessary if there is significant charring or residue deposit. 

SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon takes every step possible to ensure fire damage mitigation efforts at your property run smoothly and safely. You can reach us at (919) 250-0455. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.