There's no such thing as a simple fire damage restoration project, but a major loss at a large industrial facility can pose numerous unique challenges. While it's important to get your facility up and running again as soon as possible, it's also crucial to avoid cutting corners that may lead to further damage or create an unsafe environment.
In many ways, the success of any restoration project hinges on work conducted before the project starts. The initial assessment phase is crucial to understanding the extent of the damage, developing a cost-effective plan, and implementing that plan in a safe and timely way. Although assessments will vary between restoration companies, most will involve these three critical steps.
1. Safety and Structural Inspection
Fires can cause substantial structural damage, and large industrial facilities can be especially dangerous places following one. The first step in any assessment process will always involve evaluating the structure's safety before work begins. Your restoration team may undertake this process with local officials or inspectors, especially when dealing with facilities that may contain hazardous materials.
This inspection will often be a lengthy process that typically involves some initial cleanup to make the facility safer for work crews. Your restoration company will also work to shore up vulnerabilities as much as possible by installing protection over broken windows, damaged roofing, etc. These steps are necessary to help prevent further damage to the structure from the elements or break-ins.
2. Documentation and Inventory
Once it's safe for larger crews to enter the building, the next step is usually to begin documenting the damage and building inventory. Restoration crews will inspect large capital investments, such as machinery and heavy equipment, along with smaller items, furniture, etc. This information is necessary to begin planning work and determine how much, if any, of the building's contents are salvageable.
Working with a company with a background and strong experience in dealing with industrial fires is critical. Since industrial buildings often contain highly specialized equipment, you'll need their experience to evaluate your building's contents. As with the initial inspection, you can expect this process to be long and relatively involved.
3. Planning
The ultimate goal of the initial assessment phase is to develop a restoration plan acceptable to all stakeholders. This plan will use the information collected during the structural and contents inspections to identify high-priority repairs, create a timeline, and ultimately prepare the structure for reoccupation and resumed operations.
Speak to an industrial fire damage restoration service to find out more.
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