Commercial Buildings May Require a Security Fence After a Fire

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

Suffering a fire at your business in Lemont, IL, is a dreadful event.

Suffering a fire at your business in Lemont, IL, is a dreadful event. It’s not enough that it shuts down operations and causes serious or even catastrophic damage – there’s the aftermath to face. At this point, the building needs to be protected from further damage, including

Shutting off utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity.
Tarping and boarding the structure to block out the weather.
Erecting a security fence around the building.

Disconnect Utilities ASAP
Make sure every damaged area has all utilities turned off. A gas leak is the last thing you need now! Water and electric lines should also be disconnected. If you can shut them off to only the damaged portions, do so; otherwise, they must be turned off for the entire business. Once the area has been inspected by qualified technicians, hopefully, you can return service to undamaged areas.

Cover Exposed Building Areas
To prevent further water damage, all exposed portions of a commercial building that are supposed to be water-tight need to be tarped or boarded up quickly. This should always be done by a licensed fire damage restoration company that knows how to keep out the elements. They can also inspect for hidden smoke damage and help get the insurance claim process started.

Create a Protective Security Fence
Not only will fencing keep out the idly curious and potential thieves, but it’ll also prevent them from being injured on your property. While you won’t usually be held responsible for accidental fires, you are expected to take standard measures to keep the public (and your employees) safe. Also, many insurance companies won’t cover further damage if you don’t utilize basic safety procedures.

A temporary security fence – in some cases as simple as a plastic construction-style barrier – is often satisfactory for the job. This can be quickly erected and is usually a bright orange for high visibility. Other circumstances may require a more durable fence and barricades. Your fire cleanup company can help you understand local requirements in Lemont, IL, and get the right fence installed rapidly.