Avoid prolonged business closure and revenue loss when a fire damages your commercial building. Knowing how to react to a building fire will save lives and minimize structural and cosmetic damage.

New Image Roofing Atlanta gathered crucial information about emergency procedures, damage assessment, cleanup, and restoration when a fire breaks out in your commercial building.

1. Evacuating a Commercial Building

A commercial building fire can be devastating and costly. Immediate action after the event can help mitigate damage and ensure a safe return to business operations. Consider the following information:

Stay Calm and Follow the Evacuation Plan

The first and most crucial step during a fire is ensuring everyone’s safety. Ensure your commercial building has a well-communicated and regularly practiced evacuation plan. During a fire:

• Activate the Fire Alarm: Ensure the fire alarm system is triggered to alert all occupants in the building.
• Guide Employees and Visitors: Designated fire wardens should guide everyone to the nearest safe exit, following the evacuation routes.
• Avoid Elevators: Use stairways, not elevators, as elevators could malfunction or become traps during a fire.
• Close Doors Behind You: As you exit, close doors to contain the fire and slow its spread.
• Account for Everyone: Once outside, gather at a pre-designated assembly point and account for all employees and visitors.

Assist The Elderly and Disabled

Ensure that elderly and disabled occupants are given priority assistance and have an assigned helper if needed. Ensure all staff knows the procedures for assisting anyone needing extra help evacuating.

2. Calling Emergency Responders

Contact 911 Immediately

As soon as the fire is detected, call 911 to report the fire. Provide the dispatcher with:

• The building’s address.
• The nature of the fire (if known).
• Any known hazards, like flammable materials.
• The number of people in the building, if known.
• The condition of the fire (e.g., visible flames, smoke).

Tip: While some fire alarms automatically alert emergency responders, call them anyway. The fire could disrupt communication lines.

Notify Key Personnel

Contact building management, security, and other essential personnel to inform them of the situation. This ensures that everyone is aware and can assist in managing the emergency.

3. Cleanup After the Fire

Prompt action after a fire is required to halt soot’s acidic properties and remove lingering odors from the building. Consider the following steps to make your commercial building habitable again:

Assess the Damage

Once the fire is extinguished and it’s safe to re-enter the building, conduct a damage assessment. This includes:

• Smoke and Soot Damage: Smoke and soot can cause extensive damage to walls, ceilings, and furniture. The acidic nature of smoke and soot can corrode metals and stain surfaces if not removed promptly.
• Water Damage: Water used to extinguish the fire can also cause damage. Flooded areas, soaked walls, and electrical systems must be addressed immediately to prevent further damage, corrosion, or mold growth.
• Structural Damage: Inspect the building for any structural damage signs. Pay particular attention to load-bearing walls, support beams, and the roof.

Hire a Professional Cleanup Crew

Consider hiring a professional fire damage restoration company to ensure a thorough cleanup and restoration job. They have the tools and expertise to:

• Remove Smoke and Soot Residue: Use specialized cleaning agents and equipment to remove smoke and soot from surfaces.
• Water Extraction and Drying: Use high-powered fans and dehumidifiers to dry out soaked areas and prevent mold growth.
• Debris Removal: Safely remove fire-damaged materials and debris from the site.

Air Out the Building

Open windows and doors to ventilate the building. This helps to remove lingering smoke odors and starts the drying process for any water-damaged areas.

4. Ensuring Building Integrity

Before reopening your commercial building to employees and visitors, you must ensure their safety by completing the following:

Structural Assessment

Before any repairs begin, a structural engineer should inspect the building to ensure it is safe for occupancy. The engineer will:

• Evaluate the Stability: Assess the overall stability of the building and determine if any sections are a collapse risk.
• Check Load-Bearing Walls and Beams: Ensure these components are intact and secure.
• Roof Inspection: Inspect the roof for signs of damage, such as warping, sagging, or holes caused by the fire.

Making the Roof Safe

A critical part of the post-fire inspection is assessing the roof’s condition. Even if the fire didn’t appear to reach the roof, it might still be compromised by:

• Heat Damage: Intense heat can warp roofing materials and weaken the structure.
• Water Damage: Water from firefighting efforts can seep into the roof, leading to potential water damage or mold.
• Debris: Debris from the fire, such as charred materials, could be resting on the roof, adding weight and causing further damage.

Repairs or replacement may be necessary. It’s crucial to address roof damage quickly to prevent leaks, structural failure, or other problems that could arise.

5. Post-Fire Resources

After a fire, several key organizations and service providers need to be contacted to help restore your building and resume operations.

Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the fire. They will:

• Assign an adjuster to assess the damage.
• Guide you through the claims process.
• Provide coverage for fire, water, and smoke damage per your policy.

Watch this video for more information about insurance policies and deductibles.

Property Management

If you rent or lease your commercial space, notify your property management company. They can:

• Coordinate with your insurance and restoration teams.
• Provide guidance on your responsibilities versus the landlord’s for repairs and restoration.

Power Company

Contact your utility provider to:

• Have the electricity turned off if it wasn’t already done by emergency responders.
• Ensure that power is safely restored once repairs are complete.

Water Company

If your building suffered water damage, contact the water company to:

• Address any potential issues with water lines or flooding.
• Ensure that water service is safe to resume.

Gas Company

If your building uses natural gas, it’s crucial to contact the gas company to:

• Ensure that the gas supply is safely shut off.
• Conduct an inspection of the gas lines before turning the service back on.

Fire Restoration Services

A professional fire restoration service can handle the entire cleanup and restoration process. These providers will work with your insurance company and can often provide comprehensive services, including:

• Smoke and soot removal.
• Water extraction and drying.
• Structural repairs.
• Roof inspection and repairs.

Local Government or Building Inspector

In some cases, local authorities or a building inspector may need to certify the commercial building is safe to occupy again. They will:

• Conduct a final inspection after repairs.
• Issue any necessary permits or certifications for reopening.

Commercial Building and Roof Fire Damage

In this article, you discovered crucial information and guidance on surviving a commercial building fire and how to get repairs done quickly.

Recognizing the extreme dangers of a commercial building fire will help you save occupant lives and get your business operational after a prompt cleanup and restoration.

Failure to take immediate action during a commercial building fire can result in excessive structural damage, severe revenue loss, indefinite business closure, and death.

Sources:
osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-procedures/eap/elements/floorplan-demo
fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/building-evacuation-safety
smallbusinesscoach.org/essential-steps-for-successful-commercial-damage-restoration/
obpeace.org/index-3090.html