The fire is out, and the smoke has cleared. The fire department is gone, and the homeowners are left with a disaster on their hands. This is the time for a professional mitigation company that can meet the required professional standards in service while recognizing the importance of extending true compassion and understanding as your policyholders cope with their loss.
After a fire is extinguished, a policyholder’s first obligation is to call the insurance company. This is most likely the first, and probably the only, time they will have to deal with this type of situation. They are distraught, stressed and traumatized. They need help. What suggestions should be made to begin the process of not only restoring their property, but also helping to restore their lives?
Safety is always the first concern. The policyholder should not enter and walk around in the structure, as they could be exposed to many hazards. Smoke could darken the structure and obstruct the view of identifiable safety concerns. There may be compromised structural components, falling debris or even electrical safety issues. Depending on the severity of the loss, the policyholder or other occupants may need to consider leaving the building.
In addition to the structural hazards, it is also important to consider health issues, especially in exacerbating any respiratory ailments or concerns of the policyholder or others living in the damaged structure. Every fire generates particles of incomplete combustion (PICs) that remain in the air and on surfaces after the fire is out. Many of these PICs are known as carcinogens. They range in size from 0.1 to 4.0 microns. A micron is 1/1,000,000 of a meter – take the thickness of a dime and slice it 1,000 times. Because of their very small size, PICs are easily inhaled. The policyholder should consider leaving the structure, at least temporarily, especially if someone already has a known respiratory concern (infants, seniors, diabetics, asthmatics, etc.). If the policyholder decides to leave, he/she should secure the property to the highest extent possible. The next step is to get a professional mitigation company involved immediately. The sooner homeowners start the restoration process, the easier it is going to be to assess, evaluate and act on the damage. The faster the response, the greater the chance of saving property and possessions. For instance:
Within Minutes:
Plastic and marble surfaces begin to permanently stain.
Within Hours:
Metals tarnish, grout stains, fiberglass yellows and furniture yellows.
Within Days:
Flooring stains, fabrics are lost, and wood furniture finish is compromised. And, the list goes on.
The faster a professional mitigator can begin, the faster the occupants can return to a restored and healthy environment, and the better the policyholder can manage the loss to keep restoration costs as low as possible. A professional mitigation company’s personnel
knows how to allay the many concerns and fears that a homeowner has after a loss. A prompt, knowledgeable and sympathetic response will go a long way in explaining the process and assuring the best possible outcome for the homeowner.
Another responsibility of the homeowner is to document the personal items they have lost and try to attach a value. They should review what was in the affected room or rooms and begin documenting losses as soon as they are able. A professional mitigator will take the time to communicate the processes that will take place, how the property and personal items will be protected, and work with them on getting their lives back together.
The responsibility of the professional smoke and fire mitigator includes:
• Respond rapidly to the customer
• Communicate the procedures and secure an authorization
• Scope the damage and provide a detailed estimate
• Control and contain to prevent continuing damage
• Prevent cross-contamination
• Properly clean and process the entire job
• Process and properly dispose of wastes
• Provide effective odor control
• Provide an environment ready for any final repairs
A professional mitigation company is essential in handling the claim and in managing the cost, but even more importantly, in getting the homeowner’s life back. FBN
Written by Will Southcombe
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