Quick response key to cleaning up after a fire

One of the most challenging thing a family can go through is an after fire cleanup. After the fire is out and the family enters their home for the firs time. The situation seems to be hopeless because every surface and personal item is covered with a deep layer of soot. To the family, it looks like a total loss.

Most insurance policies require the policy owner to take immediate action to prevent further damage to the dwelling and their personal effects. It is imperative that the home owner call a professional fire remediation and restoration company to start the cleanup process.

Most companies, like my own, will immediately dispatch a first response team to survey the site and start the cleanup process. Because the power usually has been turned off, the team supervisor will immediately put in place a generator to provide electric power. This generator will provide power and lighting for the equipment that will be used in the cleanup process. The team will immediately start drying out the building.

They should use water extraction machines and industrial dehumidifiers to pull out and eliminate water from all surfaces; and 6mil plastic will be installed to act as a moisture barrier. All surfaces should be treated with counteractants, pairing and masking agents to knock down the smell and fungicides should be applied as well to stop fungal (mold) growth. HEPA air filtration systems must be installed to start pulling the soot out of the air within the dwelling.

Clothing and bedding will be bagged and shipped to a dry cleaner for cleaning. Windows that have been broken should be boarded up and covered with plastic to keep out the elements and add security for the home. All of the above should happen within the first eight hours after the fire.

On the second day after the fire, a fire cleanup team should be dispatched to continue the cleanup process. They will bring in an ultrasonic cleaning tank to clean personal items and extraction machines to clean the furniture damaged by the soot. The property owner, cleaning team supervisor and insurance adjustor, should jointly survey the property and its contents to determine what needs to be cleaned. A pack out and storage crew should work in tandem with the cleaning crew to put cleaned items into storage until the home is restored. This process can take several weeks depending on how large the home is. Once all furnishings and personal items are cleaned and packed out, the home is completely cleaned and closely examined to determine how much restoration damage there is and to what extent.

The property owner, insurance adjustor and remediation/restoration supervisor should meet again to determine the extent of the restoration project. The restoration contractor will manage the rebuilding of the home. Depending on the amount of damage done to the property, restoration could take several months before the home can be re-occupied.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified executive housekeeper and certified fire, water and mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is chief executive officer of Northwest Environmental Services, which specializes in commercial, residential construction, and crime scene/meth lab cleanup.