According to the National Fire Prevention Association, U.S. fire departments responded to about 3,300 office property fires per year between 2007 and 2011. Those fires resulted in about $112 million in property damage each year, and most were in business offices – and happened during business hours. However, the good news is the number of business fires was down a whopping 71 percent from 1980 to 2011.
When a fire happens in Cedar Rapids (or anywhere!!), it is key to move quickly into the restoration and rebuilding process to keep the damage from expanding or getting worse. Smoke can really penetrate materials within a building, as can the water dumped on the building by firefighters working to put out the fire. So, the quicker a restoration company like Challis Restoration gets into the building to get the cleanup process started, the better!
One of the best ways to prevent a fire at your business is to educate yourself. Here are some facts we learned from the National Fire Protection Association about business fires. Just like house fires, many are caused by simple accidents.
Time of Day
Cause of the Business Fires
Containment & Putting it Out
Depending on the size of the fire, and the amount of damage, professional restoration companies have helped business reopen just days after the fire happened. Thanks to innovations in smoke odor removal, fire damage restoration, and cleaning in general, it is possible for crews to start work nearly immediately after the fire department clears the scene, and have things back up and running in no time. Although, again, that all depends on the severity of the fire. But no matter the severity, recovery is possible!
Take heart that your business can be restored and rebuilt after a fire, and Challis is here to help!