Causes of Fires in Healthcare Facilities

2/5/2023 (Permalink)

Fires in healthcare facilities are an unfortunate fact of life. These fires can be caused by a variety of factors, including improperly stored or used oxygen, drugs and alcohol abuse by staff members and visitors, cooking equipment left on unattended overnight or during breaks, electrical issues related to poorly maintained wiring systems or faulty equipment.

Improperly Stored or used Oxygen

Oxygen is used in hospitals for medical purposes. The most common uses of oxygen include, storage of oxygen in tanks or cylinders, use in medical equipment such as nebulizers and use during medical procedures such as laser surgery or cataract operations.

Flammable Substances

Hospitals store a wide variety of drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter. Many of these medications are highly flammable and can be ignited by sources as small as a cigarette lighter or even an electrical ignition source such as a defibrillator. Alcohol is another potential fire hazard because it is a solvent that can ignite on contact with an open flame or spark. In addition to these materials being stored at the hospital's pharmacies, they may also be used in areas such as operating rooms and emergency rooms to treat patients before surgery begins or after it has been completed.

Smoking

Smoking is a leading cause of fires in healthcare facilities. A combination of common causes such as matches, lighters and candles may ignite tobacco products left unattended, or even smoldering cigarettes left in ashtrays.

Staff and visitors are prohibited from smoking within all patient rooms, common areas and patient parking lots, including waiting areas with signs at entrances that state: "No Smoking". The prohibition also extends to balconies where patients may be treated outdoors.

Cooking Equipment

Because cooking equipment is used in healthcare facilities to prepare food for patients and staff, fires can occur when cooking equipment is not properly maintained or used. For example, a hot plate may be left unattended on a countertop while the staff member who was using it goes to another room to complete another task. In this case, if the hot plate isn't turned off or put away properly after use and left unattended, it may start a fire if someone comes along later and touches it while it is still hot.

Cooking equipment also needs to be stored properly so as not to pose any danger of starting a fire. In addition, staff members need training in how to avoid any unnecessary exposure to heat sources such as heating elements in stoves or microwaves.

Chemicals and Solvents

Chemicals and solvents are used in healthcare facilities for a variety of purposes. They can be found in cleaning products, medical equipment, and even some medications.

However, chemicals and solvents can also be hazardous if they catch fire or if they are not stored properly. If you work with dangerous chemicals or solvents at your job, it's important to know what makes these materials so dangerous when exposed to heat sources like flames or high temperatures.

Electrical Issues

Electrical issues are the leading cause of fires in healthcare facilities. Electrical issues can be caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and improper use of extension cords. They might also be caused by equipment that is not properly grounded to protect against electrical shock or electrocution hazards.

Electrical problems can result from damaged or worn out electrical cords, plugs and/or sockets, loose connections, damaged insulation, worn out wires, loose screws holding switches together with the panel box (also known as a junction box). Overloaded circuits due to adding new lights without upgrading wiring service and ungrounded outlets installed in wet areas where water may seep into a receptacle's ground prong area because of poor installation practices or conditions such as excessive moisture accumulation within an enclosure.

It’s important for hospitals and healthcare facilities to have a plan in place for fire safety. It should be part of the facility’s disaster management plan, and it should include regular inspections and maintenance checks on fire suppression systems, sprinklers and alarms.

What To Expect After a Partial Fire Loss

10/11/2022 (Permalink)

Exterior fire damage

What to Expect Following a Minor Fire Loss

When your facing a partial loss, it can seem like the entire world has fallen apart. However, this is not always the case. In many cases, partial losses can be addressed in a way that will get your life back to normal quickly and easily. You just need to know what to expect after a fire or another disaster happens in your home or business.

Size Matters

While partial losses do not have to cause as much damage as a total loss, they still cost money and time to fix. Why? Because they are often more expensive than a single replacement item would be if you were not suffering from a partial loss. For example, if your car is damaged in an accident and the door needs replacing but not the entire vehicle, you will likely have to pay significantly more for this service than if you had purchased just one new door instead of having it repaired at all.

A partial loss can take longer than expected to fix because there are multiple parts involved in any given repair job—and each part may need replacing before proceeding with the next step in fixing your home or business property after it's been damaged by fire or floodwater. This means that even though part of what makes up your building might still be OK after being flooded out (say because only one room was affected), it's gonna be harder work getting everything back together again once everything has dried out enough so that repairs can begin properly.

Before the Disaster

You should come up with a plan for when disaster strikes. Your plan should include information about how you will exit your home, where everyone is going to meet up after they leave their homes, and phone numbers of local shelters or hotel options in case everyone needs somewhere else to stay until the damage from the fire is cleared away (if this is possible). Make sure everybody knows what kind of clothing they need for different weather conditions as well as whether or not pets are welcome at these shelters or hotels.

You should also create a checklist of what items need to be taken out first during an evacuation so that when things get hectic there will still be time left over at the day's end for everything else—including saving some money on insurance premiums by making good decisions now.

Take Action Quickly

Partial loss fire restoration can be a stressful process. However, it's important to remember that there are many steps you can take to speed up the process and make sure your home is restored as quickly as possible.

Ventilation is key in a partial loss situation, as smoke damage will occur if the area isn't properly ventilated before any work begins on restoring the property.

Once you've decided whether or not it's safe for your family or pets to return home (or if they should stay somewhere else), ask your property manager about how long it will take for repairs to be completed so that you can plan accordingly. If there's damage from flooding, it's best to wait until after all repairs have been made before moving back into your house; this will allow any mold present in your walls time enough to dry out without being exposed again by living within those walls at a high humidity level day after day.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance companies generally pay for certain types of repair work when it comes to water damage restoration, so it's important that you know what kinds of repairs they cover, but they don't cover everything. For example, if there are any items missing from your home after a flood or sewage backup (such as furniture or appliances), then the insurance company may not be responsible for those losses unless they were specifically listed on your policy as being covered by the policyholder at no extra cost. Similarly, if some parts of your house have been damaged by mold growth during this time period then those costs aren't typically covered under most policies either since mold growth is considered an "act of nature" which usually isn't included in most standard forms within homeownership programs in particular situations like these ones.

A partial loss can be a scary thing, but it doesn’t have to be. If you take the right steps and do your research beforehand, then you can minimize the damage that comes with these kinds of fires. When you experience a loss - partial or whole, SERVPRO of Affton/Webster Groves is here to help restore your St. Louis home or business.

3 Steps To Creating a Viable Continuity Plan for Your Business

10/1/2022 (Permalink)

Three Steps to Developing a Workable Business Continuity Plan

When a water disaster impacts your Grantwood Village, MO business, one major concern you may have is how the damage is going to affect your customers and employees. A work stoppage can have a significant impact on your business and cause you to lose time, money, and clients. However, having a business continuity plan in case of a flood or other disaster can help you be better prepared and reduce downtime, and there are a few steps you can take to create this plan.

1. Understand Your Needs

Before you can create an emergency response plan that works for you, it is important that you understand which facets of your business are the most important in case of a flood and where you would put your focus first. Creating a business impact report might help you address these needs and allow you and your managers to follow a unified plan in case of a disaster.

2. Create a Strategy

Once you understand your company’s needs when it comes to preventing or reducing a work stoppage in case of an emergency, it is important that you identify strategies that may help you fulfill them. Consider factors such as what financial resources you might have to make repairs and what kind of recovery options you might have at hand. Review these with your managers, and work to close as many resource gaps as possible.

3. Organize Teams

Creating effective teams to manage a work stoppage can be an important aspect of any business continuity plan. Because there are many facets to managing this issue, having informed teams organized and ready to react to an emergency can be vital to getting your company up and running again as soon as possible.

When your Grantwood Village, MO business experiences a disaster such as a flood or fire, a work stoppage can seriously impact its success. Having a business continuity plan in place can reduce this type of disruption and help you get back to business as soon as possible.

3 Things to Look for in a Water Damage Restoration Company

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water restoration in a building in Crestwood, MO.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration

It can be devastating to discover water damage in your property. You need to act quickly to get a professional out to your property to address the broken pipes immediately. Hopefully, you already know of a water cleanup company in Crestwood, MO to lend a helping hand, but if you do not, then here are some qualities to look for in an organization before you spend any money:

1. Insurances, Licenses, and Certifications

You do not want to hire anyone to work on your commercial building who is not accredited and certified to work in your state. Certification proves the contractor has acquired the necessary documents and has gone through training to clean up the damage concisely. Insurance is critical in case someone ends up suffering an injury on your property. If the water damage restoration company does not have insurance, then you could be liable and have to pay medical bills out of your own pocket.

2. Proximity

Time is of the essence when it comes to addressing flooding in your commercial building. You should hire a mold remediation company that can come out quickly because it only takes 24 hours for mold to begin to develop. Additionally, addressing the damage is sure to increase the likelihood of being able to restore valuables.

3. Experience

You do not want to address flooding in your building on your own because you likely do not have the supplies necessary to remove water. You also do not know how to properly repair damaged structures, such as drywall. The same principle holds true for the water damage remediation company in Crestwood, MO you hire. Always ask a contractor about the number of years he or she has worked in the industry. Hire someone who has been involved in this line of work for years as opposed to someone who just got a license.

Electrical Fires and Your Business

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

Common Causes Of Electrical Fires In Your Business

When it comes to sneaky sources of flames and property damage, electrical fire is one of the top culprits. Frayed wires, outdated electrical systems, damaged cable insulation, and short circuits are some of the top factors. The most common causes of these fires include

• Faulty electrical outlets and outdated appliances with damaged cords or switches
• Cords that have been run underneath a rug
• Light bulbs with a wattage too high for light fixtures
• Power and extension cords that have been overloaded
• Inappropriate placement of space heaters, especially when they are too close to combustible items
• Old wiring systems that can't handle today's reliance on electrical appliances
  
  
  

One of the best ways to protect your commercial property from electrical sparks and destructive flames is to recognize these common causes of fire and take preventative steps.

Which Extinguisher Is Best?

Another important step in protecting your property is to install appropriate fire extinguishers throughout your buildings. After an electrical fire, computer cleanup is much more effective if the right type of extinguisher has been used. There are several types to consider; the most common are

• Clean agent extinguishers, commonly used in rooms with a lot of computer equipment
• Class K extinguishers, are the best option for commercial kitchens where grease fires are a possibility
• Wet chemical extinguishers, most appropriate for hot surfaces, such as in foodservice establishments
• Dry chemical extinguishers, best used for minor blazes in industrial settings
  
  
  

After a fire extinguisher has been used, contact a fire cleanup and remediation professional to appropriately clean up the residue from extinguisher discharge and to inspect your computer equipment for fire and smoke damage. If computer equipment is damaged and you use it, further damages and even new fires could take place.

What Other Preventative Steps Can You Take?

Electrical fire is a common cause of fire damage in commercial settings. Take steps to protect your Lakeshire, MO, business by understanding the most likely scenarios and taking steps to prevent them. Make sure you have the right policies in place and install the most appropriate extinguishers for each room in your building.

Three Reasons To Hire a Certified Damage Restoration Specialist

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Drying equipment is placed to ensure all water is removed from the floor.

Three Reasons To Hire a Certified Damage Restoration Specialist

Whether you are dealing with a broken pipe, leaky roof, or flooding, a certified water damage expert can handle any type of water clean-up on a commercial property. You may find that specialists who have current certifications are able to resolve the problem quickly, limit secondary damage and that insurance companies are more likely to cover their work. 

1. Certified Experts Handle Damage Quickly and Correctly

Restoration professionals with IICRC certifications, particularly the Commercial Drying Specialist certification, are capable of recommending the right methods for restoring a commercial property and contents to working order as soon as possible. This can help to minimize secondary damage and lost income.

2. Insurance Companies Prefer to Work With Certified Experts

When it comes to water clean-up, insurers can count on certified experts to get the job done. Certified specialists are also more likely to guarantee the quality of their work. If you do experience mold growth or other secondary damage following restoration, you may not have to foot the full cost of mitigation if you have followed the recommendations of a certified service.

3. Less Secondary Damage May Occur

Certified experts are aware of the risks of allowing water damage to linger. This can help to prevent secondary damage from starting to develop or becoming a severe problem. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours following water damage, so it is a good idea to get an expert on the scene as soon as possible.

Certified water damage restoration professionals have the expertise and equipment necessary to perform water clean-up. If you need to restore damage from a broken pipe or any other source in a commercial property in Shrewsbury, MO, look for a clean-up and restoration service that employs IICRC-certified experts.