Understanding Fire Safety Codes and Regulations

4/17/2024 (Permalink)

In this blog, we will explore the importance of fire safety codes and regulations for residential and commercial buildings.

Fire safety is a critical aspect of protecting both residential and commercial properties. Understanding and complying with fire safety codes and regulations is essential for safeguarding lives, minimizing property damage, and ensuring a secure environment. In this blog, we will explore the importance of fire safety codes and regulations for residential and commercial buildings, highlighting the key elements that property owners and managers need to consider to ensure compliance and minimize the risk of fire damage.

Residential Fire Safety Codes

Residential fire safety codes outline the requirements and guidelines necessary to enhance fire prevention and response in homes. These codes often cover aspects such as:

1. Smoke alarms and detectors: The installation, location, and maintenance of smoke alarms are crucial for the early detection of fires. Codes specify the minimum number and placement of smoke alarms within residential properties.
2. Fire extinguishers: Codes may mandate the presence of portable fire extinguishers to provide residents with the means to combat small fires before they escalate.
3. Escape routes and egress: Fire safety codes commonly address the importance of clear and accessible escape routes, including properly sized and maintained windows and doors in bedrooms, satisfying egress requirements.

Compliance with residential fire safety codes is essential for ensuring the safety of occupants and minimizing the risk of fire damage.

Commercial Building Fire Safety Codes

Commercial building fire safety codes are more complex and comprehensive due to the larger scale, higher occupancy, and diverse uses of these premises. Some crucial elements addressed within these codes include:

• Fire suppression systems: Commercial buildings often require the installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems, such as sprinkler systems and fire suppression extinguishing systems, to control or extinguish fires quickly.
• Exit and emergency lighting: Adequate exit signage and emergency lighting are vital for directing occupants to safe exit routes during emergencies.
• Fire alarm systems: Commercial buildings typically require a comprehensive fire alarm system covering various areas, including manual pull stations, smoke detectors, heat detectors, and fire alarm control panels.
• Fire-rated construction: Codes may specify requirements for fire-rated walls, doors, and other building elements to limit the spread of fire and smoke within the building and provide safe evacuation paths.

Importance of Compliance

Complying with fire safety codes and regulations is not only a legal requirement but also a crucial part of responsible property ownership and management. Failure to adhere to these codes can lead to severe consequences, such as fines, penalties, liability issues, and increased risk of fire damage. Non-compliance may also result in difficulties with insurance coverage, as certain policies require adherence to fire safety codes.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance

To ensure ongoing compliance with fire safety codes, regular inspections and maintenance are essential. Property owners and managers should schedule inspections by qualified professionals to identify potential fire hazards, assess the condition of fire protection systems, and ensure compliance with relevant codes. Additionally, regular maintenance of fire safety equipment, including extinguishers, alarms, and sprinkler systems, is crucial to ensure optimal functionality.

Navigating Fire Damage Restoration

In the unfortunate event of a fire, prompt fire damage restoration is vital for minimizing further damage and restoring the property to its pre-fire condition. Working with professionals experienced in fire restoration is crucial to ensure comprehensive cleaning, deodorization, and restoration of the affected areas, complying with industry standards and regulations.

Understanding fire safety codes and regulations is crucial for protecting residential and commercial properties from fire hazards and minimizing the risk of fire damage. Compliance with these codes ensures the safety and well-being of occupants, provides peace of mind, and helps mitigate potential legal and financial repercussions. Regular inspections, maintenance, and prompt restoration by experienced professionals are instrumental in maintaining compliance and ensuring a safe environment. If your property has experienced fire damage, contact fire restoration specialists like SERVPRO® for professional fire restoration services that adhere to industry standards and fire safety regulations.

How To Provide First Aid for Burns

6/21/2023 (Permalink)

Whether a fire is severe enough to cause fire damage, occupants of a commercial building may still suffer burns. It is essential to keep first aid supplies on site. Here are four steps to care for burns in the workplace. 

1. Determine the Severity

Assess the severity of a burn before attempting to provide first aid. Call for emergency assistance if a burn is severe, deep, or covers an area larger than three inches in diameter. While you wait for help to arrive, make sure that the person who has suffered the burn is safe. You may cover the affected area with a cool, moist bandage or clean cloth. It is possible to treat most minor burns on site.

2. Cool the Burn

If it is a minor burn and the skin is unbroken, run cool water to relieve pain and limit cellular damage. You can also apply a damp compress. There is no need to immerse a burn in water. If the skin is broken, do not run cool water over it.

3. Moisturize and Bandage

It is good to have an emergency kit with burn cream in a commercial property in case of fire damage. Apply this ointment or another gentle moisturizer to a burn to prevent drying. Some formulas contain analgesics that help to relieve pain. Bandage the burn by loosely wrapping sterile gauze around the affected area. This material can safely cover delicate, blistered skin.

4. Avoid Breaking Blisters

Blisters form to protect burned areas from infection. Do not intentionally break these blisters. If a blister does break, cleanse the area with water. You can also use mild soap. Apply antibiotic ointment and re-bandage the burn.

Take these burn first aid measures to treat injuries in the workplace. Call for medical help if burns are severe or extensive. If the incident that caused burns has also resulted in fire damage, contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 754-9061.

SERVPRO of East Memphis Lesser-Known Cleaning Categories

6/21/2023 (Permalink)

So...What Does SERVPRO Do?

With so many restoration companies out there, it’s hard to know which company is the right fit. And in the midst of a crisis, calling for emergency service, that decision can seem impossible and overwhelming. We are a restoration company defined by quality. While we have built a reputation for our top tier fire and water restoration services, (seriously, see our 5-star reviews), we also service many other cleanup categories. 

SERVPRO’s Lesser-Known Cleanup Categories

On top of water damage cleanup, fire restoration, mold remediation, commercial and residential cleaning, contents cleaning—which includes drapes, blinds, walls, floors ceilings, upholstery and carpets—SERVPRO of East Memphis also does:

• General cleaning and graffiti removal
• Air ducts and HVAC cleaning, not repair
• Brick, stone, and concrete cleaning
• Odor removal and deodorization
• Debris removal
• Vandalism and graffiti removal
• Trauma and Crime Scene cleanup
• Biohazard cleaning
• Sewage cleanup

Wow, what a list, right? That’s not all we do. We also professionally sanitize your home or business with our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned process. We have a proprietary blend of disinfectants to deal with biological contaminants.

Specialized Training — Certified: SERVPRO Clean

The Center for Disease Control Prevention (CDC)  set forth protocols, and we are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business to high standards. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants. We go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs daily.

The CDC encourages cleaning high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC's guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment
• Specialized Products

The CDC recommends the usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line, available on Amazon, carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. Do you need proactive cleaning of your commercial property or any of our lesser-known cleaning services? Call SERVPRO of East Memphis today at 901-382-0900.

How Surface Water May Be Causing Your Flooded Basement

6/21/2023 (Permalink)

How to Protect Your Foundation and Prevent This Type of Flooding

A flooded basement can be caused by surface water flooding, meaning external water is not draining correctly away from your home. You can do a few things to help protect your foundation and prevent this type of flooding.

1. Dealing with Roofline Overflow

Overflowing and clogged gutter systems can result in significant damage. Overflow from gutters can lead to the wearing away of soil and foundational cracks. The three most common causes of gutter system overflow and basement flooding are:

• Leaf Buildup: Gutters should be cleaned a few times per year, typically at the change of seasons. When debris is left to clog the gutters, the overflow trickles down exterior walls and into your basement.
  
  
• Insufficient Downspouts: If there are not enough downspouts or an inadequate diameter, water can overflow during heavy rains.
  
  
• Inadequate Downspout Length: Downspouts should extend at least 10 feet away from your home.

2. Preventing Flooding Due to Landscape Design

If not appropriately sloped, landscaping can force surface water to settle toward the house, which, if left unchecked, will weaken the soil around your foundation and lead to cracks in basement walls, allowing water to enter. Avoid this issue by ensuring all landscaping, pathways, and driveways slope away from your home. If this is not possible, then invest in a proper drainage system around your home to carry water away from your foundation. 

3. Reducing the Risk of Storm Water Backing Up

For many older homes, city storm sewers are connected to a perimeter drain. While a sump pump can prevent the risk of water backing up, storm drains can become overwhelmed and leave your sump pump ill-equipped to handle the surge when heavy rains hit. Installing a cap on the external drain can resolve the issue and involve storm damage specialists in the East Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, area.

A flooded basement is preventable by eliminating common causes of surface water flooding. Ensuring gutter systems are adequate, sloping landscaping away from your foundation, and capping off nuisance drain pipes are several ways to prevent future flooding.

Third Party Certification: Upholding Standards and Maintaining Excellence

6/21/2023 (Permalink)

Upholding Standards And Maintaining Excellence

When homes in East Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, need remediation, you want to ensure that the company handling the problem adheres to the highest industry standards. The restoration industry standards are set by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The IICRC is a third-party certification organization that approves instructors and schools to teach the skills needed to meet its values of expertise, integrity, and excellence.

Expertise

Training programs such as the ones offered by SERVPRO of East Memphis are IICRC-certified. Classes are offered in various categories:

• Applied Structural Drying
• Carpet Cleaning
• Fire Restoration
• Upholstery Cleaning
• Water Restoration

Receiving a mitigation certificate after completing these courses means that the individual can do the job right. When clients hire someone to fix a problem in their homes, you want to verify that the technicians are certified, mitigation experts.

Integrity

It is not enough that technicians know what they are doing. They also need to be honest and trustworthy. When the IICRC certifies a company or individual, you know you have found someone you can trust. They adhere to a strict standard of ethics and can be expected to be upfront about their clients' homes' assessment and treatment. 

Excellence

When a certified school or instructor trains specialists, they learn how to exhibit high standards of service. Continuing education courses improve knowledge, turning technicians into industry leaders. These classes also serve to educate insurance and real estate professionals regarding various mitigation processes. Shared knowledge strengthens these partnerships so that together, they can offer more excellent service to the customers they share.

A third-party certification organization sets the industry standard that all mitigation professionals must meet. The values of the IICRC are reflected in each training program and instructor it approves. To ensure quality, professional service, recommend certified mitigation professionals to your clients.

Benefits of Our Large Loss Team

6/21/2023 (Permalink)

When an area in East Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, is affected by a disaster, catastrophic loss often occurs. However, employing a restoration company that can offer a significant loss response can be useful for insurance agents and business owners.

1. Experts Are Equipped With the Right Tools

When a major disaster strikes, the aftermath can be devastating, and it's common for restoration experts to be overwhelmed with requests. Some local restoration companies may not be equipped to handle all types of disasters, and these companies may not have access to specialized tools. A restoration company with a broad reach can bring in experts the necessary tools from various locations to assist in the cleanup and restoration process. 

2. Experience to Handle Catastrophes

Whether a catastrophic loss occurs due to flooding, storm damage, or a fire, it's essential for business owners and insurance agents alike to know that the professionals restoring commercial properties are experienced. One person alone may not have the experience to respond to a major disaster. However, when numerous people assist in responding to a disaster, everyone's combined experience makes the loss response team equipped to manage many aspects of commercial property damage. 

3. Timely Reactions

When widespread damage occurs to an area, a local restoration company may not assess shortly after the disaster. Unfortunately, a slow response can cause a property to acquire more issues, such as mold growth, structural damage, etc. With a large loss response, however, professionals can quickly assess a property, and after a thorough assessment, experts can assist in preventing additional damage and can begin restoration.

A large loss response can make managing the effects of a catastrophic loss easier. A large loss response will allow various professionals from different areas to assess the damage. Experts will have the combined experience to handle multiple significant problems, and the response will likely occur quickly.

Sources of Category 3 Water

9/18/2022 (Permalink)

When floodwaters enter your East Memphis, Tennessee, home the results can be devastating. Floors, walls, and furniture can all be affected, and the humidity that develops inside the house due to standing water might create further damage, such as mold growth. Heavily contaminated water, also known as blackwater, can be especially difficult to remove. However, understanding the situation may help you form an effective plan of action for recovery.

Waterway Overflow

Long periods of rain or sudden torrential downpours can cause localized flooding. Your home may be especially prone to this problem if you live near a natural water source. These can include:

• A river
• A large creek
• Fast-moving streams

Because floodwaters can grow as they move, they can pick up various contaminants like animal feces, sewage chemicals, and toilet water. This is where Category 3 blackwater gets its nickname, as it is often dark with contaminants. 

Sewage Floods 

Outdoor flooding can cause secondary issues, such as a sewer backup in your home. When this occurs, your toilets can overflow with sewer water and waste. Since the flood often creates a contaminated water situation, you must call in a flood damage and water removal company to handle the sewage cleanup and restoration work. 

Standing Water 

Floodwater that comes from overflowing water appliances or a burst pipe in your kitchen may not start as Category 3 water. Still, the longer the water sits, the more contaminated it can become. Humidity can cause stagnant water to degrade, so calling in professionals to have it removed as soon as possible may help minimize the damage. 

Blackwater can cause severe damage to your East Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, home. However, when you understand the source and have a team of flood removal experts standing by, you can often reduce the risk of mold growth and other issues that could be costly later. 

Water Restoration Professionals Know How to Dry Your Property

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Memphis is a Leader in the Storm Restoration Industry for a Reason

Harsh weather conditions like flooding, wind, and storms cause devastating damage to homes and businesses. Property damage due to water damage and flood water overwhelms many with concerns for personal safety and properties' security.

When this form of damage occurs to your home or business, the first step is to find safety, then contact a trustworthy water damage restoration company.

An immediate restoration response reduces the extent of damage done to a property. Since roof damage is likely to be accompanied by water damage—a gaping hole is a recipe for moisture and storm water to make itself at home—a quick emergency response reduces the risk for internal and structural water damage and microbial growth.

When contacted, water restoration experts will analyze the level of damage and make a judgment regarding how to begin. Professionals' main priority is to secure property before cleanup, repair, and restoration. Once a property's debris is removed from the exterior and roof repair is completed, experts move to drying and the internal cleanup of furniture, carpets, clothes, and other items. 

The Drying Process of SERVPRO of East Memphis

First, our team sets up industrial-strength drying equipment such as air movers and HEPA filtered dehumidifiers. Special care is taken to thoroughly dry the area around the original leak or cavity.

If water has seeped to the surrounding areas, special drying equipment is used. It can take 3-5 days for traditional drying. However, hard-to-dry materials, such as wood floors and crawlspaces, can make the process longer.

After the property is dry, the restoration of any damaged materials can start. Restoration is the most time-consuming part, but is very important and the bulk of returning the property to its preloss condition. We strive to make a property look, “Like it never even happened.”

We are available 24 hours for emergency response. Call us at (901) 382-0900.

Third Party Certified: Upholding IICRC Standards and Maintaining Excellence is the SERVPRO Way

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

Upholding Standards And Maintaining Excellence

When homes in Tennessee, need remediation, you want to ensure that the company handling the problem adheres to the highest industry standards. The restoration industry standards are set by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The IICRC is a third-party certification organization that approves instructors and schools to teach the skills needed to meet its values of expertise, integrity, and excellence.

Expertise

Training programs such as the ones offered by SERVPRO of East Memphis are IICRC-certified. Classes are offered in any of the following categories:

• Applied Structural Drying Certification
• Carpet Cleaning Certification
• Fire Restoration Certification
• Upholstery Cleaning Certification
• Water Restoration Certification

Receiving a mitigation certificate after completing these courses means that the individual can do the job right. When clients hire someone to fix a problem in their homes, they want to verify that the technicians know what they are doing and that they are certified mitigation experts.

Integrity

It is not enough that technicians know how to do their job well—they also need to be honest and trustworthy. When the IICRC certifies a company or individual, you know you have found someone you can trust. They adhere to a strict standard of ethics and can be expected to be upfront about their clients' homes' assessment and treatment. The IICRC’s stamp of approval is a big deal, as they, “Stand at the forefront of the Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Industry,” regarding training professionals.

Excellence

When a certified school or instructor trains specialists, they learn how to exhibit high standards of service. Continuing education courses improve knowledge, turning technicians into industry leaders. These classes also serve to educate insurance and real estate professionals regarding various mitigation processes. Shared knowledge strengthens these partnerships so that together, they can offer more excellent service to the customers they share.

A third-party certification organization sets industry standards that all mitigation professionals must meet. The values of the IICRC are reflected in each training program and instructor it approves. To ensure quality, professional service, recommend certified mitigation professionals to your clients. If you have residential or commercial Smoke, Fire, Water, damage, contact SERVPRO of East Memphis, an IICRC company, for a free restoration estimate.

Clean Up Flood Damage: Call a Pro

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Professional Flood Water Damage Cleanup

While some water damage events aren’t very predictable, flood damage from storms is comparably easier to forecast. Storm surges, torrential rain, and rising water levels cause massive water damage for those who live along the coast or in low-lying areas. Flood damage is terrible in every instance, but the good news is homeowners and business owners usually have adequate time to prepare their home and/or business for the impending water damage as best they can.

When a storm ends, and it's safe to return to a damaged property, many find the water damage in the home or business worse than they could have imagined. It sometimes seems impossible that water levels can rise so high and cause such devastating damage. In the unfortunate case that this has or will happen to you, follow the following important guidelines for safely handling flood waters and their effects.

Do Not Go Back To the Property Without Permission

Even if your curiosity wants to know how much water is in the property or the kind of water damage; never return to the property without being notified first that it's safe to return by proper authorities. Flood damage and waters can be hazardous, and it's easy to forget that there is so much more than just water on the road or in a home. 

Beware of Bacteria

Before anyone enters a home or office with water damage to begin the water cleanup process, they must know how much danger potentially awaits. The water cleanup process should begin as quickly as possible, but it cannot be done if the area is still unsafe.

1. Live electricity. Don't assume just because the power is out in the town that there's nothing to worry about. The power could come back on at any moment, which means it could cause serious bodily harm to anyone in contact with the electricity or its conductors. Make sure all electricity is turned off at its source before entering any building with standing water.
2. Danger in the water. The second danger is what might be waiting for people in the water. There could be animals like snakes or dangerous bacteria found in feces like E. Coli. Always let the local authorities do a neighborhood sweep before taking steps to prepare for the water cleanup and drying process.

Call the Pros

Restoration companies have powerful equipment designed to allow adequate drying in minimal time. Professional mitigation and restoration are imperative because any missed moisture leads to much larger problems like microbial contamination. Restoration is designed to clear out all the water in places others might not realize it is hiding. 

Call for professional restoration and mitigation rather than handling the drying process without a pro's help to remove water in a business or home. Contact SERVPRO of East Memphis for professional flood water cleanup, professional drying, and content cleaning.