Navigating Through the Flames: Your Comprehensive Guide to Commercial Fire Safety in Brooklyn

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a Brooklyn warehouse.

Brooklyn, the heart of creativity and culture, with its historic districts like Williamsburg and Greenpoint, is home to an array of businesses, from quaint boutiques to avant-garde start-ups. As a business owner in this dynamic landscape, being prepared for disasters such as fires is crucial.

Recognizing Fire Risks in Brooklyn

Brooklyn's commercial spaces, each with their unique architectural charm, present distinctive fire risks. From converted factory buildings in Williamsburg to cozy cafés in Greenpoint, recognizing potential fire hazards in your specific space can play a significant role in fire prevention.

Commercial Fire Safety Tips 

1. Install and Maintain Fire Alarms and Sprinkler Systems:

Fire alarms and sprinkler systems are your first line of defense in the event of a fire. These systems can help in detecting a fire early and control it before it spreads, saving lives and minimizing property damage. Regular inspections by certified professionals ensure they are in optimal working condition, ready to act when needed.

2. Be Mindful of Kitchen and Electrical Safety: 

If your commercial space houses a kitchen, never leave cooking unattended. A substantial number of commercial fires are due to unattended cooking. Turn off all kitchen appliances after use, and clean them regularly to prevent grease buildup, which can ignite a fire.

For electrical safety, ensure all appliances, cords, and plugs are in good working order. Overloaded outlets, damaged cords, and malfunctioning appliances can create electrical fires. Consider having an electrician perform regular checkups.

3. Train Your Staff: 

Investing in fire safety training for your employees is crucial. They should understand the fire safety procedures, know how to operate fire extinguishers correctly, and identify the quickest evacuation routes. This training can make a significant difference in the rapid and safe evacuation of your team and customers during a fire.

4. Create a Fire Escape Plan: 

Every Brooklyn commercial establishment should have a well-detailed fire escape plan. It should include the safest and quickest evacuation routes, the location of fire extinguishers, and a designated outdoor meeting spot. Regular fire drills will help familiarize your team with the plan and decrease panic during a real emergency.

After the Blaze - Recovery and Restoration

In the unfortunate event of a fire, the path to recovery can feel overwhelming. Commercial fire damage extends beyond just physical damage, disrupting operations and potentially impacting your business's bottom line. That's when SERVPRO Team Holmes steps in.

Available 24/7, our professionals specialize in commercial fire damage cleanup and restoration. We provide comprehensive services that include soot and smoke removal, deodorization, water extraction, and the restoration of damaged areas. Our goal is to reduce business interruption, getting you back to your regular operations as quickly as possible.

Remember, Stay Prepared and Stay Safe!

Being prepared can significantly impact your business's response to a fire, ensuring the safety of your employees and customers. Stay fire-smart, Brooklyn! And remember, if you find yourself dealing with fire damage, SERVPRO Team Holmes is here to help you recover, restore, and resume business operations swiftly and efficiently.

Looking for assistance with fire recovery and restoration services? Need advice on how to better protect your commercial property from fire risks? Call us today at 347-647-2546. Day or night, SERVPRO Team Holmes is ready to help the Brooklyn business community bounce back stronger than ever.

Choosing SERVPRO for Commercial Cleanups

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

Venue Water Damage Cleanup

The Best in the Business

When it comes to commercial restoration or cleaning services, the value of speed cannot be overstated. When disaster strikes, the ability to get the problem fixed immediately is imperative, not only to get your life back to normal, but to mitigate damages that can occur. For commercial properties, we understand that our clients depend on fast action to get their business back in order so their employees and clientele can return to their normal routine. We certainly get that business owners depend on our fast action to get their company back up and running and ensure that no one is subjected to unsafe conditions.

At SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint our restoration specialists are truly faster to any size disaster any time of the day or week. Our team consisting of highly trained professionals understands the urgency that comes with fire damage, water damage, storm damage, mold remediation or any other disaster. As such, we are proficient at providing 24-hour emergency service with the best response rates, making us the trusted leader in the restoration industry.

On top of our unmatched speed, we specialize in handling disasters of any size. Whether your property has suffered from a minor water damage in the garage or a major fire in your 3 story home, our advanced restoration and cleaning equipment can handle it all. We take a lot of pride in our ability to serve the local community and play our role in keeping residents safe and secure.

Faster to the Disaster

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

Choosing the best in the industry-

Without warning, nature can take a violent turn: floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards. Any of these can have a devastating effect on the business you have worked hard to build. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, in your home or commercial property. We know that response time is critical, not only to mitigate your damages but to get your business or life back up and running quickly. SERVPRO professionals can handle anything from minor commercial storm damage to a large-loss event.

What makes us different?

Our teams can respond quickly because we have a network of storm teams strategically positioned across the country ready to respond 24/7, 365 days a year. We can assure you when disaster strikes, we will be there. With over 1,900 SERVPRO locations spread across the US and more now, we are able to set up a local command center near you to execute a rapid response wherever a major event may take place. At SERVPRO we respond to large and small events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flash floods, wildfires and more.

Keeping Your Place of Business Clean

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

No Matter the Place, We Can Clean it!

Business owners know how overwhelming running it can actually be. We understand it can be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; at SERVPRO we work those hours to fit your schedule. When it is your responsibility to oversee the day-to-day operations within a company, keeping it clean is understandably the last thing on your mind. Dusty cabinets or stained carpet floors with everything in between makes keeping your workspace clean and neat a constant challenge. 

With standards set from the pandemic, keeping a workspace tidy is more important than many business owners ever imagined. Studies have shown that work productivity and employee morale is much higher when an office space is kept well-ordered and organized. Don’t waste your time trying to do it yourself, hiring commercial cleaning services like SERVPRO to regularly visit your office and clean as well as disinfect.

In addition to helping motivate your employees, a clean office is also crucial for clients and guests who visit. How can a potential client trust that your company will provide great services if your office is a mess? Spend some time today walking around your office and give yourself a score against this clean workspace checklist:

• Clean floors: check for carpet stains and dirt on hard floors
• Trash cans: empty your trash cans each night and wash as needed
• Dusting: spot check all surfaces and furniture for unwanted dust
• Fingerprints: remove any marks from glass doors, windows, surfaces, and walls as well as any door frames and light switches
• Disinfect: make sure all floors are mopped and door handles are cleaned
• Cabinets: spot clean and polish all office furniture to remove any unwanted stains
• Break Room: keep kitchen and fridge/freezer clean and tidy, throw away expired or old food/beverages
• Vents: vacuum vents once a month
• Organize: make sure all files, folders, and papers are neatly stored
• Restrooms: refill soap dispenser, disinfect surfaces, clean toilets, and make sure that all bathroom appliances are operating correctly

It does not matter what type of office you run, a restaurant, graphic design company, law firm, etc,  cleanliness is essential to the well-being of your business, its clients and most importantly its employees. Be sure to keep this checklist in mind when you consider hiring SERVPRO to clean your office for you, it is no easy task especially to do correctly. 

Keeping Your Commercial Property Clean

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

A clean workplace reflects on you-

Business owners know how overwhelming running an office can be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; at SERVPRO we understand. When it is your responsibility to oversee the day-to-day operations within a company, keeping it clean is understandably the last thing on your mind. Dusty cabinets or stained carpet floors with everything in between makes keeping your workspace clean and neat a constant challenge. Studies have shown that work productivity and employee morale is much higher when an office space is kept well-ordered and organized. Don’t waste your precious time trying to do it yourself, hiring commercial cleaning services like SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint to regularly visit your office and clean as well as disinfect, is a bottom line in today's day and age. 

In addition to helping motivate your employees, a clean office is also crucial for clients and guests who visit. How can a potential client trust that your company will provide great services if your office is a mess? Spend some time today walking around your office and give yourself a score against this clean workspace checklist:

• Clean floors: check for carpet stains and dirt on hard floors
• Trash cans: empty your trash cans each night and wash as needed
• Dusting: spot check all surfaces and furniture for unwanted dust
• Fingerprints: remove any marks from glass doors, windows, surfaces, and walls as well as any door frames and light switches
• Disinfect: make sure all floors are mopped and door handles are cleaned
• Cabinets: spot clean and polish all office furniture to remove any unwanted stains
• Break Room: keep kitchen and fridge/freezer clean and tidy, throw away expired or old food/beverages
• Vents: vacuum vents once a month
• Organize: make sure all files, folders, and papers are neatly stored
• Restrooms: refill soap dispenser, disinfect surfaces, clean toilets, and make sure that all bathroom appliances are operating correctly

It does not matter what type of business you run, cleanliness is essential to the well-being of your business, its clients and most importantly its employees. Be sure to keep this checklist in mind when you consider hiring SERVPRO to clean your office for you, it is no easy task especially to do correctly. 

Fire Damage Cleanup Done Right

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Using special soot sponges to remove soot from the walls

Fire damage, including smoke and soot, affects not only the structure of your house, but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpointunderstands how your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are what make your house a home.

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO specializes in restoring contents damaged by a variety of disasters such as water, fire, or storms. Our expertise allows us to have a “restore” versus “replace” mentality that can help save money, while also preserving your keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We test your belongings to determine what items can be restored to pre-fire condition. We'll use several methods to clean your contents, including:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.

We take Care of the Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning due to fire damage, we can conduct an organized and efficient move of the affected area into storage. A move-out has several benefits, including:

• A speedy remodeling process
• Safekeeping of items from potential damage

When restoration is complete, we'll work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Electronic Cleanup

Fire-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by fire. Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces. If the residues are not removed, corrosion causes electronic failure in the device. SERVPRO can coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:

• Television sets
• DVD players
• Computers
• And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Document / Photograph Drying

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water or fire, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the fire damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-fire damage condition, SERVPRO can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage.

Depending on the type of documents, and the level of fire, smoke, or soot damage, there are a variety options for the restoration of documents. 

Summer Time Water Damages

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Here we got a call for a water damage that had grown quite a bit of mold in the summer heat and constant moisture. 

How Does Mold Form?

Mold is present all around, indoors and out floating in the air through AC, heatings, on your clothes or even your dog. Mold thrives in moist environments and can grow in as little as 48 hours. Mold spores can affect people with compromised immune systems and those with allergies. Wet areas of your home are very prone to mold and can be causing you issues you may have never realized. With all of the rain we have experienced recently, it is important to inspect your home for signs of mold or any water leaks. Some common places to check for mold include: under your sink, behind your toilet, behind your fridge/freezer, basement, and around windows

What to do?

While it is possible to clean up mold yourself, we recommend giving a professional a call. Depending on the severity and type of mold you could put yourself at risk cleaning it up and make the problem more severe. Oftentimes people attempt to clean these issues up themselves only to result in more growth over time as the root issue is not taken care of. At SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint we are trained in mold remediation and will stop the current spread, as well as any future spreading of mold spores in your home or business. Mold cleanup requires special chemicals and equipment to be done correctly, and at SERVPRO we have tested our products with great results for years. 

Pro tip: The smell of mold is the biggest sign you should have your home/business checked out. The musty/earthy smell under your kitchen sink could be causing you and your family health effects you never realized. 

Connecting With Our Community

6/26/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is Here!

Lately the Williamsburg area has had the luck of experiencing some amazing weather to enjoy. With this great weather we have had the chance to connect with members of our community in the outdoors, and on the golf course. We sponsored a lunch after meeting up at the course with some new people. When we were all done everyone agree it was a lot of fun to meet new people, and tell them about what we do. Overall the team had an amazing day and met some incredible people along the way!

Community Love-

At SERVPRO we are big on getting to know what's going on around us, and the people we are helping are more than just a job. When you see a SERVPRO truck you should think about all the awesome things we do! Whether it is cleaning up a flood in your basement or restoring your entire home after a fire damage, SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint is there for our community members when they need us most and always making sure you know each day at work is more than just work for us. 

Fire Sprinkler Water Damage

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

If your commercial property suffers significant water damage your locally owned and operated SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint has around the clock emergency help. Water damage occurring on your commercial property can be caused by, a flood from a storm, a burst/ leaky pipe, or even a broken sewage system- regardless of how we can fix it.

As an owner, or property manager of a commercial building it is extremely important to hire a professional water damage remediation service to assist in taking care of the loss and preventing future damage that can occur if the loss is not treated in a timely and correct manner. SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint has a crew of certified and accredited professionals who are ready to assist you in a timely and professional manner.

Recent Cleanup Story- 

Recently, SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint was able to help a local hotel, when the sprinkler system was activated on the 7th floor of the building, leading to water damage. Our crew responded to their call immediately. We began to assess the extent of the damage and returned in the days following to continue the scope of the work.

Our SERVPRO crew arrived on sight and began the extraction and cleaning of the affected areas. First, we removed the damaged area- from under the beds and submitted them for appraisal. Base-molding was removed from the water soaked drywall in the affected rooms and corridors. Access holes were then drilled to begin the proper drying process. The 6th Floor carpet was removed and the sub floor (concrete) was treated with antimicrobial. The antimicrobial was utilized to destroy or suppress bacteria, viruses, and fungi that the water damage caused. Our crew also had to remove the 6th floor carpet. We cut 1x1 access holes in the ceiling corridor to allow air flow in the ceiling cavity. For proper drying, we let the equipment run for 3 days.

Our crew cleaned and deodorized both the 6th and 7th floor. We used dehumidifiers, air movers and scrubbers to properly clean and remove the water. Our SERVPRO crew was able to take care of the water damage in an appropriate and professional way while also being mindful of the occupants in the hotel.

Water removal services from our professionally trained team can lessen stress and restore your commercial property to its preloss state faster than the competitors. Our services are available for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year because disasters don't wait to happen. Call us at (917) 809-6562

Why Trust SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint?

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

When you have an emergency, SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint is available any time of the day to respond to all jobs, large or small. When you are dealing with something like flooding, or fire damage, immediate action is crucial.

We understand that when you call us, you may be confused, stressed, and not sure what to do next.  Let the experts at SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint help and guide you through the next steps. We have the necessary disaster cleanup training and experience to help you through this tough time. 

What to Expect-

These questions below are what to expect from us, and will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When the flooding or water damage occurred
• What caused the water damage (if known)
• Whether the source of water has been addressed. For example, if your sump pump failed, we'll need to know if the plumber has been out to fix the pump.
• Whether electricity is available on-site
• We will find a time to come to your home or business, either for immediate response or to inspect and provide an estimate

About SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint 

At SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint we specialize in cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property disasters such as, a fire, smoke, or water damage. Our team is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at our corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, you can rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge and experience to restore your property to its preloss condition. We understand that sudden water damage to your home or business is unplanned, unexpected, and inconvenient. Whether you have a sewage backup, burst pipe or valve, or a fire in the kitchen -- you want the problem addressed and resolved. Call on SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint and let us help you with your emergency.