One of the most devastating types of damage that your commercial property can experience is a fire. Even with extensive planning and strong building code compliance, scary, sudden, and unpredictable fires can still occur.

In 2021, there were 116,500 non-residential fires in the United States. These fires were responsible for 115 deaths, 1,025 injuries, and $3,697,200,000 in losses. Additionally, there was a 20% increase in commercial fires from 2011 to 2021.

Any structural fire is devastating, but the impact on commercial properties is multiplied. Both you as the owner and your tenants and customers may be faced with losses of personal possessions, equipment, inventory, and even the ability to operate a business.

Safely cleaning up your commercial property after even a small fire can be a big task. As a Chicagoland commercial property owner, it’s essential to understand the fire and smoke damage restoration process.

At McMahon services, we offer a comprehensive range of fire damage services. We can get the situation under control quickly, providing emergency board up services, water removal (from the water used to put out the fire), safe removal of fire-damaged materials, smoke and soot damage removal, elimination of lingering smoke odors, and reconstruction. Hopefully, you will never have to deal with a fire at your commercial property, but getting educated is one of the best ways to be prepared. We are happy to share our expertise and explain how we can help you get back to business as usual.

In the aftermath of the flames, property owners need to respond quickly and bring in a professional restoration company to immediately start the cleaning and restoration process.

Unlike general contractors, restoration contractors can respond 24/7, and will be one of the first teams on the scene after a fire. A restoration company will enter the scene and safely, completely clean up the property. After a fire, this typically means water extraction and a professional drying process, clean up that includes removing broken debris from the premises, and complete soot and smoke damage removal. This leaves you with a property that is safe, clean, and ready to reconstruct. Here at McMahon Services, we have the equipment and knowledge necessary to complete both the restoration and reconstruction processes.

Fires leave behind extensive, pervasive damage and lots of toxic residue. Fire damage is not something you can deal with on your own, even if you have your own cleaning and maintenance teams. Due to our many years of experience, expert education, and investment in specialized, state of the art equipment, we know how to handle this damage in ways that will protect both your property and your health. Here are the reasons why you need to bring in help right away.

• Primary damage from both the flames and water used to extinguish the flames is obvious. If quick restoration action is not taken, the damage will increase as your fixtures, surfaces, furnishings, contents, plumbing and electrical systems, and even the building’s actual structure begin to rust, mold, and corrode. Damaged areas may even collapse.

• The heat from fires can cause structures to expand. Well-insulated buildings can experience smoke and pressure build-up, leading to blown-out windows, doors, and even roofs. Aside from the damage, leaving your building open and exposed can lead to even more problems.

• The heat from fires can cause structures to expand. Well-insulated buildings can experience smoke and pressure build-up, leading to blown-out windows, doors, and even roofs. Aside from the damage, leaving your building open and exposed can lead to even more problems.

• Smoke damage can penetrate your entire property. As your building is engulfed in flames, even distant, undamaged areas will be permeated with a smokey smell, due to chemicals that cling to carpet and fabrics. The hot air from the fire causes the smoke molecules to spread quickly and be absorbed by porous materials throughout your property. Smoke can even travel through and contaminate your ductwork. Letting smoke damage sit over time makes it even harder to eventually remove.

• Smoke and soot damage is not just about cosmetic issues like smells and stains. When you smell smoke, you are breathing in soot particles, which are a respiratory hazard. Prolonged inhalation of soot particles can lead to serious illness. Only a professional fire damage restoration team can ensure the safe elimination of airborne soot particles, both during and after the clean up process.

• Due to the water used to extinguish the fire, your property may be at risk for mold growth. Mold can start growing in as little as twenty four hours, so getting the water out and starting the dehumidifying process right away is critical.

Even after the fire is out and the smoke is gone, the chemicals given off by a fire can linger in your home or business for several weeks. Smelly damage permeates the walls and travels through ductwork, contaminating parts of your property that weren’t directly impacted by the fire. Musty odors from mold growth can start if the water damage (from extinguishing the fire) isn’t dealt with right away. Breathing in all of these contaminants can cause coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, nose bleeds, and even infections like bronchitis

Ash, smoke, and other residue left behind after a fire can cause rashes and other skin reactions. Touching furniture or wearing clothing that was present during the fire, and rubbing your eyes with contaminated hands can cause skin and eye irritation, inflammation, redness, and watering.

Kitchens are the most common place for fires to break out, and fires in restaurants are common: Up to 1500 fires in restaurants are reported to US fire departments each year. Smoke, heat, and toxic firefighting and sprinkler chemicals will contaminate food, making it unsafe to eat after the fire.

Soot, smoke and other chemicals left behind from burning plastic, foam, wood, fabric, and other materials may potentially cause long-term problems like an increased risk for cancer, heart attacks and strokes.

Water damage can cause major and minor health risks if left untreated. Exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses can be caused by flooding, mildew, and mold. Flooding can also cause outdoor bacteria to enter your home and living spaces. This can lead to health hazards by breathing airborne particles or by exposure to the skin.

Health Risks Due to Mold Growth

Molds can cause many health issues, depending on how sensitive individuals are to the effects. Molds can cause throat irritation, wheezing, coughing, stuffiness, and eye/skin irritation. Anyone that has a chronic illness to their lungs or a compromised immune system may experience more serious side effects to mold exposure. This can include flu, pneumonia, chest colds, headaches, fever, and even difficulty breathing. In extreme situations like toxic mold exposure, individuals can experience long-term effects like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and even memory loss.

Post-fire dangers can also come from changes to your physical property. Damaged utilities like exposed electrical wires and broken gas lines can be dangerous, and fire-damaged structures or buildings may also be unstable. Weak, structurally damaged properties can collapse without warning.

If cleanup is not done properly, you could put yourself, your staff, your tenants, your customers, and your entire investment at risk. Investing in professional fire restoration services can actually have financial benefits by saving you money in the end–here’s how.

“McMahon recently helped me with water damage restoration services as a result of ongoing and undetected plumbing leaks in my bathroom. They were professional and thorough. At a time where stress runs high due to the unknown, they took the time to offer their expertise and reassure me that everything could be remedied. They worked with me on my subsequent bathroom remodel, and ensured that the vision for my new bathroom was executed properly, and in a timely manner. They are accessible, and are willing to talk through any questions you might have during the course of their work with you. I would highly recommend this local, family owned business for all your fire and water restoration needs, and will definitely keep them in mind for future work.”

~Alexandria S., 2022 5 Star Google Review