The restoration following the emergency measures takes place in the following stages, in most cases in parallel:
Preparatory work and planning:
advice and support when dealing with insurance companies and their experts in accordance with the emergency plan (where available).
- Investigation of aggressive fire residues (together with the experts commissioned by the insurance provider)
- Clarification on whether the works to be carried out necessitate overtime and weekend work (potentially shift work too)
- Restoration plan and cost estimate in agreement with the party affected by the damage, as well as the experts and the loss adjusters (for the building, for the commercial and technical facilities and for the interruption in business)
Restoration work on the building
- Clearing and demolition work, specialist disposal (e.g. used chemicals, oils, etc.), anti-corrosion protection
- Concomitant protective measures re facilities, such as masking work, protective scaffolds, installing pressurised and vacuum equipment, etc.
- Scaffolding work
- Fire clean-up operation – decontamination, neutralisation using the latest methods
- Artificial drying-out of floor and wall structures
- Restoration work carried out by trade professionals including bricklayers, joiners, painters, upholsterers, flooring fitters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.
Restoration work on machines and facilities
- Relocating machines – if necessary, machines and equipment are moved out of hazardous areas
- Restoration work on the facilities (including electrical and electronic components) by means of preliminary and in-depth cleaning, decontamination
- Neutralisation, dismantling and reassembly, drying, anti-corrosion protection, etc.
- Documentation
- Clarification of warranty services
- Function tests with the plant manufacturer or the service technician
- Final review by the party affected by the damage
- Sampling as proof of restoration
Fire clean-up entails
more than removing soot:
since fire damage also leads to aggressive and toxic soot particles being deposited, in addition to neutralisation and cleaning being effected in a correspondingly thorough way, the time factor is also a significant parameter. Corrosive particles (hydrochloric acid droplets) can render metallic surfaces unusable in a very short space of time. Effective logistics using the correct technique are therefore essential.
Depending on the intensity of the impact, the exposure time that has already elapsed with regard to the structure of the existing surfaces, plus the environmental conditions, there is a wide range of restoration procedures to choose from. More details about this.
Restoration of technical facilities:
due to the aggressive impact of combustion gases, restoration of facilities requires very particular attention. By definition there are constraints on their salvageability. The following can be restored: varnished or artificially coated surfaces, bare iron and steel parts, electrical and electronic components, combined machining and production centres, as well as cable runs and supply lines. Crockery and porcelain or glass can also be restored using the latest appliances and materials, as well as tyres and ventilation ducts. Aluminium and galvanised surfaces demand extreme care and attention and an initial ‘test restoration’ can often provide information on the likelihood of success.