Owning and operating a commercial building comes with inherent risks. However tirelessly you work to ensure the building is properly cared for and maintained; no matter what, you have to trust that your building systems will perform. At the end of the day, you might understand basic building repairs but you are likely not an expert.
Statistics reveal that a serious risk with almost any building type involves the electrical system. The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) is a non-profit organization that works to bring about awareness regarding fire dangers that exist in all types of buildings across the country. Below are statistics compiled by NFPA related to electrical fires.
- Electrical fires represent approximately 13% of all structural fires in the United States on an annual basis.
- Approximately 45,000 structure fires occur each year in the US that are either directly or indirectly related to electrical failure or malfunction.
- More than $1 billion in property damage results from electrical fires every year.
- Nearly 20 percent of all property damage loss is attributed to electrical fires.
Barry Garson of J&M Keystone Restoration notes that “it’s important to have procedures in place to clean up after” an electrical fire as he has seen “how something as small as a short in an outlet can cause a large amount of damage.”
When an electrical fire strikes a commercial building, it is a disaster for everyone involved. Tenants must be evacuated, the fire department and rescue workers must report to the scene, and the insurance claim process must begin as quickly as possible. Even though you might think you are prepared to handle a disaster, it might be your first time experiencing it and quickly learn that your processes and procedures are lacking when every minute is valuable.
J&M Keystone Restoration can assist in preparing for this type of disaster and help you avoid the pitfalls of the complicated recovery process. J&M also handles water damage, mold issues, and environmental clean-up. To learn more about J&M’s services, please visit their website or call 800-368-2757.
Sources:
Meissner Jacquét Commercial Real Estate Services