Office Fire Risks

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

Don't allow simple things to cause a fire in your office.

Are you aware that a structure fire occurs every 63 seconds in the United States? Do you believe you are doing everything you can to promote fire safety in the workplace? Here are some helpful fire safety tips.

First, here’s a list of some common fire hazards you might encounter in the office:

• Flammable Materials: Paper and cardboard are common in just about every office. Unfortunately, they’re also extremely flammable. Keep these materials safely stored in an easy to access area away from the main office area. Get rid of unnecessary documents and trash to keep things from becoming cluttered.
• Combustible Materials: Safely storing combustible and flammable liquids and vapors is vital to the safety of your office building. A flammable liquid can burst into flames with a single spark, and vapors can cause an explosion, so be sure that your substances are contained securely. Flammable liquids must be completely sealed and kept in a dry, secure place.
• Dust and Debris: If your building isn’t well ventilated or properly clean, the dust and debris can create a fire hazard. If you use machinery that heats up, make sure it’s scrupulously clean. Grease and dust residue can result in a fire if you’re not careful.
• Overused Power Sockets: Extension cords should be used temporarily, if at all, and you should make a rule to plug in one item per socket. Overloaded power sockets can overheat and potentially start a fire.
• Unattended Electrical Equipment: Shut off and unplug electrical heaters and appliances when they’re not in use, and never leave things on overnight. Check for loose cables, broken plugs, or damaged electrical cords, and keep areas around electrical devices clear of paper.
• Smoking: Smoking is one of the primary causes of office fires, so designate a smoking area far away from the building, with ashtrays and bins for proper cigarette disposal.
• Negligence: Make sure everyone in the building cleans up messes, doesn’t leave food unattended in the toaster or on a burner, and understands why negligence is hazardous.
• Inadequate Safety Measures: Obstructed exits, faulty safety equipment, and blocked sprinklers can lead to tragedy in case of emergency, so make sure everything is working as it should. Additionally, take the time to teach your staff to use fire extinguishers, what to do in case of an emergency, and where to go if there’s a fire. Having an emergency plan in place and staff members who know how to execute it can save lives.

If your property has sustained fire damage, you don’t have to go it alone. If you have suffered through a fire in your Putnam County office building, call SERVPRO of Putnam County for help with fire restoration. Our highly-trained restoration technicians have the equipment and experience to restore your Putnam County property and get everything back to normal. A trusted leader in the fire damage restoration service industry, we’ve served our community for more than 25 years. Call us at (386) 328-8660.

Keep Mold from Becoming a Problem in your Office

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth is common, especially in the state of Florida. Why? Mold spores can be found everywhere, and they begin to grow when they hit a moist surface with organic material. Do you have an idea of how much organic material is in your office? Sheetrock, fabrics, carpets, wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, paper, wood, fiberglass insulation, dirt and glue are all examples of organic material. It’s no wonder so many office buildings are plagued with mold. What are some ways you can keep it out of yours?

First, if it’s so common, is mold really a big deal? In a word, yes. Mold can cause health effects and decrease worker productivity. It can also cause damage to your property, if left to grow unchecked. The best way to handle mold is to prevent it from gaining a foothold in your building. There are several measures you can take to lessen the occurrence of mold growth.

The best way to handle mold is to prevent it from gaining a foothold in your building. There are several measures you can take to lessen the occurrence of mold growth.

• Fix any obvious sources of moisture. Roof and plumbing leaks can encourage mold growth, so repair those promptly and dry the area around them. You may need a specialist to help you get the water damage under control.
• Eliminate condensation. While air conditioners can be helpful in filtering out mold spores and reducing mold growth, they can also be a source of condensation if you’re not careful. Condensation happens when humid air hits a cool surface, so if you let outdoor air inside, it will condense on air conditioner surfaces. Keep doors closed, and don’t open windows when the air conditioner is running. If the AC ducts run through an attic or basement, try to keep the air moving so that mold isn’t able to grow.
• Leave the heat on if you’re closing the building for an extended period. People typically remember to drain the pipes to prevent them from freezing while the building is closed. It’s not as common to think about preventing mold growth while your office is not in use.
• Control the building’s relative humidity. The most direct way to make conditions less favorable for mold propagation in a commercial building is to reduce the room’s humidity. Keep the relative humidity below 50 percent, but avoid reducing it under 20 percent, because that can cause the drying up of respiratory passages, leading to severe discomfort.
• If you suspect a problem, have the building tested for mold. An air quality company or an Industrial Hygienist can come and do air sampling to determine the presence and species of mold in your building. Our SERVPRO franchises work with these professionals on a weekly basis and can recommend an Industrial Hygienist or Mold Inspector that not only has advanced degrees in Chemistry and Microbiology but is also a Florida State Licensed General Contractor.

If you happen to discover mold in your Putnam County office, make sure to call SERVPRO of Putnam County for help with mold remediation. Our expert restoration technicians have the experience and equipment to restore your Putnam County office back to its original condition. A trusted leader in the mold remediation industry, we have served our community for more than 25 years. Call us at (386) 328-8660.

Does your Business have an ERP?

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

Do you have an emergency ready plan in place at your business? What about your employees? What happens if you are out of town on vacation 500 miles away and disaster strikes? Do your employees know what to do and who to call?

Disasters and resulting business interruption, can devastate companies. It is estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to disaster never reopen. Of those companies that reopen, the majority had a contingency plan in place. No one plans on a disaster, but you can prepare for one. By preparing now, you demonstrate excellence in readiness planning by compiling a comprehensive information resource to use in case of a disaster.

A Timely Response in a Crisis can:

• Minimize business interruption
• Save thousands of dollars in reduced secondary damage

Why the SERVPRO ERP

It is a zero cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost. The ERP was purposely designed to contain only the critical information needed when disaster strikes. It will only take a short time to complete, but it will save you both time and money if it is ever needed. This will help give you peace of mind if you ever need disaster cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO of Putnam County will be there for you 24/7.

What does the ERP actually do?

The ERP identifies the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the mitigation work faster. This will save you both time and money. It provides facility details, such as shut-off valve locations and priority contact information. It also identifies local emergency contact information, such as, fire, police, and hospital contacts. It also establishes main internal contacts for purposes of employee safety and emergency work authorization. Having a quick reference of what to do and who to call, provides solutions in advance of an emergency, so during the emergency you are ready.

Once all the information is capture, SERVPRO of Putnam County will provide you with a digital copy of you facilities information via our mobile app/web portal.

SERVPRO of Putnam County is no stranger to disaster. Having the ERP app at your fingertips will help you be prepared as well. Are you ready?

Commercial Cleaning

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a chance to come out and make 2020 look, "Like it never even happened."

Time for a Deep Cleaning

SERVPRO of Putnam County works with many commercial businesses for water, sewer and biohazard clean up around our beautiful county. One thing we also do is a deep general clean. Everyone loves a good Spring Clean even commercial businesses. 

Many or our commercial businesses, that we service, have been calling for deep cleanings to be scheduled. We have been cleaning rafters, walls, ducts, ceilings, etc. This is all in addition to our normal carpet or tile cleaning. We can wipe away all evidence of 2020 and its craziness. SERVPRO holds itself to the highest of standard of clean. 

SERVPRO of Putnam County hopes that you will trust us, and give us a call to help clean up your business. We will gladly give you a FREE estimate and walk you through the entire process that is catered to your needs. 

Call us today at (386)328-8660

Does Your Business Have a Plan?

10/5/2018 (Permalink)

Access your plan with ease with our SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan app!

What is Your Plan?

Do you have a plan for your business if disaster were to strike? If one of your employees came in to open up for the day and there was an inch of water on the floor, would they know what to do?

We are Here to Help

The key to getting back to business as usual after a disaster strikes your business is being prepared! The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan is here to help you do just that! The best part is that it is absolutely FREE to you!

What is it?

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan is a plan that one of our experts will come in and put together for you. It will have all emergency contacts listed, all utility shutoff locations will be photographed and tagged, and many more feature to help you in case of an emergency.

When your business' plan is complete you will receive your plan in a folder to keep on hand and you can also download an app, so you can access your plan at anytime! Call us today, at 386-328-8660, so we can start your Emergency Ready Plan as soon as possible!