How Fires Can Damage Retail Stock

4/28/2017 (Permalink)

Sprinklers help to save a business from many larger fires, but they also have the unfortunate consequence of adding additional damage to a situation.

How Retail Stock Can Be Damaged By Fires

When picturing a fire, most people think only of the flames themselves. However, in a real fire, open flames are often among the least of your concerns. Fires are multifaceted disasters that can cause damage in multiple ways, especially in retail merchandise. Between ash, smoke, burns, and water damage, fires can damage almost any type of merchandise. SERVPRO can clean and restore many of these, but understanding what might happen to your stock during a fire is important for calculating financial loss and extra shipments.
 
Burned Goods
 
The most obvious damage for fires in retail locations is through direct burns. Flammable items may catch fire, in most cases becoming unsalvageable, and other goods may be exposed to flames that partially or fully destroy them. We're able to restore some of the damage caused by direct burns, such as some discoloration or warping in items, but many victims of this type of damage are irrecoverable.
 
Water Damage from Sprinklers
 
Sprinklers help to save a business from many larger fires, but they also have the unfortunate consequence of adding additional damage to a situation. Water can damage most unsealed goods, and whether or not they will need replacing depends entirely on how much water is sprayed and what types of items are affected.
 
Ash
 
Ash is a tricky substance, as it can work its way into deep recesses and mix with water to become a harmful sludge. Ash is particularly bad for electronics and food items, but thankfully, its effects can usually be mitigated by SERVPRO or an affiliated contractor.
 
Smoke
 
Smoke has the highest potential to damage fabrics and clothing, but can hurt other types of merchandise as well. We have many different methods of treating smoke damage, be it on an individual item or rooms at a time. Smoke is usually a more serious problem for the building itself than any merchandise.
 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Cheatham, Robertson and Dickson Counties is a locally-owned company with industrial-grade equipment and training capable of handling even the most serious retail fire restorations. Call us 24/7 at (615) 672-1905.