On being appointed to assist in the restoration of a fire damaged property by an insurance company, a Chem-Dry UK technican is sent to inspect the affected areas.

Once an estimate has been authorised, the technician will contact the policyholder to arrange to commence or complete necessary work.

In dealing with the incident some or all of the following procedures may be carried out, although policy cover may restrict the nature and extent of work to be undertaken. For example, if your policy is buildings only then the technician will not be in a position to remove fire damaged building materials, i.e. kitchen units or remove excess residue from walls/ceilings etc.

Initial consideration will be given on emergency work to prevent further damage and to the health and safety of the policyholder and family, the restoration technicians and any other subcontractors that may need access to the property.

Emergency work may involve the following:

1. Site safety-have gas and electricity supplies been made safe?
2. Ventiliation of the property.
3. Removal of burnt/charred building materials and/or content items dependant upon policy cover.
4. Application of granular odour counteractrants to control airborne odour particles.

Following the completion of the emergency work, a detailed assessment of the damages to the buildings and contents will be undertaken.

Buildings

The extent of restoration work will depend upon the intensity of the fire.

The effects of airborne smoke deposits may be visable throughout the property on surfaces, walls and ceilings. Redecoration cannot be successfully completed without the removal or neutralisation of these carbon deposits.

Smoke residue on most structural surfaces will be dry-cleaned initially to remove loose deposits often followed by wet cleaning. Surface cleaning will remove the majority of smoke deposits.

If building materials are physically burnt, then restoration is not possible and building work and redecoration may be required, which will normally be considered separately by the policyholder's Insurer or Loss Adjuster.

Our goal is to leave the structure in a suitable condition for any other subcontractors to complete their work.

Contents

After the emergency work has been completed the technician, providing the policyholder's cover provides, assesses content items to determine the possibility of successful restoration. Other specialists such as French polishers, electrical engineers and upholsterers may be required to inspect damaged items. The technician or Loss Adjuster will discuss this with the policyholder.

Affected items may range from floor coverings to light fittings and everything in between and so a wide range of restoration techniques have been developed. Depending upon the extent of damage, it may be necessary to remove items for cleaning off-site. If this action has to take place, it will be discussed with the policyholder.

Once an assessment of the items to be cleaned has been completed, an estimate detailing items that can be economically restored will be provided to the Insurer or Loss Adjuster for their approval to proceed.

Items that are beyond economical restoration will be identified, listed and with the policyholder's agreement, removed. The Insurer or Loss Adjuster will require a list of these items to organise replacement/settlement.

Upon completion of the restoration work the policyholder will be requested by the technican to confirm their satisfaction by signing a form. This will enable the final report to be submitted to the insurer for prompt settlement.