Storm Damage

How to save a business from expensive repairs

and business interruption.

Abstract:

Richfords Fire and Flood where called to an over head escape of water effecting 3 floors and 10 rooms of Smith and Jones estate agents in Truro Cornwall.

Following initial damage limitation work Richfords installed a specialist drying process, which avoided the need to demolish and replace internal partition walls.

Due to the design and efficiency of the Richfords drying system the estate agents remained open throughout the entire process. Therefore a significant business interruption claim was avoided.

Richfords first report was sent the day after ABC Loss adjusters reported their involvement this claim. The final report and invoice was sent on completion of works and was in fact lower than originally expected due to the prompt drying time and reductions for not carrying out restoration on the carpet tiles.

The Property:

Smith and Jones is a premier estate agents located on Apple Street in the Cornish city of Truro.

Smith and Jones are based across two floors of Estate Agent House. Furthermore as the owners of the building Smith and Jones also rent out one further floor to a firm of solicitors. The building itself is of sandstone construction with a modern extension at the rear.

The Situation:

Richfords Fire and Flood where contacted by Smith and Jones directly on the 26th October at 8:50am.

The call was made due to an escape of water in the top floor of the building, which the staff of Smith and Jones noticed when opening for the day.

Richfords attended within one hour with a fully equipped emergency response vehicle and BDMA technician.

 

Phase 1: Initial Visit

 

On arrival Richfords technician carried out a risk assessment and survey of the property and spoke with the staff.

It was discovered that the cause of the leak had now been resolved and restoration could start. Using specialist equipment all standing water was removed from the property.

During this time, in accordance with the risk assessment, a qualified electrician was called to thoroughly safety check the electrical systems for the building. It was found that several lights where full of water, these were removed and made safe.

On the two upper floors the carpet tiles were lifted and transported back to Richfords treatment facility for processing.

Finally a controlled drying process was installed to stabilise moisture levels whilst approval was saught for a specialist drying process.

Upon returning to the Richfords facility Richfords technician place the carpet tiles in to environmentally controlled storage to await approval for restoration. The technicians survey was drafted into a report and estimate.

On the 5th of November Richfords were informed that ABC loss adjuster were acting for the buildings insurer. Richfords report was forward by e-mail to ABC’s representative on the 6th November; this report was approved the same day.

 

Phase 2: Specialist Drying Installation

 

Upon receive in approval Richfords Fire and Flood returned to site to install the specialist drying process, which had been outlined in the report. This involved installing 50sqm of KrugerAir injection drying, into the plasterboard walls and ceilings, throughout the property. This process introduces very dry air into the space behind the plasterboard. The result is that the board is dried from both sides and removal and replacement is avoided.

Four dehumidifiers were installed throughout the property and 25 air movers and blowers to ensure efficient drying.

At this time several large items of furniture, such as filing cabinets were placed onto blocks to allow drying underneath without having to remove them from the premises.

Update:

At this point the owner of Smith and Jones informed Richfords that although the carpet tiles could be restored they did not want them back. Richfords passed this information on to ABC loss adjusters who agreed to pay the cost of restoration towards the replacement. Richfords disposed of the carpet tiles and reduced the final invoice accordingly.

The owners also asked Richfords to reassess the wood laminate flooring on the ground floor of the property. Richfords did this and found that there was very slight evidence of cupping on the floor. Moisture levels below the floor were found to be slightly elevated. This was reported back to ABC adjusting. The loss adjuster decided to discuss this with the owner and asked Richfords to take no further action. 

 

Phase 3: Monitoring

 

Due to the design of the KrugerAir injection drying system Smith and Jones were able to remain trading during the drying process.

Richfords technicians returned to site to monitor moisture levels over the following two weeks.

It was found that after 18days of drying that moisture levels in the walls and ceiling had sufficiently fallen to be within recognised safe limits and the equipment was decommissioned.

 

Phase 4: Finishing

 

To complete the job Richfords technicians removed all of the equipment from the property. All holes that had been drilled during the injection drying process were refilled with materials appropriate to the construction of the property.

Upon invoicing ABC Loss adjusters were pleased to find that following this challenging project that Richfords final invoice was lower than amount estimated at the beginning of the project.