Your professional staff of janitors, custodians, building engineers and cleaning staff work hard to maintain your spaces for employees, customers, vendors and suppliers. They have developed schedules, protocols and techniques to make your building shine. But we at On-Site Cleaning know that some problems are bigger than your staff.
When your Oakland County store, warehouse, factory, office, or shop gets hit with a deluge of water, your team will have so many crises to handle — get them some help. The professional restoration industry has expanded from its early years of hands-on field and carpet cleaning training to a body of specific knowledge of fire and smoke damage restoration, water damage restoration, mold remediation, and personal property restoration.
Bigger Problems Than At Home
Your commercial property can suffer every type of water damage emergency that you might have at home: broken pipes, clogged toilets, and floods from summer storms. However, your facility also has an industrial-sized HVAC, huge hot water heaters, fire sprinklers, large parking lots, etc.
However, in a commercial location, water damage problems are magnified. Customers are inconvenienced, employee health could be at risk, inventory is ruined, equipment is damaged, and possibly a total loss. You have to get the facility and your business back on track. But is your team the best team for the job?
Problems For Your Staff To Handle VS The Professionals to Handle
A good rule of thumb is to measure the best use of your staff’s man hours. If your team can solve the problem within their allotted work hours without sacrificing other tasks, let them make the repairs and clean up. However, if your janitorial team must omit or delay important maintenance tasks, it’s best to hire outside help.
The restoration profession has grown rapidly since more public and private organizations are maximizing the expertise of qualified restoration contractors. As materials, products, and safety regulations get more complex, facility managers increasingly rely on the training and expertise of Certified Restorers. Solid knowledge of professional restoration procedures, combined with a growing understanding of the science associated with restoration methods, has moved the profession to a higher profile with the public and private sectors, insurance companies, government agencies, and humanitarian groups.
Practice Prevention
Of course, you never want to have an emergency at work. However, invest some time now to think through what would need to be done in the case of flooding or a significant spill. Determine your safety and evacuation procedures, along with who should be notified (and the contact info). Post instructions near equipment that may need to be moved or shut off.
If there is property damage, FEMA recommends that you first focus on saving undamaged property and later try to salvage partially damaged pieces. Prevention–a well-planned response and appropriate cleanup of equipment– will help keep your personnel and facility safe.
Commercial Water Damage Cleanup In Oakland County
When your facility suffers from water damage, deploy the experts. On-Site Specialty Cleaning + Restoration will respond to your service call at your facility for any emergency. We are always ready to help out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lithium batteries safe?
Yes, lithium batteries are generally safe when used, stored, and charged properly. They are widely used in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and more because they are lightweight and store a lot of energy.
However, they can become dangerous under certain conditions:
- Overcharging or using the wrong charger
- Exposure to heat or direct sunlight
- Physical damage (like punctures or crushing)
- Manufacturing defects
- Poor-quality or counterfeit batteries
If something goes wrong, a lithium battery can overheat, catch fire, or even explode — this is known as thermal runaway.
Can a battery start a fire?
Yes, a battery can start a fire under certain conditions. This typically happens when:
- Short Circuiting: If the battery terminals are connected directly (e.g., by metal), it can cause a short circuit, generating heat that may ignite nearby materials.
- Overcharging: Charging a battery beyond its capacity, especially lithium-ion batteries, can cause overheating and thermal runaway, leading to fire.
- Physical Damage: Puncturing, crushing, or damaging a battery can release internal chemicals and cause a fire or explosion.
- Exposure to High Heat: Placing a battery near a heat source or in direct sunlight for long periods can increase the risk of fire.
- Manufacturing Defects: Faulty batteries may have internal issues that can lead to spontaneous ignition.
This is particularly a concern with lithium-ion batteries found in phones, laptops, and e-bikes.
Can fire damage restoration services help eliminate smoke odors from my property?
Yes, fire damage restoration services are designed to address smoke odors and eliminate them from your property. Our team at On-Site utilizes advanced techniques such as thermal fogging, ozone treatment, and air scrubbing to effectively neutralize smoke odors and improve indoor air quality. Additionally, we may recommend specialized cleaning methods and treatments to remove smoke residue from surfaces and materials, ensuring a thorough restoration of your property.
Can I remove smoke odor myself?
While DIY methods may provide temporary relief, professional smoke odor removal is recommended for thorough and long-lasting results.
Can lithium batteries catch fire when not in use?
Yes, lithium batteries can catch fire even when not in use, although it is rare. This usually happens due to internal faults or environmental factors.
Do lithium batteries only catch fire when charging?
No, lithium batteries do not only catch fire when charging. While charging is a common time for fires to occur—especially if overcharging, overheating, or using a faulty charger— fires can also happen during use, storage, or even when the battery is idle.
