Fire & Smoke Damage

LET YOUR EMERGENCY BE OURS

Fire

Avedon USA™ is the “Fire Specialist” with decades of experience restoring properties to “better than before” condition.

In terms of insurance, fire damage was one of the first types of coverage offered to property owners. Most insurance companies divide fire damage into two categories:

Primary damage is the damage, charring, melting, and destruction caused by the flames of fire themselves to property and/or personal belongings.

Secondary damage refers to the smoke or other substances from the fire.

BOTH are valid claims to be reimbursed. Call 855-806-1100 for immediate assistance.

SMOKE

Smoke is the secondary physical damage created by fire but not by the flames themselves. This type of damage is typically covered under a homeowners insurance policy.

Smoke damage is caused from the remnants of the fuel that was feeding the fire. Unlike the flames of the fire, smoke does not destroy objects but instead covers them in soot and a foul odor. The restoration of property in terms of removing the smell and soot is an extremely taxing task due to the composition of smoke, which tends to have an almost greasy quality. Avedon USA™ has the knowledge, specialized equipment, and personnel to erase any visible evidence or smell of smoke and fire damage. Call 855-806-1100 for immediate assistance.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

In addition to fire and smoke, there is usually substantial damage caused by the fire department upon responding to the scene. It is common practice for doors to be battered to gain access to the property, and windows are often broken to vent the fire. The damage done by first responders is usually covered by the property owner’s insurance, including the damage caused by the water and other chemicals or foam used to extinguish the fire itself. Call 855-806-1100 for immediate assistance.

UNSECURED PROPERTY

Whenever there is a fire, your insurance company expects you to be responsible for securing the property. Often times the doors and/or windows could be damaged or rendered inoperable by the responding fire department, but it is still the responsibility of the homeowner to “Board Up” and secure the property to:

Restrict the access of other people who may loot the property and to reduce the liability of the property owner and insurance company from someone becoming injured, even though they are trespassing.
If windows, doors, or holes are left open to the elements, additional damage could occur due to rain or animals entering the property. This additional damage may not be covered if the homeowner was negligent in securing the property as required.

Hence, a very small fire, even an electrical fire that may not have flames at all, can cause a lot of smoke and therefore great deal of damage that needs to be cleaned. Call 855-806-1100 for immediate assistance.

FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION

Fire Damage Restoration is an important step to protect and mitigate resulting Damages following a fire.

STEP ONE:

Call Avedon USA and request an Emergency Response from our 24/7 Emergency Team.

This first step is one of the most important steps that you will need to take to protect your property from further damages. Our quick response is designed to prevent damage from spreading through your property. For example, if it’s winter and if the property is not quickly winterized, pipes may burst causing thousands of dollars in unnecessary additional damages. The longer you delay to request an emergency response, the more the extent of damage is going to increase. You do not have to get permission from your insurance carrier to request an emergency response. Your policy directs you to protect the property from further damage. No permanent repairs can be done prior to the insurance company exercising their right of viewing. Only items of emergency nature can be done to protect your property from further damages; i.e. Winterization, board-up, tarping, temporary shoring, etc.

STEP TWO: Evaluation / Assessment

Once on the scene, our techs will begin to evaluate the extent of the fire damage and to check thoroughly for any penetrations, how many windows and doors have been compromised, and if any temporary shoring is required. We will evaluate the power source to the property to see whether the utility providers have removed the electric meter and gas meter. We will also check to see how much water remains inside the property following the fire department emergency services.

Based on the findings of our assessment/evaluation, we will request additional resources as needed to accomplish all required emergency services.

STEP THREE: Board-up, Tarp and Sealing Services

Now that we have determined the extent of the fire damage to the property, we can begin to provide the required emergency services. All openings will be boarded up and all roofing penetrations will be covered with temporary sheathing, then tarp. If it’s winter, the property will be winterized. All required water removal and mitigation services will be done.

STEP FOUR: Insurance Carrier Evaluation

Your insurance carrier will send in a claim adjuster to evaluate the extent of loss and to prepare a written scope of work based on the results in covered damages. As your contractor, your insurance company may choose to write a scope of work for the covered loss and then have us review in order to reach an agreed scope of work. Or they may request that we walk your property together to jointly evaluate the loss and reach an agreed scope. Should expert evaluation or sub-bid be necessary, the adjuster may choose to leave these items open pending the results of reevaluation and/or sub-bid pricing.