Get your Calgary Business Ready for Winter

11/1/2019 (Permalink)

Take extra care of your business during the winter months. One small incident can cause a lot of damage and down time.

The winter months may call for businesses to take some standard precautionary measures to help protect their property. These measures include basic maintenance checks and preparation to help ensure your business and employees remain safe. Some basic precautionary tips include:

• Check your business property for down tree limbs and branches. Weather, such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow, can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries.
• Ensure gutters are clean and secure. Leave or debris accumulates causing a damming effect on gutters, which could lead to roof problems and water damage.
• Inspect property, especially walkaways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.
• Inspect all handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non- slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.

Calgary Business Fire Awareness Tips

6/27/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial building fire safety tips

Here are a few fire-safety tips focused on keeping the workplace safe.

1. Keep your workplace clean and organized. Mess contributes to fires by providing more fuel to the flames and by limiting access to exits and emergency equipment.
2. Place all oily/chemical covered rags in a seal-able metal container. Dispose of this waste on a regular basis.
3. Keep machinery on an appropriate maintenance schedule and keep to it, to prevent overheating and sparks.
4. Report all electrical hazards immediately faulty wiring is a common cause of fires along with and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Never attempt electrical repairs unless you are qualified and authorized.
5. Have easy access to all electrical control panels. Clutter and equipment stored in front of the panels slow down your ability to shut down the power in emergencies.
6. Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to determine if the substances are flammable or hazardous in any way. Provide proper ventilation when using and storing these substances.
7. Smoke only in designated areas and extinguish smoking materials safely and thoroughly. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas. Never exposes areas containing chemicals to open flames of any variety.
8. Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment, or emergency exits.
9. Have an emergency information list near telephones. The list should include emergency numbers, company address, and fire evacuation plans.
10. Learn the location of all fire extinguishers and how to properly use them.

Calgary Commercial Water Damage

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings are not free from the dangers of water damage.

When speaking with local Calgary business owners and property managers in regards to potential water damage situations, the knee-jerk reaction is to picture a massive storm, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days to weeks. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods, which we saw in 2013, but living in Calgary storms of that degree are very rare.

 
However commercial water damage in Calgary can happen all year but is usually focused in the fringe seasons, when the weather switched from hot to cold and vice-versa, and it can drastically affect the operation of your business. Here are some of usual culprits of water damage to commercial buildings. 
  

1. Faulty sprinkler systems 

Some offices and retail buildings still have old and outdated sprinkler systems that work together with fire protection systems. When a fire happens, these sprinklers are very useful in limiting damage, but they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are defective or in need of replacement.

2. Damaged equipment 

This cause of commercial water damage is more common in businesses that use appliances and equipment that make use of water, such as restaurants. If the appliance fails and sends water throughout your building, you will face a water emergency. This can be extra damaging if it occurs after hours and is left alone for long periods of time.
 
3. Broken pipes and plumbing 

Just like in a house, if the plumbing system in your property fails water damage could be the result. Bursting pipes are a regular occurrence in Calgary with our fluctuating weather patterns that can result in pipes freezing and thawing out rapidly.
 
4. Sewer Backups  

One last cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise, is the sewer backup. Should the sewer or sump pump to your building back up or become damaged it can result in Black Water rising into your building. Contaminated Black Water can cause adverse health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. SERVPRO of Calgary South has certified IICRC technicians that specialize with this type of water damage.
 
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Calgary South will get you and your business back up and running again. Call us anytime at (403) 255-0202!

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Call us today to get started with a personalized Emergency READY Profile.

Disasters can strike your business at any time, whether it is a pipe bursting, a fire occurring, or mould growing. It has been estimated that up to 50% of businesses may never open their doors again after a disaster happens. One tool that SERVPRO of Calgary South can provide to you to help you avoid this unfortunate conclusion is to be prepared, with our SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile (ERP).

Being prepared is an integral component in responding to a disaster of any size, from the smallest leak to a basement full of water. A well-constructed plan reduces the time and stress required to make it through a disaster and the best time to make a plan is well in advance. It is always better to plan for “when” instead of “if”.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is the first step that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information.

By working with SERVPRO of Calgary South and developing a personalized ERP you will take the Proactive > Reactive approach. Get your facility on the right track to dealing with disaster! Call Us Today 403-255-0202

The Dangers of Asbestos

5/3/2019 (Permalink)

Asbestos can be hiding in your property. It is not dangerous unless it is disturbed, but knowing if you have to worry about it or not is step number 1

Asbestos has been being mined for the past 4000 years, but its popularity really bloomed during the industrial revolution and peaked during World War II. Asbestos was seen as a miracle mineral because it was resistant to fire, heat, electricity, chemical erosion, and it is inexpensive to mine. Today, asbestos can still be found in many homes and commercial properties, especially if it was built before 1980, often in the drywall, insulation, or ceiling tiles. Please do not attempt to remove asbestos yourself, it is extremely dangerous and should only be handled by a certified asbestos abatement professional.

Asbestos is actually an umbrella term that describes 6 long fibrous minerals, much like fiberglass, that when irritated can release millions of tiny “fibrils” into the air. These fibrils cannot be seen by the naked eye, tasted, or smelled, so they can easily be inhaled. When inhaled, the fibrils get stuck in a person’s lungs and never dissolve. Years of exposure and build up causes inflammation and scarring, the symptoms are not immediate, they often take 20-50 years to develop, resulting in life threatening diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Asbestos is still the leading cause of occupational cancer in the world.

Asbestos has been banned in many countries all around the world, including Canada, but surprising not all countries have followed suite. The United States has not banned asbestos due to business interests and Russia still mines asbestos; Russia mined over 1 million metric tonnes in 2015.