Is that a Commercial Biohazard?

10/19/2022 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we understand that any type of exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose some serious health threats and consequences. In a commercial setting, any type of sewage backup, blood cleanup or even chemical spill, can place YOU and all of the inhabitants of the area at risk. Upon recognizing the situation, your primary focus should be safety. After the area has been critically assessed, you should be well versed in the do’s and don’ts after a contamination.

What to Do After a Contamination

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
• Treat allbodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

What Not to Do After a Contamination

• Don’t leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don’t use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don’t use television or other household appliances.
• Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Situations that contain any biohazardous material or spills, should not be handled lightly. At SERVPRO, we care about our local community, as well as all of those that live in the area. If you have any questions, or would like to contact one of our professionals

OSHA Guidelines For Proper Containment and Removal

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Are you aware of the proper disposal of contaminated needles and blood tube holders?

From the OSHA website: 

Appropriate Disposal of Contaminated Sharps:

• Employers must make available, closable, puncture resistant, leakproof sharps containers that are appropriately labeled and color-coded. The containers must also have an opening that is large enough to accommodate disposal of the entire blood collection assembly (i.e. blood tube holder and needle).
• Employees must have access to sharps containers that are easily accessible to the immediate area where sharps are used (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)(i)).
• If employees travel from one location to another (e.g. from one patient room to another or from one facility to another), the employee must be provided with a sharps container which is conveniently placed or portable at each location/facility, and is capable of accommodating the entire blood tube holder and needle assembly.

Note: Many sharps containers are designed with openings that do not allow for disposal of a SESIP that is attached to the blood tube holder. These containers would not be in compliance with the bloodborne pathogens standard. Employers must ensure that where blood is being drawn, the sharps container is appropriate for immediate disposal of sharps.

Evaluation Toolbox

• Employers must first evaluate, select, and use appropriate engineering controls (e.g., sharps with engineered sharps injury protection), which includes single-use blood tube holders with sharps with engineered sharps injury protection (SESIP) attached.
• The use of engineering andwork practice controls provide the highest degree of control in order to eliminate potential injuries after performing blood draws. Disposing of blood tube holders with contaminated needles attached after the activation of the safety feature affords the greatest hazard control.
• In very rare situations needle removal is acceptable.
  • If the employer can demonstrate that no feasible alternative to needle removal is available (e.g. inability to purchase single-use blood tube holders due to a supply shortage of these devices),
  • If the removal is necessary for a specific medical or dental procedure.

In these rare cases, the employer must ensure that the contaminated needle is protected by a SESIP prior to disposal. In addition, the employer must ensure that a proper sharps disposal container is located in the immediate area of sharps use and is easily accessible to employees. This information must be clearly detailed and documented in the employer's Exposure Control Plan.

• If it is necessary to draw blood with a syringe, a syringe with engineered sharps injury protection must be used in which the protected needle is removed using safe work practices, and transfer of blood from the syringe to the tube must be done using a needleless blood transfer device.

For complete details visit: https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101503.html 

Have a biohazard clean up?  Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna 916-525-1241

3 Levels Of Commercial Loss

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna handles not only residential damage and restoration but commercial as well.

There are three levels of commercial damage that are considered:

Level 1

Level 1 is a small commercial loss typically involving 15,000 square feet or less of affected floor space. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a small commercial loss may include but are not limited to, a stand-alone retail establishment, a small church, a daycare facility, a small shopping center, a small warehouse or manufacturing facility, or a stand-alone administrative building. A Level 1 loss can also be a small portion of a much larger structure.

Level 2

Level 2 is a midsize commercial loss typically involving 15,000 to 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved are usually multi-level or greatly divided spaces. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 2 loss may include but are not limited to, a small multi-family property, a midsize church or school, a small shopping center, a multi-tenant administration facility, or a midsize warehouse or manufacturing facility. A Level 2 loss can also be just a portion of a much larger structure.

Level 3

Level 3 is a large commercial loss typically involving more than 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved will likely be large multi-level structures. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 3 loss can include, but are not limited to, a large church, hospital, school, or university; a large multi-family property; a mid- to high-rise retail or administration facility; a large industrial, manufacturing, or warehouse facility; or a large strip-style shopping center or shopping mall. This is the level at which it would be appropriate to refer to the project as a “large loss.”

Once our team determines the level of loss, the property is further assessed, and a team of appropriate size is dispatched to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and return your business to operation “Like it never even happened.”®

Earthquake Safety

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

those risks.

Prepare Your Workforce to

• React Safely
  Every employee, from top managers to part-time and temporary workers, needs to learn What to Do During an Earthquake. Safety orientations should emphasize safe places to "drop, cover, and hold on" during earthquake shaking and safe locations where people can rendezvous when the shaking has stopped and it is safe and advisable to evacuate your facilities.
  
  Hold periodic, mandatory earthquake drills to give employees opportunities to practice what they have learned and condition themselves to react spontaneously and safely when the first jolt or shaking is felt. To help protect workers in the immediate aftermath of earthquakes or other disasters, arrange for employees to be trained now in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of fire extinguishers. Earthquakes should be thoroughly integrated into the organization’s emergency preparedness, response, and recovery planning.
   
• Help the Organization Survive a Damaging Earthquake
  Elements that are critical to ongoing business viability vary from one organization to another. They may include, for example, locations, equipment, telecommunications, supply chains, stored data, or employee knowledge or skills. A prepared workforce is one that has identified the elements that are important to its operations; made plans for protecting, reconstructing, duplicating, or surviving without these elements; and been adequately trained to carry out these plans in the event of an earthquake or other contingency. Visit Ready Businessfor more information on business-continuity and contingency planning.
  
  In the days following an earthquake, employees are more likely to be able to come to work and perform effectively if they are less worried about or preoccupied with their families and homes. They should be encouraged to prepare their homes and families in advance for earthquakes and other emergencies (see Earthquake Safety at Home).

Prepare Your Community

It makes good business sense for employers to contribute to the well-being of the communities from which they recruit employees, clients, and customers. There are many ways that businesses, acting either individually or collectively through organizations such as local chambers of commerce, can help strengthen the disaster resilience of their communities. Some of these ways include serving as local exemplars of organizational preparedness; promoting preparedness among suppliers, clients, and other business contacts; and sponsoring or participating in local earthquake drills, preparedness events, or awareness and education campaigns. Visit Quake Smart for more ideas.

Source: https://www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-work

Commercial Building With Restoration Services

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Water or fire damage on your commercial property is serious. SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to help you. 

Commercial Building Restoration Services

We are available 24 hours a day to get your Elk Grove business back up and running. Our expertise includes restoration services for fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying. We are also your business’s best resource for mold remediation. Learn more about our commercial restoration services:

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
• Commercial Mold Remediation
• Commercial Cleaning Services
• Commercial Storm and Major Events

About SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Visit our crew page.

For more information on our company click here.

Commercial Recovery After A Storm

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Elk Grove commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

How To Address That Mold Problem

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

The good news is that mold clean up and recovery professionals are held to specific mold standards. These standards have been established by several agencies:

• The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, focuses on how mold may affect the environment in your building and on the environment. It also offers insights into who should handle the cleanup efforts.
• The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification is the go-to source of training, standards, and certification. In addition to establishing high standards for professionals in the industry, the IICRC also oversees the quality of mold removal and cleanup within the industry.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC, also provides a lot of helpful information about upholding the standards established by the EPA. It also provides official recommendations pertinent to specific mold growth situations.
• OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is another source of cleanup standards. This agency covers details about how to clean up specific types of mold, such as black mold and gives specific information about business and property owner responsibilities.

The IICRC Mold Remediation Standard
It's important that you understand the mold standards that affect your business property. Familiarity with these standards can help you ensure that you have a clean, safe place for people to live or work. Technicians in your area may uphold the IICRC S520 Standard which protects the health of the workers and the people using the building, outlines the use of equipment, governs removal of contaminated materials, and dictates how the original moisture problem is addressed.

Standards and Your Confidence
When professionals adhere to mold standards established by the government and industry leaders, you can be confident that remediation has been carried out appropriately and thoroughly. You can also feel confident in the well-being of your building.

Commercial Level Damage

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna handles not only residential damage and restoration but commercial as well.

There are three levels of commercial damage that are considered:

Level 1

Level 1 is a small commercial loss typically involving 15,000 square feet or less of affected floor space. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a small commercial loss may include but are not limited to, a stand-alone retail establishment, a small church, a daycare facility, a small shopping center, a small warehouse or manufacturing facility, or a stand-alone administrative building. A Level 1 loss can also be a small portion of a much larger structure.

Level 2

Level 2 is a midsize commercial loss typically involving 15,000 to 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved are usually multi-level or greatly divided spaces. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 2 loss may include but are not limited to, a small multi-family property, a midsize church or school, a small shopping center, a multi-tenant administration facility, or a midsize warehouse or manufacturing facility. A Level 2 loss can also be just a portion of a much larger structure.

Level 3

Level 3 is a large commercial loss typically involving more than 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved will likely be large multi-level structures. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 3 loss can include, but are not limited to, a large church, hospital, school, or university; a large multi-family property; a mid- to high-rise retail or administration facility; a large industrial, manufacturing, or warehouse facility; or a large strip-style shopping center or shopping mall. This is the level at which it would be appropriate to refer to the project as a “large loss.”

Once our team determines the level of loss, the property is further assessed, and a team of appropriate size is dispatched to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and return your business to operation “Like it never even happened.”®

Mitigation vs. Restoration

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

If your businesses has been affected by severe flooding, the chances are that you have contacted a flood and water cleanup company to help get your building back to normal is pretty high. You will probably hear the words “mitigation” and “restoration” thrown around a lot, and you might not fully understand what they mean. Here’s a quick breakdown of what they mean.

Mitigation

Mitigation is the first line of defense when it comes to water damage. It also includes measures that are used to help stabilize the situation before any more damage can occur. Here are some examples of what happens during mitigation:

• Inspecting damage
• Making sure building is stable
• Window board up
• Setting tarps
• Removing furniture/other belongings
• Extracting water
• Setting drying equipment

Depending on if more work needs to be done, based on the damage, that is where restoration comes in to play.

Restoration or Reconstruction

Restoration means that we will bring your property back to the state it was in before the damage occurred. Once mitigation has been complete, the repairing of the structure can begin. This means replacing drywall, painting, and many other things depending on what is needed.

Commercial Biohazard

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we understand that any type of exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose some serious health threats and consequences. In a commercial setting, any type of sewage backup, blood cleanup or even chemical spill, can place YOU and all of the inhabitants of the area at risk. Upon recognizing the situation, your primary focus should be safety. After the area has been critically assessed, you should be well versed in the do’s and don’ts after a contamination.

What to Do After a Contamination

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

What Not to Do After a Contamination

• Don’t leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don’t use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don’t use television or other household appliances.
• Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Situations that contain any biohazardous material or spills, should not be handled lightly. At SERVPRO, we care about our local community, as well as all of those that live in the area. If you have any questions, or would like to contact one of our professionals

Make Sure You Have A Fire Extinguisher In Your Commercial Building

6/23/2021 (Permalink)

Fire extinguishers are required in all commercial buildings in California, and there are specific requirements regarding training of your employees in many areas of fire prevention and safety.

Cal OSHA regulations stipulate that fire extinguishers must be placed in areas that the employees can easily access, such as in a cabinet or mounted to a wall.  They should be placed near exits to reduce the risk that people will be trapped by fire inside a building.  OSHA regulations also mandate that all employees must be trained on the basic principles of using fire extinguishers, as well as the hazards that are typically involved with firefighting.  They should also be trained on the process for reporting a fire, how to evaluate the size of a fire, and how to keep an exit route in good condition in your place of work.

Training must be provided to every new employee, for employees assigned to emergency response teams, and to all other employees on an annual basis.  In order to be safe, make sure your company is following all of these guidelines.

In the unfortunate event that your business does experience a fire, call the professionals at SERVPRO.

What Does IICRC mean anyway for your commercial facility?

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

• AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
• OSHA - 30-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
• CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
• IICRC Certified Firm
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
• WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
• OCT - Odor Control Technician

Mold Cleanup Standards in Your Area

3/14/2021 (Permalink)

How Can You Tell That a Mold Problem Has Been Appropriately Addressed?

The good news is that mold clean up and recovery professionals are held to specific mold standards. These standards have been established by several agencies:

• The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, focuses on how mold may affect the environment in your building and on the environment. It also offers insights into who should handle the cleanup efforts.
• The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification is the go-to source of training, standards, and certification. In addition to establishing high standards for professionals in the industry, the IICRC also oversees the quality of mold removal and cleanup within the industry.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC, also provides a lot of helpful information about upholding the standards established by the EPA. It also provides official recommendations pertinent to specific mold growth situations.
• OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is another source of cleanup standards. This agency covers details about how to clean up specific types of mold, such as black mold and gives specific information about business and property owner responsibilities.

The IICRC Mold Remediation Standard
It's important that you understand the mold standards that affect your business property. Familiarity with these standards can help you ensure that you have a clean, safe place for people to live or work. Technicians in your area may uphold the IICRC S520 Standard which protects the health of the workers and the people using the building, outlines the use of equipment, governs removal of contaminated materials, and dictates how the original moisture problem is addressed.

Standards and Your Confidence
When professionals adhere to mold standards established by the government and industry leaders, you can be confident that remediation has been carried out appropriately and thoroughly. You can also feel confident in the well-being of your building.

Why is Professional Commercial Restoration Cleaning so Important?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Professional commercial restoration cleaning is among the most vital services available to owners of commercial property. Let’s face it, most commercial properties get a lot of wear and tear over the years, especially multifamily housing units and office complexes. Why is professional commercial restoration cleaning so important? You’re about to find out!

What Can Go Wrong, and Why You’ll Need a Professional Commercial Restoration Cleaning Service

There’s a lot that can go wrong with a commercial structure, especially if it’s an older one. Commercial buildings can be damaged by mold, water, fire, or most unfortunate of all, a sewage backup. You hear about that kind of stuff happening all the time, but most people never think that it could actually happen to their own properties. Unfortunately, it can, and as time goes on, the chances of experiencing at least one of the preceding types of damage rises steeply.

At this point, you might be thinking that you still won’t need a professional commercial restoration cleaning service because you’re on top of everything and confident that you can prevent any such damage. While confidence is great, you’re going to need something more than a little bravado to fall back on.

Fire is spontaneous, you never know when or how one might start, especially since it might not even start in your building at all. For example, say you did everything right, you bought a bunch of smoke detectors, had them installed, check them regularly, and replace the batteries. What happens if the owner of the building next to you didn’t do any of that stuff? What if that owner doesn’t have any functioning smoke detectors in their building and they have an ancient electrical system? The building will burn and it’ll probably set your building on fire too because they’re so close together, that’s what’s going to happen.

The Top Causes of Commercial Water Damage

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in a commercial business will prevent you from conducting business and it may put the safety and health everyone using the building at risk. If you find signs of water damage, it is crucial that you take action right away.

Water damage restoration services for commercial buildings can be more challenging than residential properties. In most cases, this necessitates an intensive and professional approach. The structure and size of commercial buildings, the extent of the damage, the varied use of the spaces, and the total number of occupants will all affect the restoration process used. Besides these, there is usually a time constraint for the job to be done because the business needs to keep running and avoiding a significant amount of downtime.

While some issues related to water damage are inevitable, most issues are preventable if the cause of water damage is found and dealt with.

Some of the most common causes of water damage in commercial buildings are found here.

Damaged Windows

In many commercial buildings, water damage is caused by windows that aren’t properly sealed. If windows are damaged, it can cause moisture to seep inside. This can trigger many issues, including warped drywall and wood along with potential mold growth. Regularly resealing the windows is crucial because caulk may breakdown as time passes.

Damaged Pipes

Issues related to broken pipes can be caused by an array of issues. They can occur because of changes in pressure, cold weather, and deteriorated sewer drains and water supply lines. Some of the signs of damaged pipes in your building include:

• Musty odors
• Loose tiles
• Cracked tiles
• Stains on the floors and walls
• Bulging walls

Detecting leaky pipes is something that is quite challenging, and it will usually require some type of inspection utilizing special equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters and borescopes.

The Foundation of the Building

If the gutters of your commercial building aren’t cleaned properly or regularly, they may become clogged. This will cause water to leak into the property through the roof or the foundation. A common sign of leaks in a commercial building foundation include puddles close by or framing that is wet. Improper drainage systems may also cause damage in the foundation.

Roof Leaks

A roof that is leaking may result in water stains and potential mold, compromised structural integrity, and fire hazards resulting from faulty wiring. Exposure to snow and heavy rains make roofs very vulnerable to serious damage. Also, if ice or snow is not removed properly, it can trigger even more water damage for a commercial property.

Problems with the HVAC System

The HVAC system heats or cools the air through a series of ducts. It is essential to clean the ducts regularly and the additional water from the condensation reservoirs. This must be removed to prevent water damage.

Recovering at Your Business After a Disaster Strikes

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

Careful planning and strategizing is a key part of being a business owner, both for all of your everyday business decisions and when it comes to emergencies. Disasters devastate businesses every single year, leaving many business owners confused and unsure of how and if they will be able to reopen. Through careful planning, you can mitigate quite a bit of this uncertainty.

When you are considering how a disaster could impact your business, the first thing to be aware of is safety. Plan ahead to make sure you and your staff will be safe when a dangerous situation arises, and then consider how you will recover if there is damage to your building. Your restoration provider, your insurance company and your customers will all want to keep in touch, and you will have many resources available to you from organizations for financial assistance.

Ensuring Your Business Can Recover From a Disaster

Make contact with your insurance and restoration providers. No two commercial insurance policies are the same, so getting in touch with your insurance provider quickly after damage occurs is recommended. The process of filing a claim will vary, but once you get the details settled with your insurance company, you should reach out to your restoration provider as quickly as you are able so they can begin working on the damages.

Give customers updates on your status. Because of social media, it is easier than ever to keep in touch with your customers in real-time—and after a disaster, you absolutely should. Consider providing updates on your reopening timeline and any options customers have for supporting you while you work to recover (i.e. purchasing gift cards, making online orders, etc.).

Consider all your options for assistance. While a disaster is always a difficult thing to endure, business owners do have plenty of resources available for recovery through the Small Business Administration. Their disaster loan program is quite possibly the biggest help, as it is easy to qualify for, offers flexible repayment solutions and provides financial assistance for a variety of post-disaster expenses incurred.

If your business has been damaged due to a disaster, we’re here to help.

We Can Handle Your Commercial Water Damage

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage can close the doors of a business enterprise. It may be a retail store, a doctor's office, an apartment complex, or even a big-box store. Disruptions to normal business patterns lead to loss of goodwill and revenue. Consider calling in a professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO to limit your losses.

Our water mitigation professionals are needed when it comes to handling unwanted water intrusion. Water damages can occur at any time and any place. It is important to be prepared to call a professional because water damage can be very hard to clean up by yourself. In fact, water gets into many places that are inaccessible. As a result, even after you have dried up the building yourself, you can still get mold and other problems in the building.  

It takes quick action to handle the damage efficiently. You have to make sure that all the belongings are safe. If the water has gotten to some of the belongings, it is important to make sure that you clean them out as quickly as you can before any permanent damage occurs. All of the other items that you can save, you should do so. Afterward, you should contact a professionally certified team that will remove the water and use specialized drying equipment. 

Levels of Commercial Damage

6/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna handles not only residential damage and restoration but commercial as well.

There are three levels of commercial damage that are considered:

Level 1

Level 1 is a small commercial loss typically involving 15,000 square feet or less of affected floor space. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a small commercial loss may include but are not limited to, a stand-alone retail establishment, a small church, a daycare facility, a small shopping center, a small warehouse or manufacturing facility, or a stand-alone administrative building. A Level 1 loss can also be a small portion of a much larger structure.

Level 2

Level 2 is a midsize commercial loss typically involving 15,000 to 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved are usually multi-level or greatly divided spaces. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 2 loss may include but are not limited to, a small multi-family property, a midsize church or school, a small shopping center, a multi-tenant administration facility, or a midsize warehouse or manufacturing facility. A Level 2 loss can also be just a portion of a much larger structure.

Level 3

Level 3 is a large commercial loss typically involving more than 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved will likely be large multi-level structures. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 3 loss can include, but are not limited to, a large church, hospital, school, or university; a large multi-family property; a mid- to high-rise retail or administration facility; a large industrial, manufacturing, or warehouse facility; or a large strip-style shopping center or shopping mall. This is the level at which it would be appropriate to refer to the project as a “large loss.”

Once our team determines the level of loss, the property is further assessed, and a team of appropriate size is dispatched to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and return your business to operation “Like it never even happened.”®

Commercial Property Management: Signs of Sewer Line Issues

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

While a blocked sewer drain is relatively common in commercial properties, legitimate concerns over sewer line functionality may be few and far between. However, when major sewer line issues occur, it is essential to remedy the problems quickly to avoid potential backups and structural damage. Be aware of these four signs, which may indicate sewer line problems.

1. Odors

While drain or toilet overflow are frequent problems in commercial properties, you should pay attention to odors surrounding these problems. For instance, if after clearing a clog you smell sewer gas, you may want to call a plumber for an inspection, as strong sewer smells can be an indicator of issues further in the line.

2. Clogged Drains

A blocked sewer will not only cause unpleasant odors to occur in your building, but the blocked pipe can also cause frequent clogging of your drains and toilets. This problem may also cause sewer backups into your facility.

3. Indentations in Landscaping

Also, while you may not have any clogging issues, it is still possible that your sewer lines have failed. Pipe breaks may cause indentations in your landscaping, like divots in the lawn. If the break is severe enough, it is possible that sewage is leaking into the grounds of your property. Eventually, this can also lead to a sewage backup in your building.

4. Deformations in Landscaping

In addition to indentations in the lawn, you may notice perpetual puddling in certain areas. You may also see that areas of your parking lot have sunken or cracked along with sidewalks. Depending on how close the break is to your building, you may even notice cracks in the foundation. These issues often require the expertise of a disaster restoration specialist in the Elk Grove / Laguna area to resolve, which depending on your insurance policy may be covered.

A blocked sewer line can wreak havoc on a business and may even lead to significant business interruption. You should be aware of the warning signs of such a problem so that you can resolve the issue as early as possible.

What To Do If Your Commercial Water Supply Line Bursts

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

The water supply line to your commercial property is vital for ensuring you have a clean business that your customers will want to visit. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents happen. If your water supply line bursts, you could find yourself with a large mess to take care of. Use these tips to help you get through the pipe burst cleanup process.

Shut Off the Water Supply

The first thing you need to do when you notice a burst pipe is to shut off the water supply. This may be found in several areas:

• Near the sink

• Behind the toilet

• In a basement or utility space

• At the main valve near your water meter

Clamp the Pipe Shut

Next, you’ll need to close off the burst in the pipe. Do this by applying a repair clamp to the area. While each package will have its own instructions, the process typically includes adding a rubber sleeve to the leak and then bolting a clamp over the sleeve. If you do not have a repair kit, you can use rubber from an inner tube or similar item with an adjustable hose clamp. This is only a temporary fix, so be sure to call a professional plumber as soon as you clamp the pipe to stop supply line leaking.

If you're dealing with water damage at your commercial property don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Elk Grove at 916-525-1241. 

How To Maintain a Commercial Roof

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial building owners or maintenance supervisors should schedule inspections and perform upkeep. The maintenance required may vary depending on the type of roof on a structure in Elk Grove, CA. Cleaning and repairing a roof can prolong its life and resolve wear or wind damage before a roof leak causes a major problem.

Schedule Regular Inspections

Inspections should take place at least twice a year, ideally in the spring and fall. This can help owners and maintenance supervisors ensure that winter weather or summer storms have not damaged the roof. Each inspection should involve looking for defects while checking the condition of

• Drainage systems
• Flashing
• Penetrations
• Edges
• Expansion joints
• Parapets
• Seams
• Sealing around vents and equipment
• Surface area
• Terminations
• Wear

Unless the owner or maintenance supervisor has experience working on roofing, these inspections should be performed by qualified professionals. A roofing expert that specializes in the style of roof on a commercial property may be better able to point out when repairs are necessary.

Follow a Maintenance Plan

In addition to inspections, a building owner or maintenance supervisor can also take measures to maintain the condition of a roof and prevent a roof leak. On a regular basis, a property owner or maintenance supervisor should

• Check for signs of storm or wind damage
• Clean drainage systems
• Eliminate standing water on flat roofs
• Fix lifted seams
• Have overhanging trees trimmed
• Reattach or replace flashing
• Tighten or replace mechanical fasteners

All of these measures may prevent a leak, limit the extent of repairs, and prolong the life of a roof.

Work with a roofing company or have an owner or maintenance supervisor perform regular maintenance or inspections. Be sure to call a roofer or perform repairs as soon as any signs of damage become apparent.

If a roof leak leads to interior water damage, contact SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241. 

Keep Your Workspace Safe!

4/21/2020 (Permalink)

Listed below are a few tips we wanted to share to keep your workplace safe this winter season.

• Unplug all space/portable heaters.
• Keep your work area free of waste paper, trash and other items that can easily catch fire.
• Check on your electrical cords.
• Don't overload your circuits.
• Turn off electrical appliances at the end of each day.
• Keep heat producing equipment away from anything that might burn.
• Turn off the coffee pot.
• Unplug wall scents.
• Make sure all candles are blown out at the end of the day.
• Have a emergency escape plan for all employees.
• Make sure EXIT signs are posted and all employees are aware of the exit doors.
• Check your fire extinguishers and make sure they have not expired.
• Turn off all decorations and lights at the end of the day.

These are just a few things we can all do to help prevent unwanted fires to start. By implementing these simple task we can KEEP OUR WORKPLACE SAFE!

Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove at 916-525-1241.

SERVPRO is a  24 hour emergency service company! We are always here to help.

A Fire Extinguisher May Save Your Business!

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

According to OSHA, the most common emergency small businesses must plan for is a fire. Fire extinguishers can be invaluable tools to help fight smaller fires in the workplace or to protect evacuation routes in the event of a larger one.

OSHA requires employers to thoroughly train workers not only how to use an extinguisher properly, but also how to accurately assess a situation and determine when evacuation is the safest course of action. OSHA requires employees to be trained in fire extinguisher use on an annual basis, at a minimum.

A simple fire extinguisher training technique to use with employees is the PASS method:

• Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
• Aim the hose nozzle low toward the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the flames until extinguished.

Knowing how to operate the extinguisher is not the end of training. Employee responders to a fire also should be trained to adhere to the following protocol:

• If appropriate, sound the fire alarm or call the fire department immediately.
• Before approaching the fire, determine an evacuation route safe of flames, excessive heat and smoke. Do not allow this evacuation route to become blocked.
• Use the PASS technique for discharging an extinguisher and back away from the area if the fire flares up again.
• If the extinguisher is empty and the fire is not out, evacuate immediately.
• If the fire grows beyond what can be safely handled, evacuate immediately.

Fire extinguishers are meant to handle only small fires. If a fire becomes too large or the environment becomes too dangerous, employees should know when and how to evacuate the area. If any of the following conditions are present, workers should follow evacuation procedures immediately and should not attempt to fight the fire with an extinguisher:

The fire is too large. The fire involves flammable solvents, is partially hidden behind a wall or ceiling, cannot be reached from a standing position, or covers more than 60 square feet in area.

The air is unsafe to breathe. Levels of smoke make the fire impossible to fight without some form of respiratory protection.

The environment is too hot or smoky. Radiated heat is easily felt, making it hard to approach a fire within adequate range of using the extinguisher (about 10-15 feet). It is necessary to crawl on the floor to avoid heat or smoke. Visibility is poor.

Evacuation paths are impaired. The fire is not contained and heat, smoke or flames block potential evacuation routes.

Do You Know Where Your Shutoffs Are?

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

Knowing where your shutoffs are in your commercial building could save you thousands of unnecessary damage to your building.

Often times building owners will rely on the Fire Department to come in and shut off the water to the building once a loss has occurred.

Knowing where your shutoffs are and clearly marking them enables the building owner to shut off water several minutes before first responders can.

In the case of sprinklers that malfunction and turn on, just 1 minute less of water flowing could cut days off of a drying project.

If you don't already, make sure you put together a plan of where the following shutoffs are:

• Gas
• Water
• Electricity

Commercial buildings often times require elevated training and equipment to dry and repair. Our professionals here at SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns. 

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna understands that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. 

Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241 when an emergency situation arises in your business. 

Safety - After You've Had a Fire

3/6/2020 (Permalink)

It is traumatic to experience a fire in your home or business. And the dangers don't present themselves only during the fire. They can appear after. It is important to take specific actions to minimize hazards to your health after the flames are gone.

One of the biggest concerns after the fire is out is air quality. It is likely that materials caught fire and debris were sent airborne. These could be toxigenic. Without proper respiratory protection you will be consuming these items.

Another big concern has to do with "slip and fall" hazards. If you must go into the structure, make sure to wear proper shoes, and avoid areas that may be wet from the water that was sprayed to put out the blaze.

Use the buddy system.  Only do activities that are safe for you to perform. Use your legs to lift things -- don't use your back!  Be very careful.

There are some things you should do, following a fire. Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork. Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas. f electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open. lean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil. Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves. Change HVAC filter. Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Most of all, remember that the contents can be replaced. Take care of your health and the health of your loved ones. Getting injured after the fire is something that can be avoided!

Electrical safety in office and at home

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Electrical outlets can become dangerous when overloaded. Though it may be easy to simply plug in another power strip or extension cord when adding equipment, the wiring in some buildings often isn't capable of supporting too many high-powered electronic appliances. Older office buildings and homes, in particular, often suffer from lack of electrical outlets. The temptation is to simply add a power strip or plug in an extension cord from across the room. Even in newer office buildings and homes, it can be all too easy to overload a single outlet with power-hungry machines such as computers, printers, scanners and monitors.

So what the big deal?

When an employee or resident overloads an electrical outlet, that means more current is running through the outlet than it can handle. This causes the outlet to overheat, which may lead to an electrical fire. According to a 2008 National Fire Protection Association study, electrical distribution and lighting equipment are involved in more than 24,000 home structure fires per year and an estimated $700 million in property damage per year.

If an electrical fire should occur in your office or home, get safely away from the fire and call your fire department immediately. If you chose to use an extinguisher on the fire, never let the fire get between you and a safe exit, and never use water to extinguish an electrical fire. The risk of electrical shock is far too great. Class C fire extinguishers use a non-conductive extinguishing agent and should not cause electrical shock.

To help prevent this and other electrical hazards, refer to the list below (provided by Electrical Safety Foundation International).

• If you must use a power strip, use a name brand product from a reputable retailer. Low-quality or counterfeit power strips may contain wiring that sin't adequate to carry the load.
• Place power strips where the is plenty of air circulation to disperse the heat.
• Never attempt to plug grounded (three prong) cords into an ungrounded (two prong) outlet.
• Do not bind, kink or knot electrical cords.
• Keep cords close to a wall to prevent the risk of tripping.

Water Damage Prevention for Commercial Buildings

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

At Grade Plumbing, Drains, Irrigation

Where the wall meets the ground is a notoriously high-risk area for damaging water intrusion. Building components such as hose bibs, roof drains and landscape irrigation systems can put a lot of water in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even a small leak can turn into a major headache like a flooded basement or parking garage. Make regular inspections.

Monthly:

• Check all at-grade plumbing systems.
• Check all at-grade drainage systems.
• Test basement flood control and sump systems.
• Replace any leaking fittings or drains immediately, even if small.
• Does the irrigation system spray water against the foundation wall?
• Are roof drain outlets clear of debris?
• Are any water elements at-risk for vandalism?

Follow a Regular Inspection Routine

The components of a commercial building envelope are as varied as its occupants and uses. Brick and glass, bitumen and composite panels, marble and stone, all can be used. And, all respond differently to the forces of wind, rain, snow, and ice. Ideally, the envelope ensures that the weather stays on the outside, where it belongs, and that the people and property inside are protected. One of the best ways to minimize a building’s risk of water damage is to develop, maintain, and follow a systematic Operations and Maintenance inspection routine that includes all elements of the building envelope.

Source: https://www.hanover.com/linec/docs/171-0885.pdf

Earthquake Safety at Work

10/10/2019 (Permalink)

Prepare Your Facilities

Make your buildings safer to be in during earthquakes and more resistant to earthquake damage and disruption. Depending on when and how they were designed, built, and furnished, existing buildings may have weaknesses that make them more vulnerable to earthquakes.

Check with your local building-regulatory agency to find out whether, and for how long, structures in your area have been subject to building codes containing seismic design provisions. Facilities constructed before adequate provisions came into effect may have structural vulnerabilities.

It is also important to know whether and for how long local seismic code provisions have addressed nonstructural building components. Nonstructural items include utility systems and architectural elements (e.g., light fixtures, suspended ceilings, windows, partitions), as well as furnishings, supplies, inventory, equipment, and other building contents.

Nonstructural seismic weaknesses can be as or more dangerous, costly, and disruptive as structural vulnerabilities. Any nonstructural items that are not effectively anchored, braced, reinforced, or otherwise secured could become safety hazards or property losses in an earthquake. Design and construction professionals are needed to properly secure some of these components, while others can be made safe by maintenance staff or other employees.

Earthquake risk-reduction measures can range from inexpensive methods of securing building contents to expensive structural modifications. The mix of measures that is optimal for your facilities will depend on factors such as the potential severity of the earthquake hazards in your locale, the current condition of your facilities, whether your workplace is owned or leased, and how vulnerable your operations are to facility damage and associated downtime. Visit QuakeSmart for information about how to assess your facility risks and how to develop and implement a plan to cost-effectively mitigate those risks.

Prepare Your Workforce to

• React Safely
  Every employee, from top managers to part-time and temporary workers, needs to learn What to Do During an Earthquake. Safety orientations should emphasize safe places to "drop, cover, and hold on" during earthquake shaking and safe locations where people can rendezvous when the shaking has stopped and it is safe and advisable to evacuate your facilities.
  
  Hold periodic, mandatory earthquake drills to give employees opportunities to practice what they have learned and condition themselves to react spontaneously and safely when the first jolt or shaking is felt. To help protect workers in the immediate aftermath of earthquakes or other disasters, arrange for employees to be trained now in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of fire extinguishers. Earthquakes should be thoroughly integrated into the organization’s emergency preparedness, response, and recovery planning.
   
• Help the Organization Survive a Damaging Earthquake
  Elements that are critical to ongoing business viability vary from one organization to another. They may include, for example, locations, equipment, telecommunications, supply chains, stored data, or employee knowledge or skills. A prepared workforce is one that has identified the elements that are important to its operations; made plans for protecting, reconstructing, duplicating, or surviving without these elements; and been adequately trained to carry out these plans in the event of an earthquake or other contingency. Visit Ready Business for more information on business-continuity and contingency planning.
  
  In the days following an earthquake, employees are more likely to be able to come to work and perform effectively if they are less worried about or preoccupied with their families and homes. They should be encouraged to prepare their homes and families in advance for earthquakes and other emergencies (see Earthquake Safety at Home).

Prepare Your Community

It makes good business sense for employers to contribute to the well-being of the communities from which they recruit employees, clients, and customers. There are many ways that businesses, acting either individually or collectively through organizations such as local chambers of commerce, can help strengthen the disaster resilience of their communities. Some of these ways include serving as local exemplars of organizational preparedness; promoting preparedness among suppliers, clients, and other business contacts; and sponsoring or participating in local earthquake drills, preparedness events, or awareness and education campaigns. Visit QuakeSmart for more ideas.

Source: https://www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-work

Business Fire Prevention Tips

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

What are some fire prevention tips for your business? 

A fire can cause severe damage to business equipment, materials, and structures. As a business owner, focusing on fire risk assessment, fire prevention, and staff education can help reduce your chance of fire and smoke damage. Here are three tips to help:

Assess the risk of fire hazards

The National Fire Protection Association offers handbooks and other publications on the fire safety code in place for businesses. If your local government offers it, a visit from a fire marshal is a great step for your fire prevention plan. If a marshal visit isn't available, ask for workplace fire risk assessment guidance from your building's property manager. 

Have fire protection equipment

• If you have an automatic sprinkler system in place, this will provide primary fire protection for your business.
• Standard fire safety practices call for smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on every floor. Employees should be aware of the location of fire extinguishers on each floor.
• Your best bet is multipurpose extinguishers, which will douse most small fires with ease, without shorting out your electronics.
• Equip your employees with an emergency kit stocked with items like bottled water, a flashlight, and an escape mask to fight against smoke inhalation.

Office fire safety tips for your employees

Not only are your employees part of your team, they’re also essential assets to your business. These tips can help prevent them from being injured in a fire.

• Fire Plan. Make sure your employees know what to do if there's a fire, including calling 911 immediately. Conduct a fire drill at least once a year to keep employees aware of your workplace fire safety protocol.
• Have a Safety Officer. Designate a person as your office’s fire prevention officer. Their duties will include composing escape routes and meeting points for employees, as well as keeping all of your safety plans, equipment, and information updated.
• Install a Sprinkler System. Sprinkler systems are cost effective and the best way to fight the spread of a fire in a business with properly installed and maintained systems being 95% effective according to the National Fire Protection Association .
• Leave Space for Appliances. Leave some room behind appliances that heat up, like coffee machines and computers, to allow them to cool down. Keep all of your business appliances away from combustible materials, like paper or cloth. If possible, unplug these appliances at the end of the day as most business fires occur after typical operating hours.
• Regularly Replace Wiring. Check power cords regularly for fraying, broken connectors, or cracked insulation. These need to be replaced immediately. Only use one extension cord per outlet and follow manufacturer recommendations for maximum wattage when using power strips. Avoid “octopus wiring,” when wires and plugs clutter around one outlet, as it could lead to an overload.
• Evacuation Plan. In larger buildings, post a fire evacuation plan in several spots around the workplace. Never include elevators in an evacuation plan; always use the stairs. Businesses with disabled employees should develop a detailed evacuation for those employees needing additional assistance in an emergency.
• First Aid. In case of fire injuries, your employees should be familiar with the location of the first-aid kit, which should be kept where possible hazards can occur most, such as in the kitchen.

Source: https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/small-business/business-fire-prevention-tips

Does Your Commercial Property Have an Earthquake Preparedness Plan?

10/4/2019 (Permalink)

It’s a sad but true fact: most businesses and property owners simply are not prepared for a natural disaster. According to a study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, only 60% of small businesses reopen after a natural disaster. Of that 60%, roughly 1/4 of them close down again after a year. In western states such as California, Oregon, and Washington, earthquakes are a constant risk to commercial properties. Do you have a plan in place to minimize damage and protect lives?

Here are a few tips to help you mitigate risk and protect your property:

Life Safety

The primary function of an earthquake preparedness plan is to protect lives. Although earthquakes are unpredictable, there are measures you can take to respond quickly and prioritize safety.

• Decide how to report emergencies: Although earthquakes are not localized events, safety concerns arising from earthquake damage can be. Decide how to report emergencies in order to convey important information quickly and coordinate the efforts of first responders.
• Evacuation procedures: An evacuation plan identifying the nearest exits and exiting procedure should be identified and communicated to all employees and/or residents.
• Account for employees: One of the most common challenges after a disaster such as an earthquake is missing persons. Identify individuals in charge of sweep checks or roll calls so that you can determine where employees are at any time.
• Shut downs: Certain systems and machines within your building may need to be shut down in order to preserve safety after an earthquake.

Building Preparedness

The most important thing that you can do in order to protect lives and property in the case of an earthquake is preparing your building ahead of time. Earthquake resistant buildings are designed and bolstered to better endure an earthquake. Not only does earthquake retrofitting help prevent collapse and tilting, but it can also minimize damage that occurs even as a result of smaller-scale seismic activity.

California safety codes require a certain level of earthquake retrofit and safety compliance in new buildings. However, even if your building is compliant with state and local ordinances, there may be more that you can do to ensure better earthquake safety. The new building codes only address life Safety risk, not Structural integrity caused by an earthquake. A structural engineer can help you identify risks to your building and make a plan for possible improvements.

These companies will be able to provide services to all sorts of buildings such as:

• Concrete tilt ups
• Soft story
• Non-ductile concrete buildings
• Parking structures
• Retail buildings
• Multi-family apartments
• Tuck-under parking
• URM buildings
• Historical buildings
• Commercial real estate buildings

Source: http://saundersseismic.com/blog/2018/12/18/does-your-commercial-property-have-an-earthquake-preparedness-plan/

Potential Mold Sources in Commercial Building

10/2/2019 (Permalink)

Given the liabilities that come from owning and maintaining a commercial building that could put people’s health at risk, it is key you stay vigilant when it comes to mold prevention. Moisture control is the key to stopping mold from growing at all. The United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) recommends the following tips to preventing mold before it becomes a problem:

• Fix leaky plumbing.
• Watch for and correct sources of wet spots.
• Eliminate condensation by insulating or increasing air circulation to increase surface temperature. Or by reducing the moisture level in air, repairing leaks, and adding ventilation to reduce humidity.  
• Make sure HVAC drip pans remain clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
• Add outdoor venting to moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers.
• Maintain indoor humidity below 60 percent relative humidity, with the goal of 30 to 50 percent, if possible.
• Perform regular building and HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
• Eliminate wet foundations by providing proper drainage and sloping the ground away from the foundation.

If you've notice mold in your commercial building give us a call! (916) 525-1241 

Smoke Damage in Your Commercial Building

10/2/2019 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage can be caused by a number of reasons. One of the most prominent causes of fire begins with faulty electrical wiring. Since people can forget to turn off an electric appliance, or create sparks when using electrical powered tools, human error is also high on the list as a common factor in fires. The damage caused by smoke and soot can lead to significant loss (sometimes greater damage than was caused by the fire flames). That’s why it’s critical to find a trusted restoration company such as SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna. From immediately after the fire through the recovery process, you’ll feel comforted knowing that they’ll work diligently to clean and restore your property to its pre-fire state.

Your One-Stop Shop for Smoke and Fire Restoration
We recognize the physical and emotional stress that comes with commercial fire restoration. Our team of experts empathizes with the property owners, company owners and employees who are in the midst of a crisis, and we will guide you every step of the way. From structural repairs and content restoration to soot cleaning and odor control, you can count on our services. We are a licensed contractor with a host of licensed sub-contractors who help us solve fire damage problems.

Dealing with fire and smoke damage in your commercial building? Call us Today! (916) 525-1241. 

Top 2 Reasons for a Commercial Water Loss

9/26/2019 (Permalink)

Malfunctioning sprinklers. By law, all commercial properties must be equipped with an overhead sprinkler system. This system works in conjunction with the fire alarm, and is typically activated when the fire alarm goes off. This can cause water damage in two ways. First,  any time there is a fire and the sprinklers activate, there will be water damage. And second, the sprinkler system can malfunction and activate on its own. When this happens, significant water damage can occur because of the fact that the sprinkler system covers the entire building.

Broken pipes. Broken or cracked pipes are very common in commercial buildings, especially as they age. When these pipes burst open, water rushes out of them, spraying throughout the building. This can cause damage to the ceiling, walls, and flooring, not to mention any furniture or electronics that get in the water’s way.

Water damage isn’t something that you want to happen on your commercial property. But when it does, you want to hire the right company to clean up the damage and get your business back to normal as quickly as possible. Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna today at (916) 525-1241.

Energy Efficiency Tips for Commercial Buildings

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

1. Effective Water Heating Strategy: Use outdoor air resets and night setbacks of hot water systems. The hotter your water temperature the faster you lose energy through pipes and storage tanks.

2. Energy-Efficient Building Envelope: Additional indoor temperature inputs for optimized start up and shut down helps reduce heat loss and improves comfort.

3. Lighting and Electrical Systems: Use Occupancy sensors, suspended indirect luminaries and daylighting strategies. Keep abreast of efficiency trends in the latest IESNA Lighting Handbook.

4. Remote Energy Monitoring (Gas & Electric): Identify efficiency opportunities and facilitate load leveling and peak demand management.

5. Recommissioning: Studies show that continuously monitoring a building’s energy systems can lead to reductions of 10% to 15% in annual energy bills.

Source: https://www.industrialcontrolsonline.com/informationcenter/10-energy-efficiency-tips-commercial-buildings/

Dealing with Commercial Water Damage

8/12/2019 (Permalink)

There are a number of situations where a commercial property might suffer extensive water damage. For example, a flood from a storm, a busted pipe, or a toilet overflow. When water damage occurs there are so many things to think about and people often become overwhelmed and miss some important steps. Be sure to follow these guidelines when dealing with this type of problems.

Identify the Source

One of the most common sources of leaks in a commercial building is broken pipes. Besides that, you may be looking at a flooded toilet or roof damage. Getting the problem fixed right away may help you avoid larger issues down the road.

Take Safety Measures

The kind of water that you're dealing with matters. If you're dealing with contaminated water, you have to take the proper safety precautions. Water from sewage contains bacteria and viruses and should be dealt with accordingly. Clearly mark the area off and wear the right equipment when cleaning up.

Document the Damage

Do not try to leave the water damage in place for the insurance company to come look at. Instead, you should take photographs from every angle before you begin the water cleanup. Leaving it can actually lead to more problems, which the insurance agents may view as neglect. Be sure to call them as soon as possible to get the ball rolling.

If you’re dealing with water damage at your commercial property call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SERVPRO Can Assist with Your Commercial Property Water or Fire Damage

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events in Elk Grove / Laguna commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

We are available 24 hours a day to get your Elk Grove business back up and running. Our expertise includes restoration services for fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying. We are also your business’s best resource for mold remediation. 

If your business was damaged and you are in need of cleaning and restoration service, SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is ready to help. Since we are a locally owned and operated company, we have immediate resources and equipment to respond and restore your damaged property you can quickly resume your business.

• Small Office Buildings
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Call us at 916-525-1241. 

Free SERVPRO Emergency Readiness Plan For Your Business!

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Would you be ready if an emergency struck your business today? It’s estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster never reopen. By preparing now, you demonstrate excellence in readiness planning by compiling a comprehensive information resource to use in case of a disaster.  Having a timely response in a crisis can minimize business interruption and associated lost revenue.

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your business, you can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do, who to call and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation. Timely mitigation minimizes the affects of water and fire damage allowing your property and business to be restored at an advanced rate lessening downtime.  

This profile takes us about an hour to complete including detailed photographs of water shut offs, gas mains, building accessibility and with just a few simple questions we need you to answer including, building contact, maintenance personnel, plumber,  HVAC, phone company, etc.

This profile is also accessible through your cell phone using a mobile application. 

SERVPRO Provides:

• A no cost assessment of your facility.
• A concise profile document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
• Facility details such as shut off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

To get an emergency readiness plan for your business today, call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241. 

Commercial Water Loss

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

There's a common misconception that commercial water damage is always caused by massive storms or other weather events. That however is not necessarily true. Storm and weather events are only two of many causes for commercial water damage. 

Here are some other causes of water damage to commercial buildings: 

1. Damaged appliances and equipment 

This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency. 
 
2. Broken pipes and plumbing 

Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. If you question the stoutness of your building's pipes, contact SERVPRO for a thorough inspection and assessment. 
 
3. Backed up sewer lines 

This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. SERVPRO has certified IICRC technicians to deal with this type of water damage.
 

If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (916) 987-0400 for fast help.

Experience Commercial Fire Damage? SERVPRO Has Got Your Back!

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

There’s never a good time to have a fire, but if you are prepared, you can swiftly deal with the aftermath. In addition to the fire and smoke damage, significant water damage from firefighting efforts and fire suppression systems may occur. Every hour spent restoring your business back to pre-fire condition is an hour of lost revenue and productivity.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna can respond immediately to your commercial fire damage emergency regardless of the size or scope of the damage. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, studio, or office building, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. 

If you’re experiencing commercial fire damage remember that SERVPRO of Elk Grove is here for you! Call us at your earliest convenience at (916) 525-1241.

3 ways to prepare your business for a natural disaster

6/26/2019 (Permalink)

All too often companies are simply not prepared for the impact of a natural disaster. They may view the potential for disaster as remote, believing that the images of devastation they see on television will never be close enough to witness in person. But preparation is an essential ingredient for success that savvy business owners and top managers everywhere pay careful attention to.

Safety first

Should an emergency occur during business hours, your safety and the safety of your employees is of primary importance.

Every business should have an evacuation plan for personnel and customers, and they should share this plan regularly with employees and test it to ensure its viability.

It is a good idea to assign a team captain to take charge and coordinate in the event of an emergency; check the backgrounds of your employees for anyone who might have military or other kinds of training. Many businesses also find it helpful to bring in an expert for some additional training or workshops.

IT and communication

Once have a plan for your people, you should address your approach to communications and records.

Make sure all employees are informed to keep their mobile phones fully charged on a regular basis; these devices may be the only lines of communication in a disaster. Next, create a phone chain for employees to pass along vital information to one another.

Protecting your vital data and records is also essential.

Are your servers backed up? Off-premises or cloud computer servers are the best way to protect accounting and other key records and critical elements, such as emails. You should also make daily electronic backups of important documents, files and databases; make copies of those records and store them in an off-site, physically secure facility.

Everything else

Be sure to keep your business supplies well-stocked. Think of what you’ll need to stay functional for at least a week or two. In the days or weeks following a flood, hurricane or other natural disaster, you may not be able to get to retail stores or receive any deliveries.Do you have the supplies you need to keep it business as usual? Now is the time to make sure you have an adequate supply of everything from bottled water to office supplies.

A disaster preparedness plan for your business is one of those things that you have but hope you never use, rather than need and wish you had. Proper disaster planning can go a long way to giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your business is ready, willing, and able to shift into disaster response mode, whenever it may be necessary.

Source

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to help you during your business' disaster. Call 916-525-1241 24/7 for our help!

Have Your Prepared Your Business for a Disaster?

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

We often prepare for disasters at home, but is your business prepared for an emergency? The Small Business Administration’s website has suggestions for disaster preparedness and recovery.

SBA's Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan

To view the complete Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan, please click here

.

Executive Summary

At no time do communities, small businesses, and individuals more need access to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) “3 C’s” of capital, counseling, and contracts more than in the wake of disaster.  SBA’s Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan (DPRP) ensures that all available agency resources are both provided and integrated into the federal government’s overall support to disaster survivors.

Recovery Cycle:  When focused on recovery, the 3 C’s are sequenced as capital, contracts, counseling, and capital again.  SBA’s immediate effort begins with the deployment of Disaster Assistance staff from one of its two Field Operations Centers (FOCs) to make disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofits.  These physical and economic injury disaster loans are critical to repairing damage and sustaining cash flow in a community.  Almost as quickly, the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development (GCBD), often in concert with the local District Office, reaches out to other federal agencies to offer waivers and other contracting flexibilities to ensure the engagement of small businesses – especially ones in impacted communities – in the process of rebuilding and recovering.  Through counseling and technical assistance, small businesses are able to adjust their plans to account for the “new normal” after a disaster.  Ultimately, this is at the heart of successful recovery:  Small businesses, in combination, are sometimes the local economic engine, but they are almost always critical to a community’s character.  The recovery process can be said to have resolved into the business cycle when the final steps in small business recovery are financed with SBA Offices of Capital Access (OCA) and Investment and Innovation (OII) programs investing in that same “new normal.”

For more details visit: https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/emergency-preparedness/sbas-disaster-preparedness-and-recovery-plan 

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to help you during your business' disaster. Call 916-525-1241 24/7 for our help!

Visit our crew page.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Is It Time to Test Your Business for a Disaster?

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

Disasters can wreck havocs on our homes and businesses. Testing your business system can ensure you are ready for a disaster large or small. On Preparemybusiness.org you can find suggestions and details around business continuity planning.

Testing is a critical component of business continuity planning. If your systems went down, how long would it take to get them up and running again, and what would be required to achieve that goal? Where are the gaps in your recovery plan and how can you close those gaps before a disaster strikes?

Testing your continuity plan is the best way to ensure that your business will remain in operation no matter what, or that it can be quickly restored under any circumstances. For many companies, testing is necessary for meeting compliance requirements.

Through testing, you will reduce both recovery time and risks, ultimately protecting your business and the employees and customers who rely on you.

What to test?

You should test all critical functions, particularly those that would be most vulnerable during an attack or disaster. This includes servers, PCs/workstations, network/Internet, building security, phones/communications, supply chain, workflow/staff procedures. Some managers phase their testing procedures, for instance, running a data recovery test one month and network/Internet recovery another month.

Where to test?

Testing can be done in one of three places: at your facility, at your backup center, or at an offsite testing site. You can choose to do a table-top-meeting-style run through or a full-scale hands-on test, using canned or live data.

How often to test?

We recommend that you do a full-scale test annually for a wide range of critical functions, including electricity, water, gas, facilities/spacing, staffing, technology, telecommunications and more. A full-scale test will help ensure that your business not only survive but thrive in any unexpected situation.

Who should participate?

A testing team should include all the people on your disaster recovery team or who are in charge of critical areas within the company. These should include, but not be limited to Facilities manager, IT tech, HR manager, senior management, brand management, third-party support and a sampling of critical clients.

Recovering from a disaster, call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here to help.

For more details about preparing your business, visit: http://www.preparemybusiness.org.

For more details about SERVPRO's services visit: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/ 

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Are you prepared for a Biohazard emergency?

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

OSHA's website is full of information regarding biohazard. Here is some information on workers' rights:

Workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces. The OSHA law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law (including the right to raise a health and safety concern or report an injury). For more information see www.whistleblowers.gov or Workers' rights under the OSH Act.

OSHA can help answer questions or concerns from employers and workers. To reach your regional or area OSHA office, go to the OSHA Offices by State webpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Small businesses may contact OSHA's free On-site Consultation services funded by OSHA to help determine whether there are hazards at their worksites. To contact free consultation services, go to OSHA's On-site Consultationwebpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) and press number 4.

Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or that there are serious hazards. Workers can file a complaint with OSHA by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), online via eComplaint Form, or by printing the complaint form and mailing or faxing it to the local OSHA area office. Complaints that are signed by a worker are more likely to result in an inspection.

If you think your job is unsafe or if you have questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). Your contact will be kept confidential. We can help. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers' Rights, Employer Responsibilities, and other services OSHA offers, visit OSHA's Workers' page.

For more information visit: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardouswaste/index.html

For Biohazard clean up in your area call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna 916-525-1241

Need a professional? Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241 today. We are here to help 24/7.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Do you know how to properly dispose of contaminated needles?

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

contamination, needles, biohazard

Are you aware of the proper disposal of contaminated needles and blood tube holders?

From the OSHA website: 

Appropriate Disposal of Contaminated Sharps:

• Employers must make available, closable, puncture resistant, leakproof sharps containers that are appropriately labeled and color-coded. The containers must also have an opening that is large enough to accommodate disposal of the entire blood collection assembly (i.e. blood tube holder and needle).
• Employees must have access to sharps containers that are easily accessible to the immediate area where sharps are used (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)(i)).
• If employees travel from one location to another (e.g. from one patient room to another or from one facility to another), the employee must be provided with a sharps container which is conveniently placed or portable at each location/facility, and is capable of accommodating the entire blood tube holder and needle assembly.

Note: Many sharps containers are designed with openings that do not allow for disposal of a SESIP that is attached to the blood tube holder. These containers would not be in compliance with the bloodborne pathogens standard. Employers must ensure that where blood is being drawn, the sharps container is appropriate for immediate disposal of sharps.

Evaluation Toolbox

• Employers must first evaluate, select, and use appropriate engineering controls (e.g., sharps with engineered sharps injury protection), which includes single-use blood tube holders with sharps with engineered sharps injury protection (SESIP) attached.
• The use of engineering and work practice controls provide the highest degree of control in order to eliminate potential injuries after performing blood draws. Disposing of blood tube holders with contaminated needles attached after the activation of the safety feature affords the greatest hazard control.
• In very rare situations needle removal is acceptable.
• If the employer can demonstrate that no feasible alternative to needle removal is available (e.g. inability to purchase single-use blood tube holders due to a supply shortage of these devices),
• If the removal is necessary for a specific medical or dental procedure.

In these rare cases, the employer must ensure that the contaminated needle is protected by a SESIP prior to disposal. In addition, the employer must ensure that a proper sharps disposal container is located in the immediate area of sharps use and is easily accessible to employees. This information must be clearly detailed and documented in the employer's Exposure Control Plan.

• If it is necessary to draw blood with a syringe, a syringe with engineered sharps injury protection must be used in which the protected needle is removed using safe work practices, and transfer of blood from the syringe to the tube must be done using a needleless blood transfer device.

For complete details visit: https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101503.html 

Have a biohazard clean up?  Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna 916-525-1241

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Commercial water or fire damage? SERVPRO can help. #heretohelp

8/24/2018 (Permalink)

Water or fire damage on your commercial property is serious. SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to help you. 

Commercial Building Restoration Services

We are available 24 hours a day to get your Elk Grove business back up and running. Our expertise includes restoration services for fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying. We are also your business’s best resource for mold remediation. Learn more about our commercial restoration services:

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
• Commercial Mold Remediation
• Commercial Cleaning Services
• Commercial Storm and Major Events

About SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Visit our crew page.

For more information on our company click here.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials 

Restoring Your Elk Grove or Laguna Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

8/1/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Elk Grove commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Need more information? Follow us online:

https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ 

Need help today? Call us at 916-525-1241

#SERVPRO #SERVPROElkgroveLaguna

Have Your Prepared Your Business for a Disaster?

10/4/2017 (Permalink)

We often prepare for disasters at home, but is your business prepared for an emergency? The Small Business Administration’s website has suggestions for disaster preparedness and recovery.

SBA's Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan

To view the complete Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan, please click here.

Executive Summary

At no time do communities, small businesses, and individuals more need access to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) “3 C’s” of capital, counseling, and contracts more than in the wake of disaster.  SBA’s Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan (DPRP) ensures that all available agency resources are both provided and integrated into the federal government’s overall support to disaster survivors.

Recovery Cycle:  When focused on recovery, the 3 C’s are sequenced as capital, contracts, counseling, and capital again.  SBA’s immediate effort begins with the deployment of Disaster Assistance staff from one of its two Field Operations Centers (FOCs) to make disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofits.  These physical and economic injury disaster loans are critical to repairing damage and sustaining cash flow in a community.  Almost as quickly, the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development (GCBD), often in concert with the local District Office, reaches out to other federal agencies to offer waivers and other contracting flexibilities to ensure the engagement of small businesses – especially ones in impacted communities – in the process of rebuilding and recovering.  Through counseling and technical assistance, small businesses are able to adjust their plans to account for the “new normal” after a disaster.  Ultimately, this is at the heart of successful recovery:  Small businesses, in combination, are sometimes the local economic engine, but they are almost always critical to a community’s character.  The recovery process can be said to have resolved into the business cycle when the final steps in small business recovery are financed with SBA Offices of Capital Access (OCA) and Investment and Innovation (OII) programs investing in that same “new normal.”

For more details visit: https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/emergency-preparedness/sbas-disaster-preparedness-and-recovery-plan 

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to help you during your business' disaster. Call 916-525-1241 24/7 for our help!

Visit our crew page.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Is It Time to Test Your Business for a Disaster?

10/4/2017 (Permalink)

Disasters can wreck havocs on our homes and businesses. Testing your business system can ensure you are ready for a disaster large or small. On Preparemybusiness.org you can find suggestions and details around business continuity planning.

Testing is a critical component of business continuity planning. If your systems went down, how long would it take to get them up and running again, and what would be required to achieve that goal? Where are the gaps in your recovery plan and how can you close those gaps before a disaster strikes?

Testing your continuity plan is the best way to ensure that your business will remain in operation no matter what, or that it can be quickly restored under any circumstances. For many companies, testing is necessary for meeting compliance requirements.

Through testing, you will reduce both recovery time and risks, ultimately protecting your business and the employees and customers who rely on you.

What to test?

You should test all critical functions, particularly those that would be most vulnerable during an attack or disaster. This includes servers, PCs/workstations, network/Internet, building security, phones/communications, supply chain, workflow/staff procedures. Some managers phase their testing procedures, for instance, running a data recovery test one month and network/Internet recovery another month.

Where to test?

Testing can be done in one of three places: at your facility, at your backup center, or at an offsite testing site. You can choose to do a table-top-meeting-style run through or a full-scale hands-on test, using canned or live data.

How often to test?

We recommend that you do a full-scale test annually for a wide range of critical functions, including electricity, water, gas, facilities/spacing, staffing, technology, telecommunications and more. A full-scale test will help ensure that your business not only survive but thrive in any unexpected situation.

Who should participate?

A testing team should include all the people on your disaster recovery team or who are in charge of critical areas within the company. These should include, but not be limited to Facilities manager, IT tech, HR manager, senior management, brand management, third-party support and a sampling of critical clients.

Recovering from a disaster, call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here to help.

For more details about preparing your business, visit: http://www.preparemybusiness.org.

For more details about SERVPRO's services visit: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/ 

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Are you prepared for a Biohazard emergency?

9/28/2017 (Permalink)

OSHA's website is full of information regarding biohazard. Here is some information on workers' rights:

Workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces. The OSHA law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law (including the right to raise a health and safety concern or report an injury). For more information see www.whistleblowers.gov or Workers' rights under the OSH Act.

OSHA can help answer questions or concerns from employers and workers. To reach your regional or area OSHA office, go to the OSHA Offices by State webpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Small businesses may contact OSHA's free On-site Consultation services funded by OSHA to help determine whether there are hazards at their worksites. To contact free consultation services, go to OSHA's On-site Consultationwebpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) and press number 4.

Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or that there are serious hazards. Workers can file a complaint with OSHA by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), online via eComplaint Form, or by printing the complaint form and mailing or faxing it to the local OSHA area office. Complaints that are signed by a worker are more likely to result in an inspection.

If you think your job is unsafe or if you have questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). Your contact will be kept confidential. We can help. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers' Rights, Employer Responsibilities, and other services OSHA offers, visit OSHA's Workers' page.

For more information visit: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardouswaste/index.html

For Biohazard clean up in your area call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna 916-525-1241

Need a professional? Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241 today. We are here to help 24/7.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Do you know how to properly dispose of contaminated needles?

9/28/2017 (Permalink)

Are you aware of the proper disposal of contaminated needles and blood tube holders?

From the OSHA website: 

Appropriate Disposal of Contaminated Sharps:

• Employers must make available, closable, puncture resistant, leakproof sharps containers that are appropriately labeled and color-coded. The containers must also have an opening that is large enough to accommodate disposal of the entire blood collection assembly (i.e. blood tube holder and needle).
• Employees must have access to sharps containers that are easily accessible to the immediate area where sharps are used (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)(i)).
• If employees travel from one location to another (e.g. from one patient room to another or from one facility to another), the employee must be provided with a sharps container which is conveniently placed or portable at each location/facility, and is capable of accommodating the entire blood tube holder and needle assembly.

Note: Many sharps containers are designed with openings that do not allow for disposal of a SESIP that is attached to the blood tube holder. These containers would not be in compliance with the bloodborne pathogens standard. Employers must ensure that where blood is being drawn, the sharps container is appropriate for immediate disposal of sharps.

Evaluation Toolbox

• Employers must first evaluate, select, and use appropriate engineering controls (e.g., sharps with engineered sharps injury protection), which includes single-use blood tube holders with sharps with engineered sharps injury protection (SESIP) attached.
• The use of engineering and work practice controls provide the highest degree of control in order to eliminate potential injuries after performing blood draws. Disposing of blood tube holders with contaminated needles attached after the activation of the safety feature affords the greatest hazard control.
• In very rare situations needle removal is acceptable.
• If the employer can demonstrate that no feasible alternative to needle removal is available (e.g. inability to purchase single-use blood tube holders due to a supply shortage of these devices),
• If the removal is necessary for a specific medical or dental procedure.

In these rare cases, the employer must ensure that the contaminated needle is protected by a SESIP prior to disposal. In addition, the employer must ensure that a proper sharps disposal container is located in the immediate area of sharps use and is easily accessible to employees. This information must be clearly detailed and documented in the employer's Exposure Control Plan.

• If it is necessary to draw blood with a syringe, a syringe with engineered sharps injury protection must be used in which the protected needle is removed using safe work practices, and transfer of blood from the syringe to the tube must be done using a needleless blood transfer device.

For complete details visit: https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101503.html 

Have a biohazard clean up?  Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna 916-525-1241

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Commercial water or fire damage? SERVPRO can help.

8/24/2017 (Permalink)

Water or fire damage on your commercial property is serious. SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to help you. 

Commercial Building Restoration Services

We are available 24 hours a day to get your Elk Grove business back up and running. Our expertise includes restoration services for fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying. We are also your business’s best resource for mold remediation. Learn more about our commercial restoration services:

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
• Commercial Mold Remediation
• Commercial Cleaning Services
• Commercial Storm and Major Events

About SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Visit our crew page.

For more information on our company click here.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Restoring Your Elk Grove or Laguna Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

7/31/2017 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Elk Grove commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROelkgrovelaguna/ and online http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROelkgrovelaguna.com/testimonials

Testing Your Business System to Prepare for a Commercial Disaster

10/12/2016 (Permalink)

Disasters can wreck havocs on our homes and businesses. Testing your business system can ensure you are ready for a disaster large or small. On Preparemybusiness.org you can find suggestions and details around business continuity planning.

Testing is a critical component of business continuity planning. If your systems went down, how long would it take to get them up and running again, and what would be required to achieve that goal? Where are the gaps in your recovery plan and how can you close those gaps before a disaster strikes?

Testing your continuity plan is the best way to ensure that your business will remain in operation no matter what, or that it can be quickly restored under any circumstances. For many companies, testing is necessary for meeting compliance requirements.

Through testing, you will reduce both recovery time and risks, ultimately protecting your business and the employees and customers who rely on you.

What to test?

You should test all critical functions, particularly those that would be most vulnerable during an attack or disaster. This includes servers, PCs/workstations, network/Internet, building security, phones/communications, supply chain, workflow/staff procedures. Some managers phase their testing procedures, for instance, running a data recovery test one month and network/Internet recovery another month.

Where to test?

Testing can be done in one of three places: at your facility, at your backup center, or at an offsite testing site. You can choose to do a table-top-meeting-style run through or a full-scale hands-on test, using canned or live data.

How often to test?

We recommend that you do a full-scale test annually for a wide range of critical functions, including electricity, water, gas, facilities/spacing, staffing, technology, telecommunications and more. A full-scale test will help ensure that your business not only survive but thrive in any unexpected situation.

Who should participate?

A testing team should include all the people on your disaster recovery team or who are in charge of critical areas within the company. These should include, but not be limited to Facilities manager, IT tech, HR manager, senior management, brand management, third-party support and a sampling of critical clients.

Recovering from a disaster, call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna at 916-525-1241 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here to help.

For more details about preparing your business, visit: http://www.preparemybusiness.org.

Preparing Your Business For A Serious Disaster

10/12/2016 (Permalink)

Is your business prepared for an emergency? The Small Business Administration’s website has suggestions for disaster preparedness and recovery.

SBA's Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan

To view the complete Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan, please click here.

Executive Summary

At no time do communities, small businesses, and individuals more need access to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) “3 C’s” of capital, counseling, and contracts more than in the wake of disaster.  SBA’s Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan (DPRP) ensures that all available agency resources are both provided and integrated into the federal government’s overall support to disaster survivors.

Recovery Cycle:  When focused on recovery, the 3 C’s are sequenced as capital, contracts, counseling, and capital again.  SBA’s immediate effort begins with the deployment of Disaster Assistance staff from one of its two Field Operations Centers (FOCs) to make disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofits.  These physical and economic injury disaster loans are critical to repairing damage and sustaining cash flow in a community.  Almost as quickly, the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development (GCBD), often in concert with the local District Office, reaches out to other federal agencies to offer waivers and other contracting flexibilities to ensure the engagement of small businesses – especially ones in impacted communities – in the process of rebuilding and recovering.  Through counseling and technical assistance, small businesses are able to adjust their plans to account for the “new normal” after a disaster.  Ultimately, this is at the heart of successful recovery:  Small businesses, in combination, are sometimes the local economic engine, but they are almost always critical to a community’s character.  The recovery process can be said to have resolved into the business cycle when the final steps in small business recovery are financed with SBA Offices of Capital Access (OCA) and Investment and Innovation (OII) programs investing in that same “new normal.”

For more details visit: https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/emergency-preparedness/sbas-disaster-preparedness-and-recovery-plan 

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to help you during your business' disaster. Call 916-525-1241 24/7 for our help!

The Proper Disposal of Needles and Blood Tub Holders

9/29/2016 (Permalink)

Are you aware of the proper disposal of contaminated needles and blood tube holders?

From the OSHA website: 

Appropriate Disposal of Contaminated Sharps:

• Employers must make available, closable, puncture resistant, leakproof sharps containers that are appropriately labeled and color-coded. The containers must also have an opening that is large enough to accommodate disposal of the entire blood collection assembly (i.e. blood tube holder and needle).
• Employees must have access to sharps containers that are easily accessible to the immediate area where sharps are used (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)(i)).
• If employees travel from one location to another (e.g. from one patient room to another or from one facility to another), the employee must be provided with a sharps container which is conveniently placed or portable at each location/facility, and is capable of accommodating the entire blood tube holder and needle assembly.

Evaluation Toolbox

• Employers must first evaluate, select, and use appropriate engineering controls (e.g., sharps with engineered sharps injury protection), which includes single-use blood tube holders with sharps with engineered sharps injury protection (SESIP) attached.
• The use of engineering and work practice controls provide the highest degree of control in order to eliminate potential injuries after performing blood draws. Disposing of blood tube holders with contaminated needles attached after the activation of the safety feature affords the greatest hazard control.
• In very rare situations needle removal is acceptable.
• If the employer can demonstrate that no feasible alternative to needle removal is available (e.g. inability to purchase single-use blood tube holders due to a supply shortage of these devices),
• If the removal is necessary for a specific medical or dental procedure.

In these rare cases, the employer must ensure that the contaminated needle is protected by a SESIP prior to disposal. In addition, the employer must ensure that a proper sharps disposal container is located in the immediate area of sharps use and is easily accessible to employees. This information must be clearly detailed and documented in the employer's Exposure Control Plan.

• If it is necessary to draw blood with a syringe, a syringe with engineered sharps injury protection must be used in which the protected needle is removed using safe work practices, and transfer of blood from the syringe to the tube must be done using a needleless blood transfer device.

For complete details visit: https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101503.html 

Have a biohazard clean up?  Call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna 916-525-1241

Biohazard Information from OSHA

9/29/2016 (Permalink)

OSHA's website is full of information regarding biohazard. Here is some information on workers' rights:

Workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces. The OSHA law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law (including the right to raise a health and safety concern or report an injury). For more information see www.whistleblowers.gov or Workers' rights under the OSH Act.

OSHA can help answer questions or concerns from employers and workers. To reach your regional or area OSHA office, go to the OSHA Offices by State webpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Small businesses may contact OSHA's free On-site Consultation services funded by OSHA to help determine whether there are hazards at their worksites. To contact free consultation services, go to OSHA's On-site Consultationwebpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) and press number 4.

Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or that there are serious hazards. Workers can file a complaint with OSHA by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), online via eComplaint Form, or by printing the complaint form and mailing or faxing it to the local OSHA area office. Complaints that are signed by a worker are more likely to result in an inspection.

If you think your job is unsafe or if you have questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). Your contact will be kept confidential. We can help. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers' Rights, Employer Responsibilities, and other services OSHA offers, visit OSHA's Workers' page.

For more information visit: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardouswaste/index.html

For Biohazard clean up in your area call SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna 916-525-1241

Commercial water or fire damage? We are here to help.

8/27/2016 (Permalink)

Water or fire damage on your commercial property is serious. SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna is here to help you. 

Commercial Building Restoration Services

We are available 24 hours a day to get your Elk Grove business back up and running. Our expertise includes restoration services for fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying. We are also your business’s best resource for mold remediation. Learn more about our commercial restoration services:

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
• Commercial Mold Remediation
• Commercial Cleaning Services
• Commercial Storm and Major Events

About SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Visit our crew page.

For more information on our company click here.

Restoring Your Elk Grove or Laguna Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

7/13/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Elk Grove commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna

SERVPRO of Elk Grove / Laguna specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.