North West Loss Assessors Hope & Williams have been instructed to act for the owners of a recycling warehouse that was destroyed in a serious fire over the weekend.

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service attended to fight the fire, which is believed to have started some time after 9pm on Sunday evening 21st October at Johnsons Lane, Widnes.

Richard Hope from Hope & Williams’s Manchester office is acting for the client as claims consultant in yet another high-profile project for the North West firm.

The fire started in the warehouse, which contains recycling plastics and paper then spread to two neighbouring units which also contain recycled products.

Fire crews with as many as fifteen engines continued to deal with the aftermath of what is considered a serious blaze. They claimed the fire had affected neighbouring businesses also, with some wagons and a sandwich van destroyed.

Warehouse fires such as this are fairly common, especially where large volumes of flammable materials such as paper and plastics are stored on site.

Richard Hope, director of the Manchester-based professional loss assessors, said: “With a case like this where fire and smoke has caused catastrophic damage, the process of assessing the true cost of the damage and then negotiating with your insurance company can be intimidating”. “It is advisable to immediately contact a Loss Assessor before you make your claim”.

Anyone affected by fire damage should contact Richard Hope on Tel 08448 223643

or by email at: rh@hopeandwilliams.co.uk

How can fire really affect you?

Check out this article about the hidden dangers of fire FIRE – Are you aware of the hidden effects?

Recent research by a damage restoration business has revealed burst pipes, leaking taps and fire damage are the most common commercial property insurance claims across the UK. Water escaping from burst pipes or leaking taps is the most common commercial property claim, at 36% according to new research by damage restoration experts, ServiceMaster Clean.

The second highest cause of property destruction according to the research is fire, at 24%, with flooding from heavy rainfall at 23% and accidental damage from unforeseen and unintentional spillages and breakages at 19%. Vandalism delivered the lowest results accounting for just 3%.

Malcolm Holmes, head of commercial support for ServiceMaster Clean said: “Dealing with fire, flood or building contamination is a specialised discipline which is separate from general building repair work. Businesses should look for a contractor that is a member of the British Damage Management Association, ensuring the restoration works are compatible with loss adjuster and insurer processes. If businesses act quickly and use an expert restoration service, buildings can be safely restored with minimum disruption caused”.





Premises affected by flood damage take the longest time to restore, at approximately 37 days, as specialists need to extract water, remove odour, dehumidify the property and restore carpets and upholstery. Fire damage takes approximately 36 days, whilst vandalism can take up to twelve days, depending upon the scale of the damage. Accidental damage is usually the quickest to restore at approximately four days.


 


Geoff Williams from Manchester Based Loss Assessors Cherry and Griffiths said; “By taking precautions, many cases of damage to buildings can be avoided, preventing the distress, damage and financial costs of property damage“.

“However when a business is affected by water damage, there’s more than just the cost of the building at stake. The jobs of staff are often under threat and the livelihoods of a whole string of suppliers. It’s essential that loss estimates are comprehensive and cash recovered as quickly as possible to protect employment and prevent business failure, many Businesses have never made a claim before, so it is sometimes advisable to contact the professionals before process a claim with your insurance company”.

A fire can be devastating on many levels, from the damage caused by the flames themselves to the injuries resulting from smoke exposure and the heat, but there is a hidden danger created by the smoke. Smoke permeates throughout the house and can embed itself deep into fibres, wood, insulation and more, but it can have dangerous effects far beyond the initial fire.

Odour – The most common danger associated with smoke damage after a fire is the odour caused by the smoke. Even a small fire can create a large amount of smoke and it seeps into almost every part of the property. The smell of smoke can be overpowering and the bad odour can cause nausea and coughing.

Toxins – When a fire burns through plastic and other toxic materials, poisons can become caught in the smoke and carried throughout the property. The toxins can seep into the furniture, insulation and walls and settle in the duct work. Breathing in these toxins can make you and your staff sick and may even require medical attention and hospitalization, depending on what kind of toxins are present.

Structural Damage – Most people are familiar with the damage associated with the fire, but smoke can also be a contributing factor to structural problems. The smoke can weaken wood that it seeps into, regardless if the wood had been exposed to fire. While the damage is nowhere near that caused by the fire, over time, the wood can become structurally unsafe.

Geoff Williams, director of Manchester-based professional loss assessors Cherry and Griffiths, said: “We’ve all read cases where fire and smoke has caused catastrophic damage to businesses. Like all properties, Business premises are exposed to an increased fire and smoke damage risk when it comes to summer”.

Geoff added: “Fire damage to commercial premises costs UK businesses more than a billion pounds every year yet the total of insurance settlements paid out is significantly below that figure. If your business has suffered any fire or smoke damage, please contact a Loss Assessor before you make your claim”.

Please look up Geoff Williams at www.cherryandgriffiths.co.uk

Physical security such as window bars and grilles are a bold and highly visible security solution. While this provides a more obvious deterrent to criminals, it also has a greater impact on the aesthetics of a building.

Security bars can be ugly and unwelcoming, creating the impression that a building isn’t “safe”. For residential buildings, they may even devalue your house, as they can be off putting for buyers. Inside the building, occupants may find they feel “closed in” or trapped by bars on windows. Should you wish to install more pleasing window security bars, there are decorative versions available.

Claire Butler, Commercial Manager at Manchester based Window Safety Solutions said “It’s difficult to choose the right window security solution whether it’s for your home or business. Think about your area and why you need protection – if burglary is your main concern either window bars or grilles will give you peace of mind. If vandalism is more of an issue for you security bars may not be enough.”

Window Security Solutions offer protection in the form of retractable window grilles, polycarbonate window shields, security bars and other security grilles. Security grilles range from decorative visible deterrents to unobtrusive meshes. Window Security Solutions have a number of specialist grilles that are designed to look like tinted glass, while offering outstanding protection.

Window Security Solutions also offer security solutions which are more aesthetically attractive, but still offer excellent security measures for any property.

The Hammerglass polycarbonate window shield, for example, means no more broken glass. It’s the best form of shop window protection on the market. There is no need for security grilles or security mesh. It’s a polycarbonate window shield which means it’s an unbreakable window!

Claire went on to say “This is an excellent product for any shop or business, providing 24 hour window protection without unsightly window grilles, bars or even roller shutters. Roller shutters often have a detrimental effect on towns and villages which is why town planners look for alternatives. There is no need to request planning permission when installing and it will act as secure and yet visually appealing than other window solutions.”

For more info go to: www.windowsecuritysafety.co.uk

Fire may be one of humankind’s greatest discoveries, but it is also one of our most dangerous. Although deaths from fire have fallen in the past quarter of a century, injuries are on the rise and it has never been more important to make your home and business safe from fire risk, and easy to evacuate in the event of a fire.

Fire safety is as important in the workplace as it is in the home. Flammable materials and the hectic pace of working life are extra hazards found in offices around the UK. A well-practiced evacuation plan is a must, as is a well-maintained fire alarm system. Tools to fight small fires, such as fire extinguishers and hoses in boldly marked containers should be a given and sprinklers are also a popular option in office blocks.

Fire and Window Safety – Fire shutters

A new trend in fire and window safety is the development of fire shutters. Fire shutters and barriers are designed to prevent the spread of flames from one compartment to another. They block the path of fire and smoke, providing crucial extra evacuation time and limiting property damage, as well as providing invaluable security to a property.

Fire shutters can be seen on many commercial buildings today. They are mostly used for added security to create a versatile, visible and very strong steel wall to stop unwanted visitors entering a property. In the past number of years security manufacturers have taken the next step with Fire technology to develop fire shutter systems, which offers all the values of a traditional shutter but with added fire protection.

Some of the benefits of fire shutter systems are that they offer effective added security and act as a highly visible deterrent, plus unlike fire and smoke curtains, fire shutters are more robust when exposed to extreme climate conditions.

Claire Butler, Commercial Manager at Manchester based “Window Security Solutions said; “Fire detection and prevention technology is constantly evolving and being developed to ensure that the best measures and procedures are in place to protect lives and buildings”.

“We are considering developing a range of fire shutters at Window Security Solutions to meet the need for fire protection within window security products. To this end, we are keen to find out from companies, is fire safety a consideration when choosing window security? If so, what type of products do you purchase?“

Property Aspects Magazine appreciates the contribution to this article from www.windowsecuritysafety.co.uk

In today’s challenging financial climate, many businesses have found themselves in the unfortunate position of having to cut costs in order to survive.

Deciding which areas of the business are disposable is an incredibly difficult task, but one outgoing which should never be stripped back is insurance.

Manchester-based professional loss assessors Cherry and Griffiths says businesses which are looking to reducing their insurance premiums and therefore their cover are literally playing with fire…

All businesses, regardless of their size, have a responsibility to protect their employees by ensuring electrical installations are safe and working correctly.

A fire alarm, for example, will be useless in an emergency if the smoke detector is defunct or the alarm isn’t audible which is why it is crucial companies plan for regular maintenance of their electrical installations in order to reduce that risk.

It is simply not enough to rely on an office/warehouse caretaker alone to take on this role because in the event of an incident your business will be liable if you cannot prove your electrical testing procedures were carried out by an experienced and qualified electrical contractor with the right paperwork…

Businesses hit by fire damage may under estimate the cost of the incident to productivity and lost income, according to commercial loss assessors. Even a relatively small fire can have serious consequences to the day-to-day running of a business, especially if paperwork is involved, and it’s essential you ensure your fire insurance claim takes account of every aspect of your loss to maximise your pay out.

A commercial loss assessor is a highly valuable tool when making a commercial property insurance claim because they’re trained in measuring the effects of a catastrophe involving fire, even if these are intangible to the business owner.

It’s that time of year again when our thoughts inevitably turn festive. Here in the UK, we spend millions of pounds decking out our homes with Christmas sparkle – and this trend seems to be expanding into our offices and work premises.

The popularity of fairy lighting and decorations has grown considerably in the last decade, with more and more businesses wanting to wish their customers – and employees – a Merry Christmas by kitting out offices, shop facades and receptions with impressive lighting or Christmas trees.

However, as with all decorative lighting there are hazards whether it’s indoor and outdoor, and to avoid a Christmas ruined by fire damage, businesses are being warned to take basic safety precautions.

Manchester-based Loss Assessors Cherry and Griffiths have some tips for you…

Geoff Williams, director of Manchester-based professional loss assessors Cherry and Griffiths, said: “We’ve all read cases where faulty wiring or overheating cables on Christmas lights have caused catastrophic damage so businesses would be wise to ensure their decorations this year are safe and are unlikely to put their premises or staff at risk.

“Business premises are exposed to an increased fire risk when it comes to Christmas decorations as by their very nature they are left empty at the end of everyday when everyone returns home and also for up to a week over the Christmas break. Accidentally leaving on lights could result in a fire which will give you more than a headache in the New Year. Instilling a culture of safety among your workforce this festive season will help you avoid becoming a victim of fire damage.”

Tips to keep your business safe this Christmas

1)    If your office or commercial premises has been using the same old lights year after year, it would be wise to consider upgrading them this year so they are less likely to fail.

2)    When purchasing Christmas lights, only purchase those which display safety marks such as the BS Kite mark

3)    Inspect any bulbs or cables for damage and dispose of them safely if this is the case.

4)    Don’t run cables under carpets where they can be damaged

5)    Do not place lights in contact or close to other decorations and flammable materials.

6)    Always switch lights off when nobody is in the building.

Fire damage to commercial premises costs UK businesses more than a billion pounds every year yet the total of insurance settlements paid out is significantly below that figure.

Time is critical to a business faced with the devastating consequences of fire damage. As well as the physical losses, fire causes severe disruption to productivity and can put the survival of the business under threat. It is crucial a claim is dealt with promptly by a claims handler and comprehensively to ensure the business is back on its feet as quickly as possible.

Insurance companies will explore every possibility to reject a claim but these delays will cost businesses further in loss of income and reputation as well as add to the stress of the business owner…