Property Owners and Tenants in Puerto Rico Learn of Potential Exposure Hazards following Fire Damage

Building fires in residential and commercial properties result in property damage to numerous homes and businesses each year in Puerto Rico. While some properties are declared a complete loss following a fire, most can be repaired.
 
Fire damaged properties need to be repaired where flames and heat have cause destruction and remediated to remove the smoke residues, odors and all of the water used to put out the flames. Even some homes and businesses, not directly touched by a nearby structural fire, may sustain varying degrees of property damage. This is due to the fact that building fires typically produce a tremendous amount of heat and smoke that can be easily carried into neighboring properties. 
 
The smoke is made up of a number of combustion by-products that may include ash, soot, char and other materials. When it infiltrates a building, it leaves behind odors and residues which can cause corrosion, etching and discoloration within the property. These conditions can get worse over time and may even lower a property’s value if they are not properly addressed.
 
“Water damage following fire suppression efforts is another major concern for property owners and tenants,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Water damage, even when it occurs out of sight, will usually support the growth of mold if any excessive moisture remains for more than 48 hours. When mold begins to grow, even behind walls and below floors, it can impact the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of the building. Older fire damaged properties also often have lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials. If not handled properly, these can be serious exposure hazards for anyone working or living in the building. Failure to handle these regulated materials in a safe manner could also result in costly noncompliance fines in many circumstances.”  
 
Helping to identify smoke damage, residues, odors, water damage, mold, lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials are the indoor environmental quality professionals at Puerto Rico’s Zimmetry Environmental. They offer comprehensive testing and consulting services, and have sponsored an educational video about smoke damage after a fire that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/1Ei8z-uJTn0
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their smoke damage, building science, indoor environmental quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail