Kitchen fires are one of every property owner’s worst nightmares. They can cause severe injuries and costly damages.
Besides the flames, even the smoke from a kitchen fire can also bring collateral damage to your facility’s HVAC system.
This article will discuss how minor kitchen fires can cause collateral damage to your heating and cooling system and why urgent cleaning matters. We’ll also provide tips you can follow while waiting for fire damage repair services and what to expect when the professionals arrive.
4 Ways Small Kitchen Fires Can Bring Collateral Damage
Some business owners underestimate what a small fire can do. Here’s how they can significantly damage your HVAC system:
1. Shorten Air Filter Lifespan
Air filters prevent contaminants and odors from the kitchen and the rest of the building. They also help minimize smoke and fire extinguishing powder during a kitchen fire. However, they can clog the filters quickly, so it’s best to replace them immediately.
2. Smoke Causes Collateral Damage
Burning grease creates a lot of smoke. The unpleasant smoke enters the HVAC’s air ducts and releases it into the dining area. Besides being difficult to remove the odor, it can also damage the air ducts.
3. Extinguishers Harm Indoor Air Quality
While fire extinguishers can be handy for commercial kitchen fires, they can also damage your HVAC system by releasing a fine powder that goes everywhere, including the air. Once the device circulates the air, it will spread throughout the building. You can only clean your HVAC system by scheduling a professional refresh.
4. Contaminants Stick to the Ducts
Heated grease enables small greasy particles to stick inside your HVAC’s air ducts. They’ll eventually cling to odors, debris, dirt, and dust. Besides harming indoor air quality, it also increases your risk of kitchen fires.
Reasons to Clean Your HVAC Immediately
After learning about the collateral damages of a minor accident, this section will discuss two compelling reasons to clean your HVAC unit as soon as possible.
1. Prevent Mold Growth
Your commercial kitchen is at risk for mold and water damage if you use water-based extinguishing systems to put out a fire. As mold spores thrive, your HVAC system will pick them up and spread throughout the building. And for this reason, it’s best to hire professional water removal services and clean your HVAC immediately to curb mold growth.
Otherwise, it can cause severe illnesses to everyone in the building, especially people with sensitive respiratory systems.
2. Improve Energy Efficiency
High energy bills can frustrate most commercial kitchen owners, especially after a devastating fire. As unwanted debris sticks inside your HVAC system, your device will work twice as hard. It’s also crucial to clean your HVAC device immediately to enjoy better energy efficiency and prevent premature wear and tear.
What You Can Do
After contacting your local fire damage repair company, you must ask your insurance agent to file a claim. This document will help cover equipment replacements and fire damage repairs.
Once your insurance adjuster provides an estimate, you can remove and replace all damaged equipment. Next, change all used and expired fire extinguishers.
What Will the Professionals Do
Your local fire damage repair company will inspect the area to identify which parts to repair or replace. They’ll also clean and remove the remaining soot, smoke, and grease damage in your property and HVAC system.
Bouncing Back Better
Kitchen fires can be devastating for any commercial facility owner. It can cause expensive damages to the property and HVAC system. Reaching out to your fire damage repair company can help you recover from this unfortunate event.
Restoration Solutions offers professional fire damage repair in Grand Prairie, Texas, to help businesses recover from kitchen fires. Contact us today to book an appointment.