First questions for a business after a fire
- IfYou lease your spaceThenRead the lease's casualty and insurance sections and notify the landlord in writing right away. The landlord's policy usually covers the building; yours usually covers your improvements, equipment and inventory.
- IfFire sprinklers activatedThenTreat it as a water loss too. Sprinkler water can affect ceilings, flooring and goods in neighboring suites.
- IfYou hold inventory or customer propertyThenSeparate damaged goods, photograph them and ask your insurer before disposing of anything.
- IfYour operations have stoppedThenCheck for business income or business interruption coverage and start tracking lost revenue and extra expenses from day one.
What is different about commercial buildings here
Many buildings in the area are tilt-up concrete or masonry with steel roof structures, open warehouse bays and finished office areas at the front. Smoke from a fire in a warehouse bay rises to the roof deck and spreads across the whole space before it banks down, coating joists, deck, lights and racking. Front offices often share a return air path with the shop, so smoke reaches them too.
Multi-tenant flex buildings add another layer. A fire in one suite can push smoke through shared attic spaces, demising walls that do not reach the roof deck and common corridors. Neighboring tenants may have their own claims, and the building owner coordinates repairs to shared elements.
Jurisdiction can be confusing near the airport, because city and unincorporated county boundaries are irregular. Confirm whether your building is in Centennial, Greenwood Village or unincorporated Arapahoe County before planning permits.
Getting a business space back in use
- Get written confirmation from the fire department that the space can be re-entered
- Have the fire sprinkler and alarm systems inspected and restored by qualified contractors
- Back up and protect data; have server and network equipment evaluated before powering on
- Coordinate with the landlord on who hires the restoration contractor for which areas
- Document all extra expenses: temporary space, equipment rental, overtime, expedited shipping
- Notify customers whose property was on site
- Ask the building department what inspections are needed before reoccupancy
Commercial materials and smoke
| Material or item | Typical issue | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed roof deck and joists | Soot across the whole bay | Cleaning from lifts; sometimes sealing |
| Drop ceiling tiles | Absorb smoke and water | Usually replaced |
| Pallet racking and shelving | Soot on surfaces; heat damage near origin | Clean, or inspect for heat damage and replace |
| Office cubicle panels and carpet | Fabric holds odor | Clean or replace depending on severity |
| Stock in cardboard packaging | Smoke penetrates packaging | Often salvage-sold or discarded with insurer approval |
Common questions
How soon should a business start cleanup?
As soon as the fire department releases the space and the insurer is notified. Smoke residue on metal racking, equipment and electronics can cause corrosion, so delays raise the cost of recovery.
General information for Centennial, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.