Fires cause Immediate Damage and Smoke Damage Claims

Nov. 16, 2010 - PRLog -- The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) can trace their roots back to before 1833.  They are one of the largest fire departments in the United States and each year respond to countless fires in all types of structures across Chicago.

Not only do fires across Chicago and Illinois cause death and destruction to countless properties each year, but many remaining structures also suffer from problems from smoke residues.  When a fire has been extinguished, homeowners and property owners are able to return to their properties to inspect for damages.  Some are fortunate to find properties untouched by fire, while others return to completely destroyed buildings and businesses.  Many building owners near fires discover properties without visible fire damage, but smoke damage may have occurred and it can have far reaching consequences.  

Building owners and property managers facing smoke damage in their properties may be required to test for smoke damage for any insurance claims.  Carbon black and combustion byproducts are often deposited on surfaces, walls and ceilings that can lead to odors, discoloration and a ghosting effect.

A leading provider of smoke damage investigations in Illinois is EC2, Inc.  They have decades of building science and indoor air quality (IAQ) experience that they put to use following a structure fire. Since opening for business, EC2 has performed over 5,000 building and IAQ investigations. “Buildings that survive a fire, or those nearby, are often damaged by smoke residues,” reported Ed Chambers, President of EC2.  “Because the smoke residues may contain a host of different chemicals the consequences of exposure are not always known.  Identifying carbon black and combustion byproducts can help identify health risks and help in the insurance claims process to return these buildings back to pre-fire conditions.”

To learn more about smoke damage investigations or IAQ and other environmental testing services please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

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About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States. Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 corporations.