A disaster refers to an event or situation that occurs suddenly and causes significant damage to life, property, the environment, and society. Disasters can be natural or human-made. Natural disasters can be categorized into four main types: earthquakes, floods, storms, and fires. Human-made disasters, on the other hand, include events like land subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction.
As a result, disaster insurance has emerged to provide coverage for such events. For example, fire insurance is designed to protect against damage or loss caused by fire. This type of insurance ensures property owners are financially compensated when damage occurs due to fire. Fire insurance typically covers assets like buildings, homes, factories, and items within the premises.
Why is Cleanup Necessary After a Disaster?
Cleanup after a disaster is crucial because it helps restore the environment to a usable condition, prevents the spread of diseases, and ensures the safety of those living or working in the affected areas. Without proper cleanup, debris, contaminated water, and hazardous materials can lead to further harm and health risks.
What is Disaster Cleanup Service?
Disaster cleanup services focus on restoring and cleaning areas that have been damaged by disasters or other severe events to ensure they are safe and sanitary for use again. The process typically includes:
Should Factories Have Fire Insurance or Property Insurance?
Yes, factories should have fire insurance and other relevant property insurance. Factories contain valuable assets, and in the event of a disaster, such as a fire, the damage can be substantial. Having factory insurance, such as fire insurance or risk coverage for assets, helps mitigate the financial impact by providing compensation for damages, allowing for recovery and minimizing losses.
Fire Insurance:
This provides coverage for fire damage to buildings and structures (excluding foundations) used for business activities, such as warehouses, factories, shopping centers, etc. It also covers any property listed in the insurance policy, including machinery, electrical appliances, etc.
Property and Risk Insurance:
This provides broad protection for both commercial and industrial properties against loss or damage caused by various hazards. It covers assets such as buildings, installations, office equipment, machinery, and is typically used for industrial and large-scale commercial property insurance.
Factory Insurance and Fire Insurance: Factories should consider having both fire insurance and property insurance to ensure comprehensive protection. Fire insurance is essential to safeguard the factory from fire-related damages, while property insurance covers a wider range of risks, protecting valuable assets and machinery that are essential for operations.
Source: Property Risk Insurance – Jobsdb Thailand
10 Ways to Prevent Fires in Factories and Warehouses
Study the Fire Prevention Act First
Before we dive into fire prevention methods for warehouses or factories, let’s start by understanding the foundation of fire prevention plans in workplaces, which is derived from the Fire Prevention Act. Risk assessment based on the Fire Prevention Act is the first step in planning for fire incidents in workplaces with various levels of risk. The risk assessment process typically includes the following 5 steps:
Keep Your Warehouse Safe with These Fire Prevention Tips
Whether it’s a factory, warehouse, or storage facility, fire prevention can be achieved through the following 10 methods:
Use data gathered from risk assessments to design a fire prevention plan suitable for your specific fire risks. Train all employees in these procedures to ensure everyone responds to fire incidents in the same manner. Establish a self-check system for employees to maintain safety and fire prevention standards.
Purchase equipment to prevent fires, such as fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and automatic fire detection systems. The quantity and type of fire prevention equipment required depend on the specific nature of your business. It’s crucial not to adopt a one-size-fits-all fire prevention approach, as each business has unique risks. Equipment should be selected based on the appropriate risk factors to ensure effective fire protection.
Cluttered or poorly organized spaces can significantly increase fire risks. Narrow walkways can block exits, making evacuation more difficult. Overcrowded warehouses can cause fires to spread quickly. Storing flammable liquids alongside other products can fuel a fire. Properly organizing space is fundamental to fire prevention in factories, warehouses, or storage facilities. Ensure no obstruction to electrical and heating equipment, maintain adequate space between products and fire sprinkler systems, and separate hazardous materials from non-hazardous ones.
Faulty electrical systems can be a hidden danger. Regularly inspect your electrical systems to ensure they’re installed and maintained according to relevant standards. Hire qualified contractors to inspect and test your electrical systems regularly. If any defects are found, correct them immediately, as damaged electrical systems could spark fires.
By following these tips and conducting regular fire risk assessments, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of fire incidents in their operations.
5. Security Measures for Inside and Outside the Premises
Arson is a significant cause of warehouse fires. Protect your business from this risk by installing security systems both inside and outside the premises, such as security personnel, surveillance cameras, and alarm systems. This helps deter intruders and safeguard your warehouse.
6. Smoking Regulations
Every factory, warehouse, and storage facility should implement a no-smoking policy in the workplace. However, designated smoking areas should be set up outside the building with proper containment. Ensure that these areas are constructed using fire-resistant materials, and keep flammable objects at least 10 meters away from the smoking area.
7. Regular Inspection of Machinery and Heating Systems
Malfunctioning machinery and heating systems are major causes of fires in factories. Therefore, make sure that all machinery and heating systems are installed and maintained according to the relevant standards. Contract qualified professionals to regularly inspect and test these systems. If any defects are found, they should be addressed immediately, as failing to maintain these systems could lead to a fire.
8. Waste Disposal
Accumulating waste in factories, warehouses, or storage facilities poses a significant fire risk. Ensure that employees dispose of all waste at the end of each working day and place it in an external dumpster located at least 10 meters from the building and 2 meters away from the property fence. If the facility does not allow waste storage in this manner, store waste in lockable metal containers, ensuring they’re located at a safe distance from the building.
9. End-of-Day Inspections
At the end of each working day, responsible and trained employees should inspect every area of the building, factory, or warehouse and document the results thoroughly. The inspection should verify whether debris has been cleared, fire protection systems and security systems are functioning properly, and hazardous materials have been safely stored as per the guidelines.
10. Fire Insurance Coverage
In addition to taking preventive measures to protect your warehouse, factory, or storage facility, securing fire insurance is a smart choice to safeguard against unexpected incidents. All factory buildings, warehouses, and storage facilities should have adequate fire insurance coverage to help manage unforeseen risks.
These steps will significantly reduce fire risks and ensure that your premises are well-prepared to handle potential fire incidents.
Post-Fire Cleaning Process
The post-fire cleaning process at Wanmore Link consists of two main steps as follows:
Assess the Affected Area
Organize a Cleaning Team
6 Ways to Handle Post-Flood Recovery
After the flood has subsided, it brings damage to both physical, emotional, and property aspects. It is crucial to manage and restore these damages to prevent further issues. Before returning to your home after the water has receded, here are six essential actions to ensure safety:
Check the Electrical System
Inspect the electrical system before using it to prevent electrical short circuits.
Survey the Damage
Assess the damage to the structure of the house and surrounding areas.
Prepare Cleaning Equipment
Get gloves, trash bags, boots, and masks ready for cleaning.
Restore the Kitchen
Clean the kitchen and sanitize kitchenware thoroughly.
Clean Immediately
Start cleaning as soon as possible before stains or damage become deeper.
Fix the Toilet
If the toilet is full or clogged, use bio-based solutions to clear it, such as pouring eco-friendly liquid down the drain.
3 Steps for Cleaning After a Flood
Preparation Before Cleaning
Wear protective clothing such as gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, boots, goggles, and a face mask to protect yourself from germs. In addition to protective gear, gather cleaning supplies like scrub brushes, brooms, mops, buckets, tissue paper or cloths, and cleaning products like bleach, baking soda, sodium hypochlorite, alcohol disinfectants, and cleaning detergents.
Before cleaning, ensure the electrical system is safe by checking for any leaks. If unsure, it’s best to consult an electrician. Once confirmed, reduce humidity by opening windows and doors to allow airflow. Be cautious of dangerous animals, broken glass, and metal debris that could cause accidents. If any furniture has mold, avoid inhaling it and consider discarding it if possible.
Cleaning Process
Spray water to rinse away dirt and algae. Then use appropriate cleaning products for specific surfaces or objects. For moldy areas, avoid using water directly. Instead, use alcohol or a bleach solution (300ml of bleach per 4 liters of water). Wipe the mold stains and leave the solution for 15–30 minutes before rinsing with clean water or allowing it to dry naturally with the help of a fan.
Post-Cleaning
After cleaning, ensure everything is completely dry. Allow air circulation and use fans if necessary to speed up the drying process.
How to Clean and Maintain Machinery After Flooding
For those who have experienced flooding in their factory and found that machinery and equipment were submerged, here’s a guide on how to clean and maintain machinery after flooding:
Cleaning the Exterior Parts of the Machinery
The cleaning process should focus on areas such as covers, machine frames, paint, glass, plastic, and the base of the machinery.
Do Not Power On the Machinery Immediately
After the water recedes, do not turn on the machinery until it is thoroughly cleaned. This is crucial to avoid electrical hazards.
Start Cleaning the Machinery
Begin by removing debris like mud, dirt, grass, algae, or any other foreign matter that accumulated during the flood.
Clean the Exterior of the Machinery
Use water and appropriate cleaning agents to wash the exterior parts of the machinery (except for the electrical panels). Be sure to clean all areas, such as the cover, frame, paint, glass, and base.
Avoid Watering the Electrical Components
Never apply water directly to electrical circuits or panels. Use a dry cloth or soft brush for cleaning these sensitive parts.
By following these steps, you can help ensure your machinery is properly cleaned and safe for use after floodwaters have subsided.
Cleaning the Interior of Machinery After Flooding
This process involves cleaning various components such as molds, cylinders, shafts, gears, ball screws, slide ways, or any parts that are not covered by paint.
Clean the Internal Parts
Begin by removing any debris from the internal components that were exposed to floodwaters, including mud, dirt, or other contaminants.
Use Specialized Cleaning Solutions
Clean the internal machinery parts using a specialized cleaning agent that can remove rust, oil stains, or grease from the surface (except for electrical panels).
Removing Rust
After washing, you may find rust residue left behind. In this case, you should gently rub the rust off using fine sandpaper or a Scotch Brite pad (not too hard, as this could damage the machinery’s surface). Afterward, apply a rust inhibitor or lubricant to prevent further rusting.
Apply Rust Protection
After drying the surface, immediately apply oil or a rust protection solution to avoid rust formation. Do not leave metal surfaces wet for long, as this can cause rapid rusting.
Handling Metal Parts Exposed to Flooding
For metal parts that were submerged in water for a long time, the surface or paint might be damaged. You can apply a special rust-proof paint to prevent further rust, or if necessary, repaint the part without having to remove the rust again in the future.
Cleaning Electrical Panels and Circuit Boards
Electrical panels or electronic circuit boards are crucial for the operation of the machinery. To properly restore functionality, it’s essential to carefully clean and dry these parts.
Use Moisture Displacement Agents
Do not rely solely on air blowing. Use a moisture displacement cleaner to remove any water or moisture left in the electrical components, as simply blowing air may leave residual moisture that can cause short circuits when the machinery is turned back on.
Dry the Circuit Board
After using the moisture displacement cleaner, you may also use dry air or a hot air blower (air dryer) to further dry the electrical panels and circuit boards to ensure no moisture remains.
After cleaning the machinery following a flood, it is essential to thoroughly inspect every part to ensure it is in working condition before turning the machine on (Switch On). However, it’s important to note that the machine should only be turned on under the supervision of an expert or a skilled technician.
Equipment Used for Cleaning Machinery After Flooding
Recommendations:
Source: Chamoispee
Warning!
Always exercise caution when dealing with electrical components after flooding. If in doubt, consult a professional technician to ensure the machinery is safe to operate again.
One More Link Co., Ltd. offers cleaning services after fire, flooding, or other disasters in factories and all types of facilities. We have a dedicated team ready to provide consultation and experts specialized in post-disaster cleaning. Additionally, we are certified with ISO 9001 and 14001, emphasizing that our company adheres to international standards, operates legally at every step, and provides verifiable processes.
