A Step-by-Step Plan to Get Your Business Back on Its Feet
If you’re a business owner in Indianapolis—whether you operate in bustling Broad Ripple, own a warehouse near Park 100, or run a restaurant in Fountain Square—you know how quickly a normal day can turn into a nightmare when fire strikes. The aftermath is chaotic. Your property is damaged, operations are halted, and you’re left wondering what comes next.
At ServiceMaster of Easley, we help business owners recover from fire damage every day. This guide walks you through exactly what to do after a business fire, helping you avoid costly missteps and get your operation back on track—safely and efficiently.
1. Confirm the Property Is Safe to Enter
Before you do anything else, wait for clearance from the fire marshal or building inspector. Fires compromise structural integrity in ways that aren’t always visible. Steel beams may warp from heat, roof trusses might sag, and support columns can be cracked—especially in older buildings common around Mass Ave and downtown Indy.
Beyond visible hazards, toxic smoke residues and particulate matter can remain airborne for days. If your building contained synthetic materials—think carpeting, upholstery, insulation—you’re dealing with chemical byproducts that can irritate lungs and skin.
Electrical systems are another hidden danger. Wiring insulation often melts, leaving live wires exposed. In commercial buildings with complex systems, like those in tech parks or manufacturing zones, these risks are multiplied.
That’s where we come in. Our commercial fire cleanup Indianapolis team conducts rapid site assessments to confirm safety, shut off utilities, and install structural support if needed—so you’re not taking unnecessary risks.
2. Notify Your Insurance and Document Every Inch
Once everyone is safe and the scene is stabilized, your next step is notifying your insurance provider. Commercial fire damage restoration for businesses often hinges on thorough documentation. This means:
Photographing every room from multiple angles.
Capturing close-ups of damaged equipment, furniture, and structural components.
Logging damaged inventory, including make, model, and approximate value.
Retaining invoices, receipts, and even packaging from major assets.
Many insurers require proof of pre-loss condition. Without it, you risk delays or reduced payouts. That’s why it’s crucial to involve a restoration partner like ServiceMaster of Easley. We know exactly what insurers look for and can help you avoid documentation gaps that slow down your claim.
In many cases, we also work directly with adjusters to scope the damage and provide restoration plans aligned with policy coverage.
3. Secure the Property to Prevent Further Loss
Fires leave buildings vulnerable. Blown-out windows, collapsed roofing, and broken doors create openings for the elements and for vandalism.
With Indianapolis prone to sudden summer thunderstorms, especially in July and August, even a single downpour can soak your interiors—triggering mold growth and further structural damage within 48 hours. Add to that the 100+ gallons per minute discharged by fire hoses, and you’re already dealing with a saturated environment.
Board-ups and tarping aren’t just cosmetic—they’re vital to stopping secondary damage and keeping your insurance claim valid. Our team installs heavy-duty board-ups, roof tarps, and security barriers per NFPA 241 guidelines, helping you stay compliant and protected until full restoration begins.
4. Begin Fire Damage Restoration and Soot Removal Immediately
Soot is acidic. Within hours of settling, it begins corroding metal, staining porous surfaces, and degrading electronic components. If not addressed quickly, smoke damage can permanently destroy assets that might have been salvageable.
Our commercial fire cleanup Indianapolis experts use advanced methods such as:
HEPA-filtered vacuums and chem-sponges for dry soot removal.
Dry ice or soda blasting to restore brick, concrete, and industrial surfaces.
pH-balanced cleaning agents to neutralize acids and prevent staining.
Controlled demolition where materials—like particleboard cabinetry or vinyl flooring—are too damaged to save.
Materials matter. Drywall absorbs smoke quickly and often needs removal, while glass and metal may be restorable. We make smart, technical decisions that prioritize your business’s recovery timeline and bottom line.
5. Address Lingering Smoke Odors with Proven Deodorization
Even if everything looks clean, smoke odor can linger for weeks—especially if it’s embedded in HVAC systems, insulation, or porous materials.
We take a multi-step approach to odor elimination using:
Hydroxyl generators, safe to use around people and electronics.
Thermal fogging, which mimics smoke’s path to neutralize it deep within materials.
Ozone treatment, effective in unoccupied areas for total odor breakdown.
HVAC cleaning that meets NADCA standards to remove soot from ducts and prevent recirculation.
In commercial kitchens or facilities that use oil-based processes, protein fires create nearly invisible residue with an incredibly strong smell. These require special enzymatic cleaners and additional deodorization time. Our experience handling these unique conditions makes all the difference.
6. Restore Structural and Interior Components Strategically
Restoration is not always about tearing everything out. Strategic recovery means knowing what to keep, what to clean, and what to rebuild.
For example:
Charred framing may be sanded and encapsulated if structurally sound.
Fire-damaged drywall with surface charring might be removed to the nearest stud seam.
Metal shelving or fixtures may be cleaned and returned to service.
Drop ceilings in office buildings often require complete replacement due to smoke saturation.
We also look at building age and materials. Many commercial buildings in Indianapolis—especially those in redeveloped neighborhoods like Fountain Square—still contain plaster walls or legacy wiring systems that need specialized care.
Our job is to create a recovery plan that’s code-compliant, cost-effective, and gets your doors open again as soon as possible.
7. Reopen with Confidence: Testing, Inspection, and Compliance
Before you can bring staff and customers back in, your space must be safe and pass required inspections.
We coordinate or assist with:
Third-party air quality testing, especially important in public-facing environments like clinics or retail.
Post-restoration clearance inspections for surfaces, HVAC, and structural elements.
OSHA and local code compliance for workplace re-entry, particularly in buildings with commercial tenants or mixed-use zoning.
Documentation for local permitting, which may be required if structural repairs were made.
In Indy’s commercial districts where zoning is dense and buildings are connected or stacked, these steps ensure not just your business—but the surrounding properties—are protected.
Our fire damage restoration for businesses always ends with clear testing, walkthroughs, and documentation that gives you confidence to reopen.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Rebuild—Together
No business owner wants to face a fire—but if it happens, you don’t have to face it alone.
At ServiceMaster of Easley, we’ve helped Indianapolis-area businesses—from warehouses to law offices—recover from fire quickly, safely, and thoroughly. Whether you need emergency board-up, soot removal, structural restoration, or complete commercial fire cleanup in Indianapolis, we’re here with a plan that works.
Call us today for 24/7 emergency service or to schedule a commercial assessment. We're ready to help you rebuild, recover, and return—stronger than before.
