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Our fire and smoke damage recovery team will connect with you within 24 hours.
After a fire, it’s essential to thoroughly inspect and clean the ductwork to ensure it’s safe and functional. The smoke and soot produced by a fire can coat the inside of the air ducts, leading to restricted airflow, air quality concerns, unpleasant odors, and corrosion of the ductwork. Often, the entire HVAC system is contaminated.
Fire and smoke damage restoration professionals at ATI Restoration understand how important it is for the ductwork in a commercial property to be clean, safe, and functional. We fully assess the damage to the air ducts and the HVAC system as a whole, then create a custom plan for cleaning and restoring the ductwork.
ATI Restoration serves clients nationwide. With our 24-Hour Emergency Response, we are just a phone call away if your business or facility has been damaged by fire, smoke, and soot.
Different industries have different needs when it comes to Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC). In addition to heating and cooling the structure efficiently, air ducts in certain facilities must be designed to manage temperature and humidity precisely, withstand industrial processes, and prevent the spread of airborne contaminants and pathogens.
ATI Restoration has an unequaled understanding of the unique needs various industries have for their ductwork. Our technicians are certified by organizations such as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), providing them with the skills and industry knowledge they need to perform all aspects of HVAC cleaning, restoration, and repairs following a fire.
We make it our mission to restore commercial properties to their pre-damage state, if not better. That includes ensuring that your property is prepared to meet the efficiency, air quality, temperature and humidity control, zoning, and filtration requirements of your industry and your specific operations.
In addition to posing a massive safety threat, fires are among the leading causes of business disruption. Fire, smoke, and soot can lead to a wide range of damages throughout the property. Air ducts often serve as an expressway for soot and smoke, potentially causing significant damage to areas of the structure and contents that were untouched by flame.
Damage to the ductwork is often overlooked due to the immediate safety and structural concerns stemming from a fire. However, ridding the air ducts of smoke damage and soot residue is crucial for the long-term safety of occupants and the integrity of the structure.
The HVAC system must be accounted for in your disaster recovery plan. In addition to listing contacts and account information, it is vital to have a preferred vendor in place to handle cleaning and restoration in the event of a catastrophe.
ATI Restoration provides priority service to clients who sign an Emergency Response Agreement (ERA). If your business or facility is damaged by fire and smoke, a crew will be dispatched to your property ASAP—no matter the volume of calls we’re receiving in your area.
If air quality is a concern, we will fully evaluate the ductwork as part of our initial inspection. When scoping out repairs, we will prioritize air duct and HVAC restoration.
Smoke and soot must be addressed promptly. The proper cleaning and remediation techniques must be used to avoid spreading particles through the air ducts. With an ERA, you can count on ATI Restoration’s expertise to be available in your time of need.
Before entering into an ERA, team members at ATI Restoration will meet with multiple stakeholders. This includes the property owner, facilities manager, engineering lead, and others. Our goal is to ensure ATI’s capabilities meet your needs and goals.
The Emergency Response Agreement guarantees prompt service if your commercial property is damaged by a fire or other disaster. It also includes upfront pricing, enabling our clients to budget for HVAC restoration and other services.
Fire and smoke damage restoration is a multifaceted process. While smaller companies may be able to handle one or two parts of the project on their own, many tasks end up in the hands of independent contractors. ATI Restoration is unique because we handle all aspects of recovery in-house, including air duct cleaning and restoration.
Our technicians hold certifications from the NADCA, the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and other elite organizations. We have comprehensive capabilities and provide streamlined recovery services for commercial properties damaged by fire, soot, and smoke.
With 60+ regional locations, ATI is the nation’s largest family-operated restoration firm. Our crews can respond to emergencies anywhere in the country with the equipment, experience, and expertise you need to resume normal operations ASAP.
At ATI Restoration, we believe communication is key. It’s the first of our core values (ATI CARES), and it embodies our approach to customer service.
We answer the phones any time, day or night. Our 24-Hour Emergency Response ensures that technicians will be on-site and ready to get to work as soon as the fire department declares the property safe to enter.
Commercial clients who add us to their vendor list or sign up for an Emergency Response Agreement receive expedited service with no surprises on rates. We immediately respond to your call, 24/7, and dispatch a crew as soon as possible.
NADCA-certified technicians at ATI Restoration have advanced training in the cleaning and restoration of ductwork and HVAC systems. Utilizing the latest technology, our crews have the skill and industry knowledge to remediate smoke, soot, and fire damage and perform all necessary repairs.
We are capable of handling each step of the HVAC restoration process, including:
Our first priority is to inspect the property and determine the extent of the fire damage to the air ducts. This includes soot and smoke residue, structural issues, heat damage, etc.
We shut down the HVAC system to prevent the circulation of contaminants throughout the property. This step is crucial to avoid spreading soot, smoke, and other particles that might be present in the ductwork.
The initial cleaning involves the removal of accessible soot, smoke residue, and debris from the exterior of the ducts. We will then evaluate the level of contamination within the ductwork, inspecting the extent of damage and the type of residue present.
Professional cleaning involves the use of specialized brushes and chemical agents to remove soot, smoke, and other residues from the ducts. Mechanical agitation, such as brushing or scraping, might be necessary to dislodge stubborn residues.
A buildup of smoke residue and soot may form deep within the ductwork. We use advanced equipment to pinpoint and dislodge buildups and debris, then remove them from the HVAC system using high-powered vacuums.
The NADCA strongly encourages cleaning all components of the HVAC system, not just the air ducts. Our technicians follow this standard, cleaning or replacing the filters, coils, dampers, and any other parts within the HVAC system that may have been damaged or contaminated.
After the physical cleaning, we thoroughly deodorize and sanitize the ductwork. This removes any lingering smoke and soot odors and ensures the elimination of potential contaminants.
Repairing and sealing damaged ductwork is essential for ensuring that there are no leaks or points of entry for contaminants. Duct sealing is also necessary to ensure the efficient operation of the system going forward.
High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters provide additional air filtration. For added peace of mind and superior air quality, our technicians can install HEPA filters in your property’s HVAC system.
Finally, we conduct a thorough inspection to ensure that the ductwork and the HVAC system are properly cleaned and restored. We also test the system to ensure it's functioning effectively and that the air quality meets all applicable safety and industry standards.
The air ducts and HVAC are important, but they are rarely the only part of a commercial property impacted by fire and smoke. ATI Restoration takes a comprehensive approach to remediation and restoration. This includes:
For years, asbestos was used to insulate air ducts and HVAC systems. In structures where lead paint was used, lead dust may have accumulated inside the ductwork over time. Asbestos fibers, lead dust, and other materials may be disturbed by the fire or by efforts to extinguish it, creating severe health risks.
Extreme caution must be taken to minimize the danger posed by asbestos, lead, and other harmful materials. ATI Restoration technicians are trained in the safe handling and abatement of lead and asbestos. This enables us to restore air systems and other areas of the commercial property safely and with minimize the risk of contamination.
Air duct and HVAC restoration is a specialized part of the already specialized process of fire and smoke damage restoration. The varying needs of each industry require additional expertise—not just in the restoration of the HVAC system, but in all aspects of operations.
Bottom line: Rebuilding a commercial property after a fire involves a host of unique challenges. For more than 30 years, ATI Restoration has helped a wide array of clients overcome these challenges and get back to business.
Many of our fire and smoke damage restoration projects involve restoration and repair of ductwork and HVAC systems. We tailor our work to the needs of each client while always delivering exceptional results.
Fires are costly. Damage to the structure and contents from the fire itself is often amplified—and sometimes exceeded—by the losses from smoke and soot residue.
The cost of cleaning, restoring, and repairing the ductwork and HVAC system is factored into the overall cost of fire damage remediation services. Using the industry’s most advanced software, we are able to make precise estimates for the cost of restoration and reconstruction.
Ultimately, the cost of air duct and HVAC restoration will depend on the extent of the contamination and any damage to the system itself. A thorough evaluation will enable us to provide an answer specific to your situation.
Forward-looking owners, property managers, and department heads should consider an Emergency Response Agreement with ATI Restoration. The ERA features a pre-determined pricing structure and clearly outlines our services so you know what to expect if you need assistance after a fire.
Restoring air ducts after a fire requires extensive experience, the highest caliber of industry knowledge, and the utmost skill. The ductwork needs to be clean so the HVAC system can run efficiently and the air quality inside the property is safe for occupants.
Technicians at ATI Restoration have the training and expertise to fully restore your commercial property after a fire. Air duct and HVAC restoration are a critical part of this process, as timely intervention is key for limiting the spread of smoke, soot, and debris through the ductwork. Our professional cleaning and repair services ensure that the HVAC system is thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, deodorized, and sealed.
Don’t let fire and smoke damage put your operations on hold. Contact ATI Restoration for immediate assistance. With our 24-Hour Emergency Response and 60+ locations, we can promptly dispatch crews to commercial properties throughout the nation.
Poor air quality can be caused by fire damage and the resulting soot and smoke odor residue left behind. More typically, contaminants depend on your region and the type of work conducted in your commercial property. Most often contaminants are caused by dust and dirt, excess moisture, poor ventilation, and unclean air filters.
In addition to contaminating indoor air, dirty air ducts can overwork your HVAC system, drive up utility costs, and act as a pathway of infection in the event of an airborne illness. In some cases, excessive buildup can also become a fire hazard.
Most energy companies recommend scheduling a professional pre-season service and maintenance bi-annually. The best time to slate these is before winter and again before summer, ensuring proper functioning prior to entering the two seasons of greatest HVAC demand. Ductwork cleaning is invasive and time-consuming, though it is necessary every three to five years. The most cost-effective way to keep an HVAC system clean is coil cleaning and cleaning air handling units as recommended by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and the manufacturer of the unit. Regular maintenance of your HVAC unit ensures maximum efficiency and prevents considerable expense resulting from neglected systems.
Air duct cleaning promotes better indoor air quality, keeps your HVAC system working longer, reduces your energy bill, and prevents the spread of pathogens.
Choosing a company depends on your building’s location and needs, but a single-source solution disaster recovery firm is recommended. Should damage have occurred because of buildup or should the building be exposed to smoke or dangerous pathogens, a disaster recovery firm would be a one-stop-shop.
Your duct should only contain clean air. This means everything else has to go. Foreign particulates is the term for what gets cleaned from ducts, including but not limited to dust, dirt, allergens, contaminants, mold spores, pet dander and other pollutants. In the event of a structural fire, special cleaning is needed to ensure that all hazardous residues from the fire are removed from the air ducts.
Outside of changing your HVAC filters, it is recommended you contact a professional to clean your air ducts. Improper handling can break your HVAC system or compromise its airflow. Professionals also know how to access the ductwork without allowing particles to enter, and ATI technicians clean according to the requirements of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our highly trained technicians will have the personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, and skills necessary to safely and thoroughly perform air duct cleaning and HVAC restoration.
It is recommended you clean your ducts every 3-5 years. If you live in a location susceptible to dust, have experienced a recent fire, or have many pets that shed, you may want more regular cleanings to ensure the best quality of air and airflow.
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