Floods and Your Business

Whatever its cause, flooding is often one of the most devastating events that can hit your business.  If your company is in a flood prone area you should look at adopting strategies to help minimise its effects.  Here are some free or low cost tips you can follow to help reduce the impact of a flood on your business.

  • Have a Business Continuity Plan that addresses the risk of flooding
  • Instigate basic flood training for employees
  • In the event of a flood warning move important equipment and stock above the potential flood level and evacuate vehicles to higher ground
  • Copy vital paper and electronic records and store elsewhere
  • Secure equipment that could move or fall during a flood
  • Install back flow valves on toilets and drains
  • Raise electrical sockets above potential flood level
  • Raise machinery on platforms above potential flood level
  • Move computer servers permanently away from ground floor level

If the worst happens and your premises do flood, a few basic actions may speed up the processing of your insurance claim and reduce business downtime:

  • Secure your property to prevent further loss or damage
  • Get advice from your broker, insurer and loss adjuster on recommended repairers
  • To assist insurers with your claim, note:

·        Time of warning

·        Time water entered

·        Maximum water depth

·        How long the water was in the premises

·        Presence of any contaminants (sewage etc)

  • Keep track of all related losses and expenditure
  • Do not destroy damaged items without first checking with your insurers
  • Document losses with photographs or video

Finally, remember that a flooded building is a dangerous place and take extra precautions.  In particular, watch out for gas and electrical hazards, trips and slips on slippery surfaces, water pollution and structural damage such as saturated ceilings and wall liners

Let’s hope it doesn't happen to your business, but if it does then it is better to be prepared.

Last reviewed 01/10

 

To talk to an expert in your area and get a quote, contact your Cherrypicker.