Tag Archives: fire

Why is Insurance Important?

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Society Insurance recently had a significant fire loss in Wisconsin. We insured a general contractor who was building a condominium structure that caught on fire. Unfortunately, the fire resulted in the total loss of the condominium building, the loss of construction equipment, and significant damage to the siding of adjacent homes in the area.

Due to the size and scope of the fire, a considerable amount of time and money was spent trying to determine the cause of the fire. Investigators were able to rule out several possibilities, including electrical, as the cause but they were unable to determine the actual cause of the fire. (more…)

5 Steps to Clean Kitchen Grease Filters

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The use of commercial cooking equipment generates grease laden vapors. Commercial grade metal baffle filters should be installed in the kitchen hood above the cooking line to capture this grease before it enters the exhaust system. Grease is highly combustible and poses a fire hazard if allowed to accumulate, so it is important that these filters be cleaned on a regular basis.

When do I clean my Grease Filter? (more…)

Learning From Loss: Electrical Fires

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This entry is part 7 of 14 in the series Fire Prevention

Last week, we learned about the most common causes of fire loss based on Society Insurance claims data from 2011-2013. View the chart. We went into detail about cooking equipment hazards and the best ways to minimize those risks. This week, we will explore electrical fire risks and prevention tips.

Electrical Equipment

Between 2011 and 2013, there were 83 electrical fires that cost Society over $14.5 million in claim settlement costs. Just like with cooking equipment, I asked Subrogation Specialist Kristina Huber, CPCU, AIC, CSRP, for her insight into the causes of these fires. (more…)

Learning from Loss: Cooking Equipment Fires

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This entry is part 6 of 14 in the series Fire Prevention

FIRE! This is a word you never want to hear in your business and it is the call in the night you never want to get. Best scenario is no one is hurt and it is only property damage, but even then it will still be devastating to your business. The investigation to determine the cause of the fire can go on for months and the clean-up from even a small fire may take several days and require a business shut down. In addition to the fire damage there will also be smoke and water damage that can extend out some distance from the original location of the fire.

The best response is to prevent the fire before it starts, so where do we begin?

To find out where to begin, I asked for help from one of Society’s experts, (more…)

Fire Drill: Are Your Fire Prevention Practices Alarming?

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This entry is part 5 of 14 in the series Fire Prevention

Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. It was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire which began on October 8, 1871, but did most of its damage on October 9, killing more than 250 people, leaving 100,000 homeless, destroying 17,400 structures and burning more than 2,000 acres. On that same day, the most devastating forest fire in American history roared through Northeast Wisconsin. The Peshtigo Fire burned down 16 towns and 1.2 million acres, killing 1,152 people. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during the week in which October 9 falls every year since 1925. (more…)

Drive Down Auto Repair Shop Injuries by Fixing These Risks

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Even off the road, cars can be dangerous. And no one knows that better than the auto repair workers who operate on them.

Car repair involves large parts, awkward angles and cramped spaces. Combine that with a work environment featuring hazardous chemicals, heavy lifting and flammable materials, and you have a uniquely hazardous industry.

To fix these potential problems, you need the right set of tools. Follow our detailed instructions below and you’ll stop these serious issues from impacting your mechanics’ health. (more…)