Yes. When smoke or fire-related contamination reaches a commercial HVAC system, components or ductwork may require professional evaluation and cleaning before the system returns to normal service. Because HVAC systems connect multiple areas of a facility, the concern can extend beyond the room where the fire occurred. For an engineering or facilities team, the key issue is not simply whether smoke is … [Read more...]
Can Smoke Damage a Commercial HVAC System?
What to Do After a Fire in a Commercial Building: A Facility Manager’s Guide
After a commercial building fire, the facility team's first responsibility is to follow emergency authorities' direction and keep people away from areas that have not been cleared for access. Once appropriate access is established, the focus shifts to securing the property, understanding the extent of damage, protecting critical assets, establishing operational priorities and developing a coordinated recovery … [Read more...]
Emergency Response Plan vs. Business Continuity Plan: What Facility Teams Actually Need
When an incident disrupts a facility, teams have to address two questions at once: How do we respond right now, and how do we keep the business running? An emergency response plan guides the immediate response, while a business continuity plan explains how essential operations will continue or resume. For facility teams, the two plans work best when they are connected by a clear process for recovering the … [Read more...]
Fire Sprinkler Water Damage: What Facility Managers Should Know
Fire sprinklers and firefighting operations play a critical life-safety role during a fire. After the incident, however, the water used to control the fire can become a second property-recovery challenge. Facility managers may need to address water affecting ceilings, walls, floors, contents and building systems, even in areas with little or no direct flame damage. That means commercial fire recovery often … [Read more...]
Fire Damage Goes Beyond the Burn Area: What Facility Managers Need to Know
The area visibly burned during a commercial fire does not necessarily define the full scope of the loss. Smoke and soot can reach adjoining spaces, firefighting and sprinkler water can affect building materials and contents, and interconnected building systems may require evaluation before normal operations resume. For facility managers, the important question is therefore not simply “What … [Read more...]
Commercial Fire Recovery Plan: What Facility Managers Should Have in Place Before a Fire
Most commercial facilities have procedures designed to protect people during a fire. Far fewer have a detailed plan for what happens to the building and the operation once the immediate emergency is under control. A commercial fire recovery plan establishes the contacts, authority, property information, operational priorities and recovery procedures your organization will need after a fire. It complements, not … [Read more...]
How to Prepare a Commercial Facility for Freezing Temperatures
Commercial building winter preparedness works best when it starts well before freezing temperatures show up in the forecast. Most winter-related property losses do not begin with the freeze itself. They begin with conditions that were already there: an uninsulated line above a loading dock, a roof drain packed with debris, a vacant suite with the heat turned down, or an after-hours call tree no one has … [Read more...]
California El Niño State of Emergency 2026: How to Prepare Your Property | BMS CAT
California El Niño State of Emergency 2026: How to Prepare Your Property Quick Answer On September 21, 2026, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency ahead of what forecasters expect to be a historic El Niño season, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event and a 75% chance it becomes the strongest on record. The declaration mobilizes state resources like flood-fighting supplies, … [Read more...]
BMS CAT Strengthens Florida Service Through the Acquisition of Integrity Environmental Group
HALTOM CITY, Texas — BMS CAT, a national leader in disaster recovery, restoration and reconstruction services, today announced the acquisition of Integrity Environmental Group, Inc., a provider of innovative solutions for environmental challenges, including asbestos, lead, and mold remediation. The acquisition expands BMS CAT’s specialized environmental capabilities, while further strengthening the company’s … [Read more...]
Project Profile: Post-Construction Duct Cleaning Before University Move-In
A Dallas area university recently completed a full remodel of one of its residence halls, including a brand new air handling unit. But the project revealed a common and often overlooked issue in construction and renovation projects: new equipment doesn't mean clean ductwork. The existing duct system remained untouched, filled with dust and debris from the remodel. With move in only weeks away, the … [Read more...]
Cooling Tower Cleaning Vs. Water Treatment: What’s the Difference | BMS CAT
Cooling Tower Cleaning vs. Water Treatment: What's the Difference? Quick Answer Water treatment manages the chemistry inside your cooling tower's water loop, things like biocides, scale inhibitors, and pH balance. Mechanical cleaning physically removes the sediment, scale, and biofilm that build up on the tower itself, the basin, fill, drift eliminators, and other components. Water treatment controls what's … [Read more...]
NADCA ASCS Certified HVAC Cleaning Specialists | BMS CAT
Atlanta — August 17, 2026 What is NADCA ASCS Certification, and Why It Matters for Your Facility's HVAC System A commercial building's HVAC system does more than control temperature. It affects indoor air quality, energy costs, and equipment lifespan, and in industries like healthcare and hospitality, it can be tied directly to compliance requirements. That is why the credentials behind the technicians servicing … [Read more...]