What to do When Unplanned Water Emergencies Threaten Business Continuity
ACR HELPS HEALTHCARE FACILITY MAINTAIN BUSINESS CONTINUITY AFTER BURST PIPES COMPROMISE PATIENT AND STAFF SAFETY
When a 6” water main line to the fire suppression system froze, causing burst pipes to expel thousands of gallons of contaminated water at a local healthcare facility, ACR was ready to take action.
Upon arrival, the team quickly identified the expelled water as a CAT 3-level water emergency spanning the first floor of the 33,000 square foot facility, which housed more than 150 residents.
CHALLENGES:
33,000 SF of the affected area
Relocation of 160 residents to the 2nd floor
Stagnant, bacteria-ridden water throughout the 1st floor
Within two days, through experience and strategic teamwork, these patients were transported to the second floor quickly and safely, allowing them to shelter-in-place instead of being transferred outside of the facility.
“Any time you have contaminated standing water, it’s an emergency, but when you’re working with a healthcare facility where patients are residing, you have to make sure the solution you’re providing is in the best interest of everyone within the building, structurally sound, and with the goal of maintaining business continuity.”
When an unplanned emergency threatens business continuity, it’s important to have an all-hands-on-deck approach. The healthcare facility’s team jumped in to help remove water, clean, and disinfect the affected areas. Time was of the essence since potential asbestos existed and consequential mold growth was of concern.
The ACR team coordinated all efforts from there, including sourcing materials, installing two desiccants to stabilize the environment, adding HEPA air scrubbers, and bringing in humidifiers. ACR also completed multiple inspections and brought in an industrial hygienist for increased safety and compliance measures.
MITIGATION:
Extract water
Clean and disinfect floors
HEPA air scrubbers used during the patient relocation
Two desiccant dehumidifiers to stabilize the environment
Guided the insurance claim with the facility to coordinate logistics and the best path to restoration
RESULTS:
Director of Operations, John Schaefer put our ICRA Certification to work to help this facility maintain business continuity.
The key in these emergencies is to avoid downtime and that's what we were able to provide for this customer.
That’s the thing about emergencies, they are never planned but should be planned for. We get it, your business is your livelihood and each moment matters. ACR has been built upon the foundational principle of Maintaining Operational Continuity for you and your business.
Simply put, we Get Your Business Back In Business.