Water Damage Restoration in Confined Spaces

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

In the typical residential water damage restoration job, we find ourselves in a basement or a bathroom. These jobs are not always easy, but we’re at least working within rooms that were meant for human habitation.

Sometimes, though, we have to work in what’s called a “confined space.” A confined space is defined as any space that:

• Is configured so that someone can enter it;
• Has limited means of entry and exit;
• Has the potential for containing atmospheric hazards;
• Is not designed or intended for continuous occupancy.

The last point is the real kicker – these are spaces where human beings were never supposed to go, and certainly were never supposed to spend extended lengths of time. Crawlspaces under houses, for example, would be confined spaces.

While not every restoration company is capable of working within a confined space, we have the training and the safety procedures to perform restoration wherever and whenever you need us. Those safety measures might include hiring an attendant to monitor the space’s entrance, installing a retrieval line, and conducting extensive testing for atmospheric and other hazards.

Of course, you’re never quite prepared for what you’ll find in a confined space. All we’ll say is that, if you crawl into three foot tall crawlspace and you see another set of eyes staring back at you, get out of there as quickly as you can.