Fire Damage Restoration of a Complex Exhibition Barge
Following a fire in the insulation of a converted exhibition barge, BELFOR Technology carried out extensive fire damage restoration and cleaning across the vessel. Despite an exceptionally diverse range of contents, from a stainless-steel restaurant kitchen to 20 tons of glass bricks and a pond containing around 100 goldfish, the restoration proceeded according to plan.
Fire damage restoration required careful coordination
The converted barge served as an exhibition center incorporating a museum, shop and restaurant. This combination made the restoration particularly complex. Different materials, installations and exhibits required different cleaning methods, while specialist work had to be coordinated without compromising other parts of the vessel.
BELFOR took responsibility for cleaning the vessel itself, the stainless-steel kitchen and restaurant areas, as well as the extensive glass installation. A specialist restoration company handled the museum exhibits.
Unusual contents added to the restoration challenge
Among the exhibits were around 350 stuffed animals. They ranged from specimens measuring approximately 30 centimeters to two giraffes and two elephants.
Another distinctive installation consisted of approximately 20 tons of colored glass bricks. Designed to represent a river, the glass installation extended throughout the barge and formed part of the overall cleaning scope.
Perhaps the most unusual challenge was an artificial pond containing approximately 100 goldfish.
Rather than introduce unnecessary risk to the animals during restoration, BELFOR coordinated with a third-party specialist to provide care and maintenance throughout the works.
Controlled execution kept a complex loss on track
For insurers, loss adjusters and industrial operators, complex fire losses often involve more than the damaged building or asset itself. Contents, specialist installations, operational areas and third-party responsibilities can all affect the restoration strategy.
On the exhibition barge, clear allocation of responsibilities enabled the different workstreams to proceed in a controlled manner. BELFOR concentrated on the vessel and designated cleaning areas, specialist restorers managed the museum collection, and dedicated third-party care protected the fish.
Despite the unusual scale and complexity of the project, the restoration went according to plan. Even the approximately 100 goldfish made it through the project almost completely unscathed, with just one fish lost.
