Fire Damage Boarding Up in Chelmsford (CM) — Make Safe & Secure Your Property

A fire is one of the most stressful events a property owner or tenant can deal with. Even when the flames are out, you’re often left with smashed windows, damaged doors, broken frames, and parts of the building exposed to the weather — all of which can attract opportunistic break-ins.

If you need fire damage boarding up in Chelmsford or anywhere across the CM postcodes (CM0–CM77), we can help you make safe and secure the property quickly and professionally.

Need help now? Call 01245 945 217 for immediate assistance (including out of hours).
Prefer email? [email protected]

When fire damage boarding up is needed (and why it matters)

Fire damage boarding up is usually needed when the building envelope has been compromised — meaning there are openings where someone could enter, or where rain and wind can cause further damage.

Common reasons people call us after a fire include:

• A smashed window or cracked glazing from heat, pressure, or fire service access
• A front or back entrance that won’t lock after forced entry or warping
• A broken shopfront or commercial glazing that leaves stock and equipment vulnerable
• Roof openings, damaged skylights, or missing tiles that let water in
• A vacant or temporarily unoccupied property (insurance inspections, loss assessments, or repairs pending)

Even if you’re planning a full repair, temporary boarding is often the safest short-term step to prevent:

• theft and further vandalism
• water ingress during bad weather
• injury risk from loose glass and unstable frames
• repeated attendance from emergency services due to ongoing security issues

We’re not a fire restoration company and we don’t provide smoke/odour remediation — our role is to secure property and reduce further risk once the scene is safe to approach.

If you need urgent help tonight, we offer emergency boarding up across Chelmsford and the wider CM area. See: emergency boarding up.

What “making safe” after a fire actually involves

After a fire, the damage is rarely neat. Frames can be heat-distorted, locks can fail, and parts of the structure may be weakened by heat and water. Our aim is to stabilise and secure, using practical methods that suit the condition of the opening.

Depending on what we find on arrival, making safe may include:

• boarding up broken or missing glazing (ground floor, upper floor, or awkward access)
• securing damaged external doors (including board up door where required)
• boarding up large commercial openings and arranging access-safe fixings
• isolating access points so the building can be left unattended safely
• reducing immediate weather exposure where reasonably possible as part of boarding

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. We’ll always prioritise a secure outcome over a quick cosmetic “cover-up”.

How we secure fire-damaged windows

Fire can crack glass, loosen putty, or warp timber and uPVC. In many cases, the window is no longer safe to leave as-is — especially if the property will be empty overnight.

For most domestic and commercial window openings we typically use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security (common choice for larger openings)
• 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
• anti-tamper fixings where external access could allow removal from outside

The goal is to stop access and reduce risk. If you’re searching for “board up broken window” after a fire, the main decision is usually whether the frame can take fixings safely — and whether access equipment is needed for upper floors.

Relevant service: window boarding in Chelmsford

Need a smashed window secured today? Call 01245 945 217 and we’ll talk you through the safest option.

How we secure fire-damaged doors (including temporary steel doors)

Doors often suffer from:

• forced entry by emergency services
• heat damage that twists the leaf or frame
• swelling or delamination after water exposure
• lock and latch failure

If the door can’t be repaired immediately, boarding may be the quickest way to restore security. Where a property needs more resilient medium-term security — especially if it will be vacant during repair works — a temporary steel door can be a better option than timber boarding alone.

We’ll advise based on:

• how long the property is likely to be unattended
• the condition of the frame and surrounding masonry/timber
• whether trades (insurers, surveyors, electricians) need controlled access

Relevant service: door boarding up

If you need to board up door after a fire (especially out of hours), call us and we’ll give you a realistic ETA and options: Call 01245 945 217.

Shopfront and commercial fire damage: securing large glazed areas

Commercial fires can involve large panes, multiple openings, and higher risk of opportunistic entry — particularly if the premises sits on a busy route or in an area with footfall in the evenings.

If your glass frontage is damaged or missing, you may need the shopfront boarded up the same day to protect:

• remaining stock
• fixtures and fittings
• point-of-sale systems
• site safety (public access risk)

We’ll secure openings using appropriately sized boards and fixings, with a focus on preventing removal from outside where possible.

Relevant service: shopfront boarding

If your shopfront is exposed right now: Call 01245 945 217 and tell us what’s happened — we’ll help you secure the premises.

Roof and skylight issues after fire (and why they can’t wait)

Fire damage doesn’t always stop at doors and windows. Rooflines and skylights can be compromised by heat, fire spread, or fire service actions. Even small openings can lead to major water ingress during rain.

If we can safely access the area and it’s appropriate for boarding, we can secure roof and skylight openings as part of an emergency make-safe.

Relevant service: roof boarding

If you’re unsure whether roof boarding is needed, call us — we’ll ask a few questions and explain what we can (and can’t) do safely: 01245 945 217.

What to expect when you call us (Chelmsford & CM postcodes)

When you ring, we’ll keep it practical and focused. We don’t promise fixed arrival times — conditions vary — but we prioritise urgent calls and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

We’ll usually ask:

1. Is everyone safe, and has the fire service finished?
2. Which openings are damaged (front door, rear door, windows, shopfront, roof)?
3. Is the property currently occupied, or will it be left empty?
4. Are there any access restrictions (scaffolding, height, shared entrances, security gates)?
5. Do you need documentation for insurance?

Our technicians are DBS-checked and we’re fully insured, with 10+ years trading. We work across Chelmsford and the wider CM postcode area.

A typical fire-damage call-out (example scenario)

A typical call-out might involve a domestic property in the Chelmsford area where the fire service has gained access through a ground-floor window and the rear door no longer locks due to heat damage. The occupant may be staying elsewhere while the insurer organises inspections and drying equipment.

In that situation, we would normally:

• assess which openings are structurally sound enough to fix into
• remove immediate hazards where safe (loose panes around the opening)
• install temporary boarding to the damaged window using exterior-grade sheet material
• secure the door opening (boarding or a more robust temporary solution, depending on the frame condition)
• provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice/work statement to support the insurance process

If the surrounding frame is too compromised to secure safely, we’ll explain the limitations and options before any work goes ahead.

Fire damage and insurance claims: what we can provide

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on policy wording — but we do understand what insurers typically ask for after emergency work.

We can provide:

• itemised invoice describing the make-safe/boarding work
• time-stamped photos of the secured openings (before/after where possible)
• a clear description of materials used (e.g., 18mm plywood, anti-tamper fixings)

Practical next step: keep your insurer updated and retain any incident details you have. If it’s safe to do so, take your own photos before we arrive.

For more guidance, see: insurance claims support.

What to do right now after a fire (before boarding up)

If you’re dealing with fire damage in Chelmsford or elsewhere in CM, these steps can help:

1. Confirm the property is safe to approach
   Only re-enter or remain near the building if emergency services say it’s safe.

2. Stop unauthorised access
   If doors/windows are open or broken, keep people away from hazards and avoid touching damaged frames or glass.

3. Take photos if safe
   Quick photos of damaged doors/windows can help with insurance and contractor planning.

4. Call for emergency boarding up
   If you need a 24/7 boarding up response, call us and we’ll advise on the quickest safe way to secure the property.

5. Contact your insurer early
   Let them know the building has been secured and keep receipts/invoices.

If you’re searching “who can board up my window tonight in Chelmsford” or you need emergency boarding up Chelmsford, call now: 01245 945 217.

Why fire damage often needs immediate boarding (even if repairs are booked)

It’s common to think, “the glazier is coming tomorrow” or “the builder is booked next week”. But after a fire, delays can be costly. Leaving a property exposed can lead to:

• rain soaking insulation, flooring, or electrics
• theft of copper, tools, appliances, or stock
• further damage from wind and animals entering
• increased risk of injury if someone enters the site

Boarding is not the final repair — it’s the practical step that helps you stabilise the situation while the longer recovery plan happens.

If you want a plain-English explanation of what boarding involves, see: what is boarding up?.

FAQs — Fire Damage Boarding Up (Chelmsford & CM)

Can you provide emergency boarding up after a fire in Chelmsford?

Yes. We offer emergency boarding up across Chelmsford and the CM postcode area, including out of hours. We’ll prioritise urgent calls and give you a realistic ETA over the phone. For urgent help, use our 24/7 emergency page.

Do you need the fire service to finish before you can board up?

In most cases, yes. We can only work when the scene is safe and access is permitted. Once you’re cleared to secure the property, we can attend and make safe.

Can you board up a smashed window if the frame is burnt or warped?

Often, yes — but it depends on whether the frame and surrounding structure can take fixings safely. If it’s too compromised, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

Will boarding up stop rain getting in after fire damage?

Boarding significantly reduces exposure through windows and doors. However, if there is wider roof damage or structural gaps, full weatherproofing may require additional building works. We can secure many roof/skylight openings via roof boarding where safe and appropriate.

Can you secure a shopfront after fire damage?

Yes. If the glazing is broken or missing, we can get the shopfront boarded up to reduce theft risk and keep the premises safer while longer-term repairs are arranged. See shopfront boarding.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after a fire?

Many policies cover reasonable emergency measures to prevent further loss, but cover varies. We’re not able to interpret your policy; we can provide the documentation insurers typically request. See insurance claims support.

What information should I have ready when I call?

If possible, tell us the postcode (CM area), what’s been damaged (windows/doors/shopfront/roof), whether the property is occupied, and whether access is restricted. Photos are helpful but not essential.

Can you secure a property that will be empty for weeks after a fire?

Yes. If the building will be vacant, we can discuss stronger temporary security options (for example, a temporary steel door depending on the opening and timeframe) alongside boarding.

Need fire damage boarding up in Chelmsford (CM)?

If your property has been affected by fire and you need to make safe, secure property, or arrange temporary boarding, we’re ready to help.

Need help now? Call 01245 945 217 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]

For urgent call-outs, visit: 24 hour emergency boarding up Chelmsford.