Fire Damage Boarding Up in Bromley (BR1–BR8)
A fire is disruptive at the best of times. Even a small kitchen fire or an electrical fault can leave a property exposed—broken windows from heat, a forced entry by the fire service, or a weakened door that won’t lock properly.
If you’re dealing with fire damage in Bromley or the wider BR postcode area, our role is simple and practical: we secure the building and make it weather-tight where possible, so you can move on to the next steps (insurer, loss adjuster, contractor) without worrying about opportunistic entry or further damage.
If you need urgent help, use our emergency line: Call 020 4634 7872.
When fire damage boarding up is needed
Fire damage boarding isn’t only for major incidents. We’re often called out after events that leave an opening—even when the flames were contained quickly.
Common reasons people in Bromley call us include:
- The fire service has forced entry (door breached, locks destroyed, glazing removed)
- Heat has cracked or blown glass in sash windows, uPVC units or shopfront glazing
- Smoke and water damage has swollen frames, meaning doors/windows won’t close securely
- Roof tiles or skylights have failed from heat, impact, or firefighting operations
- A shopfront is left open after smoke damage or a shutter/entry point has been compromised
In Bromley, we see a mix of property types—from Victorian and Edwardian houses around areas like Shortlands and Beckenham, to 1930s semis across Hayes and West Wickham, plus flats and mixed-use buildings near Bromley town centre. Each has its own “gotchas” (brittle old frames, double-glazing beading, communal entrances), and that affects how we secure it safely.
For immediate attendance outside normal hours, see emergency boarding up.
First: safety and access (what we can and can’t do)
After a fire, safety comes first.
- We only work when it’s safe to do so. If the fire service is still in attendance, we coordinate on site and follow their instructions.
- We are not fire restoration contractors. We don’t provide smoke odour removal, drying, or structural fire repairs. Our job is to secure openings and reduce risk.
- If the structure is unstable, or we suspect collapse risk, we’ll tell you immediately and recommend you wait for the appropriate professionals before any fixings are applied.
If you can do so safely before we arrive:
- Take a few photos of the damage (useful for insurers).
- Keep any incident number or fire service details to hand.
- Don’t touch loose glass or charred frames—heat damage can make materials fail suddenly.
How we secure a property after fire damage (our on-site process)
Every fire scene is different, but the securing process is usually:
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Assessment and plan
- We check which openings are vulnerable: windows, doors, shopfronts, rooflights, side gates, and any holes created for ventilation or access.
- We identify the safest fixing method, especially where frames are burnt, swollen, or cracked.
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Make safe
- Remove immediate hazards where possible (loose shards, hanging panes), without interfering with any investigation requirements.
- If there’s evidence that the site may need preserving (for example in commercial premises), we’ll discuss the least intrusive way to secure.
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Boarding up / temporary closure
- For windows and smaller openings, we typically use exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm) for strength and resistance.
- For some internal or lower-risk areas, 12mm OSB may be suitable—particularly for smaller panes or short-term coverage. We’ll explain what we’re using and why.
- Fixings are chosen to suit the substrate. Where the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll talk through options before proceeding.
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Security upgrade if needed
- If a main entrance can’t be secured with boarding alone, a temporary steel door can be a better medium-term solution—especially if contractors and insurers will need repeated access.
- For vacant or longer-term projects, steel security screens may be more appropriate (we’ll advise based on how long the property is likely to be unattended).
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Documentation
- You receive an itemised invoice/work statement suitable for most insurer enquiries.
- We can provide time-stamped photos of the secured elevations, so you can show the property is protected.
For windows specifically, read more about window boarding in Bromley. For compromised entrances, see door boarding services.
Methods and materials we use (and why they matter after a fire)
Fire damage changes the “normal rules” of boarding up. Heat can warp timber, soften some uPVC components, and leave masonry friable.
Plywood boarding for strength and weather resistance
For most external window openings, 18mm exterior-grade plywood provides a strong, rigid barrier that’s difficult to remove from outside. This matters if the building will be unattended overnight or for several days while insurers organise next steps.
Anti-tamper fixings where appropriate
Where there’s a risk of opportunistic entry—particularly on properties close to busy routes or shopping areas—we’ll use anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance the boards can be removed from outside.
Temporary steel doors for repeat access and better security
A boarded doorway is secure, but it’s not always convenient if people need frequent entry (loss adjusters, electricians, building contractors). Temporary steel doors can:
- Provide a more practical access point
- Reduce repeated damage from removing/reboarding
- Improve security on void or partially occupied properties
If you’re securing a flat, unit, or commercial entrance, temporary steel doors and door boarding is often the best route.
Rooflights, skylights, and roof openings
Fires can damage roof coverings, rooflights and skylights, or create openings during firefighting. Working at height adds complexity, so we plan access carefully and focus on safe, sensible weatherproofing and security. Learn more about roof boarding.
Fire damage in commercial properties (shops, offices, mixed-use)
In Bromley, fires affecting commercial premises often involve:
- Small high street units and parades
- Restaurants/takeaways (kitchen incidents)
- Storage areas with electrical faults
- Mixed-use buildings where flats sit above shops
If glazing has failed or shutters/doors won’t secure properly, rapid boarding helps prevent:
- Theft of stock or equipment
- Water ingress and further damage
- Liability issues if the frontage is unsafe
For larger glazed areas, we provide shopfront boarding designed for commercial openings and higher footfall environments.
A realistic local example (micro case study)
A small commercial unit near Bromley South station suffers smoke and heat damage overnight after an electrical fault in a back room. The fire service forces entry and the front glazing panel is cracked by heat. By morning, the unit can’t be properly secured and the tenant is worried about passers-by and opportunistic theft.
We attend, assess the front elevation, and install secure plywood boarding over the damaged glazing, using fixings suitable for the frame condition. Because the main door has been compromised and the business needs ongoing access for insurers and contractors, we discuss options and fit a temporary steel door to create a secure, usable entry point. The customer receives photos and an itemised invoice for their insurer, and the site is left locked and weather-resistant while repairs are arranged.
(If you’re in the same position, start with emergency boarding up or call 020 4634 7872.)
Insurance and fire damage: what to know (practical, not legal advice)
Most people contact us because they need the building secured quickly and they’re also thinking ahead to the claim.
What we can do:
- Provide a clear work description (what was secured and how)
- Provide photos showing the property secured after the incident
- Provide an itemised invoice to support your claim
What we can’t do:
- We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t confirm what your policy covers.
- We can’t approve claim values—your insurer will decide.
If you’re dealing with a claim, see our guide to insurance claims support.
What to do right now after a fire (a calm checklist)
If you’re reading this right after an incident, these steps help:
- Make sure everyone is safe and follow the fire service instructions.
- If possible, secure valuables only when safe and permitted.
- Photograph damage for records (don’t enter unsafe areas).
- Contact your insurer as soon as you can.
- Arrange professional securing: Call 020 4634 7872.
If your damage is mainly windows: window boarding in Bromley.
If access points are compromised: door boarding services.
If the issue is overhead openings: roof boarding.
FAQs: Fire damage boarding up in Bromley
Can you board up tonight if the fire happened out of hours?
Yes—when it’s safe to attend and access is available, we can help outside normal hours. We don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions vary, but we prioritise urgent fire damage calls. Use emergency boarding up or Call 020 4634 7872.
Do you remove fire-damaged glass and debris?
We can make safe obvious hazards around the opening we’re securing, but we’re not a full clearance or restoration service. If removal would interfere with investigations or if the structure is unsafe, we’ll advise the safest next step.
Is boarding up covered by insurance after a fire?
Often it can be, but it depends on your policy. We provide the documentation insurers typically ask for (invoice, work description, photos). See insurance claims support for practical guidance.
What if the door frame is too burnt or swollen to board normally?
We’ll assess on site and explain options. In many cases, a temporary steel door is a better solution than repeatedly boarding a failing frame. Learn more via door boarding services.
Do you secure flats and communal entrances in Bromley?
Yes. Flats can involve shared access, restricted entry, and specific fire safety considerations. If we need a management contact or access permissions, we’ll tell you on the call so nothing is delayed.
Next steps
If your property has suffered fire damage, securing it quickly reduces the risk of theft, weather ingress, and further disruption.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 7872 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk
