Inside Restoration & Recovery

BMS CAT

Follow along for more episodes and conversations that explore real-life restoration projects and impactful recovery stories from across the country.

  1. Sep 23

    Lessons From the Front Lines of Disaster Recovery

    When disaster strikes, the decisions made before the loss can have a major impact on what happens next. In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, Kenneth Roberts, Regional Sales Manager for BMS CAT’s South Region, shares lessons from more than 13 years in the restoration industry and explains why preparedness, communication, and transparency are critical to an effective response. Roberts began his restoration career working on a demolition crew, giving him firsthand experience with the work that goes into helping properties recover after fire, water, and other major losses. Today, he works alongside BMS CAT teams and customers across Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee to build relationships and prepare organizations before an emergency occurs. A major theme of the conversation is the importance of planning before disaster strikes. Roberts discusses why organizations should understand their properties, identify their most critical assets, establish response protocols, and determine who needs to be involved in communication before an event happens. That preparation becomes especially important during hurricanes and other area-wide disasters, when resources and response times can be under pressure. Roberts also explains BMS CAT’s approach to communication throughout a restoration project, including daily updates that outline what happened that day and what is expected next. For facility and organizational leaders, the takeaway is simple: don’t wait for an emergency to start planning. Strong relationships, clear expectations, and open communication can help teams respond faster and navigate the recovery process with greater confidence.

    Lessons From the Front Lines of Disaster Recovery
  2. Sep 23 ·  Video

    Lessons From the Front Lines of Disaster Recovery

    When disaster strikes, the decisions made before the loss can have a major impact on what happens next. In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, Kenneth Roberts, Regional Sales Manager for BMS CAT’s South Region, shares lessons from more than 13 years in the restoration industry and explains why preparedness, communication, and transparency are critical to an effective response. Roberts began his restoration career working on a demolition crew, giving him firsthand experience with the work that goes into helping properties recover after fire, water, and other major losses. Today, he works alongside BMS CAT teams and customers across Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee to build relationships and prepare organizations before an emergency occurs. A major theme of the conversation is the importance of planning before disaster strikes. Roberts discusses why organizations should understand their properties, identify their most critical assets, establish response protocols, and determine who needs to be involved in communication before an event happens. That preparation becomes especially important during hurricanes and other area-wide disasters, when resources and response times can be under pressure. Roberts also explains BMS CAT’s approach to communication throughout a restoration project, including daily updates that outline what happened that day and what is expected next. For facility and organizational leaders, the takeaway is simple: don’t wait for an emergency to start planning. Strong relationships, clear expectations, and open communication can help teams respond faster and navigate the recovery process with greater confidence.

    Lessons From the Front Lines of Disaster Recovery
  3. Sep 3 ·  Bonus Video

    What Can Happen When Cooling Towers Are Overlooked?

    For hotels, the guest experience depends on more than what visitors can immediately see. Clean rooms, fresh linens and well-maintained common areas are obvious signs of a property’s standards. But some of the systems most critical to maintaining those standards operate almost entirely behind the scenes. Cooling infrastructure is one example. Rochelle Richardson of BMS CAT recently spoke with the facilities director of a reputable hotel about the importance of giving these systems regular attention. At the property, compromised lines connected to the cooling system had contributed to flooding across a column of hotel rooms. The situation highlighted a challenge for hospitality facilities teams: not every potential issue is visible to guests or even staff during day-to-day operations. A dirty floor or stained bed linen is easy to identify and address. Conditions involving air quality, cooling infrastructure and mechanical systems can be much less obvious until they begin affecting the property. That makes proactive attention important. Establishing a regular cadence for evaluating and maintaining critical systems can help facilities teams identify concerns earlier and give them greater confidence in the infrastructure supporting their property. For hotels, reliable cooling is also closely tied to the guest experience. A property can invest heavily in creating a five-star environment, but an interruption to the systems keeping rooms comfortable can quickly become an operational challenge. The takeaway for facilities leaders is simple: what guests cannot see can be just as important as what they can.

    What Can Happen When Cooling Towers Are Overlooked?
  4. Aug 31

    Building Relationships That Make Recovery Easier

    When a facility experiences an unexpected water loss or other emergency, the first few minutes can have a major impact on what happens next. For facility teams, preparation can be just as important as the response itself. In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, Dana Buzzelli, Commercial Account Manager at BMS CAT, shares practical steps facility leaders can take before disaster strikes. One of the most common challenges Dana hears about is surprisingly simple: employees don't know where the water shutoff is. A pipe break or activated sprinkler system can release thousands of gallons of water, and every minute spent searching for a shutoff can contribute to additional damage and increase the risk of microbial growth. That's why preparedness needs to extend beyond the facility manager. Overnight crews and other employees should know who to call, where critical shutoffs are located, and what steps to take during an emergency. Dana also explains how BMS CAT works with customers ahead of time to establish an emergency response plan. That can include identifying access and security requirements, determining where response vehicles should enter and park, setting realistic response expectations, and establishing communication protocols before crews ever arrive. Even small logistical details can save valuable time when an emergency happens at 3 a.m. The goal is simple: eliminate as many unknowns as possible before the clock starts. By preparing employees, establishing clear communication, and working through response logistics in advance, facility leaders can put their teams in a much stronger position when the unexpected happens.

    Building Relationships That Make Recovery Easier
  5. Aug 31 ·  Video

    Building Relationships That Make Recovery Easier

    When a facility experiences an unexpected water loss or other emergency, the first few minutes can have a major impact on what happens next. For facility teams, preparation can be just as important as the response itself. In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, Dana Buzzelli, Commercial Account Manager at BMS CAT, shares practical steps facility leaders can take before disaster strikes. One of the most common challenges Dana hears about is surprisingly simple: employees don't know where the water shutoff is. A pipe break or activated sprinkler system can release thousands of gallons of water, and every minute spent searching for a shutoff can contribute to additional damage and increase the risk of microbial growth. That's why preparedness needs to extend beyond the facility manager. Overnight crews and other employees should know who to call, where critical shutoffs are located, and what steps to take during an emergency. Dana also explains how BMS CAT works with customers ahead of time to establish an emergency response plan. That can include identifying access and security requirements, determining where response vehicles should enter and park, setting realistic response expectations, and establishing communication protocols before crews ever arrive. Even small logistical details can save valuable time when an emergency happens at 3 a.m. The goal is simple: eliminate as many unknowns as possible before the clock starts. By preparing employees, establishing clear communication, and working through response logistics in advance, facility leaders can put their teams in a much stronger position when the unexpected happens.

    Building Relationships That Make Recovery Easier
  6. Aug 17

    How Arizonas Monsoon Season Can Impact Commercial Properties

    Arizona’s monsoon season can bring more than heavy rain. For commercial property teams, sudden high winds, dust storms, flash flooding, and intense rainfall can create significant damage with little warning. In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, Shane Hudson, General Manager of BMS CAT’s Phoenix location, explains what makes Arizona’s monsoon season unique and how facility and property managers can prepare. Unlike hurricanes that can often be tracked days in advance, monsoon storms can develop quickly. Hudson says these events may produce winds approaching 80 to 100 miles per hour, followed by several inches of rain in a short period. High winds can damage roofs, topple trees, and expose buildings before heavy rainfall arrives. Preparation starts with understanding a property’s vulnerabilities. Hudson recommends regularly inspecting roofs, keeping rooftop drainage systems clear, and evaluating trees surrounding buildings. Debris can obstruct drainage, leaving large volumes of water searching for another path into a facility. Hudson also shares lessons from a major microburst response in Arizona where 13 trees fell across eight buildings, displacing approximately 60 people. The experience demonstrates how quickly severe weather can turn into a complex, long-term restoration project. When damage occurs, safety and stabilization come first. From securing the property and assessing structural conditions to maintaining clear communication throughout reconstruction, Hudson emphasizes the importance of having trusted restoration partners identified before an emergency. For Arizona property teams, monsoon readiness ultimately comes down to preparation, communication, and knowing who to call when conditions change.

    How Arizonas Monsoon Season Can Impact Commercial Properties
  7. Aug 17 ·  Video

    How Arizona's Monsoon Season Can Impact Commercial Properties

    Arizona’s monsoon season can bring more than heavy rain. For commercial property teams, sudden high winds, dust storms, flash flooding, and intense rainfall can create significant damage with little warning. In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, Shane Hudson, General Manager of BMS CAT’s Phoenix location, explains what makes Arizona’s monsoon season unique and how facility and property managers can prepare. Unlike hurricanes that can often be tracked days in advance, monsoon storms can develop quickly. Hudson says these events may produce winds approaching 80 to 100 miles per hour, followed by several inches of rain in a short period. High winds can damage roofs, topple trees, and expose buildings before heavy rainfall arrives. Preparation starts with understanding a property’s vulnerabilities. Hudson recommends regularly inspecting roofs, keeping rooftop drainage systems clear, and evaluating trees surrounding buildings. Debris can obstruct drainage, leaving large volumes of water searching for another path into a facility. Hudson also shares lessons from a major microburst response in Arizona where 13 trees fell across eight buildings, displacing approximately 60 people. The experience demonstrates how quickly severe weather can turn into a complex, long-term restoration project. When damage occurs, safety and stabilization come first. From securing the property and assessing structural conditions to maintaining clear communication throughout reconstruction, Hudson emphasizes the importance of having trusted restoration partners identified before an emergency. For Arizona property teams, monsoon readiness ultimately comes down to preparation, communication, and knowing who to call when conditions change.

    How Arizona's Monsoon Season Can Impact Commercial Properties
  8. Aug 14 ·  Video

    Higher Education: Texas

    A major renovation may transform how a building looks, but preparing a facility for occupants also means addressing the systems operating behind the scenes. In this BMS CAT Project Profile, Colin Trudo, Director of HVAC Services at BMS CAT, takes viewers inside a university dormitory project in Dallas, Texas. The facility recently underwent a complete remodel that included the installation of a new air handler. However, the existing ductwork remained in place, creating the need for a comprehensive HVAC system cleaning before students returned. BMS CAT was brought in to clean the ductwork, VAVs, and registers throughout the dorm. The goal is to remove construction dust and other contaminants that may have accumulated within the system while helping support indoor air quality and airflow. The project presents several challenges. Tight spaces, small ductwork, and numerous turning vanes require crews to create additional access points to thoroughly clean the system. The team is also working against a three-week deadline before students move back into the facility. For Trudo, success goes beyond completing the cleaning on time. Before-and-after documentation helps verify that the work was completed properly, while crews ensure the facility is left clean and ready for occupancy. A thorough duct cleaning can also provide benefits beyond removing contaminants. Clearing buildup and obstructions can improve airflow through the system, helping HVAC equipment operate more efficiently. The end goal is simple: a clean, documented HVAC system and a newly renovated dorm ready to welcome students back to campus.

    Higher Education: Texas

About

Follow along for more episodes and conversations that explore real-life restoration projects and impactful recovery stories from across the country.