Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Completed in Live Construction Environment

Techniques Used: Dry Ice Blasting, Media Blasting.

Service: Fire Restoration

When a fire broke out in the underground parking level of a newly constructed condominium, it triggered a complex commercial fire damage restoration challenge. The entire first level – spanning more than 25,000 square feet – was covered in soot and smoke residue just weeks before engineering inspections and unit sales were scheduled to begin.

The client needed a restoration partner who could mobilize immediately, adapt to evolving site conditions, and deliver non-abrasive fire damage cleaning without disrupting sensitive equipment or ongoing construction. That’s where Wickens stepped in.

The Situation

The damage spanned the entire P1 level of a four-tier underground parking structure, and the developer needed the space restored to inspection-ready condition without interfering with other trades or delaying ongoing construction.

Concrete ceilings, walls, and support columns were contaminated, as were exposed conduits and piping that had already been installed. Wickens was initially brought in to complete surface remediation of concrete elements only, but the scope expanded significantly after the first phase.

As the project evolved, Wickens was called back twice.

In the second mobilization, the team was tasked with cleaning around electrical panels, conduits, and junction boxes that had been installed after the first phase. These areas required a high degree of care due to the presence of sensitive electronics and tight workspace restrictions.

A third mobilization followed shortly after, targeting support structures for pipelines across the parking lot ceiling.

The Solution

Wickens mobilized quickly, deploying teams to complete initial vacuuming and testing various blast media options on-site. Although the original scope called for soda blasting, testing confirmed that dry ice blasting was the more effective and efficient method for the extent of the damage, as it allowed for non-abrasive cleaning with no secondary waste.

This approach allowed the team to clean thoroughly without damaging fireproofing, exposed conduits, or newly finished surfaces. Where concrete showed signs of discolouration or physical damage, crushed glass media was used to prepare the surface for repainting.

During the second mobilization, Wickens deployed two dry ice blasting setups to clean the newly installed electrical systems. Teams worked carefully around sensitive equipment, using dry ice to avoid moisture, abrasion, or conductivity issues. Containment was expanded and adjusted to suit the added complexity of this phase.

For the third mobilization, Wickens returned with three blasting setups to clean the extensive pipe systems for gas, water, and waste. An estimated 27,000 linear feet of piping was cleaned. This phase required coordination with ongoing construction crews installing elevators, conducting concrete repairs, and managing other systems on the same garage level.

The Wickens team maintained containment integrity throughout, while supporting on-site logistics by relocating skids and clearing material where needed, as our team is Bobcat certified.

The Results

Despite the expanded scope and three separate mobilizations, Wickens completed the project ahead of schedule. Although the job was estimated at five to six weeks, it was completed in three and a half.

Wickens delivered the project with consistent coordination across all phases, maintaining effective containment in a shared worksite alongside other trades. Even under changing conditions, the team adjusted to evolving requirements while staying focused on safety, precision, and turnaround.

The result reflects the practical advantages of dry ice blasting in multi-phase environments where timelines are fixed and expectations are high.

Early completion allowed the developer to move forward with inspections and sales preparation on time. The space was fully restored, ready for final touch-ups and line painting, with all fire-related residue removed.

The combination of specialized cleaning methods, efficient coordination, and clear communication resulted in a clean, compliant, and sale-ready parking facility.

Need a restoration partner on site ASAP? Contact Wickens Dry Ice Blasting – we’ll get a team to you within 24 hours.