Data Recovery Info

Fire Damage

Smoke particles and fire debris can cling to disk and tape surfaces subjecting the computer system to serious damage. Recording media can be damaged from the exposure to excessive heat that can in turn cause computer electronics to immediately shut down. Because certain operations during a disk or tape write cycle get interrupted in the case of a fire all opened files are also at risk of being destroyed.

Fire Safety Tips

• The monitor should always be shut off if unattended because it generates high voltage internally and can start an electrical fire. Turning off the monitor will not disrupt the computer's operation or compromise data in any way and potentially save you from disaster. Turning off your monitor is a good fire prevention method.
• Protective dust covers should be removed when operating a computer, monitor or printer. Excessive heat can build up and cause an eventual failure that may result in an electrical fire.
• The electrical outlet that services your computer should be properly grounded and have sufficient power rating to accommodate the components connected to it.
• Make sure that your facilities meet local fire safety codes.

Data recovery experts can retrieve files that might have looked unsalvageable. It is important to get your hardware to an expert as soon as it is safe to do so and not assume that files are permanently lost. There is always a good chance for data recovery even in the worst of circumstances.