An Artistic Post-Fire Decontaminator

Decontamination after a fire is often a very time-consuming, labor-intensive task, but one that makes a huge difference in people's lives. Andy Bovington, technician in the UK, shares how he has spent the last 11 years with Polygon, perfecting his craft and growing his interest in fire decontamination techniques. Get to know Andy and his role at Polygon, as well as who he is when not at work.??

During Andy’s long career within the restoration sector, he has seen a lot and has really found his niche. “Fire damage projects are my thing. Seeing a family home go from completely ruined with smoke damage to completely restored back to its original state. And most importantly, seeing how it lifts the spirits of individuals who have lost so much so fast. It’s rewarding to see”, Andy expresses.??

Connecting with end customers is something that Andy values a lot in his everyday work. He explains how it is to meet the customers: “I meet these people, who have gone through a stressful time after a fire incident, and I walk them through the reconditioning work that I have achieved on their property. More often than not, customers are very relieved and pleased with the work, so the encounter is usually very positive”.??

Cleaning out soot and reconditioning spaces after a blaze, is an art. Andy explains how the required technique used on-site completely depends on the damage. “My favorite way to remove soot, for example, is with a soot sponge, because it is easy and satisfying to use. However, if there is a very thick layer of soot, sometimes it is more effective to use a wet wash, with an alkaline cleaning solution.”?

When not at work, Andy’s creative side takes up most of his spare time. Not only is he a real shark when it comes to fire decontamination, but also when it comes to music production. “I’m someone who always likes to stay busy with creative side hobbies. Music production has always been a passion of mine, so I’m usually mixing and creating tunes at home after work. I’m also an artist, for example, I love to do spray art on legal graffiti walls in London, so my garage is filled with spray paint”, Andy happily shares.??

Andy explains that the people at Polygon are what make the job fun and comfortable. “We always help each other out, with anything. It’s great to have a team that you really trust, to lean on for support when needed. That’s what makes my work with Polygon so great”, Andy says.???