| Above Grade: |
a) Buildings which are built on a foundation having an average of 18" clearance or greater of well ventilated air space. b) Any section of a building that is above ground height. |
| Abrasive Blasting: |
A process by which compressed air and a mixture of particulate materials are forced across or on to another surface, for the purpose of removing a material or contaminate. See Air Blasting, Air Sparging. |
| Absolute Humidity : |
Total water vapour in unit or mass. Absolute humidity is usually is expressed in grams of water per kilogram of air. Education Note: For an easier rule, grains of moisture (Grains per pound = GPP) can be calculated instead of using grams per kilogram. See Grains of Moisture, Psychometrics, Relative Humidity. |
| Absolute Pressure: |
Air at standard conditions (70 degrees (F) air at sea level with a barometric pressure of 29.92 in. Hg.) exerts a pressure of 14.696 psi. Thjis is the pressure in a system when the pressure gauge reads zero. So the absolute pressure of a system is the gauge pressure in pounds per square inch added to the atmospheric pressure of 14.696 psi (use 14.7 psi in environmental system work). |
| Absorb: |
In water damages, the temporary ability of porous building materials and contents to absorb (hold and retain) liquid water and water vapour for periods of time. Education Note:Like a sponge, most absorbent materials are able to give up their water when atmospheric conditions are desirable or when forced to through dynamic pressure. See Absorbant, Air Dynamics. |
| Acceleration Velocity: |
The rate of change in velocity of air as a moving body, which over time, can assist and aid in drying wet building materials and contents. See Air Movement, Dynamic Pressure, entrainment Velocity, Turbidity Air Currents. |
| Acceptable Indoor Air Quality: |
Indoor air, in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations and with which a substantial majority (usually 80%) of the occupants exposed do not express a dissatisfaction. |
| Acceptable Indoor Therma Comfort : |
An indoor environment which at least 80% of the occupants would find as being thermally acceptable to temperature, humidity and air velocity. |
| Accesible: |
In cleaning and mold remediation, that area which is easily accessed and is able to be cleaned or mold remediated. In repair and restoration that area which is easily removed, repaired, restored, replaced or serviced. |
| Access Door or Panel: |
An inspection, service or repair area usually concealed in a building in service areas. |
| Access Flooring: |
A raised area of a floor that has removable panels to allow access to the floor and space below the primary floor. Education Note: A computer floor is often an access floor serving the equipments electrical supply with conduit and air conditioning. During a water damage, all access floors must be carefully evaluated first by the computer technicians then the water damage technicians. |
| ACH (Air Changes per Hour): |
The measurement of the complete replacement of inside air within a building area measured over an exact period of time. Education Note:An office or space which has its total air volume replaced in the time period of one hour experiences one Air Change per Hour. |
| Acid Smoke in Water/Fire Damages: |
A result of acids from fire damage in a building, of the residue vapours and airborne char residues which are present. Education Note: Fire related acids along with the water damage and high humidity increase the corrosion potential of finishes on metals, computer circuit boards and other finishes. |
| Acremonium: |
Fungi which are members of the genus that are found in soil, on decaying plant matter and compost, including dead wood. Education Note: Acremonium can be identified in indoor air samples after a water damage, and its presence may warrant further investigation in determining why it is indoors. |
| ACS: |
An abbreviation for the Air Conveyance System. The air conveyance sytem is the mechanical air handling part of the building's ventilation system. |
| Action Level (AL): |
a) Under OSHA regulations, a measured concentration of certain airborne contaminates or noise in the workplace that require immediate attention by testing exposure levels. b) A term used by OSHA and NIOSH to express the level of toxicant which required medical surveillance, usually one half the PEL. Education Note: In water damage emergencies, the level of action emergency managers determine is necessary for workers when entering and exposing themselves to a contamination or hazard. |
| Activated Carbon : |
Carbon charcoal that has an increased absorptive capacity of retaining chemicals, vapours, hydrocarbons, and sometoxins from a contaminated environment. Education Note: Scrubbing contaminated indoor air with an air scrubber having an activated carbon (charcoal-based) filter, are capable of trapping and reducing organic vapours in a building. Activated charcoal is commonly used as a gas vapour absorbent in air-prifying respirators and as a solid sorbent in air-sampling. See Adsorbent, Air Scrubbers, Air Sparging. |
| Acute Exposure: |
In toxicology, the contaminate doses received over a period of 24 hours or less. Some acute exposures can result in temporary and permanent health effects while other acute exposures can result in death. Education Note: A single exposure to a toxic substance from a water damage situation, may be as a result of an exposure to airborne sewage bacterial toxins. To a water damage remediation worker, an acute exposure may include some of the chemicals that are loose in a building while being activated in solution, or some of the cleaning and disinfectant chemical they come in contact with as part of their work. |
| Additional Living Expenses: |
In residential insurance policies, it is that portion of the insurance contract that allows for the insured to temporarily relocate, because of a damage, disaster or health consequence, caused by the dwelling from its damage. Education Note: If a covered property loss makes the residential premises unfit to live in the policy typically covers the necessary increase in the living expense incurred by the insured so that the insured can maintain their normal standard of living. The insurance policy typically pays for the shortest time needed to a) repair or replace the damaged property, or b) permanently relocate, but in no event for more than 12 months. |
| Adiabatic Processes in Atmosphere: |
When a parcel of air is moved from one atmosphere to another in a building, with respect to the ambient air, in such a manner that energy does not flow across boundaries, thermal changes taking place are said to be adiabatic changes. Education Notes: Any process in the buildings atmosphere occurring adiabatically is known as an adiabatic process. In water damaged buildings, for example, temperature and humidity are important. The adiabatic process during which the air involved in non-effected areas (the parcels of air remaining unsaturated during the drying process) are relatively simple and they do not effect the humidified air parcel directly. the adiabatic processes involving condensation or evaporation through dehumidification are considerably complicated by heat of condensation. Monor temperature and humidity changes within static air may not be important, but the same changes in moving air may be significant. This method of measurement of heat or the absence of heat in a water damaged atmosphere of a building, for example, is based on the first law of thermodynamics. Author's Note: The author placed this brief discussion about adiabatic processes purposely to bring attention to the reader, the seriousness about understanding building and restorative drying processes and methods and the dynamics required to dry a wet building properly. It is also reasonable to help technicians recognise that the use of a moisture probe or a moisture stick is only the tip of the iceberg, when attempting to understand physics and natural laws of thermodynamics. The author is not attempting to have the subject fully discussed, but is bringing the subject up for the reader to investigate further. See Adiabatic, Entropy. |
| Adjusted Base Costs: |
The total estimate or estimated cost of a project or repair after adding or deducting changes. |
| Adjusted Dry Bulb Temperature: |
The average of the air temperature (ta) and the mean radiant temperature (tr) at a given location. The adjusted dry bulb temperature (tadb) is approximately equivalent to operative temperature (to) at air motions less than 80 fpm (0.4 m/s) when tr is less than 120F (50C). |
| Adjuster: |
A professional and knowledgable person who has been trained in the art of adjusting of property losses. A property adjuster is not a contractor, nor do they claim to be. Education Note: Adjusters will often retain the expertise of a licensed contractor to assess and estimate a loss and write a scope of work for the emergency and restoration phase in returning a building and its contents back to pre-loss conditions. Even though an adjuster is employed or retained by the insurance company, the adjuster must employ and fairly balance all aspects of property claims adjusting. |
| Adjuster: |
A representative of an insurance company who has specific training and knowledge about claims and who negotiates with the insured in order to claim equitably. Besides the insured (policyholder), the adjuster deals with emergency repairand restoration contractors, and acts as a middle man between all parties and the insurer (insurance company). |
| Adjustment: |
The means necessary to attain settlement or adjustment in claims paid by an insurance company or other party. An adjustment in a claim will require the contractor and/or adjuster to document the loss, type and extent of loss and determine repair or replacement cost value to which the claimant is entitled under the provisions of the policy after all allowances and deductions have been made. |
| Adsorbent Sampling: |
One of a number of absorbent materials used to collect a contaminate. Education Note: Absorbent samopling, such as from a carbon-type of sorbent sample media allows the collection of chemicals, gases and vapours. After collection they (the contaminates) absorbed in a laboratory usually through GC/MS/FID. See Air Sampling, Bulk Material Sampling, Soil Sampling, Surface Sampling, swab Sampling, Wipe Sampling, Vacuum sampling |
| Advection: |
In water damage mitigation, the transfer of cold, heat, moisture, particles and other properties in air by the horizontal motion of a movement of dynamic air. See Acceleration Velocity, Convection. |
| Aeolian: |
Matter that is wind blown or transferred in the air. |
| Aeolian Contamination: |
Matter in the form of a contaminate which is transported and broadcast through dynamic air movement. Mitigation Note: In water damage mitigation, one of the concerns comes from clean up contractors who use portable equipment to extract and clean up indoor floods. The exhaust of the equipment indoors aerosolize micropollutants which are inhaled. Another concern is the use of air drying equipment in a dusty or biologically contaminated building, or a building which has friable lead-based paint or asbestos. Caution Note: No sewage or other pathogenic waste should be extracted into portable machines when the machines are left and allowed to wxhaust indoors! See Aeolian, Airborne Contaminates, Airborne Microorganisms, Bioaerosols, Dusts. |
| Aerate: |
To expose to air and flush out. An example would be a humidified building that needs aeration of the indoor air with dryer dehumidified air; or a building that sustained a smoke-soot damage that will benefit through aeration. |
| Aeration: |
In water damage restorative drying the process by which dryer air is artificially introduced into wet building materials and contents, allowing some building materials and contents to dry faster. See Air Movement, Air Dynamics, Acceleration Velocity, Advection, Turbidity. |
| Aerobiology: |
The scientific discipline that studies airborne allergey producing substances including dusts, mites, pollens, mold and animal dander. Scientists and microbiologists specializing in airborne contaminates research and investigation are called aerobiologists. |
| Aerodynamic Forces: |
The forces exerted on particles to remain suspended, either by the movement of air or gases, and/or the change in temperature and pressure. |
| Aerodynamic Instability: |
In restorative building dryingand the use of air movers, a harmonic motion occurring in an area or throughout the building, during which high winds that results in damage to certain materials in the building. Education Note: An example of aerodynamic instabiluity is when carpets are dried and forced-air is placed under the carpet and the carpet is allowed to flap up and down, resulting in further damage to the carpet from the instability of the air movement. |
| Aerodynamic particles: |
The particles in air that stay suspended based on their diameter and dimension or their shape, size and weight. |
| Aerollergens: |
Airborne allergen producing substances such as dust, mites, pollens, mold and other airborne substances, from animal dander and hair to human skin cells. Education Note: Aeroallergens can be a vapour from perfumes or toxins from organic decay. See Aerobiology, Aeolian Contamination, Allergens. |
| Aerosol: |
A suspension of fine gases, liquids and solid droplets in air. Droplets of 0.01 to 100 microns in size, which are able to stay suspended in air from short to long periods of time, depending on size, structural configuration and weight. See Bioaerosols, Volatile. |
| Agitation: |
The spinning or rotation of water in the form of a liquid, vapour or gas; a solid such as powder or dust; particulates suspended in the air; or disturbing the undisturbed matter on a surface. |
| Air: |
The volume of all clean-breathable air having an average of 20.95% oxygen and a minimum 19.5% oxygen to be safefor human health. Fresh air is a combination of gases and particles that are not harmful to healthy humans, plantsand animals. Health Note: Building air is considered to be the indoor air which we breathe. Indoor air has an acceptable number and type of particles, pollutants, vapours and gases which should not be exceeded. See IAQ, Ventilation Systems. |
| Air: |
The clourless, odourless and tasteless mixture of gases that support life on earth. 99% of clean, dry air consists chiefly of four gases, nitrogen and oxygen, along with argon and carbon dioxide and smaller quantities of other gases such as neon, helium, methane, krypton, nitrous oxide, hydrogen, xenon and various organic vapours. Under actual conditions air contains up to 3% water vapour, dusts, spores and pollens. See Air Quality. |
| Air Blasting: |
The process of using pressurised air and different size tips and nozzles, to force and dislodge surface materials and contaminates. See Abrasive Cleaning, Air Sparging. |
| Air Changes: |
A measurement method expressing the amount air movement into or out of a room or building by the number of building volumes of air, or room volumes of air, exchanged per hour. Air changes are described as AC/h or ACH |
| Air Cleaner: |
A mechanically engineered device and filters that remove particles, fumes, vapours, pollens and other bioaerosols from the air and in ventilation systems. Education Note: Air cleaners in a building, especially commercial and high-rise buildings, have air clean filters installed on the suply side and sometimes on the return side, before pollutants enter a building conditioned air space. |
| Air Conditioning Unit: |
A specifically designed and manufactures piece of equipment for the treatment of indoor air, so as to control, simultaneously, its temperature, humidity, cleanliness and distribution,thus meeting the air requirements of a conditioned space of a room, zone or building. |
| Air Conditioning, Unitary: |
An evaporator, compressor, and condenser combination. The unitary unit is specifically designed, assembled and balanced to meet the air requiremnts of a conditioned space. |
| Air Density (also known as Weight Density): |
The weight of air measured in pounds per cubic foot (lbs/cu ft.). Dry standard air at a temperature (T) = 70 degrees F, bp = 29.92 inch Hg, has a density of 0.075 lbs/cu ft. |
| Air Diffuser: |
A circular, square or rectangular air distribution outlet, generally located in and on the ceiling, and is comprised of deflecting vanes and louvres discharging supply air to various directions and planes. Air diffuser vanes or louvres are arranged in such a direction or pattern to promote the mixing of the primary with secondary room air. |
| Air Drying Process: |
Restorative Drying Note: In water damaged buildings, air drying is the process of removing wet (humidified) indoor air from a structure. The air drying process may be completed using natural means or engineering controls (drying eequipment), sufficient enough to dry the indoor air, wet and humidified wall cavities and other building materials, within a relatively short period of time before building damage occurs or mold growth occurs. See Air Dynamics, Air Exchange Rate. |
| Air Dynamics: |
The ability of air to have energy and force in motion. The transfer or induction of air from one area to another through pressure, temperature or humidity. Air dynamics are in contrast with static air. Air dynamics can move airborne contaminates from or into porous materials. See Adiabatic, Air Movement, Air Pathway, Convection, Static. |
| Air Exchange Rate: |
The rate (speed) at which the indoor air volume is to be exchanged one time from a building. Often, the air exchange rate is expressed in air changes per hour (ACH). |
| Air Exhaust: |
a) The exhaust unit of an air conditioning system that extracts the contaminated indoor air from a room, zone or building. See Exhausted Air. |
| Air Filters for HVAC Supply Systems: |
Air filters are particulate filters which are used for protection of HVAC components and the reduction of airborne dust, pollens, and microorganisms from recirculated and from outdoor air streams. Education Note: ASHRAE Standard 63-1989R requires filters having a minimum of 25-30% dust spot efficiency (ASHRAE Standard 52.1) or >60% efficiency (ASHRAE Standard 52.2 for 3 micron particle). Where system design can accomodate them, filters having >65% efficiency for 1 to 3 micron size particles will improve the IAQ/IEQ with respect to respirable particles. |
| Air Injection: |
a) The mechanical means of introducing forced dryer air into a humidified atmosphere or a wet wall cavity. b) The process by which contaminated air is replaced with cleaner air. |
| Air Makeup: |
The outdoor air supplied indoors to makeup and replace exhaust air and exfiltration. Also referred to as makeup air. |
| Air Monitoring: |
In wet or humidified buildings, air sampling is the sampling of ambient air using a scientific instrument for the purpose of assessing and monitoring temperature and humidity. The measurement of humidity and temperature for the purpose of monitoring the building drydown phase. |
| Air Monitoring: |
The measurements of pollutants and the microbiological activity in air. The sampling and monitoring of pollutants in the ambient atmosphere. |
| Air Movement: |
Restorative Drying Note: In wet building drying the ability to move (force) large amounts of dryer air across wet surfaces, allowing liquid water to become moisture vapour, which is then exhausted or dehumidified. See Advection, Aeration, Airmover, Dynamic Pressure, Turbidity, Air Currents |
| Air Pathway: |
The direction in which building air is forced through pressure. Air pressure in a building space or zone that is either under positive or negative pressure. |
| Air Quality: |
The quality of air outside a building should not be significantlt different than the indoor air, except that indoor air is usually filtered air from dusts, spores and pollens, especially in tight or confined building spaces. Air which humans breathe outside and inside a building must meet certain governmental regulatory criteria. |
| Air Quality Standards: |
In outdoor air, the air quality standars are set for the emissions of an outdoor environment and monitored by the local Air Quality Management District (AQMD). In indoor air the air quality standards and guidelines are set and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the united States, there are 247 air quality control regions that manage outside air. each region contains at least two urban areas that share actual or potential air quality problems. |
| Air Sampling: |
One of several collection methods used to capture airborne contaminates from air. Education Note: Air sampling may include charcoal sorbent sampling, filtering, vacuum extraction, water impinges, bioaerosol sampling. See Adsorbent Smapling, Smear Tab Sampling, Soil Smapling, Surface Sampling, Swab Sampling, Tape Lift Sampling, Water Sampling, Wipe Sampling, Vacuum Sampling. |
| Air Scrubber: |
Depending on the application a machine that has an air intake and one or more - prefilters, HEPA filters, carbon filters, plenum motor and exhaust that is contained in a metal housing. Mitigation Note: Airscrubbers scrub and remove contaminated air, allowing cleaner air to remain in a building. For example, asbestos and lead abatement contractors must use HEPA filtered air scrubbers machines during abatement. When fungi and bacteria contaminated building materials are disturbed or removed, air scrubbers must be installed for the protection of employees and for the reduction of cross-contamination in non-contaminated areas. See HEPA Air Scrubber. |
| Air Sparging: |
The use of pressurised air, forced across a surface to breakaway and strip-off settled smoke, soot, lint, dust and other surface-borne contaminates from a surface. Mitigation Note: Air sparging is a method used in fire damage and dust-down remediation to remove contaminates and pollutants. Air sparging can be used in confined ceiling and attic spaces where general cleaning and HEPA vacuuming cannot be accomplished, or are not cost effective. Education Note: Quite often air sparging is more efficient than HEPA vacuuming and surface cleaning. The equipment for air sparging includes an air compressor as pressurized air, blown across a contaminated surface and aerosolized. The aerosolized particles must not be allowed to become free in the air without being directed to a collection device, airborne particulates must be captured down stream with negative air pressure and HEPA containment equipment (bag filters). The air compressor and forced wind is to be directed towards the negative air flow and HEPA containment vacuums. Safety Caution Note: 1) Do not under any circumstances use air sparging technology to aerosolize grains, flour and any other farm product in a confined space, or at all due to the potential for explosion. 2) Do not use air sparging technology if the mitigation employess are not properly fit with PAPR-type respirators and have appropriate PPE, and the air sparging environment is not completely sealed off from non-effected areas of the building. See PAPR, PPE |
| Air Stripping: |
Mechanical and engineering methods used to remove harmful contaminates, gases and toxins from indoor air. Mitigation Note: Air stripping may include fresh air forced negative air exhausting, 100% air exhaust with 100% new air makeup, HEPA extraction and/or carbon filtration of pollutants that may pose health issues to humans if the ambients remain for prolonged periods or contaminates exceed acceptable and permissable exposure levels. See Administrative Controls, Air Cleaner, Air Scrubber, Carbon Filtration |
| Air Toxics: |
the airborne pollutants that may pose chronic health risks to humans when inhaled. See Allergies, Asthma, Respiratory Diseases, Toxics, Toxins |
| Air Ventilation and Recirculation: |
Outdoor air plus any recirculated indoor air that has been treated (filtered) for the purpose of maintaing acceptable indoor air quality. |
| Air Washer: |
A water spray system or device required for cleaning, humidifying or dehumidifying the air before ventilation into a building. |
| Airborne Contaminates: |
Vapour, gas and solid contaminates, such as fumes and emissions, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, dusts, pollens and other bioaerosols, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts. |
| Airborne Microorganisms: |
a) Living, decaying and dead microorganisms suspended in the air as free-floating particles and cells which can be inhaled. b) Biologically active contaminates suspended in the air either as free-floating particles surrounded by a film or organic or inorganic material, or attached to the surface of other suspended particulates. Education Note: Airborne microorganisms can be biologically active contaminates surrounded by a film and cell wall, or they can be attached to the dust, dander and dirt. See Aeolian Contamination, Aerobiology. |
| Airflow: |
The ability of air to move and flow in a predesigned direction by forced air or negative air pressure. |
| Air-mover (Airmover): |
A fan, pumpor other device that causes ear still, staticair to move forward resulting in forced air pressure. Education Note: a) In water damage and odour control air movers are used to vapourise surface water and odours. b) Forced air movement directs and suspends settled but not airborne contaminates to an outside source,dehumidifier, or air scrubber. c) Employees who use airmovers during the drying phase must do so with proper respirator and eye wear protection. d) Airmovers should only be used indoors after cleanup services have been completed. See Air Movement, Air Scrubber, Air Sparging, Allergies, Conjuctivitis, Dynamic Pressure, Pink-Eye, respirable Particles, Rhinitis. |
| Air-Purifying Respirator (APR): |
A filter cartridge half-face or full-face respirator having the proper filters to remove known or suspected airborne contaminates so they will not be allowed to enter the wearer's nose or lungs. |
| Algae: |
A fresh water plant associated with fungi, which forms a scum or film on the surfaces of the ventilation recirculated water apparatus and drain pans, interfering with fluid flow and heat transfer. The presence of algae build up is an indication of poor maintenance and possible poor indoor air quality. |
| Alkaline Salts: |
A material's ability to loosen inert minerals when wet and after hydration. Engineering Note: Under concrete slabs and concrete walls, for example, it is the moisture (as high vapour pressure) exerting through the concrete, surrounded by air in which partial vapour pressure is rather low on the surface, allowing water to pass from the mineral salts into air. The remaining salts are called efflorescence. See Efflorescence. |
| Allergens: |
Those substances that act as an antigen (e.g. pollens, dander, dust mite proteins) causing the formation of antibodies. Health and Saftety Note: Allergens that form antibodies affect certain persons to certain substances. Allergens may cause moderate or severe skin reaction, respiratory impairment and other health reactions. Allergens even in extremely low doses may still cause severe health reactions in some sensitized persons by hypersensitivity. See particulate Matter. |
| Allergy: |
A number of disease symptoms caused by exposures to the skin and of the respiratory system. Dusts, molds, mits, grass, animal dander and pollens are some of the primary allergens that cause persons to suffer from allergies. Health Note: Water damaged buildings are known to increase indoor allergens and mite activity. The use of airmovers during building drying are known to cause some allergy sufferers to leave contaminated buildings. |
| Alveolar Macrophage: |
a) A scavenger cell that thrives naturally and can engulf (phagocytize) inhaled microbes and particles deposited in the alveolar region of the lungs. These are migratory cells which constitute a major part of the natural lung microflora and resistance of the body to diseases related to bacteria, fungi and viruses. Health Note: Reduction of the alveolar macrophage population can result in infection and scarring by certain particulate matter air contaminates. Respiratory Protection Note: Proper respiratory protection by mitigation employees is their only defense in protecting the alveolar macrophage cells and reducing lung damage (scarring). |
| Ambient: |
referring to the encompassing air, the indoor air of a room, wall or whole building. See Ambient Humidity |
| Amps (Ampage): |
The strength of electrical current as measured by a standard unit for measuring electricity. Mitigation Note: a) In water damaged mitigation building ampage must be calculated since a portion of the available electricity is to be used for building drying equipment. Electrical Note: b) The average air mover draws about 8 amps, while the average commercial size dehumidifier draws 9 amps. (The figures vary depending on manufacturer and model). c) An average single family home has a 90/120 amp service, while an average 1-2 bedroom appartment has 90 amps. It doesn't take much drying equipment to overload the ampage of the circuit or the building. See Generators. |
| Anaerobic Bacteria: |
Those bacteria that survive in partial or complete absence of air. They include intestinal bacteria and many soil bacteria. See Aerobic. Aerobic Bacteria. |
| Anderson Viable Air Impactor: |
A commercially made machine that is manufactured to a scientific standard, it impacts viable airborne fungi, bacteria and yeast spores onto an agar plate and media. |
| Anemometer: |
A scientific instrument that measures air velocity. |
| Animal Dander: |
Small and microscopic size flakes of shed animal skin and hair (including body oil, urine and feces). Education Note: Animal dander produce allergens and persons susceptible to certain animal dander have lgE antibodies to such allergens as cat FEL d-l (Duffort et al,. 1991). Persons suceptible to animal dander will most likely develop symptoms rapidly when entering a house where animals like cats are present, since this allergen is constantly airborne (Van Metre et al., 1996). Although there are significant differences in allergen content in homes with or without pets, many homes that are normally without a cat, nonetheless contain surprisingly high levels of Fel d-l in household dust (Wood et al., 1998). It is felt that the homes not having animals present, the allergen from animals is brought into the house on the clothes of the inhabitants . Levels of cat allergen, for example, as low as 2 ug Fel d-l/g of household dust, commonly onserved in dust sample studies of houses without cats, may be a risk factor for sensitization to Fel d-l (Wood et al.,1998). See Antigen. |
| Antimicrobial: |
A chemical agent responsible for reducing and controlling unwanted microscopic growth. Education Note: Antimicrobial chemicals are not always disinfectants, yet disinfectants are considered to be the microbial of choice in their ability to kill and reduce microorganism growth in building floods. The improperuse of antimicrobial disinfectants may cause health impairments to employees and building occupants. See Antiseptics, Disinfectants. |
| Antique Handling: |
Specific methods of handling and after a disaster requires the property owner to disclose and identify th eantique or content as having extraordianry or exceptional value. Contractor Liablity Note: Antiques in water damged buildings must be identified and separated from all other contents and they are to be carefully handled and taken to a safe control area. Before handling items described to you as being collectable or antique, a survey of the item is in water or sewage, your log and inventory sheet must note the current condition of each item as it is before handling the item. Note that all chips, scratches, marks and missing pieces before picking up the piece, including furniture. As important, carefully evaluate each item for loose peices, such as legs and backs or items which come apart such as back mirrors and table tops. Damaged antiques are seldom repaired back to an acceptable quality once damaged, at least that is what some content owners report. See Antique, Appraisal, Collectable. |
| Asbestos: |
A family of silicate minerals that are non-conductive to heat and electricity. The minerals have been used extensively in insulating materials, including insulation, acoustic tiles and ceilings. Asbestos is a good insulator, but friable asbestos has been known to cause illness and death. health and Safety Note: damaging asbestos containing materials (ACM) from fire and water, may result in some of the mineral fibres becoming airborne and friable. Mitigation Note: a) Remediation contractors may be required to test fior the presence of ACM. If asbestos is suspected, air movement must be restricted and HEPA filtered negative air equipment must be properly installed. b) Asbestos requires sampling and testing to confirm the material(s) actually contain asnestos. depending on the amout of ACM to be removed, a licensed asbestos abatement company will need to be hired. |
| Aseptic Conscience Image: |
A heightened awareness by mitigation workers that is developed through training, maintaining appropriate health and safety at the cleanup job at all times while enforcing appropriate sanitary procedures. Aseptic conscience image includes addressing contaminated areas and non-contaminated areas, and providing appropriate steps to keep them separate. ? Mitigation Note: Surprisingly and unknowing to most black water sewage mitigation workers for example, the field of contamination amplifies and becomes larger as the cleanup progresses. This comes from dragging in and removing equipment, walking on to non-contaminated surfaces, moving contents sitting in sewage to clean or less contaminates areas, The removal of sewage saturated carpet and pad, the removal of sewage effected drywall and insulation, to the installation of airmovers before all contamination of infected building materials have either been removed or have been made aseptic, resulting in aerosolizing sewage bacteria throughout the building's environment. |
| Aspect Radio: |
Ratio At air distribution outlets, the ratio of the length of the core opening of a grill, face, or register to the width. In rectangular ducts, the ratio of the width to the depth. |
| Asphyxiating Atmospheres: |
An atmosphere which a chemical or other substance can absorb the oxygen in air as a result of a chemical reaction or other reaction, including gases that inert the atmosphere, consuming the breathable oxygen. Health and Safety Note: Chemicals used to mist and fog in the atmosphere, chemicals that are allowed to evaporate, and the use of ozone are asphyxiants. As dangerous and seldom recognized as an asphyxiant, are power generators giving off carbon monoxide gas. See Confined Space, Permit Required Confined Space, Toxic Air Contaminates. |
| Assimilative Capacity: |
The ability of air, water, or soil to effectively degrade, decompose or disperse chemical or biological substances. Mitigation Note: As in the case of sewage saturation in soil under a building, the rate of introduction of the sewage pollutants to the soil, may exceed the rate at which the soil can assimilate all of the sewage and effluent matter. Health Note: If the substructure soil cannot assimilate and decompose the sewage matter through bioaugmentation in situ, adverse health effects may occur to human health of the building occupants. |
| Asthma: |
A combining force of reoccurring episodes of exposure resulting in wheezing and coughing and laboured breathing. The episodes are often related to or precipitated by inhalation of allergens, pollutants, dander, molds, dusts, infections, cold air or vigorous exercise. Repeat attacks of asthma can result in permanent lung and bronchi damage. |
| Atmospheric Hazards: |
Atmospheric hazards are any airborne hazard in air. Health and Safety Note: Most atmospheric hazards are inhalation hazards, but atmospheric hazards are airborne ingestion and skin absorption hazards, radiation, flammable, gas, vapor, mist, chemical and atmospheric explosion hazards. Atmospheric hazards include too much or too little oxygen in air, and airborne pollutants that are easily inhaled. |
| Atmospheric Stability of a Building: |
An expression of the air and environmental influences exerted on the building throughout the day. Atmospheric stability includes variance in air pressure, thermal changes, occupancy use, and dispersion and dilution of airborne contaminates. |
| Atmospheric Testing: |
In confined space entry, it is the testing and continuous monitoring of an air space before and during confined space entry. Testing and monitoring includes oxygen levels, and the presence of different gases, which mainly are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, flammable, explosives, methane and hydrogen sulfide. |
| Attendant Duties: |
In reference to confined work spaces: Education Note: In confined space entry, besides monitoring the confined space with electronic monitoring equipment, the attendant must know and be able to recognize the hazards that are a potential or that may be faced during entry; be aware of the possible effects of hazard exposure in authorised entrants; keep track of all authorised entrants in the permitted work space, and make sure the names of the entrants listed on the entry permit, match and accurately identify the employees in the confined space; remained stationed outside the permit space at all times during entry, until the attendant is relieved by another qualified attendant; communicate with authorized entrants to monitor their status and to alert entrants if they must leave (evacuate) the permit space; the attendant should have current first air and CPR certification; if there is an emergency, the attendant must know how to immediately call for aid and assistance without leaving the post. See Entry Supervisor. |
| Axial Fans: |
Tubular airflow fans that support flexible ducting. The fan consists of propeller-like blades rotating perpendicular to the flow of the general air stream. Axial fans are usually exhaust fans often containing contaminated air that must be directed to an outside source, but axial fans properly used can be directed to pressurize atmospheres in buildings or zones. |
| Back Pressure: |
A forced air pressure, which is present by design or error. In water damages when using air drying fans, back pressure is a result of the improper use of air drying equipment. Back pressure in this instance is the restriction of air velocity while trapping humidity in a wall, to a cabinet or corner. Back pressure can be present when drying fans are positioned improperly under wet carpets and to wall cavities. |
| Background Concentration: |
The level and concentration of air, organisms, and chemicals that are part of the natural processes alone. Education Note: a) Usually, background concentrations are gathered outside and upstream of the area or building in question. b) Background concentrations are usually a starting point for determining a safe or acceptable levels of outside gases, particles and microorganism from that of inside gases, particles and microorganisms. See Background Measurements, Baseline Data. |
| Baghouse: |
An air pollutant control devise that removes particulate matter and gases from air by forcing airborne contaminates through large filtering bags. Baghouses can vary in their purpose according to the filter materials (media) and methods of collection. Mitigation Note: a) Baghouse machines are used in large construction cleanup jobs where there is a considerable amount of airborne contamination. b) Baghouses are also filtering devices that are attached to vacuums extracting large amounts of dust, dirt and construction debris. See Filtering. |
| Bake-Out: |
A process through heating by which volatile organic compounds are released from their bond to a material and is vapourised in air, resulting in the release, curing and oxidization of some chemical VOC's. Education Note: When appropriate, the bake-out process must be carefully used and monitored since the results can prove to cause more harm than another form of building cure. See Flush-Out. |
| Balanced Drying: |
The drying method most likely to produce an even drying process throughout a wet building and its parts. ? Restorative Drying Note: Related to water damage remediation: a) The temperature and humidity controls necessary to dry a wet building and its contents, using air movement and dehumidification. b) The fastest and safest drying method, without over or under drying the building and its contents back to their pre-loss condition. Balanced drying requires trained technicians who understand psychometry, monitoring and state-of-the-art restorative drying methods. See Dehumidification, Baseline Data. |
| Balancing by Static Pressure: |
Measurement and design of local exhaust system ducts, by selecting the duct diameters that generate static pressure to distribute airflow without dampers. |
| Base Molding: |
Usually vinyl and wood molding located at the base perimeter of a wall. Mitigation Note: 1) When walls are wet from flooding, the base molding must be detached to allow seepage and weeping of saturated moisture. 2) It is the water remediation industry standard of practice, when appropriate, to immediately install mechanical air drying equipment into wet wall cavities, starting the interior wet wall drying process, while removing high humidity and condensation, resulting in the reduction of mold growth. |
| BEST: |
A software manufacturer that produces computer state-of-the-art building estimating repair programs, which is updated annually. See Bluebook. |
| Betterment: |
An improvement in the value of an item or material resulting from repair or replacement, after an insurance loss. |
| Bioaerosol: |
a) Bioaerosols are airborne particles of biological origin including bacteria, and viruses, fungi and yeasts, pollens and organic matter. Bioaerosols also include the cell structures and spore parts of non-viable components (such as toxins). b) An aerosol containing living organisms or particles derived from living organisms such as pollen, animal dander, insect emanations, microbial endotoxins, and human skin scales. c) An airborne organic contaminant that is either generated by or is itself a living organism such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Education Note: Moisture-vapor and airborne contaminates from a flooded building that are forced in air from a surface, through dynamic air movement contain bioaerosols. See Aerosol, Air Movement |
| Bioaerosols: |
Biologically derived airborne particles that are living or originate from living organisms. They include microorganisms that are culturable, nonculturable, and dead microorganisms. Bioaerosols include microorganism cell fragments, cell toxins, and particulate waste products from all varieties of living things. Bioaerosols are unbiquitous in nature and may be modified by human activities. All persons are repeatedly exposed, day after day, to a wide variety of such materials. |
| Bioaerosols: |
Biologically derived airborne particles that are living or originate from living organisms. They include microorganisms that are culturable, nonculturable, and dead microorganisms. Bioaerosols include microorganism cell fragments, cell toxins, and particulate waste products from all varieties of living things. Bioaerosols are unbiquitous in nature and may be modified by human activities. All persons are repeatedly exposed, day after day, to a wide variety of such materials. |
| Biological Contaminates in Buildings: |
The presence of a) biologically derived aerosols, gases, and vapours of a kind and concentration likely to cause disease or predispose persons to adverse health effects; b) inappropriate concentrations of outdoor bioaerosols, especially in buildings designed to prevent their entry; c) indoor biological growth and remnants of growth that may become airborne and to which people may be exposed. |
| Biological Monitoring: |
The ability to use science in determining the microbiological organism presence and activity in building materials, ambient air and in soil. See Air Monitoring. |
| Biological Particles: |
Microbial particles such as airborne dust, spores, plant and animal matter, which can cause asthma and allergies in some persons. See Bioaerosols. |
| Biologically Derived Airborne Contaminates: |
Bioaerosols, gases, and vapours that living organisms produce. Biologically derived materials are natural components of indoor and outdoor environments, but under certain circumstances, biologically derived agents may be considered contaminates when found indoors. |
| Bioremediation: |
The careful and safe removal of harmful microbiological agents. Education and Mitigation Note: a) In sewage damage backflows effecting buildings, bioremediation is the careful and safe removal of all sewage and bacteria under controlled conditions which are associated with sewage effluents. This includes all coliform bacteria, and porous building materials and contents saturated with sewage. If the building materials and contents cannot be cleaned and disinfected to an acceptable level of cleanliness, then the building materials and contents require replacement with new materials. b) In fungi contamination, bioremediation is the careful and safe removal of all contaminated building materials and contents under controlled conditions which are associated with the fungi contamination. c) In ventilation system cleaning and sanitizing, bioremediation is the careful and safe removal of all dusts and debris in the HVAC supply air ducts followed by sanitizing, removal of all contaminated insulation, cleaning and sanitizing of the previously insulated surfaces, cleaning and sanitizing of coils, condensers, drain pans, plenum, mixing boxes and all return air ducts. d) In areas containing water or sewage saturated ground of a soil floor basement or crawl space substructure, bioremediation is the containment and control of all standing water or sewage, providing negative air out of the substructure where contaminated air does not effect the building's interior air space, and appropriate remediation measures in removing potentially harmful pathogens from the air and controlling pathogens in soil. Bioremediation of contaminated ground under a substructure is a complicated issue where each problem must be based on the conditions presented in each case. |
| Blisters on Hardwood Floors: |
In finish coats on hardwood floors, such as urethane finish, blistering and blister popping is the break down, popping and release of trapped air and moisture vapour from under the blister. Some blister popping is due to excess moisture vapour pressure, while other blister popping is from dry blisters. |
| Bluebook: |
The BluebInflammation of the bronchi, the airway that connects the windpipe to the lungs. The health condition is brought about from persistent inhalation of airborne dusts and pollutants. See Occupational Related Respiratory Diseasesook in water damage, cleaning and restoration industry, which is Copyright and is called The Bluebook of Cleaning, Reconstruction and Repair Costs. This particular Bluebook is updated annually. Their phone number is 714/731-3389 or they can be contacted at www.bluebook.net. |
| Branching: |
In ventilation systems, it is the smaller fresh air side supply duct that branch off from the larger main supply duct. In sewer systems, branching is a lateral which comes off from the sewer main to a building. |
| Brownian Movement: |
The random movement of particles suspended in motion with air or water. The Brownian movement phenomenon was observed in 1827 by Robert Brown, with the suspension of particles in liquid as observed under a microscope. While Brown theorized his observations had to do with living organisms, it wasn't until the turn of the 20th century kinetic theory was developed helping us to understand, thermal agitation of smaller suspended particles in motion as their mass, compared to true particles of larger surrounding bodies, are effected by kinetic energy. In 1905, Einstein considered the problem which led to an equation connecting the observed motions with the Boltzmann constant. The development being based on the law of equal partition of energy. Education Note: A smoke soot particle for example, is battered about in air on all sides by the high speed movement of air molecules. The soot particle is absorbing kinetic energy from every direction. In this example, the soot particle floating close to cooler surfaces such as a wall, glass window, stud nails to metal, tend to magnetically migrate towards and eventually cling to cooler surfaces. If the whole wall was cooler than the heated indoor air, such as from a fire, the whole wall would be uniformly covered by smoke particles. Quite often on a wall, stud nails or screws are even cooler than the wall surface and smoke particles deposit in a noticeable pattern. In the 1970's, U.S. Steel Corporation conducted a series of experiments to investigate how 'ghost marks' can occur in a building due to dust build up. U. S. Steel determined that a distinguishable particle deposition pattern began to occur on a surface when there was >3.3 degrees F. of difference in surface temperature relative to other parts of the surface. If this temperature varied > 8 degreed F., then surface discoloration by dust through a given time occurred. See Kinetic Energy. |
| Built-In Components: |
Permanent built-in finished cabinetry, including but not limited to: counters, shelves, desks, drawers, pantries, storage closets, hutches and bay-window seats. Mitigation Note: Built-in finished components are usually not effected by most water damages, since inspection and dehumidification drying, if necessary, can be conducted through the removal of the toe-kick, core drilling into the toe-kick, or drilling behind the base molding. If the built-in component is attached to an interior wall, drying the underside of the built-in can be completed by drilling air and dehumidification holes from the opposite wall, behind the frame work of built-in component. See Wall Drying Systems |
| Bulk Material Sampling: |
The random or specific sampling and scientific collection of water, soil, air and building materials for laboratory analysis. See Adsorbent Sampling, Air Sampling, Sampling, Soil Sampling, Surface Sampling, Swab Sampling, Tape Lift Sampling, Water Sampling, Wipe Sampling, Vacuum Sampling. |
| Bypass: |
A pipe or duct, usually controlled by valve or damper, for conveying a fluid, including air, around an element of a system. |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2): |
Normal exhaled gaseous constituents which are the product of aerobic respiration and decomposition that are odourless and colourless. High carbon dioxide levels are a byproduct of human activity in a building having poor air circulation and ventilation. Health and Safety Note: Although carbon dioxide is mostly not poisonous, carbon dioxide can cause suffocation. The acid-base balance of the body is affected by the level of carbon dioxide in the blood and other tissues. Ideal carbon dioxide levels in tight building are less than 1,000 ppm. Carbon dioxide levels greater than 5,000 ppm, should bring about an immediate corrective action by department managers and management. |
| Carbon Filtration: |
The use of carbon and activated carbon filters to remove gases, chemical vapours, toxic, and hydrocarbons from air. Carbon filtration is a control method only, since it cannot address the source of the contamination. |
| Carbon Monoxide: |
An odourless, colourless and tasteless poisonous gas, made when carbon or other fuel is burned, as in gasoline engines. It is a poison air contaminate produced by incomplete combustion, and it can be extremely harmful to humans and animals. Carbon monoxide will attach to red blood cells. This prevents the blood from moving oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues. |
| Care, Custody or Control Coverage: |
An insurance policy or rider which provides protection for restoration, repair and replacement of property due to faulty workmanship. This includes the property of others while actually being serviced. (Under the standard general liability insurance policy, damage to the personal property of others in your care, custody or control, is excluded). This means that if property is damaged while being serviced, there is no protection or insurance coverage under a standard policy. Care, custody or control insurance coverage may be offered only through a special endorsement to the standard policy. See General Liability Insurance Coverage. |
| Carpet Cushion (Mechanical Frothed): |
Cushion made from polyurethane chemicals and reinforcing filler frothed with air into the reacting mixture. |
| Carpet Cushion (Rubberized Hair): |
Needle-punched felt of clean, sterilized natural fibre coated with skid-proof resin on top and bottom. |
| Carpet Fibre Terms: |
The description of terms that are commonly used during the purchase, replacement or repair of a carpet. See Stain Resistance Density A measurement on how close one strand of carpet fiber (yarn) is close to the next strand of fiber. The measurement of density as of the year 2,000, is ounces per cubic foot instead of ounces per square yard. Face Weight The measurement of ounces of fiber per square yard, which as of the year 2,000, will be changed to fiber per square foot. Typically for residential carpet, the face weight is above 30 ounces, averaging 40 to 50 ounces for better grade carpet. Tuft Bind The measurement of tightness carpet fibers are bound to the carpets backing. Tuft bind measurements are in pounds, and quality residential carpet is above 6 pounds but not below 4 pounds. Twist The measurement of the number of times the carpet fibers are twisted per inch of finished yarn. A good quality residential carpet has 4 our more twists per inch. |
| Carrier Gas: |
a) When air quality and air pathways are an issue in contaminated buildings, industrial hygienists sometimes use a mixture of visible gas that will travel in cross-current pathways of the building, area or zone. b) The mixture of gases which contains and moves the contaminant material. Components of the carrier gas are not considered to cause or produce air pollution or react with the contaminant material. |
| Ceiling Outlet: |
A round, square, rectangular, or linear air diffuser located in the ceiling which provides a horizontal distribution pattern of primary and secondary air. The ceiling outlet is usually found over the occupied zone and induces low velocity secondary air motion through the occupied zone. |
| Ceiling Plenum: |
The air space between a ceiling and another floor or roof, which acts as a return air conveyance system of the HVAC. The ceiling plenum is to be kept under negative air pressure, and all return air must be filtered before its return back through the supply ventilation air ducts. |
| Ceramic Tile: |
Ceramic tiles are made of clay, fired and baked in a kiln, having a glaze finish. Ceramic tiles are permanently attached to floors and some walls and ceilings, as well as on counter tops. The glaze finish of ceramic tiles are a moisture-resistant surface, which is very durable under most conditions. Ceramic tiles are adhered with a mastic or mortar and filled between the tiles with a cement or synthetic coloured grout. Education Note: Ceramic tiles stand-up very well in water damage situations, but when fresh water or sewage water entrains under the tiles, through an underlayment, or from saturation moisture wicks up from a lower substrate, resulting in the adhesion of some tiles to become loose, causing in the eventual cracking and damage to some tiles. Mitigation Note: Kitchen ceramic tile counters having tile as part of the backsplash, the tiles may be in good condition, but when the lower counter is damaged, requiring detaching, repair or replacement of the counter, or the subfloor, the ceramic tiles are almost always damaged during the counter removal. |
| CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): |
The volume of airflow calculated over one minute (60 seconds). Along with lift, the measurement of cfm is one major method of determining vacuum efficiency. |
| Chair Rail: |
A horizontal molding affixed to a wall equal to the height of the back side of a chair. A chair rail is designed to stop damage or marring to the wall surface by the back of a chair. Wall chair rails average from 36" to 44" from the floor height. Chair rails will sometimes have wood paneling or a wall paper lower covering. Chair rails having backing materials must be checked for unwanted moisture content after a water damage. |
| Changeover: |
The process of switching an air conditioning system from heating to cooling, or vice versa. |
| Checking of Paint: |
A phenomenon manifested by slight breaks in the surface of the paint film. Checking cracks can assume many patterns, and they usually resemble a birds foot or small squares. Checking of paint is not fully understood, but it is known to occur when paint is applied on a moist wood surface and the relative air is more dryer than the painted surface. |
| Chemical Release: |
a) Any spill or leak, or detection of concentrations of chemical(s) of concern in the indoor environment or attached environments, including the outside air to the building. b) Chemical release includes all chemicals, sprays, sealers, disinfectants and deodorants used in a building after a loss. |
| Chronic: |
Long term exposures, which over time will cause adverse health effects to buildings and individuals. Health and Safety Note: Exposures to contaminated building environments over months or longer, are known to result in permanent or long-lasting health impairments. See Acute. |
| Cladosporium: |
A natural outside soilborne and airborne fungi. Cladosporium is also found in indoor air samples. Depending on the amount of Cladosporium in indoor air, the industrial hygienist or microbiologist may consider the levels acceptable or potentially harmful. Wet building materials are known to heighten the Cladosporium fungi to unacceptable levels. See Fungi. |
| Clean-up of Metal Studs and Sill Plates: |
means: Mitigation Note: a) In fresh water damage, the removal of surface water, followed by air drying of the metal studs and sill plates. Due Diligence Note: b) In sewage damage, the removal of sewage water and debris, followed by surface scrubbing with detergents and warm water, fresh water rinsing and disinfectant sanitizing. (If sewage is in and under the metal sill plate, low-pressure pressure washing of effluents [60/90 PSI] from under the sill plate, followed with extraction). c) The use of air movers for drying should only be used after surface cleaning and sanitizing. |
| Clean-up of Porous Concrete Slabs: |
Mitigation Note: a) In fresh water damage, the removal of surface water, followed by air drying of the concrete slab. b) In sewage damage, the removal of sewage water and debris, followed by scrubbing the slab with an electric floor scrubber and stripping pad, using detergents and warm water, fresh water rinsing and disinfectant sanitizing. c) The use of air movers for drying should only be used after surface cleaning and sanitizing. |
| Clean-up of Wood Studs and Sill plates: |
means: Mitigation Note: a) In fresh water damage, the removal of surface water, followed by air drying of the wood studs and sill plates, then checking with moisture sensors to determine the wood is dry below 15% moisture content before the wall cavity is closed. Due Diligence Note: b) In sewage damage, the removal of sewage water and debris, followed by surface scrubbing with detergents and warm water, fresh water rinsing and disinfectant sanitizing. (If sewage is under the sill plate, low-pressure use pressure washing of effluents from under the sill plate). c) The use of air movers for drying should only be used after surface cleaning and sanitizing. |
| Client's Right to Know: |
Legal Note: In certain instances where flooding involves carcinogens, pathogens, aeroallergens, toxins and other harmful agents; electrical and gas hazards; to slip and fall; the water damage contractor, as a person who has knowledge has a legal responsibility to disclose pertinent information to the client and unsuspecting persons who may enter a building or zone of contamination from building impairments may result in public health exposures. |
| Climate Controlled Environment: |
An energy efficient indoor environment in a tight building that controls temperature, humidity, air currents, supply and exhaust air, through electronically set and monitored equipment. |
| Closed Drying System: |
Restorative Drying Note: A) In water damaged buildings, a closed drying system is a complete drying of the building relying totally on dehumidification through engineering controls and not outside air. A closed drying system requires high amounts of air movement coupled with dehumidification. B) In restorative drying, a closed drying system requires technical expertise and the appropriate drying equipment necessary to dry a wet building properly, efficiently in a timely manner. See Best Conventional Control Technology |
| Comfort Chart: |
A chart showing effective temperatures with dry-bulb temperature and humidity measurements, and air movement, by which the effects of various air conditions on human comfort are compared. |
| Comfort Ventilation: |
The desirable range of airflow, temperature, humidity and odor in a building that allows for the comfort of the building occupants. Also called the comfort zone. |
| Commercial Size Dehumidifiers: |
Adjuster/Contractor Restorative Drying Note: Commercial size dehumidifiers are equipment capable of removing from 15 to 100 gallons of humidified moisture in air per day. See Desiccant Drying, Psychometrics, Refrigerant Drying, Restorative Drying. |
| Concentration: |
a) An expression of how much (dose) of a material, in a given amount, can be absorbed by the human body, without effecting the body or causing a reaction. b) Concentration of contaminates to humans or atmospheres, is the amount of a contaminate in concentration. Education Note: For example, concentration of contaminates in water are expressed as the mass of a contaminant per given volume, (typically one liter) of water, or as the mass of a contaminant per given mass of water; In the case of aerosols, the concentrations of aerosols (airborne solids and liquids) in air, are expressed as the mass of a substance in a given volume (typically one cubic meter) of air; In the case of vapors and gases in a given volume of air equals (volume/volume), or the mass of a material per given volume of air equals (mass/volume). |
| Condensate: |
In an air conditioning unit, water which has condensed from a vapor, either on the outside of a cooling or dehumidifying coil, or on the inside of a steam heating coil. |
| Condensation: |
In an air conditioning unit, the process of changing a vapour into liquid by extracting heat. Condensation of steam or water vapour is effected in either steam condensers or dehumidifying coils, and the resulting collected water is called condensate. |
| Conjunctivitis: |
Inflammation of the delicate mucous membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eyeball. Health and Safety Note: Exposed water damage remediation workers and building occupants, during the flood drying processes, are susceptible in acquiring conjunctivitis, especially when air movers are installed where dust, spores and debris become aerosolized. See Contact Dermatitis, Pink Eye, Rhinitis. |
| Constant Air Volume (CAV): |
Constant Air Volume (CAV):A supply air system that holds the air flow constant, but it varies the supply air temperature to compensate for the thermal load in the conditioned space. |
| Contact Hazard: |
The hazards which are due to a physical or direct presence contact with a known or unknown hazard or substance. Health and Safety Note: Contact hazards usually relate to contact hazard exposures to emergency response workers, including water damage technicians, who are jeopardized by contact with contaminated water, vapor, toxins and airborne substances. See Conjunctivitis, Contact Dermatitis, Dermatitis, Occupational Exposures, Rhinitis |
| Containment Unit, Cleaning and Decontamination: |
Referring to fungi mitigation and remediation (abatement), a containment-unit are typically the critical barrier and equipment used during the removal of fungi contamination process. Cleaning and decontamination of the containment-unit refers to the appropriate methods necessary for the collection of all migrant and settled spores and other contaminates on and in the containment-unit. Education Note: A containment-unit may include a second critical barrier containment-unit, other than the primary critical barrier containment-unit, which consists of a temporary built plastic room or plastic sealing off another room, which then becomes plastic-sealed off from the primary contamination area. The secondary containment-unit maintains its own 'separate' air pressure from the main contamination zone or area. The secondary containment-unit is a staging area, where fungal contaminated building materials, already plastic bagged, are stored, and are waiting removal from the building. The secondary containment-unit is the main entry and access between the outside and the main contamination zone or area, as well as the exit and egress to the building. Mitigation Note: Both the primary and secondary containment-units cleaning and decontamination, requires a combination of surface HEPA vacuuming, followed by surface cleaning, using damp wiping (with a minimum of water), to remove settled and migrant dusts and spores before safely dismantling the containment-unit(s). The remediation practitioners must carefully consider the necessity and advisability of applying biocides, such as bleach, when cleaning and sanitizing the containment-unit. The goal of the remediation program must be to remove all microbial growth that was part of the project, and this includes the contamination migrant in the containment-unit. Caution Note: The consulting industrial hygienist associated with the remediation project must consider the efficacy of all antimicrobial agents and their contact time and removal. Health and Safety Note: Neither the primary remediation and abatement containment-unit or the secondary support entry and egress containment-unit, can be used for employee rest and removal of PPE. Only exiting from both of the containment-units and after decontamination, can removal of PPE be considered appropriate. See Critical Barrier during Fungal Abatement, Full-scale Fungi Decontamination-Unit. |
| Control: |
In air conditioning, a control is a device for regulation of a system or component in normal operation, manual or automatic. If the controls are automatic, the implication is that it is responsive to changes of pressure, temperature, or other property whose magnitude is to be regulated. |
| Control Diagram, also called a Ladder Diagram: |
In air conditioning management and monitoring, a control diagram shows the control scheme only. Power wiring are not typically indicated. The control items are shown between two vertical lines; hence, the name-ladder diagram. |
| Control Point: |
In air conditioning, the value of the controlled variable which the controller operates to maintain. |
| Controlled Device: |
In air conditioning, a person or electronic system which receives the converted signal from the transmission system and translates it into the appropriate action in the environmental system. For example: a valve opens or closes to regulate fluid flow in the system. |
| Convection: |
a) The transfer of building heat and cool air, along with air currents, that are moved from one place to another, by circulation from the actual motion of different densities of warm and cool air in a building. b) The transfer of heat by natural air movement. See Air Movement, Air Pathway, Enthalpy. |
| Cooling Coil: |
An arrangement of pipes or tubing, which transfers heat from air to a refrigerant. |
| Cooling Effect, Total: |
Difference between the total enthalpy of the dry air and water vapor mixture entering the cooler per hour and the total enthalpy of the dry air and water vapour mixture leaving the cooler per hour, expressed in watts (Btuh). |
| Cooling, Evaporative: |
Involves the adiabatic exchange of heat between air and water spray or wetted surface. The water assumes the wet-bulb temperature of the air, which remains constant during its traverse of the exchanger. |
| Core Area: |
The total plane area of the portion of a grill, face or register bounded by a line tangent to the outer opening through which air can pass. The core area is less than the register size. Example, a 14"X 8" register may have a core that is 1" less than the listed size, therefore, the core area is 13" X 7"=91 sq. in. |
| Coverage-A Dwelling Exclusions: |
In insurance terms, dwelling coverage typically exclude the land and the value of the land, including land which the dwelling is located, or the costs to restore, replace, repair or rebuild the land. If a covered loss causes damage to the dwelling and to the land on the residential premises, the policy disallows coverage for any increased cost to repair the dwelling because of damage to the land. |
| Coverage-B Separate Structures Exclusions: |
In insurance terms, separate structures exclusion typically includes the land and the value of the land, including land on which the separate structure is located, or the costs to restore, replace, repair or rebuild land. If a covered loss causes damage to a separate structure and to the land on the residential premises, the policy disallows coverage for any increased cost to repair or rebuild the separate structure because of damage to the land. In addition, the policy does not cover separate structures which are intended for use in business or which are actually used in whole or in part for business purposes. |
| Coverage-C Personal Property Exclusions: |
The exclusions to personal property typically include: a) the personal property of others, including but not limited to tenants, guests, relatives outside the immediate family, members of the family over the age of 21, or family members under the age of 21 that do not reside on the property or in the dwelling of the insured; b) The property of a residential employee while in the service of an insured; c) Motor vehicles or their parts; aircraft and boats; animals, birds and fish; d) Personal property in an apartment on the residence premises which is regularly rented or held for rent to others by an insured. |
| Coverage-D Loss of Use: |
The limit of insurance for Coverage-D, is the total limit for all of the following coverages: 1) Additional Living Expense If a covered property loss makes the residential premises unfit to live in, the policy typically covers the necessary increase in living expense incurred by the insured so that the insured can maintain their normal standard of living. The insurance policy typically pays for the shortest time needed to a) repair or replace the damaged property, or b) permanently relocate, but in no event for more than 12 months. 2) Loss of Rents If a covered property loss makes that part of the residence premises rented to others or held for rental by the insured, the policy may cover loss of rents less any expense that does continue during the loss period. The policy may pay for the shortest time needed to a) repair or replace the damaged property, or b) permanently relocate, but in no event for more than 12 months. Insurance Note: If there is coverage for 1 and 2 above, the time period is not typically limited by expiration of the policy. 3) Prohibited Use If a civil authority prohibits the insured from use of the residential premises because of direct damage to neighboring premises by a loss which would have been covered under the Property Section of the policy, the insurance policy may allow additional living expense or loss of rents for a defined period, which use of the property is prohibited. |
| Crazing: |
A condition resulting in the hairline cracking and the formation of a network of hairline cracks as a pattern, on or under, a finished surface, such as plaster, glazed ceramic, paint or transparent finish. Crazing can be caused or become a result of various environmental factors, including building movement, temperature and humidity stress and water damages, as well as improper material installation. |
| Critical Barrier During Fungal Abatement |
A barrier usually made with two layers of 6-mm plastic polyethylene sheeting placed on ceiling, walls and floor, doors, windows and other openings, that creates an isolation barrier during fungal containment (abatement), and may be installed in the waste storage and support areas. Mitigation Note: Critical barriers must block all openings, fixtures, HVAC and air pathways of the building, to prevent the spread of dust, dirt and spores beyond the containment-unit. The critical containment barrier(s) must be constructed in such a manner so as to not disturb contaminated materials. |
| Cross-Contamination: |
The carrying of a microorganism, chemical or toxin from a contaminated area to a non-effected clean area. Health and Safety Note: Typically, cross-contamination is thought of as contaminates carried on objects including clothes and hands, but cross-contamination also occurs in building air pathways and ventilation air streams, where bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and other aero-allergens easily travel through from an airborne route. In hospitals, cross-contamination is referred to as nosocomial infections. See Fomites. |
| Cubic Metre of Air: |
A metric volume of air that equals to 1,000 liters or 35.31 cubic feet. |
| Cyclone Effect: |
The air in a room which is forced through dynamic pressure to move in one direction. Mitigation Note: In water damage mitigation, it is the dynamic pressure of ambient air forced across wet walls in a room at about 45 degrees, resulting in the release of moisture on wall materials and flooring. The cyclone effect (winds moving around and towards the same direction) causes turbidity air currents. See Advection, Eddy Currents, Dynamic Pressure, Static Pressure, Turbidity Air Currents |
| Cyclone Separator: |
A dust-collecting device which has the ability to separate particles by size. Typically used by industrial hygienists to collect indoor air or workplace respirable dust samples. |
| Damper: |
A passive or mechanical device used to control the volume of air passing through an air outlet, air inlet or duct. |
| Daseline Data: |
a) Building and environmental information which are gathered to determine the accumulations of biological, chemical, toxins and other physical properties. b) The baseline data of acceptable indoor air quality, including thermal, physical and respirable measurements. c) The baseline data of acceptable indoor air quality verses outside air quality. d) The efficiency ratio of a ventilation system to operate and separate contaminates from indoor air. e) The energy efficiency of a building over time. See Background Measurements. |
| Deductible Clause: |
In an insurance policy, a deductible clause is the agreed amount to which a policy holder is responsible for during a covered loss. The insurance company will pay to repair a covered loss minus the deductible amount as shown in the declarations. The deductible shown in the declarations applies separately to each loss. |
| Dehumidification |
The process of removing humidity. The condensation of water vapour from air by cooling it below the dewpoint, or the removal of water vapor from air by chemical or physical means. Restorative Drying Note: Often Dehumidification can be accomplished by opening doors and windows to a dryer atmosphere, and dehumidification is accellerated through forced air movement, and the use of engineering controls and devises such as dehumidifiers and air movers. |
| Dehumidification Curve: |
In water damaged buildings and restorative drying, the measurement of moisture in ambient air while the building remains wet, as compared to the moisture measurements in ambient air while the building is in the process of drying. |
| Dehumidification Shock: |
A term used in restorative drying, to describe the process and means of dramatically decreasing the ambient humidity in a wet building environment within a relatively short period of time. Education and Restorative Drying Note: A dehumidification shock approach is warranted when the environment is severely wet and where time is on the side of mould growth, or where secondary damage is about to occur, if the trapped building water and humidity are not abated within a short period of time including a matter of hours. Large refrigerant and desiccant equipment are necessary to provide dehumidification shock. Calculating the grains of moisture in wet air, making assumptions about the amount of trapped water and moisture in building materials along with temperature and humidity readings, must carefully be calculated for a dehumidification shock equation before considering using this dehumidification process |
| Dehumidifier: |
a) An air cooler or washer used for lowering the moisture content of the air passing through it: b) An absorption or adsorption machine designed specifically for removing unwanted moisture from air. Adjuster/Contractor Restorative Drying Note: Dehumidifiers may be similar in function and design, but they are not alike when it comes to restorative drying of wet buildings. Specially designed dehumidifiers are often required to dry wet buildings properly. Commercial size dehumidifiers are equipment capable of removing from 15 to 100 gallons of humidified moisture in air per day. Although a dehumidifier may function properly in a wet room, the dehumidifier may not effect the dehumidification process of a wet wall, ceiling or subfloor. The dehumidification of wet walls for example, requires special techniques and equipment to dry the wall cavity properly, and the equipment must do so within a reasonable time before mold growth occurs. See Desiccant Drying, Psychometrics, Refrigerant Drying, Restorative Drying. |
| Dehydration: |
a) The removal of water vapor from air through the use of absorbing or adsorbing materials; b) The removal of water from stored goods. Restorative Drying Note: The process of dehydration is important and must be considered as the preferred process when books, documents, film and other media have been effected by excessive high humidity or a flooding event. |
| Delamination: |
The separating or detaching of a primary material from its composite matrix or its secondary materials. Education Note: Delamination is usually is a result of wear and tear, but delamination can be a result of increased exposures to environmental conditions, including sun light and UV, heat, too little or too much humidity, air movement causing drying, and water damages causing release of glue and adhesive binders. |
| Deliquescence: |
The absorption of moisture from the air by certain salts in plaster or brick, resulting in damp spots to appear like crystalline deposits, or damp spots that appear to be darker than the surrounding material. |
| Deoderants: |
Deodorants that are used in buildings after a flood are suppose to remove or destroy musty-like odours and other odours. Hygienists find that deodorants leave occupants with impression that odour problems have been abated, which, in most instances they have not. Deodorants are to be used sparingly, and must not be used as a masking agent, producing a false positive sense of clean air. See Masking Agentsz |
| Desiccant Dehumidifiers: |
Machines which are designed to adsorb pints of water per hour over a bed of dessicating materials, usually in the form of a wheel inside a machine. Education Note: Only part of the dessicant wheel is exposed to the wet environment intake and the other part of [wet] wheel is exhausted out of the dessicant machine through warm forced air and ducting. Dessicant Dehumidifiers are very effective in reducing unwanted moisture to relative humidity levels of less than 10%. See Refrigerant Dehumidifiers and Dehumidification, Dri-Eaz |
| Dew: |
The moisture vapor condensed on objects at or near ground level. Dew is a result of temperature having fallen below the dew point temperature of the surrounding air. |
| Dewpoint: |
a) The surface temperature at which moisture will condense out of the air onto a surface; The surface temperature varies with the relative humidity. b) With mixed ratio and barometric pressure constant, the temperature to which air must be cooled in order to attain saturation by water vapour. |
| Dewpoint Temperature: |
a) A temperature at which a given water vapor content and constant pressure, are capable of producing condensation of water from an atmosphere. b) The temperature at which any gas begins to condense. c) A point in temperature which moist air becomes saturated (100% relative humidity) with water vapour when cooled at a constant pressure. See Enthalpy. |
| Dewpoint, Ambient: |
The temperature to which indoor air must be cooled, at a given pressure and water-vapour content, for it to reach saturation. |
| Diffuser: |
A circular, square, or rectangular air distribution outlet, generally located in the ceiling and comprised of deflecting vanes or louvers, discharging supply air in various directions and planes, and arranged to promote mixing of primary air with secondary room air. |
| Diffusion Rate: |
A measure of the tendency of one gas or vapour to disperse into or mix with another gas or vapor. This rate depends on the density of the vapour or gas, as compared with that of air, which is given a value of 1. |
| Dilution: |
a) The process of changing or diluting a solvent from one strength to another or a mixture of substances into another. b) Increasing the proportion of solvent or a diluent (liquid) to solute or particulate matter (solid). c) The process of mixing and exchanging contaminated or humidified air with less contaminated or humidified air. d) The change in temperature, humidity and air mass in a building with new or treated temperature, humidity and air mass. |
| Diminished Property Value |
A proportionally smaller value to a property due to a damage. Diminished property value is a lessening or decreasing of property value as a result of some type of damage. In river flooding for example, a dwelling may not have the same property value it had prior to a catastrophic loss. While the dwelling itself was repaired, the overall value of the dwelling may have been affected by the environmental conditions surrounding the property. When an antique piece of furniture has been damaged, it may have been professionally restored, but because of the damage, it may have sustained a diminished value. In a fire damaged property, where antique contents are present, the removal of years of patina, during the cleaning and restoration process, will result in a diminished property value. |
| Direct Costs |
The labour, material, equipment, subcontractor, and other costs directly incorporated into the repair or construction. |
| Direct Exposure Pathways: |
An exposure pathway where the point of exposure is at the source. The control of the direct exposure pathways requires containing the release from any other areas or parts of the building, including ventilation duct air return to the building. |
| Direct Reading Instruments: |
a) Moisture detection instruments which give an immediate reading and indication of the percentage of moisture content in or on a material. b) Humidity and temperature recording instruments give an immediate readout of the temperature and humidity in ambient air. Some humidity and moisture instruments will automatically calculate dew point. Other humidity and moisture sensors readout on strip charts, while more scientific equipment can datalog. c) Single and multi-gas instruments will provide an immediate indication of the concentration of oxygen, flammable and explosive gases and vapors. Other direct reading instruments measure certain aspects of indoor air quality and comfort levels. |
| Disaster Repair: |
1) The temporary emergency repair or services necessary to stop, reduce or eliminate a disaster occurrence or hazard. 2) Disaster repair is the repair and replacement of damage caused by a disaster. Mitigation Note: In water damage remediation: a) It is the removal of all standing water in a building and/or under a building. b) It is the custody, care and control of all effected building materials and contents, and reduction of further damage by technically trained employees. See Water Damage Industry Standards of Care. |
| Dispersion: |
In indoor air quality, the general term describing contaminates consisting of particulate matter suspended in air; also, the mixing and dilution of a contaminant in the ambient environment. |
| Draft: |
A movement or current of air. A draft is the pressure difference which causes a current of air or gases to flow through a flue, chimney, heater, or space; or to a localized effect caused by one or more factors of high air velocity, low ambient temperature, or direction of air flow. A draft is often described as a leak or break in insulation or a barrier having two different temperature properties. |
| Dri-Eaz Dehumidifiers: |
A manufacturer of quality dehumidifiers across the United States, Canada and Europe. Dri-Eaz Corporation makes commercial size refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers that can remove large amounts of airborne moisture from a humidified atmosphere per day. See EBAC, Phoenix Dehumidifiers, Restorative Drying. |
| Drop: |
In HVAC terminology, a drop in air pressure or temperature is the vertical distance between the base of the outlet and the bottom of the air stream at the end of the horizontal throw. |
| Dry Air: |
The ambient air in a building's atmosphere that is acceptable after dehumidification. Restorative Drying Note: a) As it relates to water damaged buildings, it is the indoor air, and trapped air in wall cavities, partitions, cabinets, under subfloors and in attics, which has been returned back to its previous acceptable dry air state. b) As pointed out in Dri-Eaz Restorative Drying Manual, dry air weighs about 14 pounds per cubic foot at sea level. In psychometrics, dry air is used as a reference point. If the specific humidity of the air is 60 GPP, then the air is holding 60 grains of moisture in each pound of air. See Dehumidification, Grains of Moisture. |
| Dry Bulb Temperature: |
a) The temperature registered by an ordinary thermometer. The dry bulb temperature represents the measure of sensible heat, or the intensity of heat. b) The temperature of the air when measured for comparison with wet-bulb temperature. Most standard thermometer readings are the dry-bulb temperature. |
| Dry Bulb Temperature, Adjusted: |
The average of the air temperature and the mean radiant temperature at a given location. The adjusted dry bulb temperature is approximately equivalent to operative temperature at air motionless than 80 fpm when the mean radiant temperature is less than 120oF |
| Dry Ice Blasting: |
The process using dry ice shavings and specially manufactured compressed air equipment, to micro-finely disperse the dry ice onto a contaminated surface for removal of a contaminate. The results of the ice blasting provides for a clean surface, while the dry ice residue disperses into harmless carbon dioxide gas. Depending on the application, dry ice blasting can be as fine as debride and remove smoke and soot from a mural or painting, or aggressive to remove char from wood. The dry-ice blasting or treatment residue is carbon monoxide gas. The carbon monoxide gas itself is not harmful to humans in open air environments. The use of dry-ice in confined space consumes the available oxygen and this condition must be avoided. |
| Drying Conditions: |
The ideal conditions after cleanup which allow a wet building to become ready for drying. Restorative Drying Note: In water damage remediation, it is the condition of the indoor air at any one time during the building drying process. a) The drying conditions of a wet building are influenced by the amount of standing water, water vapour in air, saturated water in wall cavities, floors and contents, condensed moisture vapour on other building materials and contents, the relative humidity and temperature outside, and the ambient humidity and temperature indoors. b) The building drying conditions must take into account the amount of water that flooded the building, its source, is the water considered contaminated, the amount of porous building materials, the amount of total moisture content in saturated building materials and contents. See Dehumidification, Thermalgraphic Chart Recording. |
| Dry-Rot Fungi: |
Dry rot fungi Merulius lacrymans flourishes under conditions of bad ventilation and high humidity. This fungi is more efficient at destroying wood than any other type of fungus predator. In a flourishing or proliferating stage, it can attack wood which would normally be considered too dry to be attacked. Education Note: Most persons feel that the presence of sun light and air alone may dry out a structure from saprophytic fungi, which is not true. What also is not true, when either wet rot or dry rot fungi dominate and attack a structure, simple drying surfaces of building materials alone, will not address underlying fungal issues. While wet rot fungi cannot penetrate brick, stone or metal, which does not have the aid of an airstream that can circumvent the other side of a wall, dry rot fungi can penetrate or pass through walls in search of new wood to attack. See Wet-Rot Fungi. |
| Duct: |
a) The air supply and returns of metal or flex duct attached to a heating and air conditioning ventilation system. b) A passageway made of sheet metal or other suitable material, not necessarily leak tight, used for conveying air or other gas at low pressures. |
| Duct Velocity |
Air velocity through the duct cross section. When solid particulate material is present in the duct air stream, the duct velocity must exceed the minimum transport velocity. |
| Dust: |
a) Suspended solid particles in air which settle-out in buildings through doors, windows and ventilation systems. b) An air suspension (aerosol) of particles of any solid material, usually having a particle size less than 100 micrometers(um). Education Note: a) Natural dust includes organic and inorganic particles such as soil erosion by wind which entrains into a building, and decaying organic matter and other airborne debris that feed bacteria, fungi and yeast. b) Human dust created by the sloughing of dead skin cells that feed dust mites. See Respirable Dusts. |
| Dust: |
Solid particles of organic debris including dirt and lint that are airborne and settle on surfaces through the influence of gravity. |
| Dust Collector: |
An air-cleaning devise that is designed to capture and remove heavy particulates from work areas before they enter outside air. A vacuum bag in a workshop capturing saw dust is an example of a dust collector. |
| Dynamic Pressure: |
Having to do with forced energy and motion, also known as kinetic pressure, or kinematics, the study of motion without reference to forces. Education Note: In water damage mitigation, dynamic pressure is the bulk flow of forcing trapped moisture in building materials from a liquid to a vapor. Once dynamic pressure can be accomplished, wet air in buildings should be exhausted and exfiltrated, through removal or dehumidification. See Advection, Exfiltration, Static Air, Turbidity Air Currents |
| EAC (Electronic Air Cleaner): |
Also called an Electronic Precipitator. EACs use a high voltage between two conductors to remove airborne particles (pollens, fungi, dust, dander, skin cells, etc.) from the air flowing through it. |
| EBAC: |
A manufacturer of quality dehumidifiers. EBAC Corporation makes commercial size refrigerant dehumidifiers that can remove large amounts of airborne moisture from a humidified atmosphere per day. See Dri-Eaz Dehumidifiers, Phoenix Dehumidifiers, Restorative Drying. |
| Economised: |
In HVAC, economizer is a system that uses the maximum outside air for ventilation and free cooling, as long as dehumidification is not necessary. |
| Eddy Currents: |
The constant movement of air and debris in a random or irregular manner. Mitigation Note: In water damage mitigation, it is turbulent air trapped in corners and cabinets of flooded rooms and buildings during the use of airmovers improperly. Eddy air currents create an opposing force inside a flooded corner, wall or cabinet having squared-off or irregular shapes. Eddy currents often cause forcing-in trapped moisture and debris deeper into building materials instead of releasing them. See Cyclone Effect, Dynamic Pressure, Static Pressure, Turbidity Air Currents. |
| Effective Indoor Temperatures: |
a) As it relates to building occupants, effective indoor temperature is the arbitrary index that combines into a singe value, the effects of temperature, humidity, and air movement on the sensation of warmth and cold on the human body. The degree of warmth or cold perceived, varies with different combinations of temperature, humidity and air movement. b) The uniform temperature of a radiantly black enclosure at 50% relative humidity, in which an occupant would experience the same comfort, physiological strain and heat exchange as in the actual environment with the same air motion. |
| Electric Power Brushing: |
The use of any electrical appliance for the purpose of cleaning and removing surface debris. A system used to power brush and clean ventilation systems, also referred to as drilled powered rotary brushing or air driven power brush cleaning. |
| Electronic Flow Controls: |
In commercial buildings, electronic flow controls are the regulated controls of the building for temperature, humidity, air flow and sometimes monitoring carbon dioxide. Engineering Control Note: In water damaged commercial buildings, the engineering staff may be able to assist through by-passing the electronic flow controls and bring into the wet humidified areas, 100% fresh air while exhausting out wet air, as well as increasing the air exchanges per hour. |
| Emergency Repairs: |
In insurance terms, emergency repairs are all costs the policy holder incurred for the necessary repairs made solely to protect covered property from further damage if a loss covered under the Property Section of the policy causes the damage. Typically, the emergency repairs coverage does not increase the limit of the insurance applying to the property being repaired. |
| Endotoxins: |
Bacteria-type microorganism cell walls that breakdown at the time of their death, and where the organism releases bacteria toxins in the air as they die. Not unlike exotoxins, endotoxins are from various Gram negative organisms such as sewage, having similar pathogenic effects. See Enterotoxins. |
| Entrainment: |
1. The ability of a foreign substance, liquid or gas to be captured in a media or a building material after enter a media or material. 2. The capture of part of the surrounding air by the airstream discharged from an outlet (sometimes called secondary air motion). Mitigation Note: a) Pertaining to water damages and building flooding; the intrusion of water, soil, silt, sludge and sewage effluents and their toxins to become part of building materials and contents from an outside source. b) The ability of vapour, fumes, gas, mists, microorganisms and solid particles to adsorb in a building material from an outside source. c) The ability of a contaminate to enter into a space and be absorbed or consumed. See Infiltration |
| Entrainment Velocity: |
a) The ability of water, gas, vapour, mist and solid particles to absorb and impact into other materials. b) The gas flow velocity in air, which tends to keep particles suspended and cause deposited particles to become airborne. Mitigation Note: Typically this applies to airflow in ducts carrying airborne particles and other contaminates. Entrainment velocity effects is a concern for water damage mitigation contractors who use 1,000 CFM or greater air movers which transport large amounts of wet-humidified air throughout a building. See Acceleration Velocity, Air Movement, Dynamic Pressure, Turbidity Air Currents. |
| Entropy: |
The ratio of the heat added to a substance to the absolute temperature at which it is added. As it relates to heat as temperature, entropy is a measurement of disorder. Education Note: The higher the heat the in a building for example, the higher the entropy. Entropy in this example effects occupant comfort levels, humidity, atmospheric changes and volatile organic compounds. In a buildings envelope where there is a closed system of heating and air conditioning, entropy is a result of increased and decreased energy flow. It follows that the entropy of a building using a closed HVAC system is increasing throughout the day if fresh air and conditioned air are not properly mixed and supplied. The increase rate of energy from a closed HVAC system (rates of reaction) are proportionately increased with the rate of indoor temperature. This is one way of stating the second law of thermodynamics. |
| Environmental Impairment Liability Policy (EIL policy): |
An insurance policy offering bodily injury and property damage coverage for gradual releases of pollutants for any claims made during the policy period, no matter when the release occurred. The EIL policy fills the gap left by policy exclusions called pollution exclusions. |
| Environmentally Adaptive Fungi: |
Any number of fungi that are common to outdoors and are not common growth elements in healthy buildings. Air samples will indicate many of the fungi that are common outdoors, are brought into a building from building occupants, air currents and ventilation. Education Note: Environmentally adaptive fungi are those outdoor fungi, which under the right growth conditions (temperature and humidity), take hold and grow indoors on nutrient rich building materials. Cladosporium and Alternaria are fungi which grow mainly on above ground on dead organic material. They are adaptable indoors when the indoor nutrient requirements are ideal. Other environmentally adaptive fungi are Aspergillus and Penicillium, which are prevalent in the tracked in soil and airborne dusts. Both Aspergillus and Penicillium contain species that will grow well on indoor building materials and contents, when ideal temperatures and humidity exist. See Environmentally Adaptive Bacteria. |
| Equipment Rental: |
In water, fire and catastrophic disasters, equipment rental refers to the equipment necessary on the job, to control or eliminate a particular hazard or damage, or the equipment necessary to complete a particular job. Contractor Note: Equipment rental includes, but is not limited to: Airmovers and dehumidifiers, electrical power generators, ventilation, portable lights and temporary power supplies, scaffolding, negative air and air scrubbers, confined space entry, monitoring equipment, respiratory protection, extraction equipment and vacuum trucks, storage containment bins and debris dumpsters, jack-hammers to heavy equipment, portable toilets and health and safety requirements, communication devises and management trailers. Equipment rental includes the necessary to complete a particular portion of a job are direct billable costs of the job. The contractors contract terms and conditions must allow and provide for reimbursement of all equipment rental, clean-up and sanitization, repair and maintenance, as well as overheads and profit. |
| ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation): |
A means by which a mechanical heating and air conditioning unit is capable of assisting in the introduction of fresh air into a building and removing old air, while keeping the temperature consistent inside, with a minimum expenditure of energy. ERV is also referred to as heat recovery ventilation or HRV. Both mechanical processes have a core unit heat exchanger that causes the thermal energy (heat) to flow between two air streams. Some manufacturers incorporate an enthalpic exchanger, so that moisture can be exchanged as well, keeping buildings comfortable in summer, winter and during humid months. |
| EST (Estimate; Emergency Service, Construction or Repair Time): |
EST is an abbreviation for estimate. An estimate in insurance work, an estimate is the anticipated cost of materials, labor, equipment, licenses, overhead, profit, insurance, or any combination of these necessary to perform a specific job or task. |
| Evaporative Cooling: |
The adiabatic exchange of heat between air and a water spray or a wetted surface. In an HVAC unit, the water approaches the wet-bulb temperature of the air, which remains constant during its traverse at the exchanger. |
| Evaporator: |
In an HVAC heat exchanger, in which the medium being cooled, usually air or water, gives up heat to the refrigerant through the exchanger transfer surface. The liquid refrigerant boils into a gas in the process of the heat absorption. |
| Evapo-transpiration (also known as Vapiro-transpiration): |
The combined action of evaporation (vapourization) and transpiration (transfer). Vapourization is the physical process of converting water to vapor or gas, and transpiration is the mechanical means allowing this action to occur. Restorative Drying Note: In water damage buildings, it is the movement of water, as a liquid, vapourized in air (moisture vapor) and transferred from porous materials and surfaces. For this action to occur, it is important to allow for vapor transfer of moisture through mechanical means, by using air movers and dehumidifiers. See Air Movement, Dehumidification, Evaporation, Moisture Vapour. |
| Exfiltration: |
The passage or movement of air out of a building or substructure through building cracks, around windows and doors, ventilation, and the means of wind, humidity or temperature differences that effect the building. See Infiltration. |
| Exhaust Air: |
The contaminated indoor air that is removed from a building space naturally or mechanically, and is not intended to be reused indoors. |
| Exhaust Filtration: |
One of several engineering control methods acceptable resulting in the scrubbing and filtering of exhausted gases and airborne contaminates to an outside air space. |
| Exhaust Ventilation: |
The mechanical removal of air, using positive or negative air pressure, to push-out and exhaust contaminates from a building?s atmosphere or building space. |
| Extraction: |
Any one of a number of acceptable methods used to contain and permanently remove water, vapor, gas or a solid from a surface or an atmosphere. Contractor Note: In water damage mitigation, in removing surface water, extraction is the suctioning of surface water, and sometimes solids, off a surface. The water is then transported through a suction hose to a containment devise such as a truck mount containment tank or a portable extraction machine. Restorative Drying Note: In the removal of humidified ambient air in a wet building, extraction is the action necessary to remove the humidified air from ambient air with dryer air. Extracting moisture-humidified air requires the effect of using air exchanges in the building with dryer air. The successful extraction of wet air with dryer air or dehumidified air, requires the use of scientific principles and monitoring. See Dehumidification, Restorative Drying. |
| Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis: |
A swelling from of pneumonia that is caused by an immune reaction in an allergic patient. The reaction may be brought about by a variety of inhaled organic dusts, often those containing fungal spores. A wide variety of symptoms may occur, including difficulty breathing, fever, chills, malaise, and muscle aches. The symptoms usually develop 4 to 6 hours after exposure. Kinds of extrinsic allergic alveolitis include bagassosis, farmer's lung, humidifier or air conditioner lung, mushroom worker's lung, suberosis. The health condition may be diagnosed as hypersensitivity pneumonitis. |
| Face Velocity: |
The velocity of air. Face velocity is obtained by dividing the air quantity by the component material face area. |
| Facility: |
a) Any type of physical building, interior space, structure, installation, equipment, pipe, duct, container or vehicle, which is used to store hazardous materials, or the facility contains a hazardous chemical, pollutant, product or agent. b) Any building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe or pipeline (including any pipe into a sewer or publicly owned treatment works), well, pit, pond, lagoon, impoundment, ditch, storage container, motor vehicle, rolling stock, or aircraft. c) The description of a property containing a contaminate, where a release has occurred or a building that has experienced a loss. d) Any site or area where a hazardous substance has been deposited, stored, disposed of, placed, or otherwise come to be located; but does not include any consumer product in consumer use or any water-borne vessel. |
| Fallout: |
The ability of an airborne substance having matter to settle and fallout of the air. Mitigation Note: Pertaining to water damage, it is the accumulation of settled dust and debris found on contents from air movers and dryers. The fallout is not apparent until after the forced air movement has stopped. Particles, dust, spores, pollens and other contaminates will settle on surfaces. Air movers are used to dry wet-saturated carpet and building materials. Often these materials harbor pounds of dust and dirt contaminates that become airborne and fallout on surfaces. |
| False Negative: |
a) Erroneous test results that infer a room or building does not have contaminates or they are not in the levels anticipated. b) A building reportedly having no chemical or indoor air contaminate concerns, when in fact, it actually does have chemical and indoor air quality concerns. Health Note: False negative results cannot take into consideration certain lower detection levels, which some persons may sense and identify, where scientific equipment cannot. |
| False Positive: |
a) Erroneous test results that infer a room, environment or building does have contaminates higher than anticipated. Liability Note: b) A building that has been reportedly diagnosed as having poor indoor air quality, when in fact, it does not have poor indoor air quality. |
| Fan, Performance Curve: |
Fan performance curve refers to the constant speed performance curve. The fan performance curve is a graphical presentation of the static or total pressure and power input, over a range of air volume flow rate, at a stated inlet density and fan speed. The fan performance curve may include static and mechanical efficiency curves. The range of air volume flow rate which is covered generally extends from shutoff (zero air volume flow rate) to free delivery (zero fan static pressure). The pressure curves are generally referred to as the pressure-volume curves. |
| Fan, Static Pressure: |
The pressure added to the ventilation system by the fan. The fan static pressure equals the sum of pressure losses in the system minus the velocity pressure in the air at the fan inlet. |
| Fan, Vanaxial Type: |
A disc type wheel within a cylinder, a set of air guide vanes located either before or after the wheel and including driving mechanism supports, for either a belt drive or a direct connection. |
| Feature Strip: |
A molding or base material that is used to separate two other materials. a) In parquet floors, a wood feature strip is used to separate parquet blocks or patterns from the perimeter of walls, as well as to end the parquet floor pattern. b) Feature strips as wood or metal molding or boarder wallpaper, are sometimes used to cover up a damage after repair, such as removal and replacement of the lower portion of a wall, where the rest of the wall is to be kept intact. The feature strip then becomes an accent, and compliments the wall finish and decor. |
| Filter: |
A product made to remove contaminate materials from one another. In outside exposed air conditioning units, filters are produced from fibers, mesh and a frame. In inside mounted filters, the media includes various composite and compressed materials having varying thickness and density. See Baghouse, HEPA Filters, Pleated Filter. |
| Filtering: |
The ability of certain filter media to stop particles, gases and vapors, having a larger mass and size, from entering another air space. Filtering allows the passage of smaller particles while retaining larger particles. See Baghouse, HEPA Filters. |
| Filtering Velocity: |
The speed at which air and particles move through various filters. The more dense the filter the better the particle capturing. But, more dense filters having particle collection, reduces filtering velocity. |
| Filtration: |
A filtering means by which water or air is filtered. Education Note: Air filtration in a building are filter capturing devises (pleated filters) for example, located in the supply air stream, before the filtered conditioned air is allowed to enter in the ambient building's atmosphere. |
| Filtration Soil: |
a) The soil that appears beneath drapes, upholstery and carpets, along a wall or a stair case. Education Note: The carpet becomes a filtration devise, where air is allowed to pass and filter over time. Filtration soil at the edge of carpets or under drapes will cause discoloration, and the effect may be permanent, even after corrective cleaning. b) The soil which is found trapped on a filtration media in a ventilation system. |
| Fines: |
Very small and minute-size airborne particles, usually solid particles less than 2 microns in size. Often, fines of dust and particulate debris are distributed by dirty ventilation systems, and airmovers after a flood. Mitigation Note: Fines can also be described in catastrophic building floods, where micro-fine (fines) are actually micro-fine silt, that become adsorbed and a permanent part of porous building materials. See Grit, Mud and Muck |
| Fire and Water Damages: |
Once combustion occurs, the standard fire department extinguishing method is the use of water, and lots of it. Education Note: A hot fire, can result in the extinguishing water to expand 800 to 1,500 times its size, forcing the extinguishing water to penetrate into walls and furniture, while humidifying the air space. After the primary combustion with heat has been eliminated, but before the fire is out, the extinguishing water will change from a high temperature vapor state, in the presence of cooler temperatures, return back to a liquid, and become part of the flood water throughout a building. When the fire is out, for the most part, the fire stops being a damaging concern. The water and resulting fungi, if not abated in a short period of time, will result in secondary damage. |
| Fire Toxics: |
A burning building has wood, plastics, other synthetics, asbestos to lead-base paint, not including stored chemicals under a sink or in a garage, which together, produce a soup of toxic materials. No employee should be allowed to inhale soot and toxins that contain carcinogens. A HEPA-rated respirator, during the tear out and cleanup phase, must be worn by all employees. Right after combustion in a fire damaged building, more than 1,000 identified substances can be present in air at any one time. Weeks later, disturbing fire debris, will cause some of the toxins as carcinogens, to become airborne. |
| Flammable Gas, Vapour or Mist: |
Any atmosphere that contains flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL), that atmosphere is not acceptable for entry. Safety Note: LFL means the minimum concentration of a flammable materials which will ignite if an ignition source is present. This information can be found in the MSDS of a chemical. See Toxic Air Contaminates, Asphyxiating Atmospheres. |
| Fluid: |
A gas, vapour or liquid. A fluid is not a solid, but airborne and bioaerosol particulates are lighter than air and they can travel airborne, having the ability to flow in air. |
| Flushing and Purging of Air: |
In a confined space, including in large buildings having an airborne contaminate, flushing and purging is the utilization of fans and other exhaust equipment, to remove airborne and volatile agents from surfaces, into outside air. Health and Safety Note: If the contaminates are a regulated contaminate, a carcinogen, flammable, pathogen or toxic, the flushing and purging of airborne contaminates must be done so safely, and in such a manner to not cause harm to human health downstream of the exhausted air. See Ventilating. |
| Flush-Out: |
In indoor environmental quality, flush-out is the process by which indoor air is exchanged repeatedly and over time with fresh outdoor air. Education Note: Depending on the purpose and design, flush-out may include purging the HVAC system and providing maximum outdoor air intake continuously for several days. Flush-out sometimes is necessary when new furniture, carpet, paint and other adhesive related products are brought into a building having a tight indoor air configuration. See Bake-Out |
| Flywheel Effect: |
In HVAC systems, the regulation of the speed and the uniformity of the motion of air evening out temperature variations in a building due to the temperature storage capabilities of the building's temperature and air mass. |
| Forced Oxidation: |
A process that allows some pollutants to be exhausted or discharged, and forced into contact with air, which converts some pollutants to a stable form. |
| FPM (Feet per Minute): |
A measure of air velocity in (FPM/fpm) feet per minute. |
| Free Moisture: |
Water in the form of water vapour in air, that can pass freely from one atmosphere to another, or from a wet material to another via air pathways. Restorative Drying Note: With a change in temperature, free moisture in air can collect and condensate on and in wall cavities, and with another change of temperature, condensate water is allowed to become free moisture once again. |
| FRP (Fibreglass Wall Covering): |
Fiberglass wall coverings which are water and moisture proof, and are industry referred to by the acronym - FRP. FRP is identified as a wall covering in office, hotel and commercial bathrooms. FRP is found in commercial kitchens and in laboratories, and FRP can be a wall finish anywhere where water can splash or where dirt can become a maintenance issue, such as in pre-schools and hospitals. Education Note: In water damage claims FRP is a problem, because it is glued to drywall and other wall materials which become wet. Quite often after a flood, mold will be found on the drywall paper and behind the FRP. In most situations where water migrates behind the FRP and drywall, an air hole can be cut through the FRP and drywall, at the base, allowing for appropriate wall drying. If the FRP is impeding the wall drying process, or it is known or suspect of supporting mold growth, the FRP most often will be removed and replaced, after the restorative drying or mould remediation problem is mitigated. |
| Fugitive Building Emissions: |
Fumes, vapours, gases and chemical toxins that emanate from the exhaust of a building as a normal condition of the buildings function. Most emissions are power generated exhaust emissions, but emissions can also be other pollutants and airborne contaminates exuded from a building. See Emissions. |
| Full-scale Containment and Correction: |
In fungal contamination, full-scale containment and correction are the appropriate steps necessary, including those commensurate with fungi contaminated building materials having mass-amounts of visible fungi or from testing and laboratory analysis, which indicates that a particular fungi is present and is known to release dangerous toxins. In these situations full-scale containment and correction must include asbestos abatement techniques for the containment and removal of fungi contaminated building materials. (Ref: Morey, 1994; Weber and Martinez, 1996; ACGIH Bioaerosol - Assessment and Control, 1999). See Containment-Unit Cleaning and Decontamination, Critical Barrier during Fungi Abatement, Decontamination Unit during Fungi Abatement, Full-body Covering during Fungi Abatement, Full-scale Fungal Decontamination Unit, Negative Air Pressure during Fungi Abatement, Occupational Exposures during Fungal Remediation, Perimeter Area Cleaning from Fungal Contamination, Visible Fungi Contamination |
| Full-scale Fungal Decontamination Unit: |
A decontamination unit made from PVC pipe and plastic sheeting, wood frame and plastic sheeting, or a pre-manufactured unit for employees who actively are involved at a full-scale fungal abatement work site. Typically like in asbestos abatement, the decontamination unit consists of three chambers or small shower size rooms. The rooms are: (1) as you are entering the first cubical, a donning of PPE equipment; (2) a pass-through shower; and (3) a pass-through cubical; and in reverse as you are leaving, (3) a doffing room and removal of PPE; (2) the shower; and (1) donning clean and dry street clothing. Depending on the size of the operation, there may be a separate equipment pass-through and air lock. General Mitigation Note: As mandated in asbestos abatement and decontamination, and which should be required in full-scale fungal abatement and decontamination operations, the decontamination unit is to be constructed and installed between the entry and exit of the remediation area, or between the secondary containment-unit and access to a control area. Health and Safety Note: Unlike asbestos abatement, in fungi abatement, there is no scientific evidence at present to say that the use of the shower room, is either a direct ir indirect health benefit to the worker, except possibly related to the general hygiene of the worker who most likely is saturated with sweat and they could benefit from a shower. Fungi Mitigation Note: It is recommended in the book Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control, ...during fungal abatement, that properly bagged waste can be passed directly through the decontamination unit. The bag(s) surfaces are to be HEPA vacuumed before transport into uncontaminated parts of the building. Waste bags are to be removed by the most direct exit route... and without disturbance and exposure to occupants remaining in the building]. See Containment-Unit Cleaning and Decontamination, Critical Barrier during Fungi Abatement |
| Fume: |
a) Odours in the presence of gas or vapours that can be offensive and suffocating. b) Airborne solid particles usually less than 1 micrometer (um) in size formed by condensation of vapors, sublimation, distillation, calcination, or chemical reaction. |
| Fungi: |
Fungi are the class and group of organisms studied by mycologists. 1) Fungi may be filamentous form or single cells, such as yeasts. a) Molds and mildews are also fungi, and so are yeasts and mushrooms. b) Fungi are plants that lack chlorophyll, and they do not grow like normal plants. Education Note: 2) Fungi in water damage buildings are large heterogeneous group of eukaryotic organisms. a) Most fungi are saprophytes, they feed off of dead decaying organic material. b) Fungi will grow on wet building materials such as wood, drywall and cellulose. c) Fungi are the primary cause of rotting, degradation and decomposition of organic materials. Health Note: 3) Fungi can also release mycotoxins and other toxins, which when breathed, are known to cause health impairments, asthma and allergies in humans and animals. See Mold. |
| Furniture Damage: |
Physical damage to a section or piece of furniture. Furniture damage may be the loss of integrity from high humidity, contact with water, swelling, loss of colour or finish. Damage may be caused by a fire that results in temporary and some times permanent damage to the furniture. Insurance companies reserve their right to attempt the repair and restoration of damaged furniture or replacement with like kind and quality. |
| Gas: |
A colourless and often odourless airborne substance. A form that is neither liquid or solid, but can be described as a vapour. Some gases are flammable, and can be a poison, irritant or an asphyxiant. See Oxygen |
| Gas-Phase Ozone Generators: |
Manufactured ozone machines which are made for deodorization and neutralization of carbon-base odors. a) Gas-phase ozone generators are used successfully in fire deodorization in building materials and contents. b) Some manufacturers are reportedly marketing their machines as equipment which is able to remove allergies and other micro-pollutants from indoor air. Education Note: Currently, the scientific community is in dispute with equipment manufacturers on their IAQ claims. There are several law suits against some manufacturers. Contractor Note: c) It is highly recommended to water damage remediation contractors, they should not use and market their ozone machines for the elimination of bacteria and fungi in water damage claims. See Thermal-Foggers, Wet-Foggers. |
| General Liability Insurance: |
The insurance required by all states when registering their contractors. While working at a customer's premises, a general liability policy will help protect contractors in the event that they become legally responsible for bodily injury or damage to the property of others. General liability insurance coverage is a protection against damages brought against a contractor from their customer or a third party. It protects against damage while the contractor is performing a specific job or task, and in some instances, after the job or task has been completed. General liability insurance is required by most property adjusters when the contractor applies for preferred vendor status. General liability insurance protects the project and provides for other forms of insurance protection. There are three primary aspects of general liability coverage which may be part of your policy or needs to be added as a rider to the policy. 1) Premises/Operations Coverage, which provides insurance protection while performing a job or task, whether the contractor is at the shop or at the customers location. An example would be someone tripping over your tools and being injured. 2) Completed Operations Coverage, which provides insurance protection after the contractor has completed a job. An example would be after cleaning or restoring a building and paint discoloration occurred after it dried, because of hidden damage. 3) Care, Custody or Control Coverage, which provides insurance protection for restoration, repair and replacement of property due to faulty workmanship. This includes the property of others while actually being serviced. (Under the standard general liability insurance policy, damage to the personal property of others in your care, custody or control, is excluded). This means that if property is damaged while being serviced, there is no protection or insurance coverage under a standard policy. Care, custody or control insurance coverage may be offered only through a special endorsement to the standard policy. |
| Grab Sample: |
Typically, a very limited number of water, air or building materials for a sample survey, usually consisting of three or more grab samples, that are laboratory for analyzed. A grab sample is taken within a very short time period, and the sample is collected to determine the constituents at a specific time and date. |
| Grains of Moisture: |
Approximately 7,000 grains of moisture produce one pound of water (Grains per pound GPP) in one pint of water. Calculation of the specific humidity, grains of moisture GPP in a building's atmosphere. Restorative Drying Note: Along with psychometric charting and moisture monitoring, the GPP of moisture is another important tool to know to dry out and dehumidify a wet building properly. But do not loose focus on the relative humidity measurements, since the relative humidity indicates how close the ambient air is close to being saturated. It is a better measurement to help the restoration technician. Knowing the specific humidity alone, will not the degree or percentage of saturation. See Dehumidification, Dry Air, Relative Humidity, Specific Humidity |
| Grill: |
A louvered covering for an opening through which air passes. |
| Hazardous Substance: |
Hazardous substance is: a) any substance which scientists have shown, by a minimum of one scientific study, to pose a threat to human and animal health, and to other living organisms; b) Any chemical that poses a threat to human health or the environment if released in significant amounts; c) Any material which falls under Federal and state statutes and regulations, including descriptions and lists of hazardous substances. Education Note: Certain substances and materials are federally regulated as hazardous under Sections 311(b) or Section 307(a) of the Clean Water Act, Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, Section 3001 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Section 102 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Section 7 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, Title 40, Section 302.4 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and state codes and regulations, such as California Proposition 65. Education Note: The consequence of a hazardous substance exposure may result in property damage through chemical fire, water, explosion, etc. There are an estimated 27,000 materials in commercial use in America and about 25 million workers in America who are exposed daily to a hazardous substance. |
| health Effects: |
Effects from agents and chemicals which cause impairment or damage to humans. |
| Heat Pump: |
In HVAC, a refrigerating system employed to transfer heat into a space or substance. The condenser provides the heat while the evaporator is arranged to pick up heat from air, water, etc. By shifting the flow of air or other fluid, a heat pump system may also be used to cool the space. |
| HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Appliance): |
Meaning, the ability of a material or appliance to stop a particle from passing through a material or appliance at an efficiency rate of 99.8% of airborne particles, at 0.3 microns in diameter or larger. |
| HEPA Air Scrubber (High Efficiency Particulate Air Scrubber): |
Depending on the application, it is a machine that has an air intake and one or more of- prefilters, HEPA filters, [Carbon Filters], plenum motor and exhaust that is contained in a metal housing. Mitigation Note: HEPA air scrubbers-scrub and remove contaminated air, allowing cleaner air to remain in a building. For example, asbestos and lead abatement contractors must use HEPA filtered air scrubbers machines during abatement. When fungi and bacteria contaminated building materials are removed from buildings, air scrubbers must be installed for the protection of employees and for the reduction of cross-contamination in non-contaminated areas. See Air Scrubbers, HEPA Filters, HEPA Sanders, HEPA Vacuums. |
| HEPA Filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter): |
In a respirator, a disposable dry-type filter having a particle removal efficiency of no less than 99.97 percent for 0.3 micron size particles. a) HEPA filters on a respirator, are worn (donned) by technicians in the protection from fine dust and spores entering their lungs. b) HEPA filters are used in air collection machines and vacuums to remove micro-fine particulates from air and surfaces. See HEPA Air Scrubber, HEPA Vacuum. |
| HEPA Sanders (High Efficiency Particulate Air Sanders): |
Special industrial-type sanders that are made to capture the sanded air particulates, while the vibrating or circular sanders are on. All dust and debris from the sander is extracted through the sanding tool and back to a connected HEPA vacuum through a hose. Mitigation Note: While these sanders are used for lead-base paint removal, they are also used for mold mitigation. |
| HEPA Vacuum (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtering Vacuum): |
Vacuuming equipment specially manufactured and designed to remove settled and loose contaminates from a surface, and the vacuum filter not release the debris and micro-fine dusts back in air through the exhaust. Education Note: The HEPA vacuum retains all micro-fine debris and it will not release or redistribute captured particles larger than 0.03 microns in size in air. For industrial size vacuums, the HEPA vacuum filter is rather expensive, and usually one or two prefilters precede and protect the HEPA filter. a) HEPA stand up vacuums can be purchased for residential use, but in commercial applications, including the containment of asbestos and lead-base paints, only industrial rated HEPA vacuums can be used. In some states, if asbestos and lead is being contained and controlled in the HEPA vacuum, each vacuum must have a state registration number on it. The registration number is issued and renewed yearly by the state, as long as the vacuum can meet the performance and leakage test. b) Industrial HEPA vacuums are used in mold and fungi mitigation and abatement. Dangerous fungi, mycelial fragments, mold toxins, and cell parts are captured and retained in the HEPA vacuum. See HEPA Air Scrubber, HEPA Filters. |
| Hermetically Sealed Environment: |
An air tight environment that keeps contaminates either in or out. Hermetically sealed environments are necessary in asbestos, lead and mold abatement. Even though abatement contractors may not define containment as being hermetic, in actuality, the containment engineering controls for such an environment are required. |
| Higher Levels of Building Standard Cleanliness: |
No two buildings are alike and some buildings require more care than others in maintaining good IAQ. Medical-surgical and patient recovery areas, scientific laboratories, and computer chip manufacturing for example, must receive a higher level of maintenance and indoor air quality care, than do most general office buildings and homes. |
| High-rise Drying: |
In water damage remediation, it is the use of mechanical and engineering controls necessary to dry a wet high-rise building properly. Investigation and Restorative Drying Note: a) High-rise or multi-story flood remediation requires a great amount of knowledge from building engineers about the building structural components, air pathways and ventilation, chases for electrical, elevator and ventilation shafts, pressure differentials between walls, plumbing and other conduit runs between floors. b) Drying a wood frame 4-story wood frame and floor building, can vary considerably, when attempting to dry a similar 4-story concrete high-rise having a pan floor for example. c) Finding all the sources of water intrusion and moisture vapor, can be half the battle in drying a wet high-rise building properly. See Substructure Drying, Building Drying. |
| Humidifier Fever: |
A respiratory disease that results in influenza-like symptoms. It is also referred to as air-conditioning fever. It is caused by exposure to toxins that are emitted by microorganisms which are aerosolized in the breathing space of persons. Health and Liability Note: A particular concern is contractors who aerosolize surfaceborne dusts and organic waste into the air, especially when ongoing biological growth or smell is apparent in air. The water damage contractor must ask all persons exposed to dusts, fungi and micro-pollutants during building drying, to leave the effected building area until the building is dried, dehumidified, sanitized and returned back to its pre-loss state. In addition, the employees of the remediation contractor must wear appropriate PPE. See Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). |
| Humidifier Lung: |
A type of allergic lung condition that is common among workers involved with refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The allergy is produced by two kinds of fungus, micropolyspora and thermoactinomyces. Symptoms of the short-term form of the disease include chills, cough, fever, difficult breathing, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. The long-term form of the disease is known by fatigue, cough, weight loss, and difficult breathing during exercise. Also referred to as air conditioner lung. |
| Humidity: |
The measurement of moisture and moisture-vapor in air. See Absolute Humidity, Ambient Humidity, Relative Humidity. |
| Humidity Ratio: |
The ratio of the mass of the water vapor to the mass of dry air contained in an atmosphere at the same temperature. |
| Humidity, Absolute: |
The total amount of water vapor present in a system compared to the total volume of air. Absolute humidity is usually expressed as grams per cubic meter (g/m3), but it could also be expressed as grains per cubic foot. |
| Humidity, Percentage: |
The ratio of the specific humidity of humid air, to that of saturated air, at the same temperature and pressure. Humidity is expressed as a percentage (degree of saturation; saturation ratio). |
| Humidity, Relative: |
a) The ratio between the amount of water vapour present in air, and the greatest amount the air could contain at the same temperature. Once the temperature changes so does the amount or ratio of water vapor which the air can retain. b) The ratio of the amount of water vapour present in the air compared to the maximum amount the air could retain at that specific temperature. |
| Humidity, Specific: |
a) The total weight of water vapour present compared to the total weight of the air in the system. b) The weight of the water vapour in air associated with 1 pound weight of dry air. |
| HVAC: |
An abbreviation meaning the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit or system. A system which is concerned with the temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution of air throughout a building or conditioned space. |
| Hygrometer: |
A scientific instrument used to measure moisture as water vapour in air. Some hygrometers are capable of measuring humidity, temperature and dew point. |
| Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP |
An indoor inflammatory disease from the inhalation of dusts, spores, and airborne contaminates. HP occurs less often than allergic rhinitis and asthma, but when diagnosed, it is often a more severe of a allergic reaction and it is harder to control. Health and Safety Note: Water damage contractors have a due diligent responsibility to advise building occupants, that if they have allergies, it may be harmful for them to be in the effected zone or building during the containment, drydown and dehumidification period. |
| Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH): |
a) The maximum air concentration of a chemical substance from which a healthy person could escape within a 30-minute exposure without irreversible adverse health effects or experiencing impaired health conditions. b) An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. Health and Safety Note: Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to live or health, is an immediate hazard that must be avoided. IDLH means any condition that is an immediate or delayed threat to life; or that would cause permanent, negative health effects; or that would interfere with a worker's ability to escape or leave a work area without help. |
| Immune-Compromised Persons: |
Individuals whose natural immune system is impaired for a number of reasons including sickness and disease, and may be possibly induced by their environment. |
| Incremental Increase: |
The allowable increase of ambient air concentrations of certain pollutants over their baseline levels established for a building. See Baseline. |
| Indirect Exposure Pathways: |
An exposure pathway with at least one intermediate release to any media, or and intermediate biological transfer step, between the source and the points(s) of exposure. For example, airborne toxins and biological contaminates, carried from the source to other areas of the building, where an exposure occurred. |
| Indoor Air Pollution: |
Those microorganisms, vapours, gasses and airborne pollutants which have increased indoor air contaminates to unacceptable levels. |
| Indoor Air Quality Mission Statement: |
A written statement that particularly speaks about the cleanliness and thermal comfort levels in the building throughout the year. The mission statement must available to building employees along with references to other documents, such as the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and a Total Quality Management Program (TQMP). |
| Indoor Air Quality Profile Survey: |
An IAQ profile survey is a description of the features of the building structure, function, and occupancy that impact indoor air quality. It is best recommended that commercial building owners, managers and engineers have completed the EPA recommendations for an indoor air quality profile, survey or audit, before there become an IAQ problem or complaint. See Phase-1. |
| Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) |
The relationship between fresh indoor air makeup and contaminates as pollutants. The key concerns of maintaining good IEQ start at the design, engineering, construction/installation, first-use, general occupancy loads and the continuous maintenance of a building and its systems. |
| Induction: |
The relationship between fresh indoor air makeup and contaminates as pollutants. The key concerns of maintaining good IEQ start at the design, engineering, construction/installation, first-use, general occupancy loads and the continuous maintenance of a building and its systems. |
| Infiltration: |
a) The wind along with outdoor air pollution (pollens, dusts, dirt and gases) that enter a building. b) Entrainment of water into buildings from wind driven rains, hillside erosion and floods. c) Sewer system backups into and under buildings. See Exfiltration |
| Infiltration: |
In energy surveys of a building, infiltration includes air leakage inward from outside sources that result in leakage through cracks and interstitial spaces, such as ceilings, floors and walls of a building. |
| Inflatable Blatters: |
A term used in the ventilation cleaning business for thick balloon-like air blatters. The inflatable blatters once filled, block off up stream air and particulates, making the cleaning of ducts easier. The thick blatters are usually covered with two-layers of puncture-resistant outer cloth layers. They are reusable and come with an air valve and quick deflate cap. Contact Indoor Environmental Solutions for more information. 800/288-382. |
| Injectidry: |
A trapped moisture ventilating system. A Trademarked machine that introduces forced air into wall cavities for the purpose of drying wet wall cavities within an acceptable drying period. The difference between the Injectidry and its competitors, the manufacturer states, the forced air and negative air drying system is more reliable and heavy duty, and the Injectidry provides better performance in drying not just wet wall cavities, but behind valuable built-in cabinets, tile, wall paper, and the drying of hardwood floors. See TurboVent, Wallintruder. |
| Insurance Policy Agreement: |
Means the legal contract agreement between the insurance company and the insured, as provided for in the declarations of the policy during the enforcement period, to which the insurance carrier has agreed to pay for damage and repair as described in the policy. In return, the insured has agreed to pay the premiums and comply with all policy conditions. |
| Insured's Duties After Loss |
The responsibility of an insured, as outlined in the policy which typically includes, 1) Making any emergency repairs needed to protect the property from further damage and keep all records and repair costs. 2) Give a phone call or written notice to the insurer or the agent without unnecessary delay. 3) Make a list of all damage or destroyed personal property showing in detail the quantity, description, actual cash value and amount of loss. Attach bills, receipts and related records that support a claim. |
| Insurer's Options in Claims Settlement: |
An insurance policy term meaning, the insurance company reserves their right to repair or replace the damaged property with equivalent property. The insurance company reserves their right to take all or part of the damaged property at the agreed or appraised value. The insurance company will give the insured written notice of their intentions withing 30 days after receipt of the insured's signed sworn statement of loss occurs. |
| Intellinozzle: |
A patented duct cleaning devise by Indoor Environmental Solutions (800/288-3828) that has forward and reverse air blasting action and an ultra small black and white video camera mounted in the nozzle to view the areas to be cleaned or were just cleaned. The Intellinozzle doubles as an inspection device, that can inspect inside building cavities. See Video Inspection. |
| Interim Remedial Action: |
The course of action taken to reduce migration of a chemical, toxin or biological agent in its solid, airborne, vapour, dissolved or liquid phase, or an action reducing the concentration of the contaminate or agent at a source area. |
| Ionization |
The process whereby one or more electrons is removed from a neutral atom by the action of radiation. Specific ionization is the number of ion pairs per unit distance in matter, usually air. The ionization process can separate, convert or bond together molecules. |
| Jute Browning: |
A condition brought about from wet or damp jute backing, typically found in jute backed carpet and jute carpet pad. Mitigation Note: Jute browning is a stain discoloration, caused by migration of the natural dyes in jute, then the loose dyes wick up through and to the face fibers or the surface of a fabric. Some stain discolorations can be corrected with professional help. But for the most part, as a result of water damage, the stains to a material or fabric, most often results in physical damage, and they are beyond reasonable repair. See Jute Material |
|
Kawasaki Disease: |
Kawasaki Disease is a disease of unknown origin that primarily affects children under the age of five (5). It is suggested, the main contributor of the disease, appears to be associated with carpet, within 30 days after carpet cleaning, where small children have skin and respiratory contact with the carpet and agents in the carpet. A Denver study suggests that carpet cleaning and associated cleaning chemicals may in part, be responsible for the illness, but other studies indicate otherwise. Yet, something in the carpet or associated with the carpet cleaning is affecting the children, says The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Health and Safety Note: All carpets that are flooded in a home, day care or preschool, where small children play on, should be plant washed, double rinsed and thoroughly dried, preferably in sun and fresh outdoor air, before reinstallation, or the carpet should be considered for removal and replacement, if the carpet cannot be cleaned and sanitized on all sides thoroughly. Even a fresh water flood in this situation, with babies and small children normally wetting carpet, there may be sufficient bacterial growth in carpet and pad to become a health concern. |
| Kinetic Energy: |
The process which matter in motion produces energy through heat and pressure. Education Note: The most obvious way in which matter can manifest energy is to be in motion. The more the movement, the more energy matter is capable of producing. Kinetic energy is a state of free or bound energy, depending on the its surroundings as well as the state the matter is in to produce movement. During air movement, the more massive the air movement, the faster air moves and the more work or damage it can produce. On the other hand, mechanical or electrical energy (other than thermal or chemical energy) of a system, is always measured as the maximum amount of work that the system can do in coming to static equilibrium. Kinetic energy in a water damaged building, are changes in heat and pressure as exhibited by changes in vapour pressure, evaporation and diffusion of fluids. While part of the reduction of fluids are a result of the standing water extraction process, the remaining absorbed fluids in porous and semi-porous building material, is a direct result of kinetic energy, brought about by forced air movement resulting in changes of vapour pressure, surface tension, heat, evaporation and dehumidification. See Brownian Movement |
| Knee Kicker: |
A tool used along with a carpet stretcher during wall-to-wall carpet installations. Education Note: A knee kicker should not be used by itself to install carpets, but a knee kicker can be used by itself to hold and support carpets in place during seam sealing, tucking in the perimeter of a carpet and during carpet repair. |
| Laboured Breathing: |
The condition starts with an increase in the breathing rate Breathing then becomes laboured and more rapid. Going to an outside fresh air source and sitting down may aid you in regaining your breath. Health Note: The cause of laboured breathing most likely is a result of poor health, lack of exercise, or smoking. In the mitigation and restoration industry it can be due to the type of the work, and amount of exertion, resulting in exhaustion and heat stress. Laboured breathing by technicians can be due to the inhalation of airborne contaminates from not wearing a respirator or wearing the appropriate respirator, having the wrong filters on the respirator, or wearing the respirator improperly. See Occupational Related Respiratory Diseases |
| Laboured Breathing: |
Streamlined airflow in which the entire body of air within a designated space moves with uniform velocity in one direction along parallel flow lines. |
| Laminar Flow: |
The smooth, non-turbulent flow of air through supply air ventilation ducts into a building air space. |
| Latex: |
Related to carpets, latex is described as the rubbery-like liquid that is found between the primary and secondary backing of a carpet. Education Note: With water damage carpets, watery-base latex may breakdown, resulting in the repair or replacement of some carpets. |
| Legionella Pneumonphila: |
The bacterium that causes legionnaire's disease, resulting in a form of debilitating pneumonia. Legionella pneumonphila infection occurs by inhaling vaporized contaminated water droplets in air, usually from poorly maintained air-conditioning systems. The Legionella bacteria has been found in shower heads and in Jacuzzi, which have resulted in sickness and death. |
| Levolor: |
A popular manufacturer of window blinds and other types of widow coverings. For more information and the purchase of repair kits, contact Levolor at 1-800-LEVOLOR or www.levolor.com. |
| Lift: |
In restorative drying of wet carpets, lift is a term used to describe the ballooning of a wet carpet as it dries from the back side up through the face fibers with dryer and some times dehumidified air. |
| Load: |
a) The amount of solid debris, soil or water, that can be safely loaded and transported in a container. b) The heavily impacted area having and supporting the most contamination. c) The forces placed on a building by its weight. d) The power delivered to an electrical devise through wiring. e) The amount of pollutants or contaminates in an air space. |
| Localised Containment and Correction: |
In water damage and fungal mitigation, local or localized containment becomes an isolated localized area of contamination. Properly completed containment and correction can be removed relatively easily with little danger to a trained practitioner, while avoiding spread of the fungi contaminate throughout a larger area. In fungi remediation, localized surface contamination may be achieved by washing and sanitizing a surface followed by immediate towel drying. Health and Safety Note: In fungi remediation, if the fungal contaminate reappears on a surface over a relatively short period of time, this most likely means the fungi is not just a surface contaminate, but it is growing from within the matrix of a wood, drywall or cellulosic building material. Opening up a localized or isolated fungi contaminated building material area must be completed with extreme care, since the proliferation of fungi spores and toxins can be larger in mass from behind the material, and it can be dangerous to the health of the mitigation practitioner and other building occupants. Mitigation Note: Using proper industry standards of care during the removal of a localized fungi contaminated building material. The trained mitigation practitioner must: (1) set in place loose plastic and tape off the area having localized fungi. (2) the practitioner is to cut a hole in the plastic, sufficient enough to place the head of the HEPA vacuum brush in the plastic while maintaining negative air pressure between the surface and plastic sheeting. (3) the practitioner is to vacuum all loose surface visible fungi and spores. (4) only after HEPA vacuuming of the moldy surface, should the material be carefully cut out. (5) the mold contaminated building material is to be carefully plastic bagged, preferably in two bags consisting of 6-mil plastic and the bags are to be closed and tied shut. (6) the remaining building material(s), including open wall or ceiling cavity, is to be HEPA vacuumed of all dust and spores, whether they are visible or not. If there is insulation behind the material removed, the insulation may be a source of contamination and it too may require careful removal. (7) after HEPA vacuuming, the interior wall cavity or material is to be damp wiped (preferably with a bleach solution) to remove adherent microscopic dusts, spores and fungal hyphae. The mitigation practitioner must be careful to not over wet the area, avoiding residual microbial contamination growth. (8) attempt a thorough investigation of the wall or ceiling cavity, or other building material, to ascertain why the fungi occurred in the first place. (9) if identification of a defect is present, the causation for the fungi must be corrected. (10) only after correction and careful inspection of the clean (mold free) and dry building material(s), should new insulation and other material surfaces be installed. See Full-scale Containment and Correction |
| Loss of Rents: |
If a covered property loss makes that part of the residence premises rented to others or held for rental by the insured, the insurance policy may cover loss of rents less any expense that does continue during the loss period. The insurance policy may pay for the shortest time needed to a) repair or replace the damaged property, or b) permanently relocate, but in no event for more than 12 months. Insurance Note: If there is coverage for 1 and 2 above, the time period is not typically limited by expiration of the policy. |
| Loss to a Pair or Set: |
In insurance terminology, the insurance company may elect to repair or replace any part of the pair or set to restore it to its value before the loss, or the insurance company may decide to pay the difference between the actual cash value of the property before and after the loss. A loss to a part may not mean a total loss of the pair or set. |
| Masking Agents: |
Chemicals containing fragrances that are manufactured to mask offensive malodors, putrid odors, musty odors, and fire odors from being identified for what they truly are. Properly applied with binding odor neutralizers, masking agents can be a benefit in the preliminary odor neutralization phase. Health and Safety Note: Masking agents are unfortunately too widely used by non-professionals. Unsuspecting persons who have allergies and other impairments, may find that masking agents create a false negative sense of smell, that a problem does not exist, for which it actually does. See False Negative |
| Medical Surveillance Protection: |
In hazardous and potentially environments resulting in potential or known exposures, a medical surveillance protection program must be implemented as part of the HAZCOM requirements. Technician Health Note: Environments having toxics, gas, carcinogens, pathogens and agents, known to cause health, illness and disease impairments, the potentially exposed employees must have a medical surveillance program in place by the employer, before exposing employees to such hazards. Besides employees, quite possibly the environment itself, may require medical surveillance protection and monitoring. 29 CFR 1010.120, and 29 CFR 1910.1030 |
| Melamine: |
A resin impregnated decorative panel that is thermally fused to particleboard for use in the manufacturing of cabinets, bookcases, shelving, desks and storage units. Education Note: In water damage restoration, while the melamine itself is not usually affected by water, the fused particleboard delaminates and swells, and the affected area is usually not cost effective to repair or is repairable by normal restoration means. For more information on melamine contact customer service at 800/829-3648 or www.doable.com. |
| Methods of Investigation: |
Related to indoor air quality inspections, methods of investigation include a review of the history of the building; an on-site physical review of all parts of the building; and scientific monitoring of various parts of the building. Methods of investigation are similar to discovery of medical patient wellness by medical professionals. EPA recommends a Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) Study and Temporal Indoor Monitoring and Evaluation (TIME) Study as either methods for determining base-lines or in dealing with problem solving. |
| Millgrams per Cubic Metre (Mg/m3): |
A metric unit used in industrial hygiene to measure air concentrations of dusts, gases, mists, and fumes. |
| Minimum Transport Velocity (MTV): |
The minimum velocity which will transport particles in a duct with little settling; the MTV varies with air density, particulate loading, and other factors. |
| Mists: |
Aerosolized (airborne) suspended small particle size droplets of chemical and moisture vapors that linger in air for some time. Some mists are visually apparent when other particulate matter such as dusts are present in the mist, but as a water vapour alone, mists are not easily apparent. Mists are generated from the condensation of gaseous from or to a liquid state, such as by atomizing, splashing or vapourizing. See Aerosols, Bioaerosols. |
| Mixed Air: |
The part of an HVAC system where the return air (RA) is mixed with the outside fresh air (OFA); the air resulting from this mixing is the mixed air. |
| Mixing of Air: |
An induction method in water damage mitigation to exchange wet air in a building for more dryer air. See Induction, Restorative Drying. |
| Mixing Ratio: |
In a moist air environment, the ratio of the mass of water vapour to the mass of dry air. |
| Moisture Transpiration: |
The amount of moisture in a material that can move in and out of that material. Moisture transpiration rate must consider the percent of solids which make up the material, the percent of free air, and the percent of suspended or trapped moisture. |
| Moisture Vapour: |
The amount of indoor moisture trapped in a building in its vapor state or phase, during high humidity or a water damage. Education Note: High moisture content in air (above 75% RH), is an indication engineering controls are necessary to control and reduce unwanted indoor humidity. See Dehumidification, Psychometrics |
| Monitoring: |
a) Sampling and analysis of air, water, soil and building materials to determine background and concentrations of contamination. Restorative Drying Note: b) Monitoring is the method used daily along with moisture sensoring equipment, during the drydown process of a wet building. See Dehumidification, Drydown, Restorative Drying |
| Mould Containment: |
A properly designed and engineered containment that is placed around mouldy building materials before they are allowed to be removed. Depending on the environment and situation, mould containment must be maintained under negative air-pressure relative to the surrounding areas. |
| Multi-Zone: |
An HVAC system supplying air to two or more locations, each location having its own thermostat. The thermostat controls the delivered air temperature by controlling damper positions connected to a hot deck/cold deck. |
| M-VOCs: |
The gas-like effect in air produced by some fungi as they sporulate and decay when digesting organic carbon-based materials. mVOCs (microbial Volatile Organic Compounds) can result in a occupant health condition while indoors where fresh outside air is not constantly present and flowing. Static are spaces or indoor spaces having little air movement, while in the presence of ideal fungi growth conditions, will produce M-VOCs and mycotoxins. Most building areas having musty-like smells, including mushroom like smells and smells consisting of earthy, damp soil, weedy, nutty, or having a sweet ester/metallic smell should be avoided. Health and Mitigation Note: After donning proper respiratory equipment, further investigation as to the cause of the smells should be conducted. Be aware, that not all M-VOC conditions produce smells when fungi is present. Extreme health and respiratory caution must be taken when around a mouldy building environment. |
| Natural Ventilation: |
The movement of air into and out of a space through intentionally provided openings, such as windows and doors, through non-powered ventilators or by pressure changes and infiltration. |
| Negative Air Machine: |
A machine with a fan or blower, typically with HEPA and carbon filters, which is able to negatively pressurize a room or area for a continuous period of time. |
| Negative Air Pressure during Fungal Abatement: |
Negative air pressure is a differential in air pressure between the containment-unit and the surrounding space to prevent cross-contamination and fungal contamination from leaving the containment-unit abatement area. An air filtration devise, such as a HEPA filtered negative air machine, must be used to negatively pressurize the work area. |
| NIDR Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repair: |
the National Institute of Disaster Restoration (NIDR), a division of The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR) International. The NIDR guidelines for managing fire and smoke damage repair, was first printed in October 1997 Edition. The NIDR guidelines incorporate the history of fire damage claims management, categories of restoration to recommended restorative practices. For reprints of the NIDR guidelines contact ASCR, International. See ASCR. |
| Non-Permit Required Confine Space: |
A work space or entry which meets the confined space requirements, and a space that does not have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm. As far as atmospheric hazards are concerned, a space that does not have atmospheric influences, including the lack of breathable oxygen. Health and Mitigation Note: Rooms, buildings and substructures containing sewage, harbor potential surface and airborne bacteria and viruses; fungi contamination, harbors surface and airborne mycotoxins; and areas containing chemicals harbouring flammable, explosives and toxics, are all confined work spaces, bordering on permit required confined space. See Confined Space, Permit Required Confined Space. |
| Occupational Related Respiratory Diseases: |
Education and Health Note: Diseases associated with the water damage and mitigation industry that are occupational exposures, resulting in the inhalation of airborne contaminates causing illness and disease. Respirable Compounds Include:hardwood floor sanding, silica dust, chemical vapours, soil dust, asbestos, pollens, dander, lead-base paints, aluminum shavings, mold spores, fungal toxins, cotton dust, paper dust, fibreglass, carbon monoxide, cellulose particulates, cement dust, clay dust, fly ash, bird and rodent feces. See Allergies, Allergens, Biological Particles, Bronchitis, Byssinosis, Conjunctivitis, Labored Breathing, Non-Biological Particles, Pneumoconiosis, Rhinitis. |
| Occupied Zone: |
The region within an occupied space between planes 3 and 72 inches (75 and 1800 mm) above the floor and more than 2 feet (600 mm) from the walls or fixed air conditioning equipment. ASHRAE Standard 55-1981. |
| Olfactory: |
A perceived personal air quality term which attempts to quantify a given odour pollutant or pollution load. For example, one person creates 1 olf of bio-effluents. If there are 10 cubic meters of floor space per person, then people create 0.1 olf per m (olf/m). Other sources are compared and quantified by olfs. For example, if 40% of the people smoke, this adds 0.2 olf/m to the load. |
| Open Item: |
Items listed on the scope of work, work order or estimate, that states, the work necessary have not been disclosed or completely investigated, and therefore, the exact costs for repair or replacement cannot be defined, without further investigation, or an attempt to complete a repair. |
| Outdoor Air: |
Outdoor air is air taken from the external atmosphere and, therefore, in mass, it has not previously been circulated through the HVAC system. |
| Oxygen Concentrations: |
Too much or too little oxygen in air provides a confined space hazard. Oxygen concentrations must not go below 19.5 percent and they are not to exceed 23.5 percent oxygen. |
| Oxygen Deficiency: |
That concentration of oxygen by volume below which air supplying respiratory protection must be provided. It exists in atmospheres where the percentage of oxygen by volume is less than 19.5 percent oxygen. |
| Ozonation: |
In air, it is the use of ozone as a gas, (O3) as a disinfectant or oxidizer. Ozonation has been very successful in reducing carbon-base fire odors in buildings, but current science suggests gas-phase ozone generators are not capable of producing sufficient amounts of ozone to kill fungi infestation and sewage bacteria in buildings. If that amount of ozone gas is available, the indoor environment would be toxic and harmful. |
| PAPR (Positive Air Pressure Respirators): |
Full-Face respirators which are positive air pressure fed from filtering canisters and a motor. The filtering canisters, motor and battery are on a belt worn around the waist. The supply hose comes from the filter housing to the full-face mask. PAPR respirators are the preferred respirator required for certain contaminates and confined space work, where heat-stress is a factor, when working in Level-C or B PPE. Safety and Health Note:PAPR respirators are only efficient if the appropriate filter canisters are in place! As a general filter canister rule, consider using HEPA/Organic/Acid Gas-type filters. OSHA Note: The contractor must provide the right filters relative to the contaminates involved. For H2S and SO2, only in-line air or SCBA can be used, because H2S and SO2 elements are gases, and filter canisters cannot screen out these gases. OSHA Note: All atmospheres where flammable, explosive air, gases, vapors, mists and toxins are present or are suspected, or the atmosphere may not contain appropriate breathable air, or because of the work involved an employee may create an atmospheric hazard, exceeding PM-10/50, proper monitoring and engineering controls must be implemented before employees can work in a hazardous environment. |
| Particulate Matter: |
a) A solid material that is a byproduct of construction waste which easily becomes airborne and can be inhaled. b) An airborne dust, spore, pollen or bioaerosol which can result in asthma and allergy-like conditions when inhaled. c) A solid material that settled out of air which can easily become airborne through disturbance or increased air movement. d) Particulate matter in water, especially contaminated water, while it is in a dissolved state. e) When surface water is removed, particulate matter constitutes the insoluble sand, clay, fines and other solid matter after an outdoor flood indoors or a blackwater sewage contamination from main-line sewer backflows. The former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop warns that every day, the average persons respiratory system receives more than two table spoons of particulate matter (dust, pollen, tar, rubber, acids, metals, smoke, clutch and brake materials, bacteria, mould, and many other hazardous and allergic matter). |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): |
Company provided, repaired and replaced, but employee maintained, personal safety and health equipment. 29 CFR 1910.132(a). Contractor Note:Equipment which is necessary [under OSHA mandates] to provide the level of safety and protection for employees during assessment and mitigation phases of a disaster, exposure or hazard. 29 CFR 1910.132, 41 CFR 50-204-7. See OSHA, Serious Violation. |
| Phase 1, IAQ Assessment/Audit: |
An indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment is an IAQ audit-survey of a building and its occupants. This audit by management or a professional who will take into account the history of the building, engineering controls to keep it operating safely, HVAC system design, prior building usage, occupancy loads and design. See Environmental Audit, Environmental Assessment. |
| Phase 1, IAQ Preliminary Building Assessment: |
A visual fact gathering by management of indoor air quality problems. No professional consulting is required, but depending on the issues, and fact gathering findings, a professional may need to be consulted. If the concerns or problems are obvious, there should be immediate resolution of the problem by management. |
| Phase 2, IAQ Sampling with Analysis: |
The use of ASHRAE standards and suggested EPA recommendations, along with indoor air quality sampling. Sampling may include real-time monitoring and sampling for a laboratory. Testing will include thermal conditions, temperature and humidity monitoring. Building material deterioration, assessment, air flow measurements, carbon monoxide/dioxide, microbiological and VOCs studies are of primary interest to the IAQ/IEQ professional. |
| Phoenix Dehumidifiers: |
A model and type of quality commercial size refrigerant dehumidifiers that can remove from 200 pints to 300 pints of airborne moisture from a humidified atmosphere per day under ideal moisture conditions. The manufacturer of Phoenix dehumidifier equipment is Therma-Stor. See Dri-Eaz Dehumidifiers, EBAC Dehumidifiers, Restorative Drying. |
| Pink-Eye: |
Also known as Red-Eye, which is an inflammation of the eye causing redness, discomfort and sometimes a discharge from the affected eye. Health Note:Pink-Eye and Red-Eye can be an occupational caused disease from contact with contaminated materials. Pink-eye and red-eye are more commonly referred to as Conjunctivitis. Most conjunctival infections are caused by bacteria, for example, staphylococci, that are spread hand-to-mouth, contact with a contaminated surface, or where sewage affected pollutants become airborne.Education Note:a) Water damage technicians must wear proper clothing, respiratory and eye protection during sewage cleanup. b) Besides sewage bacteria, conjunctivitis can also be caused from airborne dust, spores and allergens. c) Technicians must eliminate the use of air movers during the cleanup phase, especially during mold and sewage damage cleanup or when there is airborne debris created from increased air movement. See Conjunctivitis. |
| Pneumoconiosis: |
a) Any group of lung diseases caused by the inhalation of certain mineral dusts. These dusts originate from non-fibrous materials, so they do not include asbestos or fiberglass. Materials included in pneumoconiosis diseases are silica sand dust, from air blasting, sanding and stone cutting, fine fly ash dust or coal dust. b) A condition of the respiratory tract due to inhalation of dust that are deposited and retained in the lungs, resulting in signs and symptoms of a pulmonary disease, called pneumoconiosis. |
| Pneumonia: |
Inflammation of the lungs due to infection. Most cases of pneumonia involve inhalation of a virus or bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.Education and Health Note:a) Both bacteria of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, are associated with dirty outdoor and indoor building environments. Buildings that have experienced a sewage contamination and aerosolization of bacteria spores, are susceptible to the Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus exposures. Staph and Strep bacteria can thrive on organic dust. b) Pneumonia is also associated with the bacteria Legionella pneumonphilia (Legionnaires disease). c) During the mitigation of sewage in a building and the cleaning of dirty ventilation systems, technicians must wear proper protective clothing and respiratory protection. |
| Poria incrassata: |
Poria incrassata is commonly referred to as a building cancer mould.Education Note: Poria must be professionally identified and cut out, or the building will continue to decay, especially when moisture or high humidity is present. This particular fungi is not airborne, it is soilborne, and it is able to extract water from soil and organic materials, where there is sufficient moisture to thrive. Poria travels up through root-like tubes (rhizomorphs), that it creates. The fungi will travel up the side of concrete, steel and wood, until it finds a wood material to suck out the life (moisture and nutrients). Poria then uses the nutrient source to thrive, as it continues to find other building materials, including hardwood floors, wood studs and joists to decay. Poria will decay normal healthy and dry wood, which are not typically attacked by normal wood decaying fungi. Once established in a building, Poria can spread throughout a building quickly, destroying large sections of flooring and walls, typically in several months to a year. Fortunately, only a very small percentage of building decay is caused by Poria in the Southwestern part of the United States. Many more reported cases of Poria are in the South and Southeastern U.S. |
| Post-Emergency Response: |
a) As in the case of a fire damage, a post-emergency response is that portion of the emergency after the fire is out, allowing for emergency board-up, structure stabilization, temporary repair, cleanup and deodorization. b) In hazardous materials management, a post emergency response is that portion of an emergency response performed after the immediate threat of a release (chemical or material hazard) has been stabilized or eliminated and clean-up of the site has begun. If post emergency response is performed by the on-site employer's own employees who were part of the initial emergency response, post-emergency response is considered to be part of the initial response and not a post-emergency response action. However, if a group of an employers own employees, separate from the group providing initial response, performs the clean-up operation, then the separate group of employees would be considered to be performing post-emergency response during a hazardous materials cleanup. c) After an earthquake, flood, fire, tornado or other natural disaster, a post-emergency response is that action necessary to further protect life and property from secondary and consequential harm. |
| Pounds of Moisture Vapour Pressure: |
In concrete slabs, it is the pounds of moisture pressure exuded up and out of concrete in the form of moisture vapor, which must not exceed 3 pounds (of moisture vapour) per thousand square feet of floor space, over a 24 hour period. Contractor Note:Cured concrete slabs will always vaporize out acceptable moisture in the form of moisture vapor which dissipates in ambient air of less than 3 pounds of moisture vapor pressure. Concrete slabs that exceed 3 pounds of moisture vapour pressure per thousand square feet of floor space, over a 24 hour period, do not meet manufacturer installation requirements for sheet vinyl and vinyl tile, hardwood strip and hardwood parquet flooring materials. Installing these flooring materials in excess of 3 pounds, voids manufacturer warrantees of the product. Glue-down carpet and carpet with pad can have acceptable moisture vapor exceeding 3 pounds, but acceptance and clarification of this fact must be acquired from each manufacturer. |
| Precursor: |
In indoor air pollution, a material or substance that reacts with temperature or sunlight and/or other compounds, to produce new chemical materials and volatile organic compounds that are present in air. |
| Preliminary sampling Survey: |
A very limited sampling survey of indoor air, water, soil and building materials, that are considered suspect or contaminated.See Grab Samples, Qualitative Analysis. |
| Pressurized Smoke and Vapour: |
A condition brought about during a fire in a building, from heat and cooler air, or high heat and vapor pressure, that compresses during combustion of burning materials. The pressurized smoke and vapor force combusted airborne particles and soot to penetrate the cooler walls and surfaces with large and micro-fine combusted matter. |
| Primary Sampling Strategy: |
An environmental term used by IAQ investigation teams. Primary Sampling Strategy include methods for determine the background of the problem, understanding the issues to which they were retained, gaining building history and occupant histories. Primary sampling strategy includes fact finding through a visual inspection of the building, inside and outside, in and under all parts of the building, including ventilation system supply and return air, coolers and chillers and filters. See Environmental Audit, Environmental Assessment, Phase-I, Secondary Sampling Strategy. |
| PrismProbabilistic Evaluation: |
The name for an insurance loss managed repair program between participating contractors and Crawford & Company. Prism is a recent acquisition and subsidiary of Crawford & Company. The Prism program is said to provide to contractors a competitive edge by training contractors in business and loss management, and the daily routine of running an emergency service and restoration business. In addition, Crawford & Company recent involvement and purchase of Prism, is meant to incorporate for the contractor, Crawfords 400,000 estimated annual non-catastrophe claims where a program called Contractor Connection TM comes into play. For more information contact Prism at 800/525-7671 or www.prism-net.com. See Qirra. |
| Psychometric Chart: |
A chart consisting of lines and curves that shows the relationship between temperature, humidity and air volume. From the psychometric chart reading, a variety of information can be obtained, including the specific humidity, dew point, vapor pressure, and wet bulb temperature. |
| Psychrometer: |
a) A sling-psychrometer consisting of wet-bulb and dry-bulb thermometer that is used to measure the water vapor content in air. b) An electronic readout instrument which provides real-time psychometric measurements. |
| Psychrometry: |
The study of the relationship between air, humidity and temperature, and their effect on various materials, and human and plant comfort levels. |
| Push-pull Forced Dehumidification Method: |
A method of forcing in dryer ambient air while pulling out the humidified air, in the ventilation and utility chases in a high-rise building, and it is referred to as a push-pull forced dehumidification method. Education and Engineering Note: Push-pull forced dehumidification methods can be incorporated in wet wall drying, and other methods of building material drying, creating a vacuum and accelerated velocity of the air as it passes wet surfaces, where the volume of dryer air is moved (forced) quickly between two spaces resulting in accelerated dehumidification. See Wall Drying. |
| Quantitative Variables: |
An environmental characteristic which must take into account of the continued changes (variables) in materials and atmosphere. This is based on levels of contamination, temperature, humidity, air movement, and pressure, which must be measured against time, mass, growth and decay. See Sample Variables. |
| Quick Building Drying: |
Restorative Drying Note:a) In water damage remediation, it refers to the fastest and safest methods possible to accelerated building material drying. b) Quick building drying may include wet carpet and pad removal, so the air movers and dehumidification equipment can work more efficiently. c) Quick building drying usually requires larger, more commercial size dehumidifiers, to accelerate building drying. d) Quick building drying is necessary on commercial and industrial buildings to reduce business loss. |
| Quiescent: |
A state of inaction, quiet, static and complete stillness. Education Note:Sometimes environmental assessors and industrial hygienists will air sample interiors of buildings using quiescent means for determining static loads of chemicals, vapors, toxins and bioaerosols in relatively still air. |
| Reasonable Care: |
In water, fire and disaster management, reasonable care is the most professional and appropriate method of managing and remediating a property claim. Reasonable care requires sound judgement while applying industry standards of care. Reasonable care takes into consideration the drawing of inferences or conclusions from known or assumed facts about a particular claim or hazard. See IICRC S-500 Standard, NIDR Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repair. |
| Reentrainment: |
a) Situations which reoccur to allow portions of exhausted air or airborne contaminates to reenter or re-entrain in a building, zone or room. b) Airborne or surfaceborne contaminates which are allowed to re-enter a cleaned or uncontaminated building space. See Cross-Contamination |
| Relative Humidity: |
The ratio of the quantity of water vapour present in a room or building atmosphere, to hold and retain the water vapour, measured against the quantity of water vapour that would saturate it at any specific temperature. Restorative Drying Note:In wet-water damaged buildings, if its relative humidity is 75% in the surrounding air, the air contains 3 quarters of the total amount of water vapour which it is capable of holding, at a temperature and atmosphere pressure in the room at the time of the measurement. Change in temperature and pressure will change the relative humidity. See Absolute Humidity, Ambient Humidity, Condensation, Dew Point, Drying Conditions, Evaporation, Grains of Moisture, Psychometrics. |
| Remove and Reset: |
a) A salvage and restoration method for built-in cabinets, counters and vanities, which is meant to carefully detach, remove, and when appropriate, are to be reset back into place with no damage, or a minimum of damage repair. b) A call out for appliances, toilets and tubs, to be removed and reset, usually for a floor or wall repair. c) In flooded buildings, remove and reset is an acceptable method for removing contents from harms way, and resetting them back in place after drying, cleaning and sanitizing, or repair. (Same as detach and reset). |
| Replacement Air Volume: |
Replacement air volume should equal the total volume of air removed from the building by exhaust ventilation. An average building may require 3 to 5 air exchanges per hour while an industrial building may require more. Industrial building air heaters are usually designed to supply 100 percent outdoor air. Mitigation Note:After a fire or flood, it is best to have 100 percent outside air exchange, unless the temperature and humidity do not warrant 100 percent air exchanges. |
| Replacement Cost of a Dwelling or Structure: |
In insurance terminology for replacement cost of a dwelling or structure, are those costs directly associated to an insurable loss once an insured has repaired or replaced an item or material at the same location as shown in the Declarations of the insurance policy which a damaged occurred or destroyed a dwelling or separate structure that sustained property damage. Education Note:1) The limit of insurance under a policy that applies to the damage or destroyed dwelling or separate structure; 2) The replacement cost of that part of the dwelling or separate structure damaged with equivalent construction and for use on the same premises; 3) The amount actually needed and spent to repair or replace the dwelling or separate structure intended for the same occupancy and use. However, if the cost to repair or replace is typically more than $1,000.00 or more than 5% of the limit of insurance on the damaged or destroyed building, whichever is less, the insurance company will usually pay no more than the actual cash value, until repair or replacement is completed. |
| Representative Samples: |
Indoor air, water, soil and building material samples, that are considered representative of known or highly suspect material or contaminate. See Preliminary Survey. |
| Respirable Air Dynamics: |
Respirable air is the intake and exhalation of air after normal inhalation or the intake and exhalation of air during exertion. During activity, normal inhalation and exhalation is increased, resulting in forced or labored breathing. Forced air breathing is called complemental or complementary air. Complemental air can amount to 3,000 millimeters of air, bringing the vital capacity, the maximum amount of air moved in and out of the lungs over any one forced breath to 4,500 to 6,500 millimeters. In resting non-labored breathing, the action of just breathing in air that is not forced through exertion, is called tidal air. Tidal air is the ordinary air inhaled and exhaled during each breathe. In adults, tidal air amounts to about 500 millimeters of air. Exhaled air is air forced out of the lungs after normal exhalation and is called supplemental air, it amounts to about 1,100 millimeters, leaving the lungs with about 1,200 millimeters of residual air. Residual air is air remaining in lungs which is not forced out. |
| Respirable Dust: |
Respirable dust refers to airborne particles that settle deep into the lungs, and they do not eject by exhaling, coughing, or expulsion with mucus. See Respirable Particles. |
| Respirable Particles: |
Airborne respirable particles are generally defined as being 10 microns or less in size. a) Airborne particles fall into two categories, biological and non-biological. |
| Respirator: |
A NIOSH rated device that is worn over the nose and mouth to protect the wearer against particular airborne hazards. ome respirators protect against dust and mist particulates, while other respirators protect against vapours and fumes. Respirators have limitations. No respirator nuisance dust mask to canister masks are designed to supply oxygen. Warning: Respirators must be worn for a specific contaminate. The wearing of a respirator is no gurarantee the worker is not being exposed to contaminates. All persons wearing a respirator must have first been trained and certified in the handling and use of a respirator before they are allowed to wear a respirator. Misuse of a respirator may result in injury, illness or death. Refer to CFR 1910.134 |
| Respond to Cleaning: |
An acceptable cleaning measure used to test surfaces for cleaning after a stain or a spill. Some furniture and carpet stains may not respond to cleaning, which afterwards, they will require other types of neutralization and cleaning, repair or replacement. |
| Restoration: |
In water damage remediation, after completion of all remediation services, restoration refers to the: Construction Note: a) Repair or construction methods which building materials are repaired or replaced back to. b) Building and content materials that are returned to their pre-loss condition. c) Insurance companies refer to restoration as methods and services, for damaged building materials and contents, which are equal too or better than they were prior to the time of loss. |
| Retard: |
Any action, chemical or engineering control, that slows or reduces a peril in progress, such as cleanup of a water damage, dehumidification, airflow, or a chemical such as a disinfectant, in controlling microorganisms. |
| Rhinitis: |
Inflammation of the lining of the nose resulting from an allergen producing substance. Health and Safety Note: a) A Rhinitis condition can develop or is accelerated from the presence of fungi and dusts in wet buildings. b) Rhinitis can be spread through the use of air movers, other remediation and building drying devises. c) As an occupational hazard, air movers and air drying equipment must not be turned on until all surface contaminates have been removed. See Conjunctivitis, Respirable Particles |
| River Flooding, Damage Guidelines: |
In water damage remediation, it is the flood water from rivers, streams and lakes which enter into buildings. River flooding brings with it silt, mud and organic matter that become adsorbed into porous building materials. Education Note: Methods of Assessment and Mitigation: 1) Once the flood waters recede, all wet buildings must be checked for safety before entry. Health and Safety Note: Do not use electricity and gas sources until they have been inspected. Keep all power generators outside the building!. 2) Wear a HEPA rated respirator, gloves and protective clothing. 3) After an assessment of the building damage, 4) remove all salvageable contents to a safe place. 5) Wash and rinse, bleach sanitize and rinse salvageable contents, then wipe them down, use wood oils and creams to restore finish and hardware. 6) In the building, remove all standing flood water, silt and mud. 7) Remove effected carpet and pad, drywall and insulation. 8) Pressure wash all subfloors and exposed sill plates and stud bays. 9) For basements, pump out the flood water. 10) For raised foundations, pump out flood water and open skirts and access to the building. 11) Force in fresh air and exhaust out wet air. 12) No building should have new drywall or insulation installed for a minimum of 2 weeks, and only after passing a moisture test survey. 13) Have the building independently inspected by building inspectors before restoration, and by utilities before using gas and electricity. |
| Safety, Health and an Environmental Indoor Air Quality Plan: |
A written plan that addresses the on-going needs of a building and its occupants. Often this plan incorporates a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and a Total Quality Management Program (TQMP). |
| Sand-blasting: |
The use of special grain sand and compressed air to strip away finishes and coatings from hard surfaces. See Dry-ice Blasting, Water-blasting |
| Saturation: |
a) A level at which a material or air can no longer absorb or hold liquids or a vapour. b) The condition of an atmosphere when the amount of water vapour present is the maximum amount possible at the existing vapor. |
| Scope of Work: |
a) For a repair contractor or subcontractor, a scope of work is a written list of items on a tick sheet that must be completed. b) For an adjuster or building owner, a scope of work is detailed listing of the services that will be provided, which are necessary to remove or repair a building or property damage. |
| Secondary Building Damage/Contamination: |
Secondary damage which occurs after an initial occurrence. Education Note: a) Flood waters are responsible for primary building material damage. If they are not properly abated, secondary damage occurs from saturated and swollen building materials and contents. b) Health and Safety Note: Sewage contamination that is not properly mitigated, leaving the effected building materials compromised, resulting in impaired health of occupants and further damage to the building. c) Building water damages that were not identified or abated early enough to stop fungi growth in wet building materials. See Collateral Building Damage, Consequential Building Damage |
| Self-Levelling Compounds: |
A cementitious dry powder compound that is mixed with water. It is poured directly over a floor to level out the floor once the material drys and cures. Education Note: Self-leveling compounds are used as a self-leveling underlayment, and they are not meant to be the primary floor. Self-leveling compounds are sometimes used as fillers and corrective measures to floors that already have problems. There may be times where the patch repair or float of the self-leveling compound has to be removed to properly repair a wood subfloor. |
| Sentimental Value: |
A value of an item having family or historical significance, but it may not have intrinsic, monetary or replacement cost value. Education Note: Sentimental items may be damaged, but the owner may still want it repaired, even though the costs far exceed its worth value. |
| Septic Shock: |
Health and Safety Note: a) A bacterially infected wound such as streptococci or staphylococci, resulting in or indicating sepsis or septicemia, which septic shock may result due to a extreme exposures to airborne and blood toxins, because of the high multiplication of cell and tissue damage. Mitigation Note: b) Sewage remediation technicians must carefully evaluate themselves for cuts and wounds before, during and after cleanup. c) Septic shock can result in damage to cells, the kidneys, heart and lungs, and death. Septic shock may have been responsible for one sewage related death from inhalation in San Diego, as reported in the press. |
| Sewage Remediation Category 3 Black water: |
Consisting of urine, feces, pathogens and other organic matter. Category 3 black-water contamination always contains pathogens. Category 3 contaminations are grossly unsanitary. Mitigation Note: Black-water sewage saturated porous building materials must be removed and replaced. Bag and dispose of carpet and pad. Clean and sanitize wall cavities and sill plates. Completely dry the structure before reinstallation of new materials. (Do not use air movers during the cleanup process). Swab test for residual pathogens before installing new building materials. Health and Safety Note: Consult an industrial hygienist or microbiologist if you have cleanup questions! Suggest to the building occupants, they must consult with their medical specialist if they have health problems or questions! |
| Sheer Wall or Sheer Panel: |
A secondary support wall material attached to building framing, usually made of 4' x 8' sheets of plywood that complies with local building codes. Construction Note: Shear wall materials are designed and engineered to reduce the shear-stress on a building due in part to load factors, usually from the second and third floor weight loads effecting a wood frame building. In California, shear walls are being added in new construction for increased stress due to earthquakes. Mitigation Note: In water damage mitigation, sheer walls increase the need for additional problem investigation and problem solving when shear walls are present. Shear walls trap in the standing water and moisture vapor, not allowing the excess increased vapor pressure to escape within a reasonable period of time before fungi starts to grow. Wet shear walls cavities will not easily divulge that the interior wall cavities are wet and damp, since the face of the drywall may actually indicate is dry. Wet shear wall, wall cavities will not dry out on their own before mold starts to grow. After removal of the base coving, drill weep holes and aeration holes in drywall and through the shear wall, into the wall cavity. Force in dehumidified air into the wall cavity and monitor the wall cavity drydown. |
| Skirting: |
a) The lower perimeter material of an upholstered couch or that which covers the legs and base materials of furniture. b) In modular or temporary buildings, skirting is the lower part that closes off and protects the underside. Skirting is designed in such a manner as to blend in to the exterior wall appearance, which can easily be removed for either access or repair of the substructure or when moving the modular building. c) Skirting in the UK is any base material such as vinyl or wood that is used around the perimeter of a room. |
| Soil Aeration: |
Soil Air means the below-ground air that is trapped or available in the spaces between soil particles. Engineering Note: Decomposition of organic matter in the soil can cause high concentrations of carbon dioxide in soil air. Carbon dioxide combines with water vapor to form carbonic acid, thereby increasing the acidity of the ground. Soil air is often a result of anaerobic and aerobic conditions in the soil, and can vary depending on weather, atmospheric conditions, ground pressure, soil type, water/moisture and other influences. See Soil-Gas |
| Soil Air: |
In a water damaged substructure of a building, the turning of wet/damp ground of the substructure by shoveling or raking, allowing air to enter wet cell cavities of the soil. |
| Soil sampling: |
he removal and containment of specific loose or compacted soil for laboratory analysis. Soil sampling analysis can determine the total or specific hydrocarbons, total bacteria and fungi, total coliforms, moisture content, aerobic and aerobic growth, or composition of the soil matrix. See Air Sampling, Adsorbent Sampling, Bulk Material Sampling, Surface Sampling, Swab Sampling, Tape Lift Sampling, Water Sampling, Wipe Sampling, Vacuum Sampling |
| Soil-Gas Methan (CH4) and Hydrogen Sulfied (H2S): |
Two gases that are the most common soil-type gases. H2S is also a common sewer-like gas commonly identified in confined spaces, including under buildings which have experienced sewage contamination and organic waste. See Soil Air |
| Source Containment: |
a) In water damage mitigation, source containment are the appropriate steps necessary, using industry a standards of care, to contain, control, and remove a contaminate. (Refer to IICRC S 500-94 and S500-99). b) In mold mitigation, source containment is one of several steps necessary to appropriately contain, control and remove mold without causing harm to workers while avoiding broadcast of the mold spores and toxins from a mold contaminated material into air. See Bioaerosols - Assessment and Control |
| Specific Humidity: |
A more absolute measurement than relative humidity. Specific humidity is a direct ration of the weight of water vapor to the total weight of the air in a given area or sample. The pound weight of water that a pound of air can absorb. Restorative Drying Note: Along with psychometric charting and moisture monitoring, the GPP of moisture is another important tool to know to dry out and dehumidify a wet building properly. But do not loose focus on the relative humidity measurements, since the relative humidity indicates how close the ambient air is close to being saturated. It is a better measurement to help the restoration technician. Knowing the specific humidity alone, will not provide the degree or percentage of saturation. See Grains of Moisture, Relative Humidity |
| Spore Settlement: |
The settlement of mold spores from air to surfaces. |
| Stachybotrys Mould: |
a) One genus of slime molds that are responsible for mycotoxin and satratoxin production resulting in impaired, compromised and acute health effects of persons who come in contact with or breathe in fungi-toxins. b) The species having building wetness and human contact concern is Stachybotrys chartarum, previously known as Stachybotrys arta. See Mycotoxins |
| Standard Air: |
Air measured at a standard temperature and pressure. The most common values are 70 F (21.1 C) and 29.92 in. Hg (101.3 Pa). Also, air with density of 0.075 lb/ft3 (1.2 kg/m3) is substantially equivalent to dry air at 70 F and 29.92 in. Hg. |
| Standard Air Density: |
The measurement of the density of air or 0.075 lb/ft3 (1.2kg/m3), at standard conditions. |
| Static Pressure: |
In water damage mitigation, it is the absence of dynamic dry air pressure. Restorative Drying Note: a) Static pressure results in the continuance of wet building materials receiving additional damage, which under some circumstances, could have been eliminated. b) Wet wall cavities with insulation for example, are static and often will not dry on their own without some form of dynamic pressured air movement. Health and Safety Note: c) Leaving wet walls and wall cavities static, with high humidity present, causes the growth of fungi, resulting in secondary building damage and compromised occupant health. See Eddy Current, Cyclone Effect, Dynamic Pressure, Sick Buildings, Turbidity Air Currents |
| Storage Facility: |
A building or structure containing chemicals and materials for short or long-term storage. Mitigation Note: In water damage mitigation, a storage facility is used to contain and house wet carpets and building contents until the building is cleaned, sanitized and restored. Wet materials such as carpets and upholstery are cleaned, sanitized, dried and stored, while other contents such as those made with particle board are cleaned, sanitized, dried, repaired and restored back to their previous condition, then stored. |
| Structural Respiration: |
Excluding windows and doors, structural respiration is the infiltration of outside air into a building through unplanned air pathways, such as through walls, ceilings, and floors. |
| Subsidence in Air: |
Subsidence in air is the sinking of an air mass in the center of a vortex or surrounding high-pressure. Mitigation Note: In water damage mitigation and restorative drying, subsidence in air can be felt or seen when air fans are placed at right angles to the walls around a room to increase wall drying through increasing velocity. In a square room, the center of the room will experience a subsidence in the air volume, pulling down and drawing the center of the rooms air mass to the outside. In large open ceilings and vaulted rooms, with an increase of room temperature and decrease of humidity, a condition called subsidence inversion may occur. |
| Subsidence Inversion: |
A temperature inversion condition brought about with increased room pressure. Restorative Drying Note: In water damage mitigation of wet buildings, having large open and vaulted ceilings, where temperatures increase at higher heights, the sinking air in the center of the room compresses the air mass below it, resulting in cooler air al lower levels, which raises the temperature of the upper levels. When indoor dusts can be seen through outside light, the upper inversion conditions at higher heights, can be seen at the higher temperature levels. What becomes visually apparent, the inverse condition (at the increased temperature levels) suppresses the vertical motion (movement) of air contaminates (dusts, spores, gases, vapors etc.), and thus allow the air contaminates to increase in mass. The inversion condition will continue until temperature and humidity change, or the pressures in the air mass changes. |
| Substantial Damage: |
Damage that has a repair cost equal to or exceeding 50 percent of the market value of the structure either before the improvement is started or, if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage. |
| Substantial Improvement: |
Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure either before the improvement is started, or, if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. |
| Substructural Drying: |
In water damage remediation, substructure drying is the use of mechanical and engineering controls necessary to dry a wet substructure properly. Mitigation Note: a) Unlike wet above-grade structures, wet below-grade substructures are influenced by an increase amount of moisture vapor coming from inside the substructure foundation walls and soil. a1) To dry a wet substructure properly, all contents and wet building materials must be removed from a basement or below-grade structure, including old carpet, cardboard and plastic sheeting. a3) All standing water or sewage must be extracted and appropriately removed. a4) Allow as much fresh air access to the substructure as possible during water/sewage removal. In fact, use an exhaust fan forcing contaminated air outside the substructure, but not in the building. a5) Depending on the soil matrix and amount of saturation, and if there is sewage present, detergent washing the soil may be appropriate before attempting surface drying or tilling the soil. b) If the below grade substructure is large, other engineering controls will be necessary to monitor and dry the environment properly. Dehumidification with air movement is most important in drying a wet substructure properly. c) Unlike above-grade wet buildings, below-grade buildings may take two to three times as long to dry. See High-Rise Drying, Structural Drying |
| Supplied Air Respirators: |
Full-face respirators that are attached to a SCBA or in-line air source. OSHA Note: a) Supplied air respirators are the minimum requirement for worker protection when oxygen deficient atmospheres exist. b) When atmospheres do not have 19.5% oxygen or when atmospheres indicate through monitoring, the presence of flammable, chemicals or gases supply air must be provided. c) In reference to sewer gas, methane and hydrogen sulphide, a canister filtering mask will not remove airborne toxins and gas contaminates. Only SCBA and in-line supplied air can be used in these atmospheres. |
| Surface Sampling: |
The sampling and removal of a cell, spore or matter, which when collected, is identified in a laboratory. Surface sampling may include swabs, tape lifts, vacuuming, Rodac plate, or other acceptable devise for sampling collection. See Air Sampling, Adsorbent Sampling, Bulk Material Sampling, Soil Sampling, Swab Sampling, Smear Tabs, Tape Lift Sampling, Water Sampling, Wipe Sampling, Vacuum Sampling |
| Swab Sampling: |
A sterile swab in a collection tube used to sample a surface. In the case of evaluation of fungi or bacteria, once exposed to the source (such as a 2" x 2" swab area), the swab is placed back in its collection transport tube and closed. Information about the swab is written on the transport tube as well as a log sheet. The swab is then transported to a laboratory for incubation and analysis in a petri dish. Swab sampling is mainly used for culturable samples of cells and spores. Laboratory results may take an average of 2-3 days for bacteria, to 7-10 days for fungi and other pathogen identification. See Air Sampling, Adsorbent Sampling, Bulk Material Sampling, Soil Sampling, Surface Sampling, Tape Lift Sampling, Water Sampling, Wipe Sampling, Vacuum Sampling. |
| Tape-Lift Sampling: |
Scotch tape lifts using clear tape directly placed onto a contaminate surface then transferred onto clean glass microscopic slide. After laboratory staining, captured microscopic materials on the tape can be immediately analyzed under a microscope. Tape-lift sampling are referred to as sticky-tape sampling. See Air Sampling, Adsorbent Sampling, Bulk Material Sampling, Smear Tabs, Surface Sampling, Swab Sampling, Wipe Sampling, Vacuum Sampling |
| Tear Gas Exposures: |
Toxic gas exposures from police and riot-type tear gas. Health and Safety Note: Seldom will emergency response water damage technicians come in contact with tear gas. But in several instances, technicians have been asked to cleanup tear gas exposures with their cleanup equipment. No technician or adjuster should enter a tear-gas contaminated building without proper respiratory and skin protection. Health Note: 1) Tear gas can effect technicians and adjusters from ingestion, inhalation in nasal passages, and absorption on skin. 2) Seldom is tear gas considered a medical emergency or a medical concern. 3) Yet, depending on the type, concentration and severity of exposure, the health of the technician or adjuster, the health concerns may result in a immediate medical emergency. 4) Skin and respiratory reaction to airborne tear gas is almost immediate. 5) CN/CS/CR/OC tear gases residue and powders are white in color. 6) CN/CS/CR tear gas are not-stable when heated. 7) Tear gas is generally dispersed as powder-like aerosols having a chemical dispersion reactivity to an environment from their explosion. 8) Once the agents have been dispersed into a building, the agents react violently in the presence of humidity, higher temperatures, some oxidizers and a combination of factors. 9) All of the tear gas agents have low solubility in water but they can be dissolved in several organic solvents. Hydrolysis of CN tear gas for example, is very low reacting in water solution, even when alkali is added. On skin, it is best to flush continuously with cold water. CS tear gas on the other hand, is rapidly hydrolyzed in water solution , having a half-life at pH 7 is about 15 min. at room temperature (65 to 70 ?F, and 30 to 45% Rh), and react extremely rapid when alkali is added (half-life at pH 9 is about 1 min.). 10) As remediation technicians, you must be extremely careful in adding alkali substances to skin, since they can add to dermal discomfort and skin damage. Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) is best used as an adsorptive and cleaning agent on skin. |
| Temperature and Comfort: |
The acceptable level of indoor air temperature for occupant comfort. Temperature comfort varies throughout the day and during various activity periods from 65 to 74 degrees F. |
| Thermal-Foggers: |
A portable gas engine machine dispersing solvents and water-base chemicals in air from 0.05 to 10.0 microns in size. Education Note: Thermal foggers have been used successfully millions of times for the control and neutralization of various smoke and carbon-based odors from fires; Some persons have tried to use thermal foggers and chemicals for water damage remediation, more specifically, mold, fungi and bacteria abatement. So far, there are no scientific studies which indicate thermal fogging machines, techniques or associated chemicals, can reduced or eliminated toxic fungi or pathogenic bacteria. Note: Gas-engine thermal foggers are not to be confused with electric thermal foggers. Electric thermal foggers (hand-held pot-type) do not disperse solvent particles smaller than 10 microns in size. |
| Thirty-Year Erosion Setback: |
A state or local requirement that prohibits new construction and certain improvements and repairs to existing coastal buildings located in an area anticipated to be lost to shoreline retreat over a 30-year period. |
| TIME (Temporal Indoor Monitoring and Evaluation Study): An EPA recommended process for gathering information using a Temporal Indoor Monitoring and Evaluation Study for determining building performance or IAQ base-lines, or when indoor air problem solving is necessary. See BASE |
| Tinea: |
Any number of a group of common fungal infections of the skin, hair, toenails, feet, hands, groin, arm pits, and fingernails. Most infections are caused by a group of fungi called the dermatophytes, which are called ringworm. The transmitter of the tinea fungi are soil, contaminated water, infection acquired from another person or animal, and objects such as dirty shower stalls and carpet. See Athletes Foot, Fingernail Fungus, Ringworm |
| TLV (Threshold Limit Value): |
The daily 8 hour concentration of gases and particulates for which workers can be safely exposed to on a daily basis. Education Note: TLVs refer to airborne concentrations of substances (chemicals in the form of vapors to particulates in the form of respirable particles, for example) and they represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse health effects. Because of the wide variation in individual susceptibility, however, a small percentage of workers may experience discomfort from some substances at concentrations at or below the threshold limit and the value given for a particular substances. A smaller percentage of workers may be affected more seriously by aggravation of a pre-existing health condition or by development of an occupational illness. Cigarette smoking for example may act to enhance the biological effects of chemicals encountered in the workplace and smokers may experience a reduced immune system inhibiting the bodys defense mechanisms against such toxic substances. A few individuals may also be hyper-susceptible or otherwise unusually responsive to some chemicals including industrial chemicals, because of pre-disposed genetic factors, age, personal habits (e.g., smoking, drugs, alcohol), medication, or previous exposures. Such workers may not be adequately protected from adverse health effects from certain chemicals at concentrations below the TLV. |
| Total Loss: |
Damage to an object or material, sufficient enough, to consider it beyond repair, based on its value or function, compared to its salvage value, replacement cost value or cost of repair. |
| Toxic Air Contaminates: |
Airborne contaminates including gases, vapours, fumes, mists, spores and other aeroallergens, which when inhaled, become toxic to the human respiratory, blood and central nervous system. Health Note: When you breathe in vapours, fumes and other contaminates, they immediately enter the blood stream through your respiratory system, causing poisoning. This is why you must never stick your head into a confined space to check it out without proper respiratory protection. |
| Turbidity Air Currents: |
As wet buildings are concerned: Restorative Drying Note: a) The process of taking saturated wet building materials, with dynamic air and vaporizing moisture into the air through advection. b) One accepted method, is to use turbo fans (2,000 cfm fans or greater) forced across wet building materials that will release static-trapped moisture to an airborne vapor state. c) Turbo fans are to be placed in such a manner as to create a cyclone effect in a room. d) The use of dehumidifiers is almost always necessary to reduce the increased humidity rapidly. See Advection, Cyclone Effect, Dehumidification, Dynamic Pressure, Eddy Current, Static Pressure |
| TurboVent: |
A trademarked drying system. Restorative Drying Note: A Trademarked machine by Dri-Eaz that introduces forced air into wall cavities for the purpose of drying wet wall cavities within an acceptable drying period. The difference between the TurboVent and its competitors, the manufacturer states, it is multi-purpose, and the TurboVent can dramatically reduce wall, ceiling and floor drying time. See Injectidry, Wallintruder |
| Turnkey Service: |
A full service provider. A contractor that is able to provide multi-level services and expertise, to eliminate all damage and/or restore a property back to its pre-loss condition: On the emergency side, consultation, site and damage assessment, cost estimates, emergency service, board-up, structural repair, engineering, plan approval, temporary relocation, job site monitoring and clearance testing with certification. On the restoration side, provide all of the necessary subcontractors and materials required to restore a property. |
| Underlayment: |
One of several types of building materials, including but not limited to plywood, fiberboard, press board and particle board, that is properly installed over a subfloor, before a finish material such as sheet vinyl, strip flooring or parquet flooring is installed. Mitigation Note: The problem with underlayments, is when they become wet (saturated) they tend to degrade, decompose and swell. The finish floor may continue to remain in good condition but if the underlayment is damaged, the finished floor often must be removed to repair the damage to the underlayment. Health Note: If underlayment is saturated with sewage, it must be removed and replaced, since it cannot be cleaned and sanitized. |
| Uniform Building Code (UBC): |
National building codes in which cities and communities must comply with during the initial building, construction and restoration. Education Note: Flooded buildings which cause or have resulted in structural damage or an impairment of health to its occupants caused by wet building materials. Wet building materials can be a violation of the UBC, and other municipal health and safety codes. |
| Vacuum Sampling: |
The collection of surface matter through a vacuum. Vacuum collection devises can be special upright HEPA vacuums, to small cassettes attached to a vacuum pump. After collection, the vacuumed material is either field identified under a microscope or in a laboratory. See Air Sampling, Adsorbent Sampling, Bulk Material Sampling, Soil Sampling, Surface Sampling, Swab Sampling, Tape Lift Sampling, Water Sampling, Wipe Sampling |
| Valley Fever: |
Valley Fever is also known as San Joaquin valley fever, desert fever or desert bumps. The disease is called Coccidioidomycosis caused by the fungi Coccidioides immitis, and not to be confused with the fungus disease Cryptococcus neoformans associated with pigeon feces. Valley fever was first identified in the San Joaquin valley in Central California. Valley fever is caused by a soilborne fungi, that has resulted in farm and construction workers dying from inhalation of the fungi into their lungs. The fungi over recent years has come south through what is called the lower Sonora region of California into Los Angeles. Health and Safety Note: Valley fever is mentioned because during the recent southern California earthquake of 1994, much of the valley floor became exposed to the disturbance of airborne clouds, including spores. California Contractor Note: Emergency response and restoration contractors must be aware, that in California, employees have an increase occupational hazard and potential of inhalation spore hazards from Coccidioides immitis after earthquakes, where all appropriate respiratory protection measures must be provided. |
| Vapour Pressure and Vapour Emissions: |
Moisture vapour pressure from concrete is the direct relationship between the moisture content in concrete and pressures forced on to the concrete. Vapour emissions is the result of escaping vapour from a material into air. Vapour pressure and vapour emission are related only to the extent that we are talking about the same vapor; and the fact that each may be influenced by some of the same variables. Vapour emissions of water in the atmosphere is governed by, and is directly related to temperature and humidity. |
| Vapour Transfer: |
The ability of a vapor, such as water vapor, to transfer from one surface or atmosphere to another. Education Note: Water vapour is a gas, and it can diffuse and pass through porous building materials easily. Water vapour can also pass through a solid building material, depending upon the difference in vapour pressure between the two sides of the solid material and the permeability of the material. Water vapour moves through solid materials at a rate proportionate to the difference in vapour pressure on either side of the material. The greater the vapour pressure on one side of a material, the faster the other side will be affected. Mitigation Note: In water damage mitigation, especially when it comes to wet wall drying, reducing the vapour pressure between wet walls or a wall cavity, greatly influences the vapour pressure and its permeability factor. For example, after drilling weep holes and aeration holes (usually 3/8" to 2") in size, drilled below the base board but above the mud sill or sill plate, allowing for forced dehumidified air to enter and pressurize the wall cavity. The increased dry air vapour pressure will increase the vapour transfer rate which the wet wall material will become dry faster. See Permeability Factor, Shear Walls |
| Vapourization of Fire Department Water: |
During a building fire event, the fire department uses large amounts of water from fire hoses to reduce and eliminate the flame and the flammable source. Contractor Note: The heat from a fire in an enclosed atmosphere, will allow a stream or spray (fog) of water to expand up to 1,700 times its mass from the waters original dispersion size. This results in liquid water to turn into steam water droplets, then the droplets are changed into a moisture vapour state. (With extremely hot-heat, water from a fire hose immediately goes to the vapour state). With heat, vapourized water and cooler building material surfaces, the building materials absorb the water vapour rapidly, and often the water vapour is actually forced into porous cells of the building matrix through advection and conduction. Dehumidification of a wet building from a hot-fire is complicated by the radical dispersion of vapourized moisture molecules in building materials, along with the atmospheric stresses brought about from heated forces of increased air volume. See Absorption, Advection |
| Vent: |
An opening which air is allowed to pass through freely. Vents are part of a buildings natural air intake and exhaust system. Vents are common to basements, crawlspaces, plumbing, attic and roof. |
| Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality: |
Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality are the design, engineering, installation and maintenance of a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system as found in ASHRAE Standard 62-1989. The Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality design requirements recommend 15 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM) per person of fresh outdoor air into buildings. |
| Ventilation Systems: |
The engineered, designed and mechanical system of a building. Ventilation systems bring in fresh filtered air and they take out (exhaust) used air. Energy efficient buildings have return air systems that allow filtered building air before it is sent back to the occupied building air space. |
| Ventiliating: |
a) One of several methods acceptable to exhaust and get rid of gases, vapors and airborne pollutants from a work space. One of the easiest methods, is the use of exhaust fans pointed downwind from the outside air stream. b) A mechanical system of a building which allows the building to bring in fresh air and exhaust contaminated air. |
| Venturi Air Scrubber: |
An air pollution control device that removes particulates, vapours, acid mists and gases from polluted air streams. The venturi effect is created at the throat of the narrow section of the duct, called the venturi throat. The velocity of low air pressure increases in the duct as pressure builds towards the venturi throat, and picks more up velocity as it passes the specially designed throat, resulting in higher collection efficiency of pollutants. |
| Venturi Effect: |
The increase of air velocity of a stream of air through a constriction or duct. |
| Volatile: |
In water damaged buildings, volatile describes water which evaporates or vapourizes in the air rapidly and at high temperatures. |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): |
A category of organic compounds with a relatively high vapour pressure, which a majority are air contaminates. VOCs are carbon-hydrogen bonded compounds (hydrocarbons), but they also may be aldehydes, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, and other hydrocarbon-based compounds. VOCs are in paint, carpet, adhesives, binders, household cleaners, film, and materials that make up most of today's manufactured furniture. Excessive VOC exposure to some sensitized individuals produces an immediate health response and reaction to the VOC, resulting in skin irritation, nausea, depression, reactions to the central nervous system, and/or an increased risk of cancer. |
| Volume of Air : |
The amount of air in a given air space. See Air |
| Wallintruder: |
A Non-Invasive Wall, Ceiling and Floor Drying System. A Trademarked machine that introduces forced air into wall cavities for the purpose of drying wet wall cavities within an acceptable drying period. The difference between the Wallintruder and its competitors, the manufacturer states, you do not need to drill holes into walls or wet ceilings. Application of dry air is through the removal of wall outlets, switch plates and ceiling fixtures where large amounts of dryer air consumes interior wall spaces. See Injectidry, TurboVent |
| Water Damege Technician Acquired Infections and Disease: |
Health and Safety Note: Infections and disease acquired as occupational exposures to certain surface, water and airborne contaminates present in the water damage mitigation industry. See Allergy, Aspergillosis, Athletes Foot, Bloodborne Pathogens, Conjunctivitis, Contact Dermatitis, Cryptococcoses, Dysentery, Infections, Finger Nail Fungus, Hepatitis-A, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Legionella Pneumonitis, Occupational Related Respiratory Diseases, Pink-Eye, Tetanus, Toxins |
| Wet-foggers: |
Equipment originally made for the pesticide industry, and over the past twenty five years, they have been adapted to meet the needs of the insurance restoration industry. Wet foggers are electric fine-micro-mist foggers that takes a liquid and disperses it into a mist or fog. The purpose of the wet-fogging equipment is to treat large areas and effected surfaces, with a chemical mist. Most mist products are manufactured for the control, pairing or masking of an offensive odor, while leaving a more pleasing trace-odour. See Thermal-Foggers |
| Wipe Sampling: |
One of several types of collection materials including cotton balls, swabs to specially prepared wipes that absorb and collect and retain surface matter for laboratory identification. Wipe sampling can be used to collect toxic materials and with satisfactory result, it may be used as a method to remove toxic substances with larger pads or special material diapers. See Adsorbent Sampling, Air Sampling, Bulk Material Sampling, Soil Sampling, Surface Sampling, Swab Sampling, Tape Lift Sampling, Water Sampling, Vacuum Sampling |
| Zero Contamination: |
The ability of a material to be completely sterile from organisms and/or VOCs. Mitigation Note: In the mitigation of flooded buildings, zero contamination or zero risk cannot exist. a) Once buildings or surfaces have been decontaminated, acceptable risk extends to the removal of harmful pollutants and repair of damaged building materials. b) Some contamination risks require the replacement of damaged building materials and carpet with new materials, because of unacceptable levels of risk and increased liability. |