Firece Hurricane Season Predicted - Restoration and Environmental Remediation Ti

[Guest guest]

I am NOT endoursing one company over another. This company just had

some very good information on how to question remediation companies,

licensing, etc. Also what to do after flooding or water damage. This

type of information should apply to all companies that do this type

of work.

Firece Hurricane Season Predicted - Restoration and Environmental

Remediation Tips

TransWorldNews - Monroe,GA

The hurricane season is predicted to be " very active "

Tampa, FL 4/5/2007 6:20 PM GMT (TransWorldNews - Top Story)

Fierce Hurricane Season Predicted - Restoration and Environmental

Remediation Tips

by Alan L. Wozniak, CIAQP Pure Air Control Services, Inc.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?

storyid=14912 & ret=Default.aspx

This year's hurricane season will likely be more active than normal,

the director of the National Hurricane Center warned today, one day

after a leading researcher forecast a " very active " season.

Gray, a top hurricane forecaster on Tuesday predicted a ``very

active " season this year with at least nine hurricanes, five of them

major hurricanes, and a good chance that one major hurricane will

hit the U.S. coast. With the hurricane season fast approaching,

homeowners and building owners need to prepare in advance for what

looks like to be an active hurricane season.

The Restoration and Environmental Remediation Tips provided by Pure

Air Control Services and Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory

(EDLab™) is intended assist those living in areas affected by the

hurricane, flooding and resulting mold, bacteria, mycotoxins and

ubiquitous allergens.

Storm water damage should be dried within 48 hours to prevent mold

contamination. However, as was the case with Katrina, due to the

massive damage such rapid restoration and remediation is often

impossible.

After a flooding disaster, consumers need to be wary of fly-by-night

charlatan/shaman operators seeking to take advantage of water damage

victims.

Pure Air Control Services recommends that consumers use the

following minimum guidelines to qualify and quantify any contractors

they hire:

Obtain references from your health department, insurance company,

friends and neighbors

Know your contractor (check references)

Check with the Better Business Bureau

Make sure the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured (including

professional liability insurances)

Obtain a copy of their license and insurance certificates. Make sure

their liability/general liability covers mold.

Hire contractors certified by reputable trade organizations such as

AEE, IAQA, IIRC, ASCR, AIHA, NADCA

Differentiate between a " Restoration contractor " and a " Remediation

contractor. " Most restoration contractors are not knowledgeable in

environmental remediation techniques and protocols.

Certified contractors should follow a strict code of ethics (ask for

a copy of their respective " code of ethics " they plan to work with)

For mold/bacteria damaged buildings, request pre-remediation

(baseline study) and post-remediation environmental testing be

performed.

Request a post remedial environmental clearance study. This is

essential to assure good indoor air quality (health and safety) and

may be required when you sell your home.

Request that the microbiology laboratory used is accredited by the

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Environmental

Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP). Be careful

that the lab of record is accredited and that the consultant and the

remediation firm have not forged laboratory data. Call the

laboratory directly for confirmation if their are any questions.

See related article: Fla. Couple Charged with Faking Mold

Remediation Lab Results

Contractors must work according to established industry standards

and guidelines, including but not limited to:

- ACGIH Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control

- EPA Mold Remediation for Homeowners

- New York City Department of Health - Guidelines on Assessment and

Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments

- EPA Mold Remediation for Schools and Commercial Buildings

- IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Water Damage

Restoration, Guide for mold remediation

- NADCA ACR 2005, Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration of HVAC

Systems

Resources and Guidelines for Disaster Restoration and Environmental

Remediation available at:

- U.S. EPA Mold Remediation for Home owners

- Building Health Check (BHC™) - Mold Remediation Guidelines

www.BuildingHealthCheck.com

- Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab™) - Mold & Bacteria

Bioaerosol Guidelines www.EDLab.org

- Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA): Steps to Take

After a Disaster

- Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification

(IICRC)

Find a Water Restoration Service Provider (to remove water and dry

out the building):

- Association of Specialists in Cleaning & Restoration (ASCR)

- Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification

(IICRC)

Find an Environmental Remediation/HVAC Service Provider (to perform

mold/bacteria contamination clean up):

- National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)

- American Indoor Air Quality Council (AMIAQ)

Find an Indoor Environmental Inspector (to perform environmental

testing, draft specifications and provide clearance studies):

- Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) - Certified Indoor Air

Quality Professionals (CIAQP)

- American Indoor Air Quality Council

http://www.amiaq.org/Certified-Members/certified-iaq-consultants.htm

- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

Specific Tips for Homeowners Having Restoration or Environmental

Remediation Work:

Compare the amount of the insurance check with the estimate by the

restoration and remediation contractors. They aren't always the same

but should be close to each other for the covered part of the loss.

Ask the remediation contractor to provide a Critical Path Method

(CPM) schedule detailing the work schedule, start and completion

dates.

Pay a minimal deposit, 10% (if any)

Pay a portion of the cost at halfway, typically 40%

Confirm quality of materials installed with those specified, inspect

and verify satisfactory completion of work before paying the final

50%

Request a clearance study before final payment

Warning Signs:

Contractor wants 50% deposit plus cost of materials

Contractor offers financing of the deductible or other significant

costs

Contractor offers to act as the homeowner's agent in representing

them to FEMA and lists themselves as beneficiaries

Contractor offers to work on behalf of the insurance carrier

(without the carrier's approval)

Contractor emphasizes cost saving over relationship, trust and final

warranty of satisfaction

Contractor is not able provide a list of references

Contractor is not capable or able to provide professional

environmental clearance for your home