A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Q

QUALITY ASSURANCE
A program for the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project, service, or facility to ensure that standards of performance are being met.

QUALITY CONTROL
Systems and procedures that ensure products and services meet or exceed performance standards.

R

RATE PLUS
See Time and Material.

RELEASE
A signed document in which releasor indemnifies releasee of specific liabilities.

RELEASE OF LIENS
See Lien Release.

REMOVE AND RESET
Removal of a component or item and reinstalling or resetting the same item back in place.

RENTERS INSURANCE
A package policy similar to homeowner's insurance except that dwelling coverage is limited to betterments installed by the renter. The policy also includes coverage for contents and liability.

REPAIR
To restore appearance and function after damage; to fix.

REPLACE
To provide an equivalent property or building component as a substitute for that which has been damaged or destroyed.

REPLACEMENT COST
A method for establishing property value for purposes of determining the amount the insurer will pay in the event of loss.

RESCISSION NOTICE
1. Advice to a customer, generally in writing, describing the terms by which the customer can exercise a statutory right to rescind or cancel a contract.
2. Communication from a customer to a contractor or service provider exercising the Right of Rescission to void a contract. See Right of Rescission.

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
In insurance claims, a written agreement signed by the claimant that the insurer does not relinquish its rights under the policy by investigating a loss.

RESERVE
Funds set aside by an insurer to cover claims as they are reported, required by state insurance statutes.

RESTORATION
The process of bringing something back to its prior condition or better.

RESTORATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
A nonprofit membership trade organization representing companies engaged in property damage repair and restoration, environmental remediation, and the cleaning of carpets, building interiors and high value rugs and textiles. Abbr. RIA.

RESTORATIVE CLEANING
The application of procedures designed to remove residues while retaining as much of the originalcharacter as possible.

RESTORATIVE DRYING
The process of removing moisture with a goal of restoring the property to equilibrium moisture content.

RESTORE
To return property to its pre-loss condition.

RIA
See Restoration Industry Association.

RIDER
A policy attachment that alters coverage and/or terms.

RIGHT OF RESCISSION
A law that provides to consumers the right to cancel contracts within three business days following contract acceptance. Definitions may vary by jurisdiction.

S

SALVAGE
v. To recover damaged property.
n. Damaged property which retains monetary value.

SAMPLE
A small fractional part of a material or a specified number of objects that are selected for testing, inspection, specific observations or particular characteristics, i.e., Containing char fragments.

SANITIZE
The act or process of reducing microorganisms to safe levels as judged by public health agencies. (S500)

SANITIZER
A chemical agent that limits or controls microorganisms within an environment when used according to label directions. (S500)

SBCCI
Southern Building Code Congress International. See International Code Council.

SCHEDULED PROPERTY
Personal property which is individually listed on an insurance policy.

SCOPE
A detailed listing of the repairs required to restore property to its pre-loss condition.

SCOPE OF WORK
See Scope.

SECONDARY DAMAGE
Damage to materials and/or contents sustained from indirect or prolonged exposure to disaster contaminants; e.g., migrating or absorbed moisture or humidity, mildew growth, acid residue discoloration, etc. in contrast to "primary damage". (S500)

SELECTIVE DEMOLITION
The removal of specific selected building components.

SENTIMENTAL VALUE
A property restoration reference to objects assigned importance by their owners that is not supported by the objects' monetary value.

SHADING
A gradual color change across a surface.

SHALL
When the term shall is used in this document, it means that the practice or procedure is mandatory.

SHOULD
When the term should is used in this document, it means that the practice or procedure is recommended.

SICK BUILDING SYNDROME
Used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. (U.S. EPA)

SMOKE
Solid and liquid airborne particulates and gases that evolve when a material undergoes pyrolysis or combustion, together with the quantity of air that is entrained or otherwise mixed into the mass.

SOFT COST
Expense(s) necessary to business operations yet not directly related to a specific product or service sold.

SOOT
A submicron black powder generally produced as an unwanted by-product of combustion or pyrolysis. It consists of various quantities of carbonaceous and inorganic solids in conjunction with absorbed or occluded organic tars and resins.

SOOT CLUSTER
A group or agglomeration of individual soot particles.

SOUTHERN BUILDING CODE CONGRESS INTERNATIONAL
Abbr. SBCCI. See International Code Council.

SPECIFICATIONS
The written requirements for materials, systems and workmanship in the construction or restoration of a building.

STANDING WATER
A term used in property restoration to describe excess water that requires removal.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
A statute in a common law legal system that sets forth the maximum period of time, after certain events, that legal proceedings based on those events may be initiated.

STICKY TAPE
A section of tape with a sticky, solvent soluble adhesive used in the collection of particles from surfaces.

STORAGE
A space used for the storing and safekeeping of property.

STRUCTURE
A thing constructed; such as a buildings or bridges, not to include contents.

SUBCONTRACTOR
A person or company who works for a general contractor.

SUBROGRATION
Property insurance reference to legal process by which an insurance company, after paying a claim, seeks to recover the funds from a legally liable third party (Insurance Institute).

SUPPLEMENT
An addendum to an original scope or estimate.

SUPPLEMENTAL ESTIMATE
See Supplement.

T

TEMPORARY REPAIRS
Property restoration reference to structural or content related work for purposes of securing property, mitigating damage, or supporting rebuilding activity. See also Mitigation.

TENANT'S POLICY
See Renters Insurance.

TEST
To determine the extent of damage or the restorability of a material by applying various procedures and observing the result.

THIRD-PARTY CLAIM
A claim against a named insured by an individual or other entity not a party to the insurance contract; usually a liability claim.

TIME AND MATERIAL
A method of billing for services performed that is based on stated rates for labor, equipment and material plus a percentage mark-up for overhead and profit. See Rate Plus.

TIME ELEMENT COVERAGE
Insurance to compensate for indirect, time-related losses such as Loss of Use, Business Interruption, Loss of Rents and Extra Expense.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
A term used to express the need for haste in action or response.

TIME LIMITS
The period of time after a loss within which a proof of loss must be filed; also the time within which the insurer must respond to the proof of loss or pay the claim.

TOTAL LOSS
Property reference to damaged structural components or contents whose repair costs exceed their value.