Executive Report
Round Two for Consumer Freedom of Choice
The second effort to pass Insurance Consumer Freedom of Choice
legislation in Colorado is about to peak. On April 20 the 2007 bill,
House Bill 1104, was referred to the Colorado Senate for a final
vote after passing the Judiciary Committee and Appropriations
without any amendments to the House version. Should the bill pass,
it will be submitted to Governor Ritter for his signature. The
General Assembly has until May 9 to submit its legislation to the
Governor, and it is hoped that Colorado’s new governor will sign
this bill.
Freedom of Choice can sound hokey to many people, but it is
easily understood by those who have been frustrated by the grossly
uncaring bureaucracies of HMOs where more effort is expended in
saving a nickel than to saving dollars in long-term care and health
impairment.
Property damage repair administration and payment have begun to
take on many of the characteristics of HMO administration. P&C
insurance companies, like health payment administrators (somehow the
term insurer doesn’t seem to fit, so let’s call them HPAs),
use their status as third-party payers to control both service
providers and consumers.
Presumably, the consumer in an HMO arrangement gets medical
care, except the care is often provided by a physician of the HPA’s
choice rather than the consumer’s. In fact, the HPA running the HMO
can approve or disapprove medical service providers, thereby
occasionally forcing a change in ‘gatekeepers’ on a patient. The
HPA/HMO also forces care providers to offer discounted rates (the
schedule) to the HPAs, which really means nothing more than
the doctor receives less and charges non-plan patients rates that
look like the rack rates posted on the inside of hotel closet doors.
The paying patient does not see these savings.
All of this was done in the health field to gain control over
escalating medical costs. After 25 years we now have a health care
system that, although envied throughout the world, has resulted in
reduced access to service providers and reduced income and work
satisfaction among them. (Factoid: a majority of doctors do not feel
professionally rewarded or satisfied with their work). In fact, the
only people who have accumulated wealth and satisfaction are those
who are running the HPA/HMO organizations.
In the property damage repair business we see insurers
mandating rates and supply sources without any savings showing up on
the final bill that the insurers “pay” for their clients. Have you
ever wondered how many of these insurers explain the off-invoice
items that the insurer might be receiving from the benefited
vendors?
State legislators can ward off similar outcomes for the
property damage repair industry by reining in insurers. They have
already shown the will to do this in more than 20 states where
preferred vendor proscriptions have been imposed on automobile
insurers. Colorado HB 1004 can be the first such legislation in the
P&C industry.
Don Manger
Executive Director
Restoration Industry
Association
RIA NEWS
Breaking
News
RIA Briefs
Toolbox
Tips
Marketing Savvy
Product
Spotlight
On Press
Now
INDUSTRY NEWS
"Changing
Faces: Respirator Testing Gets an Adjustment"
"Storms Ahead?
All Signs Say Yes"
"Landlords Must
Have Prior Meth Labs Clean"
"McGuire Plans
Project to Get Rid of Asbestos"
"Pace of
Rebuilding After Katrina Slows"
"Filtering
Through the Facts on Vacuums and Indoor Air Quality"
"Gross Buster:
It's a Distasteful, Dangerous Job"
"Restoration
Company Helps Property Owners 'Put It All Back Together Again'
Following Devastation"
"Evolution of
Portables"
"Fortifying
Makes Castles of Homes"
"Homeowners
Breathe Easier With Cleaner, Greener Products"
"In the Wake of
a Disaster: Restoration Specialists Clean Up Some of Tulsa's
Nastiest Messes"
"Rita 18 Months
Later: Still Waiting After Storm"
"Maintenance
Matters When it Comes to IAQ"
"'Voodoo
Psycrometry' Vs. Best Practice"
"Hip to Be
Square"
"Strip Away the
High Cost of Cleaning What's Under Foot in Your Facilities"
RIA NEWS
Breaking News
CIRI Symposium Examines Cleaning Science
Drs. Marilyn Black, Steve Spivak, Michael Berry, Gene Cole and
others will present at the Cleaning Industry Research Institute’s
(CIRI) The State of Cleaning Science 2007 Conference &
Symposium. Scheduled for April 30 - May 2, 2007, the conference will
be held at the University of Nevada Las Vegas campus, William F.
Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
Air Quality Sciences' (AQS) CEO and Chief Scientist, Marilyn
Black, Ph.D., will present, "The Chemistry of Cleaning." Other
presentations will be given by Steven Spivak, Ph.D., Professor
Emeritus of the University of Maryland, one of RIA’s technical
advisors, and Chairman of CIRI's Council; Michael Berry, Ph.D.,
author of “Protecting the Built Environment: Cleaning for Health;”
Gene Cole, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at
Brigham Young University; and Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., Co-Director of
the Simmons Center for Hygiene and Health in Home & Community at
Simmons College. The presentations will cover various public health
and microbiological issues associated with cleaning and
maintenance.
CIRI is involved in cleaning and building maintenance research
to help improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for all types of
buildings and facilities. By sponsoring unbiased technical research
and working with industry leading groups, CIRI upholds the best
interests of the commercial and professional cleaning industries, as
well as improves the quality of living for the general
public.
Carpet Cleaning Tips for
Dummies®
A new “how-to” guide is offering easy carpet cleaning tips to
consumers. Sponsored by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) and
HousekeepingChannel.com, Carpet Cleaning Tips for Dummies
is an easy-to-use resource that identifies best practices for
keeping carpets looking beautiful for years to come.
Household management expert Elizabeth Goldsmith, the book’s
author, provides simple solutions for fighting dirt, removing nasty
spots and stains, using the right products and calling in
professional cleaners when necessary. She has tips for pet owners
and advice on how to clean Oriental rugs. Consumers can request a
free copy at http://www.carpet-rug.org/.
(There is a $2 shipping and handling fee.)
New Cleaning Association in Nigeria
Major players and stakeholders in the cleaning and hygiene
service sectors in Nigeria have launched an umbrella body known as
the Cleaning Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CPAN).
According to the association's spokesperson, Dr. Tunde Ayeye,
its formation was precipitated by the need to establish ethical and
professional standards for cleaning practitioners with the aim of
improving hygiene and cleanliness in the country. The association
currently has 14 members.
Source: The Cleanzine, April 5, 2007 edition.
Flowcrete Launches Germ-Fighting
Flooring
Flowfresh, by flooring manufacturer Flowcrete based in Sydney,
Australia, is the latest entry in the germ warfare battle. This
antimicrobial flooring uses science based on an amino compound that
constantly emits ions of silver to kill bacteria that settle on the
flooring. The process continues to be active for the lifetime of the
floor, through the migration of silver ions delivered to the contact
surface where they can attack gram positive and gram negative
bacteria and viruses.
It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Hurricane
Season
The weather prognosticators at Colorado State University are
predicting an above average hurricane season, with 17 named storms
forming in the Atlantic basin. Of those, nine will become hurricanes
and five will evolve into major storms with sustained winds of 111
mph or more. Dissipating El Nino conditions are blamed for the
projected increase in severe storms.
Tropical Storm Risk, which is part of the Benfield Hazard
Research Centre at University College, London, agrees, saying
tropical cyclone activity will be 70% above average. There is an 85%
chance that this year’s hurricane season will be in the top
one-third of years based on historical averages.
Winter Storms Cost Millions in B.C.
Insured losses due to winter storms in British Columbia in
November and December caused an estimated $114.7 million (U.S.) in
damage according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. This is the
largest amount since the $200 million in losses following the
wildfires of 2003. Currently, more than 17,000 claims have been
filed, many the result of damage from wind storms and sewer
back-ups.
Why New Hires Fail
A recent study of more than 2,000 HR and training executives
identified several reasons why as many as 25% of new hires leave
during their first year of employment. According to Novations Group,
a Boston-based global consulting firm, unrealistic expectations
about their job or the new organization is the major reason.
Other causes of new hires leaving included:
- Inability to understand how things are done within the
organization;
- Poor communication with immediate supervisor;
- Failure to develop a sense of belonging or purpose;
- Inadequate technical skills; and
- Failure to connect with key employees.
From staff and wire reports.
RIA Briefs
RIA Convention Recap
The 62nd annual RIA Convention and Exhibition in Orlando,
Florida, attracted more than 600 attendees and exhibitors, and
offered an up close and personal look at the new focus and energy of
the association.
The convention provided more than 55 hours of education on
topics such as dealing with pandemics, packouts, bloodborne
pathogens and crime scene clean-up, topical applications for
carpets, achieving an accountability culture, working with
hospitals, succession planning and hard surface cleaning.
Attendees were also introduced to the Association’s 2007 Board
of Directors and officers. Gary Dooner, CR, of Du All Service
Contractors, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.), will serve as RIA president,
succeeding Brian Spiegel, CR, of Spiegel Certified Restoration
(Montclair, Calif.), who will serve as immediate past
president.
Ben Yanker, CR, WLS, CMH, of Buffalo Restoration, Inc. (Bozman,
Mont.) will serve as vice president, Graham Dick, CMP, of Genesis
Restorations, Ltd. (Surrey, BC) as Secretary, and Ron Reese, CR,
WLS, of Mr. Steam/Ree Construction (Hailey, Idaho), will serve as
Treasurer. Also serving on the board of directors are Michael
Griggs, CR, WLS, of Disaster Restoration, Inc. (Denver, Colo.), Bill
Lakin, CR, of Chem-Dry (Stafford England), and Jeff Jones, CRS, of
Sani-Sheen System, Inc. (Oklahoma City, OK).
Several individuals were recognized for their achievements
within the industry through four significant RIA awards:
- Golden Quill Award for editorial excellence - Steve Bos, CR,
CMP, of Van Dam & Krusinga, for his three-part series in
Cleaning & Restoration magazine entitled: The Secret
to our Mold Remediation Success.
- Martin L. King Award for exceptional service and dedication to
restoration – Joe Arrigo, CR, WLS, Arrigo Restoration, for his
efforts to get two bills introduced in the Colorado Legislature
that would prevent insurers from steering clients to any
particular restoration firm.
- Phoenix Award for Innovation in Reconstruction – Belfor of
Exton, Pa., for the West End Fire Company project.
- Phoenix Award for Innovation in Restoration – Begal
Enterprises of Rockville, Md., for the restoration of the
Environmental Protection Agency building in Washington, D.C.
(Both Phoenix Award winning projects will be featured in the
June issue of Cleaning & Restoration
magazine.)
In addition, more than 30 individuals were recognized with
RIA’s advanced designations during the induction ceremony for those
attaining the Certified Restorer®, Water Loss Specialist®, Certified
Fabric Specialist® and Certified Mold Professional®
designations.
The 2008 RIA Convention and Exhibition will be held March 12-15
at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas.
RIA Holds “Go Green” Symposium
RIA, in conjunction with the International Fabricare Institute
(IFI), is offering a unique, multi-faceted approach on the topic of
green cleaning May 23-25 at IFI headquarters in Laurel, Md. Complete
with equipment demonstrations, the seminar will emphasize the pros
and cons of green dry cleaning and applications for disaster
restoration. With several states mandating or considering green
cleaning products, both regulators and those within the industry
need a clear understanding of what is meant by the terms “green” and
“clean.”
Fall Conference Expanded
RIA’s fall conference has been expanded to incorporate all
industry segments: disaster restoration, environmental remediation,
as well as sessions for the carpet, rug and textile industry.
Scheduled for October 23-27, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Orange
County in Garden Grove, Calif., the new format provides attendees
with an in-depth education usually reserved for much smaller
courses.
There will be two plant tours, sessions on marketing, the use
of chemicals in restoration, and hazards surrounding trauma scene
clean up, plus the next round of the drying and pricing debates, as
well as practical, hands-on information related to business
operations.
New Industry Resource Available
A new electronic industry resource made its debut at the RIA
convention in Orlando, Florida, last month. The restoration e-book
entitled, An Insiders Guide to Restoration Marketing, is
available through a variety of sources, including RIA. It provides
information from industry leaders that tells readers how to run a
successful restoration firm in today's ever-changing environment.
Contributors include: Les Cunningham of Business Networks; Alan
Goeltz of Insurance Restoration Specialists; RIA President Gary
Dooner, CR; Michael Hosto of 1-800-BOARDUP; Damon Gersh, CR, of
Maxons Restoration; industry icon Lloyd Weaver of Lloyd's Inc., and
many others.
Return to
Headlines
Toolbox Tips
Handle with Care: Electronics
By Lawrie N. Hollingsworth, E.E.
Given today’s high-end consumer electronics such as home
theatres which can include surround sound stereo systems, plasma
screen televisions and everything in between, the savvy restoration
professional needs to be aware of the risks and rewards of handling
these items.
When arriving at a location following a fire or flood, there
are several things to check immediately related to
electronics:
- Melted wires and the general condition of wiring and cabling
- Electronic media contamination – DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes
- Signs of wear and tear
- Dust - external and internal to the components
- Relative humidity of the environment
- Signs of moisture/water/smoke contamination to the equipment -
is drying needed?
- Evidence that equipment was powered on pre- or post-loss
Before you rush to restore anything, make sure to check:
- If the components are still under warranty
- The degree of damage
- The age of the equipment
- Whether there are any reliability issues
- If the pieces are particularly unique – e.g., antique pinball
machine, jukebox, etc.
- If there are any particular customer concerns
Every professional wants to provide the best customer service,
so it pays to check the simple things first.
Lawrie N. Hollingsworth, E.E., is a certified disaster
recovery planner and president of Asset Recovery Technologies,
Inc.
For more information on handling electronics following a water
damage or fire, read Lawrie’s articles in the December 2006 and
April 2007 issues of Cleaning & Restoration.
Marketing Savvy
Business Card Marketing
Business cards have more uses than just providing your name,
address, phone number and e-mail. They’re great tools to keep in
front of customers and prospects if you use a little
creativity.
Information can be printed on many different items – coasters,
magnets, mouse pads, and message pads to name a few – so consider
using them to improve your long-term visibility. If you decide to
put a plastic coating on your cards to enhance their life
expectancy, only put it on the front so the recipient can still jot
down notes regarding your conversation on the back.
And, when you go to have your traditional paper cards printed,
make sure you spend the time and money to get a professional job.
People do pay attention to the quality of your paper and printing.
Have a designer create a look that complements your letterhead and
other collateral materials. Cards printed off your inexpensive
printer at home, won’t provide the polished, professional image
you’re trying to convey.
Take Every Complaint Seriously
The next time you handle a customer complaint, imagine that the
complaint is going to be printed on a gigantic billboard for all to
see. You’d probably take the complaint seriously and do everything
within your power to resolve it, right?
In many ways, dissatisfied customers are like billboards,
sending out a negative message about your organization. Customers
often tell as many as 20 other people about the poor service they
received. That kind of negative word-of-mouth can cost your
organization thousands of dollars.
So the next time a customer comes to you with a problem, create
the kind of solution that you would be proud to see plastered on a
billboard.
Return to
Headlines
Fungal Contamination: A Comprehensive Guide for
Remediation*
This book is the first of its kind to
provide a detailed description of mold control techniques within a
framework that clarifies the diversity of opinions on the subject of
mold. It pulls together the latest techniques and important
references in an organized fashion rather than a compendium of
separate articles.
Fungal Contamination: A Comprehensive Guide for
Remediation, written by Michael Pinto, Ph.D., CEO of Wonder
Makers Environmental, Inc., and David Janke, Bioaerosol Analyst,
also of Wonder Makers Environmental, Inc., weaves together basic
information about mold with an understandable overview of its health
effects.
Lectures for RIA’s Mold Remediation Technician and Mold
Remediation Supervisor courses are based on this textbook.
*Now updated to include new information on Anthrax.
Members: 1-4 copies $115.00 ea.
Nonmembers: 1-4 copies
$125.00 ea.
Call for pricing on greater quantities
RIA Leather Guide
The newest addition to our library of reference guides provides
leather samples and information on its cleaning and care in the
familiar flipchart style members have come to expect from RIA. A
must-have for any cleaning and restoration company the deals with a
variety of new leather and “pleather” upholstered
furniture.
RIA MEMBER Price: $245 each.
Nonmember: $345 each
RIA Additional Guide pricing:
2 or more Guides:
Purchase your first Leather Guide at $245 and deduct $25 off each
additional Leather Guide you purchase.
Nonmember Additional Guide pricing:
2 or more
Guides: Purchase your first Leather Guide at $345 and deduct $25 off
each additional Leather Guide you purchase.
Carpet Swatch Set
This reference
set contains a wealth of information as well as visual elements,
which help you identify various carpet constructions. The Carpet
Swatch Set has 20 samples exhibiting major elements of carpet
construction, texture, style, face and backing fiber, and surface
coloration.
Members: $100 each — Carpet Swatch Set
& Ready Reference Carpet Care Guide: $190
Nonmembers:
$150 each — Carpet Swatch Set & Ready Reference Carpet
CareGuide: $280
Return to
Headlines
Here’s a look at what’s coming in the May 2007 issue of RIA’s
award-winning publication, Cleaning & Restoration.
RIA Convention Recap
By Patricia L. Harman
Find out what you missed at the recent RIA convention and
exhibition in Orlando, Florida. We’ll cover the highlights, showcase
some of the many sessions offered prove that a picture really is
worth a thousand words.
Where There’s Fire, There’s Soot and Smoke
and...
By Neil McManus, CIH, ROH, CSP
Building restoration companies undertake the task of restoring
buildings following fire episodes. This activity involves removal
and cleaning or disposal of contents, cleaning and partial or full
demolition of the structure, and rebuilding. This kind of episode is
traumatic for occupants, as anyone who has attended a fire scene can
attest. Project managers can easily find themselves in the middle of
disputes between the home or building owner and the insurance
adjuster.
The Personality Divide
By Patti Fralix
Different personality types within a company provide a variety
of strengths, provided a manager understands their driving forces.
The best teams include a combination of personalities that
complement each others' strengths and weaknesses.
Columns
Commentary
When Change is Good
Technical Topics
ISSA Cleaning Industry Standard
Restoration Corner
Selecting an Umpire
Marketing Notes
Life is Too Short
Business Briefs
Orlando Convention was "Hello RIA, good bye ASCR"
Return to
Headlines
INDUSTRY NEWS
"Changing Faces: Respirator Testing Gets an
Adjustment"
Wall Street Journal (04/04/07) P. A1; Zhang, Jane
Research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) says the respirators used by 15 percent of workers do
not fit correctly. NIOSH engineer Les Boord says the measurements
used to manufacture respirators and gas masks for the average person
have changed, as putting on pounds has made the faces of many
Americans fatter. The workplace has also evolved from one dominated
by white males with European ancestry to one that includes women,
minorities, and immigrants with different facial characteristics.
Though NIOSH says the average American male's face is just 1.2
millimeters wider and 2.4 millimeters longer than the measurements
recorded by the Air Force in 1972, it has been a challenge for Boord
and his team to come up with a standard that fits a variety of
facial shapes. There is disagreement over what facial
characteristics are most important--whether it be nose protrusion or
nasal root breadth--and whether it is possible to get a
representative sample of American faces. After paying Anthrotech
Inc. $400,000 in 2001 to develop a facial database by measuring the
faces of 4,000 people in eight states, NIOSH determined that the
sample was not diverse because it largely concentrated on states
whose residents were predominantly white and of European descent.
While Boord continues to work on generating a representative sample,
respirator manufacturers are experimenting with silicone rubber and
inflatable materials that can fill gaps and accommodate a greater
number of facial shapes.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Storms Ahead? All Signs Say
Yes"
Orlando Sentinel (FL) (04/04/07) Bell, Maya
Colorado State University Professor William Gray claims that the
2007 hurricane season will not follow in the footsteps of the calmer
2006 storm season because El Nino has disappeared. In 2006,
hurricane formations were limited by the warming nature of El Nino
in the Atlantic, but with the weather phenomenon gone, hurricanes
will brew. Gray and his team of forecasters predicts about 17 named
storms for this year's season, and nine of those storms will reach
hurricane proportions. He also notes that hurricanes will more
likely target the East Coast this year than the Gulf Coast, though
Florida's Panhandle through Texas still faces a 49 percent chance of
hurricanes making landfall. While the predictions are not 100
percent accurate, and in some cases completely wrong, residents of
these areas should prepare for the worst and stock up on various
items in their hurricane survival kits. Forecasters decry critics
who claim that the hurricane season is a crapshoot and note that
without further technological advancements, forecasters' hands are
tied when it comes to predicting a week in advance where air
currents are headed. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration indicates that La Nina, which has the opposite effect
on hurricanes as El Nino, is set to stir up trouble.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Landlords Must Have Prior Meth Labs
Clean"
Palladium-Item (Ind.) (03/28/07) P. 3A
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires
owners of homes, apartments, and hotel rooms that once served as
methamphetamine labs to adhere to new cleanup standards before the
spaces can rented or sold. The state has imposed a minimum level for
chemical residue left behind by meth production and has compiled a
list of qualified inspectors and contractors that undertake such
cleanup projects. Such chemicals as lead and mercury are produced
along with the drug and can be found in heating and air-conditioning
systems, carpets, and porous wall materials, among other items.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"McGuire Plans Project to Get Rid of
Asbestos"
Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA) (04/01/07) P. B2;
Felberbaum, Michael
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has ordered 41,700
square feet of asbestos tile and sealant in the McGuire Veterans
Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Va., to be replaced. The
$600,000 project--which has been deemed more important than
addressing moisture discovered behind walls and the need for a paint
job--will be completed during the next year. Environmental
Protection Agency spokesman Dale Kemery does not foresee any
significant health hazards related to the asbestos, provided the
area is sealed and the tiles are not damaged. After mold and other
problems were found in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in
Washington, D.C., the VA launched an investigation of its 1,400
clinics and hospitals across the country. More than 1,000 problems
have been detected, but only 10 percent involve mold in patient
areas. The remaining 90 percent of problems involve worn carpets,
aging paint, and rodent infestations. According to VA acting
undersecretary for health Michael Kussman, "The overwhelming
majority of issues identified by this special review are the kinds
of items you would expect to find--and see being addressed--in an
organization with nearly 150 million square feet of space where 1
million patients come each week."
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Pace of Rebuilding After Katrina
Slows"
Lakeland Ledger (FL) (03/22/07) Ohlemacher, Stephen
The recovery of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina is progressing
slowly, with the population of some communities down 50 percent or
more since the storm. The Census Bureau reports that four of the
five biggest population declines between 2005 and 2006 occurred on
the Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast, namely Harrison County in
Mississippi along with Louisiana's Orleans, St. Bernard, and
Jefferson parishes. The report shows that St. Bernard registered the
largest drop in residents in the nation, 76.2 percent, during the
year-long period ended July 1, 2006. Meanwhile, nearby coastal
communities, such as Harris County, Texas, watched their populations
surge due to an influx of residents displaced by Katrina. New
Orleans demographer Greg Rigamer notes that only a small number of
homes in the area are ready for residents to return, as cleanup and
property rehabilitation "takes time." Local real estate agent Al
Palumbo says many neighborhoods with high-end properties prior to
the storm are now affordable for young buyers. However, University
of New Orleans political scientist Susan Howell says the high crime
rate and the possibility of future flooding, in addition to the slow
recovery, will prompt many of the people currently living in the
city to take up residence elsewhere during the next couple years.
Howell expects the population to eventually stabilize but is unsure
of when this will happen.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Filtering Through the Facts on Vacuums and
Indoor Air Quality"
Cleaning & Maintenance Management
(03/07) Vol. 44, No. 3, Holmes, Jessica
Pollution indoors can exceed that of the outdoors by five-fold,
reports the Environmental Protection Agency, attributable to tight
building envelopes and building occupants tracking in pollen, dust,
and other outdoor contaminants. To ensure that such contaminants are
removed from carpets and to improve indoor air quality, cleaners
need to carefully consider the filtration systems in their vacuums.
Even if they use a vacuum with the highest cubic feet per minute of
airflow to make sure dirt is pulled from the floor, a weak
filtration system means that the dirt is released into the air to
settle again on interior surfaces. Experts recommend layered,
disposable micro-filter vacuum bags over single-ply bags, noting
that a multi-stage filtration system comprising the micro-filter, a
cloth filter bag, a motor intake filter, and an exhaust filter is
more effective in capturing dust particles. For daily vacuuming,
experts say HEPA filters are not necessary, as high-efficiency micro
filters are less expensive and capture 99.9 percent of dust mites,
industrial dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, yeast, and bacteria as
small as one micron. While HEPA filters capture 99.97 percent of
particles as small as 0.3 microns, they must be appropriately sealed
to be effective.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Gross Buster: It's a Distasteful, Dangerous
Job"
Hartford Courant (CT) (04/01/07) P. H1; Leavenworth,
Jesse
Over 500 companies across the country specialize in the cleaning
and decontamination of crime, suicide, and accident scenes.
Bio-recovery firms clean homes filled with rotting trash, as well as
those covered in blood or overwhelmed by the odor of decomposing
bodies. These cleaning specialists are not widely regulated, but
they typically comply with guidelines issued by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration for dealing with blood-borne
pathogens and receive training and certification from the American
Bio-Recovery Association. James Cheyne of Absolute TraumAway in
Connecticut, says he performs the tasks that grieving families
should not have to handle, adding that property owners lack the
special gear necessary for remediation. Cheyne is equipped with
hazmat suits, rubber gloves, an assortment of cleaning and
sanitization products, and power tools to remove contaminated
sections of floors and ceilings. According to Cheyne, "My job is
just to clean it to make it look like it didn't happen."
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Restoration Company Helps Property Owners 'Put
It All Back Together Again' Following Devastation"
San Diego
Daily Transcript (04/10/07) Nance, Molly
J&M Keystone, a restoration firm based in San Diego, Calif.,
helps businesses recover from such emergencies as fires and burst
pipes, responding within an hour to minimize property damage. "When
we respond to an emergency...we are able to put it all back together
again," says J&M Keystone Vice President Barry Garson. "So it's
as if the fire, smoke damage or flood never happened." The company
is experienced in dealing with restoration projects that involve
several insurance carriers, fully documenting the damage with
photographs, video, and thermal imaging. Despite its cost, J&M
Keystone carries a $2 million mold pollution insurance policy to
enhance customer service, safeguarding against mold infestations in
areas that experienced significant water damage.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Evolution of Portables"
Cleanfax
(04/07) Vol. 22, No. 4, Wiebe, Nick
The Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval program has
sparked changes in portable hot-water extractor design. Carpet
cleaners now have access to machines that stand up, which aim to
boost portability and facilitate the installation of top-mounted
vacuums that enhance airflow efficiency for faster drying. Inline
heaters are being used to ensure that the temperature of the
cleaning solution is maintained at 200 degrees or more, also as a
means of speeding the drying process.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Fortifying Makes Castles of
Homes"
Investor's Business Daily (04/09/07) P. A9; Kelly,
Brad
More than 2,500 homes in more than a dozen states--some already
completed, others in the works--abide by the stringent building
guidelines set forth by the Institute for Business & Home
Safety's "Fortified...for safer living" program that safeguards
against hurricanes, floods, hail, tornadoes, wildfires, and
earthquakes, depending on the region. On the coast of the Florida
Panhandle, developer Jason Comer of EBSCO Gulf Coast Development Co.
is erecting upscale dwellings built to withstand a Category 3
hurricane. The models feature concrete and steel walls, concrete
roofs, and reinforced windows and garage doors, among other durable
components. In addition to concerns about natural disasters,
National Association of Home Builders Vice President Gopal Ahluwalia
attributes interest in fortified homes to soaring insurance
premiums. According to Insurance Information Institute chief
economist Robert Hartwig, a 50 percent reduction in insurance
premiums is possible with fortification. Hartwig adds that
fortification increases the resale values of both new and
retrofitted dwellings. Chuck Vance of the Institute for Business
& Home Safety notes that fortification hikes building costs by
anywhere from 3 percent to 10 percent, which he insists is "not much
to pay for a little peace of mind."
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"Homeowners Breathe Easier With Cleaner,
Greener Products"
Poughkeepsie Journal (NY) (03/09/07) P. 1D;
Shan, Karen Maserjian
Patricia Calebrese of Better Quality Life, an indoor air
quality/mold inspector certified by the Healthy Building Institute
of America, says environmentally-friendly cleaning products are
gaining popularity. "People are becoming more aware of environmental
issues and how the products that we use not only affect our health,
but affect the health of the planet," Calebrese explains. Volatile
organic compounds are found in many cleaning products, which the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says can cause headaches,
respiratory conditions, central nervous system disorders, cancer,
and other health problems. These include phenol and cresol in some
disinfectants, nitrobenzene in furniture and floor polish, and
perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents in carpet
cleaners and spot removers. Many of the eco-friendly products on the
market use plant enzymes and natural oils as alternatives to the
chemicals found in traditional products.
(Web
Link)
Return to
Headlines
"In the Wake of a Disaster: Restoration
Specialists Clean Up Some of Tulsa's Nastiest Messes"
Tulsa
World (OK) (04/04/07) Postelwait, Jeff
Tulsa, Okla.-based Burggraf Restoration restores homes following
fires, broken sewer lines, burst pipes, and other disasters. In a
home flooded by sewage, technician Richard Marries says moisture
levels in walls were measured and each surface steamed and dried.
"We try to control the environment," explains Marries. "We play
Mother Nature inside the home." The company also removed every
household item that came into contact with sewage, including
carpets, furniture, toys, dishes, silverware, and DVDs. Depending on
the extent of the damage and the size of the home, Burggraf
restoration specialist Leon Smith says upwards of 800 boxes of
housewares are removed and brought to the company's headquarters to
be deodorized in an ozone room. Smith notes that "all of it has to
be cleaner than before any smoke or water touched it."
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"Rita 18 Months Later: Still Waiting After
Storm"
Beaumont Enterprise (03/24/07) Rappleye, Christine
A little more than 18 months ago, Hurricane Rita slammed into
Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, causing $6 billion in
damage to some 70,000 residential units. In the affected areas,
local organizations helping uninsured and underinsured homeowners
restore their dwellings say approximately 6,000 people are still
awaiting assistance. The nonprofit Nehemiah's Vision, for instance,
has rebuilt 250 homes so far, but executive director Andy Narramore
says it will take two years or more to help the 800 homeowners still
on its waiting list. These organizations are generally staffed by
volunteers who install new carpet and fixtures, put up new walls,
and paint; and some have received grant money to hire subcontractors
to repair the wind and water damage.
(Web
Link)
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Headlines
"Maintenance Matters When it Comes to
IAQ"
Cleaning & Maintenance Management (03/07) Vol. 44,
No. 3, Filoso, Phyllis
There are several maintenance tasks facilities managers should
undertake to maintain healthy indoor air quality. In the event of
roof or fixture leaks, they should ensure that the source of the
water intrusion is fixed within 24 to 48 hours and that carpets,
furniture, dry wall, ceiling tiles, and other porous materials are
replaced if they cannot be dried. When it comes to HVAC systems,
building managers should also make sure filters are replaced every
few months. Belts and air intakes should be examined on a regular
basis as well. Among other things, they should inspect exhaust vents
to make sure they are in working order and schedule paint jobs for
times when the building is unoccupied.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"'Voodoo Psycrometry' Vs. Best
Practice"
Cleanfax (04/07) Vol. 22, No. 4, Larsen, Ken
Drying strategies in the water damage restoration industry
differ--with some favoring dehumidification and others high-heat
drying--and this has sparked a renewed interest in the physics and
science of drying. Some restorers discredit the importance of
relative humidity; and while the actual science of drying indicates
relative humidity is not the only crucial measurement used to
determine the rate of drying, the Equilibrium Relative Humidity test
is useful in comparing the wet environment to a known dry
environment. Scientists have also found that moisture is not held in
the air--exemplified by Dalton's law of gasses--and that evaporation
is dependent upon the vapor pressure of the water and of the
environment--not air temperature. Additionally, science shows the
widespread belief that "wet always goes to dry" is inaccurate,
instead proving that high vapor pressure goes to low vapor pressure.
This plays a role in disproving the notion that thirstier air
translates into faster evaporation rates, as thirsty air is
characterized by warmer temperatures and lower vapor pressure. Thus,
making the air thirstier does not cause evaporation but widens the
pressure differential between the moisture-saturated materials and
the controlled environment, exemplifying the movement of high vapor
pressure to low vapor pressure.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"Hip to Be Square"
Albuquerque Journal
(03/24/07) Lovato, Todd Eric
Modular carpet tiles aim to simplify carpet cleaning. Available
in an assortment of colors and patterns, the tiles attach to one
another via adhesives, and they do not detach during vacuuming. They
can cover hardwood, vinyl, sealed concrete, plywood, and other
smooth floors without the need for glue or nails, ranging in price
from $3-per-square-foot to $10-per-square-foot. The tiles give
consumers control over floor designs and allow for do-it-yourself
installation, enabling them to put down a few tiles in a particular
area or cover an entire room. They can be removed and replaced
easily in the event of a stubborn stain or burn.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Strip Away the High Cost of Cleaning What's
Under Foot in Your Facilities"
Cleaning & Maintenance
Management (03/07) Vol. 44, No. 3, Peduto, James
Facilities concerned about the costs of stripping, scrubbing,
polishing, and refinishing floors should take a hard look at their
floor maintenance programs, particularly with regard to labor costs.
They should first determine how much they want to spend on floor
care, taking into consideration floor traffic, the skill level of
cleaning staff, the equipment used, and how they want the floors to
look. They should then calculate how much they pay cleaning workers
annually, in terms of how long it takes to clean the floors using
the equipment presently available to them, how many times the floors
are cleaned every year, and the worker's hourly wage. They should
then determine how much they would spend on labor if mechanical
floor cleaners were used, keeping in mind that the cost of such
machines would be offset by lower labor costs. Facilities should
also consider installing mats to minimize the amount of soil on the
floors, ensuring that the mats extend 15 feet or more, are coarse
enough to scrape most soils from the shoes of those entering and
exiting the building, and are thick enough to absorb moisture and
contaminants. Finally, they would be wise to have their cleaning
staff professionally trained, accredited, and certified to ensure
workers adhere to floor cleaning and maintenance best practices.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION,
INC.
NewsBreak is another valuable service of Restoration
Industry Association.
Masthead photos
courtesy of VanDam & Krusinga and Insurance Restoration
Services. |
April
2007
Mark these dates on
your calendar today!
RIA Course Calendar & Information
MAY
7-9 Mold Remediation Technician (MRT) Course
Disaster One, Inc.
Greensboro, North Carolina
10-11 Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Course
Disaster One, Inc.
Greensboro, North Carolina
11-12 Rug Repair Course
Emmanuel’s, Inc.
Seattle, WA
15-18 Certified Restoration Technician (CRT)
Course
Unsmoke
Stowe Township, PA
23-26 Going Green: Green Cleaning & Restoration
International Fabric Care Institute
Laurel, MD
JUNE
11-16 Certified Restorer School
Disaster One, Inc.
Greensboro, NC
21-23 Oriental & Specialty Rug 3-Day
School
Koshgarians
Chicago, IL
JULY
10-11 Residential HVAC
Houston, TX
12-13 Commercial HVAC
Houston, TX
AUGUST
7-9 Mold Remediation Technician (MRT) Course
Steamatic of Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
14-17 Certified Restoration Technician (CRT)
Course
Stowe Township, PA
SEPTEMBER
6-7 Content Restoration Course
Salt Lake City, UT
17-20 Certified Mechanical Hygienist (CMH)
School
Wilmington, DE
24-25 Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) Course
Wonder Makers Environmental, Inc.
Kalamazoo, MI
27-28 Rug Repair Course
Zahipours, Washington, DC
OCTOBER
16-18 Certified Mold Professional (CMP) School
Wonder Makers Environmental, Inc.
Kalamazoo, MI
23 RIA Mold Refresher Course
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Garden Grove, CA
23-27 RIA Fall Conference & Exhibition
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Garden Grove, CA
NOVEMBER
12 –17 Water Loss Specialist Course
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at Union Station
St. Louis, MO
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RIA NewsBreak is an executive
summary of noteworthy articles pertaining to the cleaning and
restoration industry distributed monthly to the RIA
membership. Our editorial staff monitors nearly 7,000
newspapers, business publications, Web sites, national and
international wire services, and other periodicals and
summarizes significant articles into an easy-to-read
summary.
NewsBreak is another valuable service of
Restoration Industry Association. |
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