Restoration Industry Association -- Educational Programs and Events

A New Partnership

On May 7th, the RIA Board of Directors unanimously endorsed an ongoing collaboration between RIA and the Indoor Air Quality Association. In recognition of the relationship, which has been memorialized in a memorandum of understanding between the two associations, we were honored by the presence during RIA’s Leadership Summit of IAQA’s President, Tom Yacobellis, and Executive Director, Glenn Fellman.

Effective partnerships are like any other relationship: they can only succeed when based upon shared values and compatible goals. During the past two years in which RIA and IAQA have exchanged exhibits at their respective conventions, I have learned that our organizations share the values of service to the industry and integrity of conduct. Our goals and objectives are similarly compatible and, as time goes on, will doubtless yield greater service to the industry and the professionals that we serve as we lend reciprocal support to one another.

RIA members can be more than confident, they can be genuinely excited at the prospects for more effective industry consensus by the collaboration of RIA and IAQA.

Donald E. Manger

Executive Director

Breaking News

NFIP Bill in Balance

The Senate is rejecting amendments to the National Flood Insurance Program to cover windstorm damage as well as flood damages. While the Senate voted 74 to 19 to extend the NFIP's life span past September, the Office of Management and Budget is recommending that any such bill covering windstorm damage be vetoed by the President.

Florida Passes New Insurance Bill

Senate Bill 2860 has passed the Florida House and Senate, and is on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist’s desk for his signature. The bill directly affects Florida homeowners and includes provisions such as insurance companies giving the Office of Insurance Regulation 90 days notice when choosing not to renew more than 10,000 homeowner policies and enforces harsher fees of violation of the bill.

Rising Premiums for New Zealand Insurance

The rising cost in premiums for New Zealand homeowners is directly related to bad weather. Insurance companies have estimated they paid out $406 million for natural disasters’ between 2002-2007, more than double the $174 million paid between 1996-2001. The cost of insurance premiums has risen 34.2 percent in the past five years.

Tornadoes’ Tear through U.S.

A high number of tornadoes have already hit the U.S. this year, but more could still be on the way. Since January 1, there have been 731 reports of tornadoes, 100 more then 2007’s count, and more then half of the 1,270 reported during the past decade. Death tolls have already reached close to 100, a number not seen since the 130 deaths reported in 1998.

Hurricane Season Update

AccuWeather’s chief long-range and hurricane forecaster, Joe Bastardi, had predicted that there would be 12 named storms along the U.S. Atlantic coast this year, particularly along the Southeast Coastline. Further study predicts these storms will make landfall with a greater threat to northern states than normally seen.

News Briefs

Calling All Speakers

The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) is gearing up for its 2009 annual Convention & Exhibition scheduled for March 10-14, 2009, at the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel & Convention Center in beautiful Palm Springs, California.

RIA is dedicated to providing attendees with top-notch speakers to represent and present educational and informational sessions in each of the following areas of interest:

Environmental
Rug/Carpet/Textiles
Disaster Restoration
Business

Speakers are invited to submit a Call for Presentation (or presentations) for consideration at RIA’s 2009 Convention. Deadline for Submission is

June 1, 2008. All Call for Presentations must be submitted electronically to cmullaly@restorationindustry.org and contributors will be advised of the selection decisions by July 31, 2008.

It’s “N.I.C.E.” to Clean

By Steven M. Spivak Ph.D.

Want a quick tip for training new employees and cleaning technicians? Think N.I.C.E. and teach it as a reminder of the basic steps of the cleaning process. NICE stands for Notice, Inspect, Clean, and Evaluate.

N is looking and walking the work site. Take notice of what the job entails in order to determine the best setup and use of time and equipment. I is to carefully inspect and record all pre-existing conditions. Write down prominent stains, soiling and wear levels, as well as any unusual discolorations or other issues that may come back from the client later. C means to clean; and clean properly, safely and thoroughly. Rushing the job saves time in the short run, but may lose customers in the long run. E is the final evaluation. It comprises post-inspection and corrections (if needed); it's the last walk through to ensure that all is left in the best possible condition following a professional cleaning.

Steven M. Spivak, Ph.D., is an RIA technical advisor.

Marketing Savvy

It's All in Who You Know

By Casey M. Geisler

Have you ever heard the adage, “It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know?”

In marketing and advertising, this message is true. Marketers need to know how to find information (through market research) and they also need to know people who can help spread the message about their business. The voice of one person can often be overlooked, but the voices of 10 or 20 people often garner more attention.

So how can you turn your singular voice into that of 20? You build partnerships with those who help your industry. It could be anywhere from an association (RIA) to your local contractors, rug cleaners or equipment renters. The great thing about building allies is that you now have others getting your message out who have talked with you and are relaying accurate information. From simply networking and building bridges to others, you’ve given yourself a competitive advantage over those who choose not to.

Casey M. Geisler is RIA’s communications specialist.

Emergency Tips...Do's and Don'ts When Disaster Strikes!

It’s hard to plan for every tragedy, but help prepare your clients ahead of time with Emergency Tips…Do’s and Don’ts When Disaster Strikes! They’ll learn hints on how to deal with a variety of post-catastrophe situations such as fire, smoke and water damage, and vandalism.

RIA Members

1,000/$225.00 · 500/$150.00

Non-members

500/$250 · 1,000/$325

Contact RIA at (800) 272-7012 to order copies.

For more RIA products, visit: http://www.restorationindustry.org/omnisam/product/product_list.cfm

Here’s a look at what’s coming in the June 2008 issue of RIA’s award-winning magazine, Cleaning & Restoration.

Rebuilding History: Phoenix Award for Excellence in Restoration

By Heather Anthony

When the St. Patrick church in Milwaukee, Wis., caught fire, its restoration played an important role in preserving and maintaining the church’s Irish heritage for the local community. Kelmann Corporation used their resources and creativity to restore the church to its former magnificence.

Phoenix Award for Excellence in Reconstruction – Hickory Creek Apartments

By Dale Sharp and Casey M. Geisler

The Hickory Creek apartment buildings were constructed to accommodate the variable terrain in the Tennessee countryside, creating structures that were two-stories on one side and three on the other. When the structure’s foundation started to falter, Crawford, Smith & Sharp, LLC, was called in to handle the reconstruction project.

There’s Even Mold in Paradise
By Betsey Seibel

When the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Center in Bermuda suffered persistent leaks in its roof and mechanical systems, the resulting mold posed a variety of problems for the facility and required some creative solutions, particularly when it came to finding the proper supplies.

The Keyboard is Mightier than the Sword!

By Julie Miller, Ph.D.

Between e-mail, instant and text messaging, cell phones, Blackberries and the Internet, people are drowning in data overload. They’re also putting more things in writing, which can reflect positively or negatively on a company.

SAFELY OUT™ Program Protects Communities

By Heather Atherton

A newly created program is providing a unique opportunity for restoration companies to help prepare their communities before disaster strikes. Safely Out’s mission is to help ensure that the most vulnerable people are safely evacuated during when a disaster occurs.

Not a subscriber? Then visit

AccuWeather.com forecasted that the 2008 Caribbean hurricane season will see an average number of storms, though a stronger, destructive storm is more likely to hit the East Coast. The group indicated about 12 named storms will surface this year, with a higher number of tropical storms making landfall. Additionally, storms could threaten areas farther north than in previous hurricane seasons, says AccuWeather Chief Long-Range and Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi. As La Nina weakens and water temperatures dip to normal levels, the number of storms is likely to decrease. "However, with warm waters near the north Atlantic coastline, storms may form closer to the coast, resulting in a higher-than-average storm threat on the East Coast, from the Carolinas to New England," notes Bastardi. Along the U.S. coast, about 40 percent of the named storms will be tropical or hurricane strength, nearly two times the normal percentage. The East Coast from Florida to New England will experience between two and three storms, one or two with hurricane-force winds. Bastardi notes the Gulf of Mexico will see up to three storms with tropical storm-force winds and one or two with hurricane-force winds.
(Web Link)
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Insurance Services Office's Property Claim Service continues to examine the tornadoes and storms recently hitting Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma to determine if the storm system warrants a catastrophe designation. Catastrophe designations signify that events cause $25 million in damages and will impact a large number of policyholders. The Missouri Emergency Management Agency reported that 14 people were killed by the storms, and about 175 buildings were damaged in Barry County. Arkansas officials noted that the state experienced 45 tornadoes since January; and about 100 homes and businesses were destroyed by the latest tornadoes, though only nine injuries were reported. American Insurance Association President Marc Racicot said, "This spring we have witnessed a number of intense storms, and Mother's Day weekend was no exception. Few measures can provide any consolation to the victims of these tornadoes, but the insurance industry vows to do its part by assisting the residents in picking up the pieces." Insurers have deployed mobile claims units to help customers with insurance losses and bolster communication among affected areas, but many carriers indicate damage estimates are unclear so soon after the storms.
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Former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) director James Lee Witt wants Congress to revamp the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to implement a federal disaster category for catastrophes so that states and municipalities could receive necessary aid. His proposal would require governors to request the catastrophe designation; and to qualify, anticipated federal costs must surpass $1,500 per person, or state losses must be pegged at 10 percent or more of quarterly tax revenue. Under the designation, federal funds for emergency and restoration projects would not have to be matched by states and local governments, and the cap on community disaster loan funding would jump from the current maximum of $5 million. Donny Ray Williams, staff director of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee for Disaster Recovery, was scheduled to meet with FEMA's inspector general to talk about language to be used in legislation to alter the Stafford Act.
(Web Link)
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Bio-cleaning firms must abide by several requirements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) before technicians can work on crime or trauma sites. In addition to receiving hepatitis B vaccines 10 days prior to on-site work, employees should be trained in universal precautions, personal protective equipment, epidemiology, material data safety sheets, containment setup, and the basics of residential and commercial construction. States require these firms to contract with medical waste disposal companies, and some local governments require that firms removing structural materials obtain contractor's licenses. Only a few states have training and certification requirements in place, such as California and Louisiana, with most depending instead on OSHA regulations and association certifications. To avoid having to call a second bio-cleaning company to finish an improperly handled job, insurance adjusters are encouraged to select firms whose workers have been trained in cleaning techniques and construction and understand the science of deodorization. Additionally, bio-cleaning companies should have a minimum of $1 million in general liability insurance, carry pollution insurance if required under state law, and be willing to provide a statement of procedure that spells out the cleanup processes and chemicals employed on site. Some firms test structures to provide proof that the cleanup eliminated most, if not all, of the microorganisms present prior to the job; and those labeled as biohazard management firms have consultants on staff to handle infection control and disease outbreak when anthrax, Norwalk virus, and other serious contaminants are involved.
(Web Link)
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Many carpet cleaning professionals have branched out into duct cleaning, making it important that they understand the impact of indoor microbial growth on health problems. Particles found indoors include skin flakes, pet dander, clothing and paper fibers, and mold spores, and they tend to settle on carpets and furniture. These dust particles, along with food spills, paper products, and moisture from leaks or water vapor in indoor air, provide the right environment for mold and bacterial growth. Thus, it is important for cleaning professionals to ensure that carpets take no more than 24 hours to dry when they are cleaned. Additionally, experts believe microbial contamination within HVAC equipment plays a greater role in poor indoor air quality than improper ventilation. In this regard, cleaning professionals should underscore the importance of duct cleaning and proper filtration to remove dust that facilitates microbial growth. As an alternative to insufficient fiberglass filters, cleaning professionals should recommend MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) 8 filtration in most instances and MERV 11 in homes where occupants report respiratory problems. Moreover, these filters should be placed in airtight holders, and more powerful blowers could be necessary.
(Web Link)
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ISO's Property Claims Service Unit reported that insured property losses for the first quarter reached $3.35 billion due to catastrophes. Many of the catastrophes were related to tornadoes, winter storms, hail, flooding, and wind, which generated about 615,000 claims in 22 states. A January winter storm caused $745 million in insured damages across 13 states, while a February storm system caused $955 million in damages from Texas to Ohio. Commercial lines sustained about 31 percent of the claims, while property lines accounted for 56 percent of the claims for the quarter. The catastrophic losses in 2007's first quarter totaled $1.26 billion for seven catastrophes.
(Web Link)
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According to the Insurance Services Office (ISO), catastrophes in the first quarter of 2008 reached $3.35 billion, and the string of catastrophes began with a series of tornadoes in February that caused $995 million in insured losses. A single tornado in Atlanta, Ga., caused about $1 billion in losses. These tornadoes could leave many insurers scrambling to cover hurricane losses if the upcoming hurricane season produces hefty losses. According to FM Global Chairman and CEO Shivan S. Subramaniam, "More of what used to be open farm land is now urbanized, and the pace of development is a factor in rising tornado losses." Even if the hurricane season produces typical losses, Subramaniam says insurers could post underwriting losses for the year. However, heightened losses also could lead to a turnaround in premium rates, which have been falling for sometime. About nine catastrophes hit in the first quarter of 2008, which is higher than figures from the last decade, according to ISO. Several insurers, including Allstate and Travelers, have posted first quarter catastrophe losses between $62 million and $568 million. Some insurance carriers are expected to adjust their premiums in light of recent tornado activity, but the rate increases are not likely to offset the steep declines in the commercial property market.
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New rules passed by the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission requires companies that cleanup drug labs to be licensed. Cleanup firms also must adhere to continuing education requirements and technical standards and post cleanup results online. Additionally, the rules mandate that the state Department of Environmental Quality update the guidelines on an annual basis, determine situations that would require licenses to be revoked, and update a list of contaminated properties that will be made public. A committee made up of various state agencies, real estate trade associations, and two cleanup firms was instrumental in the creation of the rules. According to Derek Jennings of Little Rock-based Safety & Environmental Associates Inc., "There are some areas our business will have to really push forward and catch up to comply, but of course safety is always the biggest concern, and this new program will ensure that." The number of cleanup sites has fallen sharply since new laws to restrict the sale of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine were enacted three years ago.
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Tannin stains from such beverages as coffee, tea, and wine are among the most difficult to remove from carpets and furniture, but new solutions make the task less challenging. Coffee and tea stains often are difficult to remove because the liquids tend to contain cream and sugar, while decaffeinated coffee contains hard-to-remove artificial colors as well. Additionally, the heat of these beverages worsens the stain because it breaks through the fabric protection and makes it possible for the substances to bond to the fibers. Cleaning professionals must first work detergent into the stain and let it sit before extracting, avoiding real soap because it sets the tannins and makes removal even harder. They should then use a tannin stain remover, which contains acids to dissolve the tannin, and allow several minutes of dwell time before extracting. If necessary, cleaning specialists might want to consider color-safe bleach or either a reducing or oxidizing agent, both of which are said to work equally well at eliminating discoloration.
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In the past, cleaning professionals could use only crystallization, diamond grinding, or coatings to clean stone floors. However, the cleaning process has been made more efficient by the use of diamond-coated floor pads in conjunction with auto-scrubbers and neutral pH cleansers. Cleaning professionals should first dust mop stone floors, then use one pad to condition the stone and another to shine the floor. If stone floors are in good to fair condition prior to the use of the diamond pads, experts say it takes only a half-dozen to a dozen applications before a high level of shine is achieved. The use of diamond pads eliminates the need to strip, scrub, recoat, and burnish stone floors to improve their appearance. However, cleaning specialists also must take care to maintain the diamond pads by cleaning them with a spray hose or soft nylon brush and water following every use.
(Web Link)
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There are an assortment of environmentally friendly floor types currently on the market, and bamboo and cork increasingly are being used as alternatives to hardwood floors and carpet. Consumers prefer bamboo because it is durable and pre-finished, while cork is harder than carpet but warmer than tile. Experts point out that eco-friendly options exist for those who prefer hardwood floors, such as reclaimed wood from barns or old buildings. Additionally, both manufacturers of hardwood flooring and carpet are offering green versions that emit low levels of volatile organic compounds. Consumers also can choose from modular carpeting, which allows single panels to be removed for cleaning or replaced as necessary, and linoleum comprised of wood pulp and linseed oil and installed with nontoxic glues. Regardless of the type of flooring selected, the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning should be followed to maintain warranties.
(Web Link)
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NewsBreak is another valuable service of Restoration Industry Association.
Masthead photos courtesy of VanDam & Krusinga and Insurance Restoration Services.