The perception of a foul odor or a stench when apparently none exists. In some instances the condition results from psychological factors as in olfactory hallucinations. As related to cacesthesia this is any morbid feeling or disordered sensibility which may be present potentially from a building having altered environments and smells. These types of buildings need to be investigated thoroughly in attempting to separate actual fact from perceived fact. See Artifactual Influences Heightened Awareness Perceived Risk Sensitization Sensory Perception

A manufactured test kit that scientifically measures and calculates the amount of moisture as water vapour emitting from concrete at any one time. The value expressed by the test kit are a measurement of pounds of water as moisture vapor from 1000 square foot of concrete slab surface area over a 24 hour period of time. The test is an ASTM approved method. Liability and Litigation Note Surprisingly most test kits and test results can be challenged in court because the person applying the test kit has not been properly trained to apply the kit they wrongfully computed the results or they were not taking other environmental factors into consideration at the time of testing.

The use of specially engineered scientific equipment that independently calibrates field use equipment to an acceptable standard before testing or sampling. Education Note In water damage mitigation usually the only electronic equipment requiring calibration are the temperature and humidity monitoring equipment. These pieces of pre-calibrated electronic equipment are sensitive to wet atmospheres dropping and being treated with little care or concern for their intended use. Temperature and humidity equipment should be measured against each others readings. If either piece of equipment indicates a variance of more than 3%u0025 then both pieces of equipment should be measured against a third. If there is a problem with any of the temperature and humidity recording equipment readings they then should be removed from the field and sent to the manufacture.

The tendency of the surface of a liquid to rise or fall when in contact with a solid material.

In water damaged buildings capillary action is the rate which a building material or content can absorb hold and retain water. Contractor Note Capillary action increases as surface tension decreases. The capillary action phenomenon is explained by the movement of water in absorptive materials to levels higher than the surface water or wetness. See Wicking

The force of a liquid to rise when in contact with a porous substance. The force of adhesion and surface tension allows a substance to soak up a liquid.

A method of stopping capillary action at a certain point or action area from continuing. For example in water damage buildings a capillary break is a method which concrete slabs are dried in sections. Mitigation and Restorative Drying Note When rubber backed carpet tiles are dried in situ the wet carpet tiles need to be pulled up having no less than 3 three rows removed exposing the wet concrete slab. Once the wet concrete slab and floor tiles have been dried only two of the three rows of carpet tiles are to be reset back in place. The third row of carpet tiles and exposed concrete slab are to remain open resulting in a capillary break in the transition layer of the concrete. Then another two or three rows of wet tiles can be pulled back and the carpet and concrete dried. Properly completed this method of providing drying to wet concrete and carpet tiles using a capillary break method is only a two phase process completed in an average of three-five drying days. See Transition Layer

That area between materials having a dry mass and a wet mass materials having gradients effected by humidity temperature and moisture or materials having different permeability. Often drapes and wall paper water mark staining the capillary fringe where capillary action stopped. Education Note In a water damaged building a capillary fringe may exist be two different materials such as wet drywall and a vinyl cove base. The porous drywall retains moisture while the vinyl cove base repulses moisture.

The force that causes a liquid to be depressed when in contact with non-porous materials.

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 1000 ppm. Carbon dioxide levels greater than 5000 ppm should bring about an immediate corrective action by department managers and management.

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.

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.

A carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in illness and death of persons from exposure to carbon monoxide gas. Health and Safety Note In water damages floor furnaces are at and below floor level and appliances with gas ignition are near floor level they are able to rust in the presence of flood waters and high humidity. Rust will cause gas appliances to have incomplete combustion they are suspect of being a source of chronic health concerns which are seldom identified.

The combination of carbon monoxide gas and blood hemoglobin that result in blood poisoning.

Any chemical or biological substance that can cause abnormal growth of tissue or tumors in humans and animals.

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

A fabric material that is generally placed on floors for comfort and appearance and sometimes on walls for reduction of sound. Carpets as a floorcovering has a limited life expectancy from 7 to 15 years. Usually carpets are replaced before the end of their life expectancy with an average carpet having from 5 to 10 years life-use. Commercial carpets are different than residential carpets both in construction and use. Care and Handling Note Carpets must be cleaned and sanitized when they are dirty like any fabric. Proper cleaning techniques can extend the life of most carpets. Water Damage Note Carpet in water damages act like a sponge and absorb and retain large amounts of water and sewage. Carpets if they are stable can be successfully cleaned and reinstalled after a fresh water flood but carpets having sewage should be replaced. Totally saturated carpets if possible should be removed from a building since most subfloors and walls will also be saturated. Wet carpet retains sometimes hundreds of gallons of water increasing its wet weight from its dry weight up to five times. Restorative Drying Note Attempting to dry wet carpet in a building where walls and subfloors are also wet dramatically increases the overall drying time.

An underlayment material that is placed under a carpet. Education Note The cushion acts like a pad in that the cushion softens the carpet while protecting the face fibers and secondary backing of the carpet. A good carpet cushion adds life to a carpet especially in high traffic areas. Restorative Drying Note After a major flood the carpet cushion should be removed to aid in the immediate drying of the building then if the carpet is still in place removal of the cushion will aid in the drying of the carpet. The problem with drying a building with carpet cushion and/or carpet remains in place are these saturated materials increase the drying time of the building as well as they increase the ambient humidity as long as they remain wet. Litigation Health and Safety Note Drying carpet cushion and carpet in place may result in unwanted mold growth and increase allergens. All sewage saturated carpet cushion must be carefully removed and disposed. Leaving sewage contaminated carpet cushion in place has been known to result in sickness and illness.

Flexible polyurethane foam cushion formulated with added reinforcement for increased load-bearing.

Carpet cushion produced by grinding flexible polyurethane foam into small particles and binding them together with a chemical adhesive.

The measurement of polyurethane carpet cushions load-bearing characteristics. The result shows the reaction to loading applied over time such as when a person stands on it.

The measurement of rubber cushions load-bearing characteristics. This indicates the products response to immediate loading such as that experienced when it is stepped upon.

The natural or synthetic rubber cushion having a flat finished appearance on both sides.

Cushion made from polyurethane chemicals and reinforcing filler frothed with air into the reacting mixture.

An open-cell rubber cushion reinforced with solid rubber particles usually made from recycled tires.

A needle-punched synthetic fibre that is recycled from the textile processes.

Natural or synthetic rubber cushion produced to give an appearance of bubbles on the surface and usually containing non-woven or paper scrim on the top side.

Needle-punched felt of clean sterilized natural fibre coated with skid-proof resin on top and bottom.

Needle-punched felt or jute fibre sealed on both sides with filled latex and embossed.

Non-woven needle-punched felt made principally of post-industrial scrap synthetic carpet material with no outside adhesives.

Natural or synthetic rubber cushion produced with a fine textured appearance on the bottom and non-woven or paper backing on the top.

The description of terms that are commonly used during the purchase replacement or repair of a carpet. See Stain Resistance

A rolling tool weighing from 35 to 50 pounds and up to 100 pounds that aids the adhesion of carpet and mastic adhesives to bond with a subfloor. Water Damage Note Carpet rollers are also used on water damaged carpets where especially gluedown carpets are squeezed-out of the excess moisture. See Compression Rolling

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. 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.

The actions necessary to remove or deliver materials from one location to another. Contractor Note Cartage is a billable charge when labour material handling equipment storage bailee insurance and where relocation of contents or building materials are involved. See Bailee Insurance

An abbreviation for the Chemical Abstract Service number of a chemical that indexes it and compiles abstracts about it in the worldwide chemical literature called Chemical Abstracts. CAS Number can be found on the side of chemical containers or on the MSDS.

The term given by the Property Claim Services section of the American Insurance Association to property loss adjusters who adjust and settle catastrophes. CAT adjusters are called when losses from a single event or catastrophe totals more than 5 million dollars.

An acronym describing concepts of what steps are necessary in chronology in mitigating water damaged properties properly. The three-step concept is 1 containment of migrating flood water 2 adsorption/extraction and surface removal and 3 treatment the cleanup including sanitization. Restorative Drying Note The CAT concept is required in building damage remediation before restorative drying can be implemented appropriately. In major losses the CAT concept and the restorative drying process often become overlapped at some point.

Disaster management and disaster recovery contractors whose job is to manage and mitigate emergency loss CAT claims.

The process and procedure by which an adhesive material as a sealer is applied to the corners of a surface. The caulking may be applied on all adjoining areas of two or more materials or as a surface bead.

The exact location and mechanism by which a fire or water damage originated. Legal and Liability Note The remediation contractor %u0027must teach%u0027 every emergency response technicians to look think and don%u0027t touch or remove or further damage water or fire damaged areas related to cause and origin without being instructed to do so and signed-off by a responsible party. The issue of removing or further damaging cause and origin without proper documentation can result in direct liability to the contractor or a company representative. Smith v. Supreme Court - reference punitive damage of wilfully throwing evidence away and failure to act with reasonable care meaning you cannot damage or throw evidence away and Howe v. Matag destruction of evidence poilage%u0027 or the poilation of evidence%u0027. All responsible parties claimant and defendant adjusters manufacturers forensic experts to attorneys must be allowed to investigate damaged property and determine the cause and origin. Before attempting some types of emergency clean-up the contractor must have paper work signed-off saying they are being allowed to remove all damaged areas including cause and origin. Other wise the contractor must limit their damage assessment and emergency clean-up to the best and most appropriate damage control methods. In fire damage no contractor is to remove cause and origin without all parties including fire investigators agreeing that they have fully investigated the claim and they have removed or documented cause and origin to their satisfaction.

Any substance that is strong enough to damage or destroy tissue on human skin or corrosive enough to damage a material.

An English/Spanish sign denoting the need for caution. Education Note Caution and Caution Do Not Enter signs must be posted at every entry and exit of a building or area requiring the signs. Below the caution word must be sufficient space to write and describe the causation or reasons for Do Not Enter. In addition your company name and a contact name with phone number must be on the sign. Once posted caution signs must be dated with a start date and end date of the caution. See Confined Space Isolation Permit Required Confined Space Entry

The concentration of toxic chemicals vapours and mists in a work environment or closure that should never be exceeded.

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.

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.

A teaching and certification school that teaches adjusters and contractors real-time drying restorative methods and drying research in a working classroom and wet building environment. Contact Dri-Eaz at 800/932-3030 or www.dri-eaz.com

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.

A common fungi found on cut green pine wood wet wood in lumbar yards and new wood in buildings. Lumbar yard fungi when viable produces a bluish color staining and when dormant or dead is black in color. Ceratocystis ophiostoma grows on the vascular surface of cut wood but it does not damage or cause deterioration to the lignins of the wood. Ceratosystis ophiostoma fungi likes new sap from freshly cut wood. See Lumber Yard Mold

CERCLA is also known as the Superfund Act. CERCLA regulations and mandates do not generally apply in a water damaged building scenario but CERCLA may apply when waste water drainage and run-off at a work site are allowed to leave a site and enter into near by storm drains. Contractors who are fire damage restorers must become informed about CERCLA and RCRA when chemicals are at a burn site or run-off is allowed outside a property or berm. General Liability Note Contractors improperly cleaning up a damage site or found illegally disposing of chemicals may be in violation of CERCLA or RCRA. See RCRA

A to be signed document presented by the contractor to the customer or insured which states the contractor has completed all work as agreed and to the satisfaction of the customer or insured.

An employee that has completed all of the requirements for training certification delineated in standards and approved training courses.

A person who possesses a bachelor of science or advanced degree in industrial hygiene engineering physics biology medicine or related physical and biological sciences who also has a minimum if three to five years full-time industrial hygiene experience. To have a CIH designation the person must be currently registered and recognized by the American Industrial Hygiene Association or other industry recognized industrial hygiene associations. See Industrial Hygienist

An employee who has attained sufficient classroom and technical knowledge to pass an industry test about a particular trade. Education Note In water damage mitigation like in many other associations the water damage technician certification is only good for a period of time before it needs to be renewed. Not having re-education continuing education and renewal voids the water damage technician certification. See IICRC

Referring to sewage contamination Education Note Liquid and decomposing waste found under substructures that has been accumulating there for weeks and months. The attached ground has become an underground sink and cistern disposal area it is undesirable and extremely unhealthy. Health Note Improperly cleaned up interiors of buildings having coliform bacteria are cesspools of sewage residing in occupant exposures.

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.

A written document which transfers environmental samples from a field technician to a laboratory or materials from one party to another.

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%u0022 to 44%u0022 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.

Changes from a phase such as solid to a liquid a liquid to a gas or vapour or to another.

A written document that results in the modification of an existing contract. A change order either removes adds or exchanges items in the contract for items or services. A change order spells out all the labour and material changes and revised contract prices.

The process of switching an air conditioning system from heating to cooling or vice versa.

Any organism product material or biological agent that present a risk to humans. Health Note A biological material that threatens humans and their living and work environment. Illness and diseases which are known to be acquired through animal and human secretions or their by-products.

Mitigation Note Under federal state and local law some waste and its constituents once identified are considered to be hazardous to breathe or when coming into physical contact with them. Health and Safety Note Hazardous waste can cause moderate to severe health effects in employees and occupants resulting in acute and chronic health concerns. ALL hazardous liquid waste must be properly identified contained and controlled and only professional trained and certified persons must be allowed to contain and remove hazardous liquid waste.

Any chemical or agent that poses a threat to human health or the environment if released minor or in significant amounts depending on the chemical or agent.

A particle which possesses at least one unit electrical charge and which will not disintegrate upon loss of charge. Charged particles are characterized by particle size number and sign of unit charges and mobility.

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.

Cracking cubing or fractling of wood due to natural causes from water damages or a result of wood damage from some type of fungi resulting in a wood rot. See Cob Web Effect

A face-type mask usually of a butyl-rubber-latex configuration having one or two chemical cartridges. The face-piece respirator and cartridges must be appropriately donned and used for the type of contaminate known or suspected.

Any spill or leak or detection of concentrations of chemicals of concern in the indoor environment or attached environments including the outside air to the building. Chemical release includes all chemicals sprays sealers disinfectants and deodorants used in a building after a loss.

The acute or chronic sensitivity reaction to a chemical substance. Health and Safety Note Chemical sensitivity can be a result of adsorption from skin contact inhalation and ingestion. Chemical sensitivity may show itself as an allergic or asthma reaction swelling and redness on skin shortness of breath laboured breathing dizziness stomach ache and vomiting or a neurological disorder.

A rubber cleaning sponge that has large cells capable of capturing dry particles from surfaces. As the rubber sponge is being applied on dry surfaces the surface cleaning action debrides the outer sponge layer exposing a cleaner surface area for additional cleaning. The chemical sponge picks up soot and captures smoke odor. Mitigation Note The name chemical sponge more commonly referred to by industry as a chem-sponge possesses no special chemicals in the sponge as the name suggests. As a rubber-type sponge it does not pick up or absorb water or chemicals easily and it should not be used for wet-side cleaning.

The specific compounds and their breakdown byproducts that are present suspected or documented. Identification of chemicals can be based on historical documents and material safety data sheets. If there is a potential release of chemicals identification requires monitoring of detected concentrations in the environment and a reasonable theory for exposure must be considered when evaluating for toxicity and increased and unacceptable risk.

A refrigeration machine that chills water the evaporator section of such a refrigerant machine.

Means those building materials that are made from wood chips glue and resin. Chip board/particle board are ASTM rated as a construction grade materials and are found as subfloors. Mitigation Note Once saturated with water or sewage these materials tend to swell and loose their efficiency as a stable building material. Once damaged the damaged section usually requires replacement. Large sections of saturation damage may result in the complete subfloor being replaced. Construction Safety Caution Improper removal of the chip board/particle board from second floors or above may cause a shift to the building frame more commonly referred to as racking. 97 UBC Section 2515 Chapter 23 2-B-1 %u002326.

The by-product of burning PVC and water and hydrochloric acid.

An infectious waterborne disease that is characterized by severe diarrhea and results in dehydration. Outbreaks are not common in first world countries but because of recent influence of third world persons living in the United States may now be residing in unsanitary living environments. Health Note Public health officials say exposure of a contaminated environment to water damage remediation employees from fecal matter and unsanitary living environments is a health concern even if Cholera is not present.

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

An adverse long-term exposure effect brought about from exposures to a chemical biological or toxic substance that develops slowly over a long period of time usually several weeks to years.

A solvent derived from the oils of citrus fruits. It is effective in cleaning virtually any oil-base soil or staining agent from a wide variety of surfaces. Education Note Citric cleaning is reported to be safe for use on most fabrics vinyls woods carpeting and metal. Advantages of citric cleaning besides cle