|
| Damage
A
measure of the physical property damage of a
content or material.
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|
| Damage
Risk Assessment
An
on-site review of all building and human
occupancy concerns and risks by a trained
professional. The damage may result in a
physical danger to the occupants from building
conditions. Safety Note At all times
during water damage and catastrophic
flooding buildings require a damage risk
assessment before starting mitigation. See
Phase-I Assessment
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|
| Damper
A
passive or mechanical device used to control the
volume of air passing through an air
outlet air inlet or duct.
| |
|
| Damp-mopping
A
procedure using a moistened cotton mop over a
relatively clean surface to remove loose
dusts and dirt off of a floor surface. Education
Note Damp mopping is used in between
cleanings for the control of dusts and
dirt since this procedure helps control
surface tracking of migrant materials while
reducing time and money spent on more intensive
maintenance procedures. Damp mopping is a
process that is often used right before a floor
finish is applied. Damp mopping is also a
procedure where small spills can be absorbed
into a cotton mop having a neutral
detergent allowing for the easy pickup of
the spill and applying a non-residual
cleaning agent.
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|
| Damp-Proofing
Moisture impervious tar-like materials that are
applied to concrete on the outside foundation
side protecting the structure from absorbing
unwanted moisture and moisture vapor.
Control measures using chemical treatments on
concrete or masonry to retard the absorption or
transmission of water and water vapor. Liability
Note Damp-proofing sealers seldom provide
the desirable effect for which they are
intended or the results which were
contracted. Contact the manufacturer or
distributor of the product for written
warrantees and guarantees incase the product
fails. As a contractor make sure the
products that are used and installed are
installed in strict accordance with product
labelling.
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|
| Daseline
Data
Building and environmental information which are
gathered to determine the accumulations of
biological chemical toxins and other
physical properties. The baseline data
of acceptable indoor air quality including
thermal physical and respirable
measurements. c The baseline data of
acceptable indoor air quality verses outside air
quality. d The efficiency ratio of a
ventilation system to operate and separate
contaminates from indoor air. e The energy
efficiency of a building over time. See
Background Measurements
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|
| Date
of Agreement
The
date shown on the face of an agreement or the
date that an agreement has been
signed.
| |
|
| Db
Decibel
A
measurement of the intensity of sound. A decibel
is one tenth of a bel an increase of 1 bel
is approximately doubles the loudness of a
sound.
| |
|
| De
Minimis
A
legal term that states certain quantities
of pollutants that are small enough to be exempt
from environmental regulations.
| |
|
| Deadwood
Building
materials from timber cut from trees that are
considered to be dead trees.
| |
|
| Debris
Removal
In
insurance terms debris removal are those
materials as debris that are part of a covered
claim that must be removed as part of a loss.
Education Note Most insurance policies
cover debris removal expense following a loss
covered under the Property Section of the
policy. In some instances if the amount of
loss including debris removal
expenses exceeds the limit of
insurance the insurance carrier may agree
to pay an additional 5%u0025 of the limit of the
insurance of the damaged property.
| |
|
| Decay
In
wood the disintegration caused by the
action of fungi such as wood rot. See Wood
Rot Fungi
| |
|
| Decontamination
Acceptable
mechanical methods to remove a certain
contaminate by. Health and safety requirements
and mitigation measures necessary to remove a
pollutant or contaminate. Sewage Mitigation
Note The physical removal of
fresh gray and sewage water and its
microbiological entities. The ability to
salvage clean and disinfect damaged
building materials and contents. c In some
instances decontamination means the
careful physical removal of damaged and
saturated building materials. Hazardous
Materials Management Note With regulated
waste decontamination is the removal of
hazardous substances from employees and their
equipment to the extent necessary to preclude
the occurrence of foreseeable adverse health
effects.
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|
| Decontamination
Area
One
or more indoor rooms or outside areas that are
specifically made and used to decontaminate
workers and/or equipment.
| |
|
| Decontamination
of Employees and Equipment
The
removal of contaminates from surfaces of
reusable clothing and equipment through cleaning
and sanitizing. The cleaning and sanitizing of
employees with good hygiene practices. Health
and Safety Note No employee or equipment
exposed at the job site should be released until
cleaning and sanitizing has been
completed.
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|
| Decor
A
combination of materials finishes and
furnishings that creates a particular style of
interior decorating.
| |
|
| Deductible
The
dollar amount that a policy holder agrees to pay
in the event of a covered loss. The insurance
company pays for the remaining damage up to the
limit of the policy.
| |
|
| Deductible
Clause
In
an insurance policy a deductible clause is
the agreed amount to which a policy holder is
responsible for during a covered loss. The
insurance company will pay to repair a covered
loss minus the deductible amount as shown in the
declarations. The deductible shown in the
declarations applies separately to each loss.
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|
| Deductible
Collection
That
portion of an insurance policy which the insured
is personally responsible for to the restoration
contractor or retailer. Legal Liability
Note Caution should be taken by
contractors when requesting the deductible from
an insured. By accepting money the
contractor is agreeing to provide services in
trade. Until it can be established there is
coverage for the claim the contractor may
be at risk of returning the money or any future
amount owed to the insured if the
contractors contract states they agree to
bill the insurer for the balance owed and not
the insured.
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|
| Deduction
The
amount of money deducted from the contract sum
by a written change order.
| |
|
| Defect
A
condition or characteristic that detracts from a
standard appearance strength or
durability of an object or material.
| |
|
| Defect
Latent
A
defect in the manufacturing of a product that is
neither apparent or visible upon reasonable
inspection prior to use of the product but
which becomes apparent at a later time. Legal
Liability Note In the case of a latent
defect the cause of the complaint should
be established and the parties should come to a
mutually acceptable resolution of the
problem.
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|
| Defect
Recourse
A
process of addressing a defect within the
warrantee guidelines of a manufacturer or
industry. Legal Liability Note The
retailer contractor or installer
should notify the retailer or manufacturer of
any and all visible defects prior to
installation whenever such notice is
possible. If the visible defect is noted by the
retailer/contractor/installer and reported to
the manufacturer prior to installation the
manufacturer should work with the
retailor/contractor for a mutually acceptable
method of correction or replacement. If such
notice is not possible the
retailer/contractor should take reasonable
action to resolve the situation with due
regard to minimixing the costs that may be
incurred. A retailer/contractor who knowingly
installs a visibly defective merchandise without
following the notification procedures outlined
above or attached to the product may have
no resource against the manufacture.
| |
|
| Defect
Visible
An
obvious defect that can be readily and easily
discerned prior to or at the time of
installation and/or prior to use.
| |
|
| Deflooding
The
physical removal of standing flood waters from
buildings during the emergency clean-up
phase.
| |
|
| Defoamer
A
chemical agent that is added to a liquid to
reduce foaming problems. In carpet cleaning
foaming becomes a problem when too much
detergent or soap-base products are present.
| |
|
| Degenerative
Disease
A
disorder characterized by the gradual loss of
some human function. For example chronic
exposure to mould and bacterial toxins are known
to contribute and cause gradual immune
suppression.
| |
|
| Degradation
A
deterioration of a material from light
humidity temperature other elements
or improper use.
| |
|
| Degree
Day
A
fuel/temperature measurement based upon
temperature difference and time. Education
Note A degree day is used in estimating
fuel consumption and specifying nominal heating
loads of a building in winter. For any one
day when the mean temperature is less than
65%u00B0F there exist as many degree days
as there are Fahrenheit degrees difference in
temperature between the mean temperature for the
day and 65%u00B0F which is the base
temperature in the U.S..
| |
|
| Degree
of Compaction
The
measurement of soil as related to its
density its compaction based
on a standard formula.
| |
|
| Degree
of Saturation
The
ratio of the volume of water in a given material
to the volume of the material in its normal dry
acclimatised usable state. The
degree of saturation is expressed as a
percentage.
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|
| Dehumidification
The
process of removing humidity. The condensation
of water vapour from air by cooling it below the
dewpoint or the removal of water vapour
from air by chemical or physical means.
Restorative Drying Note Often
dehumidification can be accomplished by opening
doors and windows to a dryer atmosphere
and dehumidification is accellerated through
forced air movement and the use of
engineering controls and devises such as
dehumidifiers and air movers.
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|
| Dehumidification
Curve
In
water damaged buildings and restorative
drying the measurement of moisture in
ambient air while the building remains wet
as compared to the moisture measurements in
ambient air while the building is in the process
of drying.
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|
| Dehumidification
Equipment Drying Performance
The
relationship between the dehumidification
equipment and its ability to function
properly compared against the load of
relative humidity in a wet building atmosphere
and wet materials. Restorative Drying Note
As far as the dehumidification equipment itself
is concerned the dehumidification
equipment drying performance must be considered
by calculating the manufacturer
performance figures charts of the
dehumidification equipment to which the machine
can operate efficiently at ideal ambient
temperatures and humidity in the building
the amperage ratings of the dehumidifier
averaging 80%u00B0F. at 60%u0025 RH
c the ability of the dehumidifiers
compressor to increase BTUs in atmosphere at
varying temperatures and humidity d
the efficiency capacity of collection coils or
desiccant beds to exchange moisture vapor for
liquid water at varying temperatures and
humidity.
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|
| Dehumidification
Shock
A
term used in restorative drying to
describe the process and means of dramatically
decreasing the ambient humidity in a wet
building environment within a relatively short
period of time. Education and Restorative Drying
Note A dehumidification shock approach is
warranted when the environment is severely wet
and where time is on the side of mould
growth or where secondary damage is about
to occur if the trapped building water and
humidity are not abated within a short period of
time including a matter of hours. Large
refrigerant and desiccant equipment are
necessary to provide dehumidification shock.
Calculating the grains of moisture in wet
air making assumptions about the amount of
trapped water and moisture in building materials
along with temperature and humidity
readings must carefully be calculated for
a dehumidification shock equation before
considering using this dehumidification
process
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|
| Dehumidifier
An air cooler or washer used for lowering the
moisture content of the air passing through
it An absorption or adsorption
machine designed specifically for removing
unwanted moisture from air. Adjuster/Contractor
Restorative Drying Note Dehumidifiers may
be similar in function and design but they
are not alike when it comes to restorative
drying of wet buildings. Specially designed
dehumidifiers are often required to dry wet
buildings properly. Commercial size
dehumidifiers are equipment capable of removing
from 15 to 100 gallons of humidified moisture in
air per day. Although a dehumidifier may
function properly in a wet room the
dehumidifier may not effect the dehumidification
process of a wet wall ceiling or subfloor.
The dehumidification of wet walls for
example requires special techniques and
equipment to dry the wall cavity properly
and the equipment must do so within a reasonable
time before mold growth occurs. See Desiccant
Drying Psychometrics Refrigerant
Drying Restorative Drying
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|
| Dehydration
The removal of water vapor from air through the
use of absorbing or adsorbing materials
The removal of water from stored goods.
Restorative Drying Note The process of
dehydration is important and must be considered
as the preferred process when books
documents film and other media have been
effected by excessive high humidity or a
flooding event.
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|
| Delamination
The
separating or detaching of a primary material
from its composite matrix or its secondary
materials. Education Note Delamination is
usually is a result of wear and tear but
delamination can be a result of increased
exposures to environmental conditions
including sun light and UV heat too
little or too much humidity air movement
causing drying and water damages causing
release of glue and adhesive binders.
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|
| Delay
An
event or condition that results in the stopping
or the slowdown of a project.
| |
|
| Deliquescence
The
absorption of moisture from the air by certain
salts in plaster or brick resulting in
damp spots to appear like crystalline
deposits or damp spots that appear to be
darker than the surrounding material.
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|
| Deluge
Sprinkler System
A
dry-pipe sprinkler system designed for
geographical areas that may experience
temperatures at or below freezing. The dry-pipe
sprinkler system is actuated by heat or smoke
detection devices which then turn on valves to
admit water into the dry-pipe.
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|
| Demand
Control
A
mechanical or electronically activated device
which controls the kW demand levels in a
building by shedding electrical loads when the
kW demand exceeds a pre-determined set
point.
| |
|
| Demolition
The
purposeful intentional destruction of part or
all of a building or material.
| |
|
| Denitrifying
Bacteria
Anaerobic
sewage bacteria in soil under buildings that are
capable of anaerobic respiration while
using the nitrate ion as a substitute for
molecular oxygen during their metabolism. See
Soil-Gas
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|
| Density
The
thickness and compactness of a material. The
ratio of the mass of an object to its
volume.
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|
| Deoderants
Deodorants
that are used in buildings after a flood are
suppose to remove or destroy musty-like odours
and other odours. Hygienists find that
deodorants leave occupants with impression that
odour problems have been abated
which in most instances they have not.
Deodorants are to be used sparingly and
must not be used as a masking agent
producing a false positive sense of clean air.
See Masking Agents
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|
| Depreciation
A
loss in value or worth from all
causes.
| |
|
| Deratitis
Infammation
An
inflammation and/or irritation of the skin.
Health and Safety Note Dermatitis
inflammation can be a concern to water damage
workers from excessive chemical exposures
and allergic reactions associated with constant
contact to flood waters and skin irritants. See
Athletes Foot Contact
Dermatitis
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|
| Desiccant
Dehumidifiers
Machines
which are designed to adsorb pints of water per
hour over a bed of dessicating materials
usually in the form of a wheel inside a machine.
Education Note Only part of the dessicant
wheel is exposed to the wet environment intake
and the other part of %u005Bwet%u005D wheel is
exhausted out of the dessicant machine through
warm forced air and ducting. Dessicant
Dehumidifiers are very effective in reducing
unwanted moisture to relative humidity levels of
less than 10%u0025. See Refrigerant
Dehumidifiers and Dehumidification
Dri-Eaz
| |
|
| Desiccate
To
dry thoroughly or the process to make a material
or environment dry by removing moisture
content.
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|
| Desorption
The
removal of excess water and moisture that has
adsorbed into building and content materials.
See Dehumidifiers Desiccant
Dehumidifiers Dehumidification
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|
| Detached
Dwelling
A
structure that is intended for habitation and is
surrounded by exterior walls with open
space.
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|
| Detached
Garage
A
garage which is free standing and whose exterior
walls are surrounded by open space.
| |
|
| detaching
of Vanities and Counters
In
sewage contamination detaching of vanities and
counters means the physical detaching of
the cabinet or counter from the wall to inspect
for sewage effluents or water behind and under
the cabinet or counter.
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|
| Detection
Limit
The
smallest amount of a chemical that can be
detected by a specific instrument or scientific
method.
| |
|
| Detergent
A
water soluble compound capable of suspending
dirt and other organics. Detergents can emulsify
oils and act as a wetting agent. Caution
detergents with phosphates have been banned in
many parts of the nation because they are
one source of pollution which cause
environmental hazards to lakes and streams.
Detergents residues should not be discharged
into storm drains. Education Note
Detergents act-like sanitizer since they
suspend oils grease and organisms.
Detergents need to be rinsed out and off of
contaminated surfaces to work properly.
Detergents work best if they are allowed to have
a surface contact dwell time are agitated
into a material and are used in warm
water. Detergents work better than disinfectants
while in the presence of dirt and oil and
much bacteria such as sewage. See
Eutrophication
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|
| Detergent
Cleansing
In
sewage contamination of salvageable but
contaminated building materials detergent
cleaning means warm water washing and
agitation of the surface with scrub brushes or
electric floor scrubber. See Rewashing
Sewage Terms
| |
|
| Detritus
Tank
A
settling tank that allows debris to collect
sediment without interrupting the flow of
liquid.
| |
|
| Detrusion
The
shearing of wood along the grain.
| |
|
| Dew
The
moisture vapor condensed on objects at or near
ground level. Dew is a result of temperature
having fallen below the dew point temperature of
the surrounding air.
| |
|
| Dewatering
The
technical name for the mechanical removal of
vast amounts of standing water from an
area such as a pond a farm
field a construction site or even a
submersed sub-grade parking structure.
Dewatering requires the use of commercial piston
driven and/or diaphragm pumps having an
outlet of 4%u0022 or greater. Mitigation
Note The physical removal of standing
sewage water and sludge off of ground. The
resulting product is water saturated
ground which can now be tilled remediated
or aerated naturally once dewatered.
| |
|
| Dewpoint
The surface temperature at which moisture will
condense out of the air onto a surface The
surface temperature varies with the relative
humidity. With mixed ratio and
barometric pressure constant the
temperature to which air must be cooled in order
to attain saturation by water vapour.
| |
|
| dewpoint
Acceleration
A
forced process by which the specific relative
temperature and humidity results in condensation
on cooling coils or desiccant beds of a
dehumidifier.
| |
|
| Dewpoint
Depression
The
difference between dry bulb and dew point
temperatures oF DB- oF
DP.
| |
|
| Dewpoint
Related to New Building Materials
The
acclimation of new building materials in a new
environment before installation. Education
Note Problems related with dew point and a
new atmosphere having moisture and vapor
condensation problems - Concrete slabs and
new flooring Concrete slabs are measured
for moisture levels using the calcium chloride
test method and pH tests have been conducted.
Installation Note The floor covering
installer has taken great pains in ensuring the
project will go as error-free as possible.
Several days later the flooring is
installed and in less than a month
blisters begin to appear and/or adhesive begins
oozing from the floor covering seams. Inspectors
Note The floor is opened up and inspected
and it has been determined the adhesive
did not cure%u0021 Next a series of events
begin to take place establishing the guilt or
failure of the flooring installer and/or
manufacturer. Liability/Litigation Note
The manufacturer is brought in to establish
whether their products are defective and the
litigation cycle i.e. expense
time damage to customer goodwill and
reputation etc. begins yet again.
This all-too-familiar scenario will continue to
play itself out with the current
%u0022facts%u0022 creating more questions and
confusion than answers. The likelihood is that
this problem will continue to increase in
frequency with the confusion increasing -
unless the influences of dewpoint in the
building are considered. Installers Note
Dew point does a nearly indistinguishable
imitation of classic moisture
%u0022problems%u0022 that can result in real
floor covering installation concerns. Yet
dewpoint is in reality a transitory
effect which once detected can be
controlled at the time prior to
installation if the installer is made
aware of its existence and how to control the
potential detrimental effects.
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|
| Dewpoint
Temperature
A temperature at which a given water vapor
content and constant pressure are capable
of producing condensation of water from an
atmosphere. The temperature at which any
gas begins to condense. c A point in
temperature which moist air becomes saturated
100%u0025 relative humidity with
water vapour when cooled at a constant pressure.
See Enthalpy
| |
|
| Dewpoint
Ambient
The
temperature to which indoor air must be
cooled at a given pressure and
water-vapour content for it to reach
saturation.
| |
|
| Dextrin
Anylin Starch Gum
A
starch-based compound used for wall sizing and
wallpaper adhesive. As a paste the starch
is mould-loving when wet or the walls are
damp for periods of time.
| |
|
| D-Grade
Wood
Specified
wood for indoor use only.
| |
|
| Differential
In
the HVAC the differential difference is
between the points where a mechanical or
electronic sensor controller automatically turns
%u0022on%u0022 and %u0022off.%u0022 If a
thermostat turns a furnace on a 69%u00B0 and the
differential is 3%u00B0 the burner will be
turned off at 72%u00B0.
| |
|
| Differential
Levelling
A
method for determining the difference in
elevation between two points using a level and a
rod.
| |
|
| Differential
Pressure
The
difference in static pressure between two
locations.
| |
|
| Differential
Settlement
An
uneven downward movement of the foundation of a
structure usually caused by varying soil
conditions compaction or building
load resulting in cracks and distortions
in the foundation and slab.
| |
|
| Diffuser
A
circular square or rectangular air
distribution outlet generally located in
the ceiling and comprised of deflecting vanes or
louvers discharging supply air in various
directions and planes and arranged to
promote mixing of primary air with secondary
room air.
| |
|
| Diffusion
Rate
A
measure of the tendency of one gas or vapour to
disperse into or mix with another gas or vapour.
This rate depends on the density of the vapour
or gas as compared with that of air
which is given a value of 1.
| |
|
| Dilution
The process of changing or diluting a solvent
from one strength to another or a mixture of
substances into another. Increasing the
proportion of solvent or a diluent
liquid to solute or particulate
matter solid. c The process of
mixing and exchanging contaminated or humidified
air with less contaminated or humidified air.
d The change in temperature humidity
and air mass in a building with new or treated
temperature humidity and air
mass.
| |
|
| Dilution
Ratio
The
ratio of a solvent cleaning agent or a
disinfectant concentrate to be diluted
down to its recommended use.
| |
|
| Dimensional
Stability
The ability of wood and other building materials
to maintain their natural man-made or
engineered configuration without undue stress.
A building material capable of enduring
indefinite structural effluences under normal
conditions. Construction Note Building
materials which under normal conditions maintain
their dimensional stability but under
abnormal conditions their dimensional
stability can be effected by temperature
stress load humidity moisture
and decay.
| |
|
| Diminished
Property Value
A
proportionally smaller value to a property due
to a damage. Diminished property value is a
lessening or decreasing of property value as a
result of some type of damage. In river flooding
for example a dwelling may not have the
same property value it had prior to a
catastrophic loss. While the dwelling itself was
repaired the overall value of the dwelling
may have been affected by the environmental
conditions surrounding the property. When an
antique piece of furniture has been
damaged it may have been professionally
restored but because of the damage
it may have sustained a diminished value. In a
fire damaged property where antique
contents are present the removal of years
of patina during the cleaning and
restoration process will result in a
diminished property value.
| |
|
| Dimorphic
Fungus
A
filamentous fungus having the ability to exhibit
alternate growth forms. A fungus exhibiting
yeast-like cells at 98.6%u00B0F
37%u00B0C and exhibiting
filamentous mould growth at room
temperature.
| |
|
| Direct
Costs
The
labour material equipment
subcontractor and other costs directly
incorporated into the repair or
construction.
| |
|
| Direct
Expense
All
costs that are directly incurred by or
chargeable to a project or claim.
| |
|
| Direct
Exposure Pathways
An
exposure pathway where the point of exposure is
at the source. The control of the direct
exposure pathways requires containing the
release from any other areas or parts of the
building including ventilation duct air
return to the building.
| |
|
| Direct
Reading Instruments
Moisture detection instruments which give an
immediate reading and indication of the
percentage of moisture content in or on a
material. Humidity and temperature
recording instruments give an immediate readout
of the temperature and humidity in ambient air.
Some humidity and moisture instruments will
automatically calculate dew point. Other
humidity and moisture sensors readout on strip
charts while more scientific equipment can
datalog. c Single and multi-gas
instruments will provide an immediate indication
of the concentration of oxygen flammable
and explosive gases and vapors. Other direct
reading instruments measure certain aspects of
indoor air quality and comfort
levels.
| |
|
| Disaster
Management
Trained
companies and personnel whose job it is is
to investigate and assess a building damage for
an insurance company adjusting
company city state or federal
agency or a building owner. Disaster
management companies may be asked to write an
independent scope of work for the containment
and control of the disaster. Quite often
the disaster management company is retained to
mitigate primary and secondary building
structure building material and content
damage including disaster recovery
services. See Disaster Recovery
| |
|
| Disaster
Recovery
Trained
companies whose job includes the recovery of
building and content damaged due to fires
floods earthquakes tornadoes and
hurricanes. Disaster recovery is meant as an
emergency primary loss recovery method for the
containment mitigation and damage control
and relocation before secondary damage
occurs. Prompt and immediate disaster recovery
and relocation services are designed to save
tens of thousands and sometimes millions of
dollars in unnecessary property and content
damage. See Business Loss
Interruption
| |
|
| Disaster
Relocation
The
temporary relocation of homes and businesses by
insurance companies and FEMA after an emergency.
Included in disaster relocation is the
need to inventory salvage
recover restoration and relocation of
undamaged and damaged contents
computers software microfiche
machinery office furniture and records.
See Disaster Recovery
| |
|
| Disaster
Repair
1
The temporary emergency repair or services
necessary to stop reduce or eliminate a
disaster occurrence or hazard. 2 Disaster
repair is the repair and replacement of damage
caused by a disaster. Mitigation Note In
water damage remediation It is the
removal of all standing water in a building
and/or under a building. It is the
custody care and control of all effected
building materials and contents and
reduction of further damage by technically
trained employees. See Water Damage Industry
Standards of Care
| |
|
| Disaster
Response Time
In
localities within a 25 mile radius it is
the critical emergency response time
usually within 1-2 hours from the time
being notified which trained
emergency response technicians are able to
respond to a water fire or other types of
property damage.
| |
|
| Discharge
A
legal or illegal method of disposing
non-hazardous or regulated waste. Mitigation
Note The most appropriate removal method
of blackwater sewage from a building through
mechanical means is discharging the waste back
into the sewer system. In some communities
this may be illegal since the waste must
be contained and properly disposed. See
Commercial Sewage Domestic Sewage
Hospital Sewage
| |
|
| Disclaimer
and General Release of Liability
In
brief a written document that describes
the methods that are to be used for the
containment and removal of a contaminate
and if the methods are not completely followed
or allowed by the property owner you
the contractor cannot be held liable for
any claims resulting from partial
contaminate removal or treatment.
See your attorney for exact
terminology.
| |
|
| Discolouration
A
change in hue shade or colour from
the original or adjacent colour.
| |
|
| Discontinuous
Construction Wall
A
method of construction whereby structural
members are staggered to reduce sound between
party and common walls or a floor.
| |
|
| Disinfectant
Toxics
Disinfectants
and detergents which leave irritant or toxic
residues behind after application. They are
harmful to the respiratory tract and they may
harm humans and animals.
| |
|
| Disinfectants
Chemicals
that kill microorganisms. Commercial
disinfectants are made of different chemicals
and concentrations. Education Note All
disinfectants after a disinfecting
application in a building are to be rinsed
flushed out. Safety and Caution
Note Some chemicals disinfectants have
pesticide in them they are not to be used
in water damage mitigation on finished materials
without the customers knowledge.
| |
|
| Disintegration
A
deterioration crumbling or flaking of a
material caused by oxidation
pressure expansion freezing or
exposure to the elements.
| |
|
| Dispersion
In
indoor air quality the general term
describing contaminates consisting of
particulate matter suspended in air
also the mixing and dilution of a
contaminant in the ambient
environment.
| |
|
| Dispute
Resolution
When
a dispute arises between the insured and
insurance company a contractor or another
third party dispute resolution is
necessary to settle the differences between all
the parties involved. The parties may decide to
support their claims by retaining their own
independent appraiser. Each party
appraiser is an able and impartial
appraiser and the plaintiff party must
notify the defendant party of the
appraiser name and qualifications within
20 days after a demand is received. The
appraisers will then set the amount of loss
based on their own assessment and calculations.
If the appraisers cannot agree as to the amount
of the loss and the work product necessary to
complete the loss it may be agreed by the
parties the appraisers themselves may
choose an impartial umpire. If the parties
cannot reach a settlement agreement through an
umpire the parties will often agree to go
forward with binding arbitration. See Binding
Arbitration Mediation Mediation v.
Arbitration
| |
|
| Do
Not Enter
A
posted sign at all entry and exit areas of a
work area and areas which may have a
hazard must have do not enter signs
clearly posted. Education Note In water
damage mitigation/remediation the Do Not
Enter words should be pre-printed and
several blank lines are to be added below the Do
Not Enter for words that describe the
reasons and potential hazards. Also a
space for a signature and company
information in case there are questions.
Signs that have the date and time when the sign
was posted the sign must have the date and
time the sign is to be removed. See Confined
Space
| |
|
| Document
Drying
A
restorative process by which wet
humidified or contaminated documents have excess
moisture removed. Education Note Document
drying is typically accomplished through several
processes including vacuum freeze-drying
cryogenic freeze-drying and desiccant
dehumidification. Properly completed
document drying is effective on bound rare
books general books and ledgers
paper file documents blue prints
drawings maps microfilm
microfiche x-ray film
photographs negatives aperture
cards magnetic media audio/video
tapes historical documents and some art
work. See Thermaline
| |
|
| Document
Reprocessors
The
name of a U.S. company specializing in damage
control and restoration of fine and historical
documents that have become wet mouldy or
smoke damaged throughout the world. Contact
Document Reprocessors west coast office at
800/437-9464 east coast 888/437-9464
or www. documentreprocessors.com. See
Thermaline
| |
|
| Doffing
A
word meant to describe the most appropriate
method of removing personal protective
equipment taking into consideration that
it may be contaminated. See Donning
| |
|
| Domestic
Hot Water
Hot
water in supply pipes coming from a water
heater as distinguished from hot water
used in recirculating pipes for house
heating.
| |
|
| Domestic
Sewage
Residential
sewage which was created in a residential
community. It is the waste that flows out of
residential toilets showers
sinks tubs dishwashers and garbage
disposal which are gravity carried away
from the property to a sanitary sewer. See
Commercial Sewage Hospital
Sewage
| |
|
| Domestic
Water
Any
water that comes from a pipe for domestic use.
Water which has been treated and made
clean or is natural including pumped
well water and in some situations recycled
water.
| |
|
| Donning
A
word meant to describe the putting on and
wearing of appropriate personal protective
equipment and respiratory protection. The wearer
must take into consideration before they wear
the PPE when it comes time to remove the
safety equipment it may be
contaminated and how are they planning to
do this safely%u003F See Doffing
| |
|
| Dormant
A
state in which bacteria yeasts and fungi
can suspend and live without much moisture. They
become active again when available moisture or
high humidity is present. Many organisms may
die but those that live will thrive
and develop their dormant inactive buds or cells
once again.
| |
|
| Dormer
Window
An
upright window which breaks the surface of a
sloping roof.
| |
|
| Dose
response
An
adverse effect on a biological agent or organism
which causes a particular physical
chemical response or change.
| |
|
| Dosimeter
Dose Meter
An
instrument used to determine the full-shift
exposure a person has received to a physical
hazard.
| |
|
| Double
Bagging
A
method of placing one bag into another of equal
size and shape. Education Note Double
bagging is a control and often a safety
method for holding a contaminated item or
substance. The intent of the double bag is to
protect the user other employees and
the work environment from a contaminate
exposure. The exposure results from the outer
layer or the inner layer being punctured
having a leakage or breakage.
| |
|
| Draft
A
movement or current of air. A draft is the
pressure difference which causes a current of
air or gases to flow through a flue
chimney heater or space or to
a localized effect caused by one or more factors
of high air velocity low ambient
temperature or direction of air flow. A
draft is often described as a leak or break in
insulation or a barrier having two different
temperature properties.
| |
|
| Drag
Wand
A
drag wand refers to one of the earliest carpet
cleaning and extraction tools used after the
invention of carpet steam cleaning machines.
Water Damage Mitigation Note A weighted
carpet extraction wand extracts flood water deep
out of a carpeted surface. Drag wands weigh from
35 pounds to up to 100 pounds. Newer style drag
wands have wheels on the back side
allowing for easier use of the drag tool. See
Carpet Roller
| |
|
| Dri-Eaz
Dehumidifiers
A
manufacturer of quality dehumidifiers across the
United States Canada and Europe. Dri-Eaz
Corporation makes commercial size refrigerant
and desiccant dehumidifiers that can remove
large amounts of airborne moisture from a
humidified atmosphere per day. See EBAC
Phoenix Dehumidifiers Restorative
Drying
| |
|
| DriZone
A
trademark name and process of the Dri-Eaz
Corporation. The DriZone is a restorative drying
method which Dri-Eaz says ...is a top-down
drying process for wet carpets pad and
certain building materials under clean
water conditions. Education Note To
understand the DriZone process Dri-Eaz teaches a
hands-on class in a specially designed wet
building environment in Burlington
Washington.
| |
|
| Drop
In
HVAC terminology a drop in air pressure or
temperature is the vertical distance between the
base of the outlet and the bottom of the air
stream at the end of the horizontal
throw.
| |
|
| Drum
and Bin Liners
A
6-mm or greater plastic polyethylene
insert sometimes they are manufacturer
made to fit a specific container size and shape.
Education Note Drum and bin liners are
capable of holding liquids and solids to an
amount which would fill at least 3/4 of the drum
or bin as determined by the liner
manufacturer. Drum and bin liners are made to
hold specific liquids and depending on the
liquid a certain type of liner may be
called for.
| |
|
| Drums
and Bins
Portable
storage devises that are capable of holding a
specific amount of waste.
| |
|
| Dry
Air
The
ambient air in a building atmosphere that
is acceptable after dehumidification.
Restorative Drying Note As it
relates to water damaged buildings it is
the indoor air and trapped air in wall
cavities partitions cabinets
under subfloors and in attics which has
been returned back to its previous acceptable
dry air state. As pointed out in Dri-Eaz
Restorative Drying Manual dry air weighs
about 14 pounds per cubic foot at sea level. In
psychometrics dry air is used as a
reference point. If the specific humidity of the
air is 60 GPP then the air is holding 60
grains of moisture in each pound of air. See
Dehumidification Grains of
Moisture
| |
|
| Dry
Bulb Temperature
The temperature registered by an ordinary
thermometer. The dry bulb temperature represents
the measure of sensible heat or the
intensity of heat. The temperature of
the air when measured for comparison with
wet-bulb temperature. Most standard thermometer
readings are the dry-bulb
temperature.
| |
|
| Dry
Bulb Temperature Adjusted
The
average of the air temperature and the mean
radiant temperature at a given location. The
adjusted dry bulb temperature is approximately
equivalent to operative temperature at air
motionless than 80 fpm when the mean radiant
temperature is less than 120%u00B0F
| |
|
| Dry
Ice Blasting
The
process using dry ice shavings and specially
manufactured compressed air equipment to
micro-finely disperse the dry ice onto a
contaminated surface for removal of a
contaminate. The results of the ice blasting
provides for a clean surface while the dry
ice residue disperses into harmless carbon
dioxide gas. Depending on the application
dry ice blasting can be as fine as debride and
remove smoke and soot from a mural or
painting or aggressive to remove char from
wood. The dry-ice blasting or treatment residue
is carbon monoxide gas. The carbon monoxide gas
itself is not harmful to humans in open air
environments. The use of dry-ice in confined
space consumes the available oxygen and this
condition must be avoided.
| |
|
| Drydown
Process
The
second phase of a building water damage
after extraction and containment of flood
waters which allows for wet building
materials humidifies atmospheres and
wet contents to start drying.
| |
|
| Drying
Conditions
The
ideal conditions after cleanup which allow a wet
building to become ready for drying. Restorative
Drying Note In water damage
remediation it is the condition of the
indoor air at any one time during the building
drying process. The drying conditions of
a wet building are influenced by the amount of
standing water water vapour in air
saturated water in wall cavities floors
and contents condensed moisture vapour on
other building materials and contents the
relative humidity and temperature outside
and the ambient humidity and temperature
indoors. The building drying conditions
must take into account the amount of water that
flooded the building its source is
the water considered contaminated the
amount of porous building materials the
amount of total moisture content in saturated
building materials and contents. See
Dehumidification Thermalgraphic Chart
Recording
| |
|
| Dry-Rot
Fungi
Dry
rot fungi Merulius lacrymans flourishes under
conditions of bad ventilation and high humidity.
This fungi is more efficient at destroying wood
than any other type of fungus predator. In a
flourishing or proliferating stage it can
attack wood which would normally be considered
too dry to be attacked. Education Note
Most persons feel that the presence of sun light
and air alone may dry out a structure from
saprophytic fungi which is not true. What
also is not true when either wet rot or
dry rot fungi dominate and attack a
structure simple drying surfaces of
building materials alone will not address
underlying fungal issues. While wet rot fungi
cannot penetrate brick stone or
metal which does not have the aid of an
airstream that can circumvent the other side of
a wall dry rot fungi can penetrate or pass
through walls in search of new wood to attack.
See Wet-Rot Fungi
| |
|
|
|
| Duct
The air supply and returns of metal or flex duct
attached to a heating and air conditioning
ventilation system. A passageway made of
sheet metal or other suitable material not
necessarily leak tight used for conveying
air or other gas at low pressures.
| |
|
| Duct
Liner Coating
A
permanent adhesive painted-on coating in
ventilation systems for unfaced fibreglass duct
liner insulation metal vents drip
and drain pans and sound board.
| |
|
| Duct
Velocity
Air
velocity through the duct cross section. When
solid particulate material is present in the
duct air stream the duct velocity must
exceed the minimum transport
velocity.
| |
|
| Due
Diligence
A
legal term describing a contractor or
responsibly parties actions and their
responsibility to address and reduce reasonably
anticipated problems based on their
agreement.
| |
|
| Dump
Fees
Costs
directly attributable to the job where
land-fills and hauling contractors charge for
the disposal of waste. See Waste Hauling and
Disposal
| |
|
| Dust
Suspended solid particles in air which
settle-out in buildings through doors
windows and ventilation systems. An air
suspension aerosol of particles of
any solid material usually having a
particle size less than 100
micrometersum. Education Note
Natural dust includes organic and
inorganic particles such as soil erosion by wind
which entrains into a building and
decaying organic matter and other airborne
debris that feed bacteria fungi and yeast.
Human dust created by the sloughing of
dead skin cells that feed dust mites. See
Respirable Dusts
| |
|
| Dust
Solid
particles of organic debris including dirt and
lint that are airborne and settle on surfaces
through the influence of gravity.
| |
|
| Dust
Collector
An
air-cleaning devise that is designed to capture
and remove heavy particulates from work areas
before they enter outside air. A vacuum bag in a
workshop capturing saw dust is an example of a
dust collector.
| |
|
| Dust
Collectors
Another
name given to dirty ventilation systems
drapes and carpets that are not
maintained.
| |
|
| Dust
Mites
Arthropods
which use dead skin cells as a food source.
Persons which allergies and who breathe mites
can have allergic reactions to dust mites. Dust
mites are often found in dirty building and
specifically carpets. Dust mites multiply
rapidly in high humidity.
| |
|
| Dust
Spot Test
In
HVAC metal ductsthe dust spot test is a
measurement of the amount of settled dust on a
ventilation duct surface. Education Note
Dust spot tests are also used to determine the
residual dusts after cleaning
vacuuming the metal duct runs. The
removal of surface dusts in a ventilation does
not warrant the ducts are free of microbial
influences. Only after cleaning followed by
sanitization with an EPA registered disinfectant
specially produced for ventilation systems
should a duct be considered partially sanitized.
Refer to NADCA 1992-01.
| |
|
| Dwell
Time
The
time necessary for a detergent
disinfectant or sanitizer to work to its maximum
potential.
| |
|
| Dwelling
In
insurance terms dwelling means the
attached and detached structures on the premises
used principally as a private residence. See
Coverage-A
| |
|
| Dynamic
Pressure
Having
to do with forced energy and motion also
known as kinetic pressure or
kinematics the study of motion without
reference to forces. Education Note In
water damage mitigation dynamic pressure
is the bulk flow of forcing trapped moisture in
building materials from a liquid to a vapor.
Once dynamic pressure can be accomplished
wet air in buildings should be exhausted and
exfiltrated through removal or
dehumidification. See Advection
Exfiltration Static Air Turbidity
Air Currents
| |
|
| Dysentery
A
disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. The
disease frequently results from infection from
Shigella a disease transmitted from fecal
contaminated water food and hand to mouth
contact. Health and Safety Note Dysentery
is common in sewage contaminations in buildings
from black water flooding. See
Cross-Contamination Fomites
| |
|
| Dyspnea
A
health condition resulting in a shortness of
breath difficult laboured breathing.
| |