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| 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.
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|
| 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.
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|
| Decay
In
wood the disintegration caused by the
action of fungi such as wood rot. See Wood
Rot Fungi
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|
| 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.
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|
| 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.
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|
| 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.
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|
| 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.
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|
| Defect
A
condition or characteristic that detracts from a
standard appearance strength or
durability of an object or material.
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|
| 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.
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|
| 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..
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|
| 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.
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|
| 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
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|
| 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
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|
| Detritus
Tank
A
settling tank that allows debris to collect
sediment without interrupting the flow of
liquid.
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|
| 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.
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|
| 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.
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