Countdown to the bell

By Velvet Cates, Canstar Restorations

As communities prepared their students for September’s return, the schools prepared to receive their student populations back into their halls – not necessarily a simple task for a facility manager, but normally routine, depending on the successful outcome of the summer’s projects and barring any surprises.

This scenario changes drastically when a facility is struck with a major water damage loss only a month before school reconvenes. With limited time to repair the damage before the first bell of the new school year, it’s time to bring in the big equipment and the right professionals: those who are certified in nondestructive structural drying and who are not hesitant to employ creative forensic drying techniques.

High on the list of priorities is keeping the facility “healthy” during the mitigation and restoration. Safeguarding the indoor air quality and keeping the facility free from mould growth plays a big part in the decision of how to proceed during the critical first 48 hours.

The water damage technician carries out a preliminary inspection in order to identify safety concerns and determine how to maximize the structural drying capacity of the equipment and the building. It is imperative that fast response to the initial water-damage discovery, extraction and removal of bulk water from the floors and ducts, and stabilization of the building and contents, happen almost simultaneously. Technicians must be trained to properly position the drying equipment in order to facilitate initial stabilization of the building environment, followed by rapid structural drying. Prompt stabilization of the affected

areas means minimizing secondary damage such as delaminating building materials and addressing mould growth and extensive damage to fixtures.

Rapid drying means the repairs can be completed sooner. Heavy-duty dehumidifiers can remove a significant volume of moisture from the building when combined with properly placed highvelocity air-movers. Often, in addition to this equipment, the big equipment is brought in to accelerate the process. Trailer-mounted large-volume air-exchanging equipment removes high volumes of humid, particulate-filled air and replaces it with clean, dry air. Humid, particulate-filled air is exhausted outdoors, away from the building.

At this stage, HEPA air-scrubbers are installed along with Hydroxyl machines to further remove particulate and odour. Often, an antimicrobial agent is used as a preventative measure to limit fungal growth. Because wet carpets contain contaminants, they are likely to be a source of odour. Odour is an indicator of potential growth of biological contaminants. By cleaning the carpeted areas, applying an antimicrobial and then cleaning the areas again, the technician limits the potential for mould growth and diminished air quality. Swab samples are collected from numerous areas of the carpeting and are tested for microbial contamination. The “clean, apply antimicrobial agent, clean again” process is repeated until a safe reading is established.

Fixtures and furnishings are manipulated within the affected areas in order to prevent or minimize further damage wherever possible, and to accommodate the proper placement of drying equipment.

Permanently affixed shelving units can present unique challenges to the restorative drying technician. In order to effectively remove the bulk water and apply an antimicrobial agent, inspection holes can be made in the base of the unit to allow access to the substrate and the affected base of the fixture. The technician must be diligent to ensure the antimicrobial agent reaches the hard to access and hidden pockets of wet building materials. Once again, the “clean-apply antimicrobial agent-clean” process is repeated until the swab tests reveal a safe reading and dry standard is achieved. At this point, the inspection holes are repaired.

Although the objective remains “inplace drying with minimal destruction” it is necessary to remove some materials in order to facilitate drying by accessing the trapped and hidden pockets of moisture.

Technicians trained in the art of thorough investigation of the building, the proper use of thermal imaging, and moisture metering equipment document their findings at all stages. Utilizing psychometric readings (the extent to which that air is saturated with water vapour) and well-placed equipment, the structural drying technician is able to create an effective drying environment. By getting the building stabilized quickly and using the naturally occurring drying processes of the building materials to their advantage, the technician leverages the building’s own characteristics to accelerate the rapid drying process.

A prequalified restoration company with a commitment to nondestructive drying, the right equipment, and experienced structural drying technicians are your school’s best offence! We make sure your schools are safe, healthy and restored in time for the bell! b

ERV PARENT

Floor Covering for Schools and Sports

Tarkett iQ Vinyl Flooring Tarkett xf2 Linoleum Mondo Rubber Flooring Altro Safety Flooring & Wallcovering

791 Caldew Street, Delta, BC, V3M 5S3 Tel: 604-525-4142 Fax: 604-525-3777 www.ervparent.com