Classes for Property Owners: Water Damage Restoration Basics & Advanced Water Damage Restoration

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Presented by Anderson Group International & Restoration Consultants

Water Restoration Basics: 8:30-11:45am
Lunch: 12:00- 1:00pm
Advanced Water Restoration: 1:00- 4:15pm

Download the Registration Form (PDF)

Please Join Us at one or both of these classes and learn ways to get through a property water damage.

Water Damage Restoration Basics

  • Standard of care for water damage restoration
  • The categories and classes of water intrusion
  • Disaster preparedness for water restoration
  • Working with an adjuster on a claim

Advanced Water Damage Restoration

  • The science of drying
  • Working with a hygienist
  • How, why, and when with equipment

Lunch will be provided in-between the two courses. Instructor Jim Holland will be teaching the classes. Mr. Holland has been actively involved in the cleaning and restoration industry for over 35 years and is nationally recognized as an instructor, consultant, columnist and author. Jim Holland currently holds the following positions:

  • Executive Director of the Cleaning and Restoration Association
  • CEO of Restoration Consultants, Inc.
  • Chairman of the Clean Trust (IICRC) Standards Committee
  • Director of the Indoor Environmental Institute (IEI)
  • Past member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)

More info & registration

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IICRC Launches New Brand

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IICRC Launches New Brand
Organization Changes its Name to The Clean Trust

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) October 14, 2011 – The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announced today the change of its name to The Clean Trust at the fall 2011 Meeting & Instructors Symposium. Along with the new name, a new, updated, branding campaign will be rolled out in the coming year.

“The Clean Trust lets people know exactly what we do, in a business-like, technical, professional way. We train. We set the standards. We certify. We vouch for a technician’s ability and professionalism and thereby ease our customer’s worries and concerns,” said Paul Pearce, The Clean Trust Chairman “Although the acronym of the IICRC also had a meaning; it wasn’t as direct and easy to understand.”

The Clean Trust’s focus on cleaning, restoration and inspection, its three core areas of expertise, will remain the same as the IICRC. Additionally, the certification and standards on which the IICRC has built its reputation will remain at the core of the organization. The Clean Trust will continue as an ANSI Standard Development Organization (SDO) and pursue the development of standards for the industry as a whole, aiming to provide the most up to date education for its registrants.

“The leadership discussed at length the benefits of a name change and ultimately decided that it was in the best interest of our registrants to move forward with a new name,” continued Pearce. “The name, The Clean Trust, reflects our mission to identify and promote an international standard of care that establishes and maintains the health, safety and welfare of the built environment.”

The Clean Trust signifies the expansion and growth of the IICRC. For almost 40 years, the IICRC has built a strong reputation within the cleaning, restoration and inspection industry, but there has been an unclaimed opportunity to gain momentum with other audiences, particularly the general public. The change to The Clean Trust name provides additional marketing opportunities for the organization to continue to propel its growth.

Materials with the new name and an updated design will gradually rollout through the next year. Available now for registrants and Certified Firms are new ID cards, a general overview brochure, patches, and decals. An introductory video will also be shown during training courses. In the coming months, the organization will provide updated standards covers, trade show booth, newsletter and website.

For more information, please contact The Clean Trust headquarters at (360) 693-5675, or visit the current website ( www.iicrc.org) to review the list of frequently asked questions regarding the new brand.

About The Clean Trust
The Clean Trust, formally known as The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), is an ANSI-accredited standards setting body for the flooring inspection, floor covering and specialized fabric cleaning and disaster restoration industries. Organized in 1972, The Clean Trust currently represents more than 5,700 Certified Firms and 54,000 Certified Technicians in 22 countries. The Clean Trust, with participation from the entire industry, sets standards for inspection, cleaning and disaster restoration. The Clean Trust does not own schools, employ instructors, produce training materials, or promote specific product brands, cleaning methods or systems. It approves schools and instructors that meet the criteria established by The Clean Trust. The Clean Trust also serves as a consumer referral source for Certified Firms and Inspectors.

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Bacteria and the Human Body

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Check out this informative article and video on bacteria and the human body.

Article by Mark Vondracek

Monday, January 10, 2011
Bacteria and the Human Body
Thanks to Regan:

The video opens up with an interesting point: On and inside of the human body there are 10 times as many bacterial cells as there are human cells. Not only that but these bacterial cells constitute 100 times as many genes as there are in the human genome. Essentially our biological systems are 90 to 99% bacterial, depending on how you look at it. The idea that bacteria can exist in this symbiotic relationship with humans to such a great extent makes you realize just how complicated biological systems can be. This idea really hits home when you look at how complicated something even as small and primitive as bacteria can be. Bassler shows an incredible example of the complexity of bacteria as well as symbiotic relationships with Vibrio fischeri. This bioluminescent bacteria exists on the the body of the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid and is actually used to hide the squid’s shadow by producing enough light to counteract the light shining down on squid’s back! With the help of Vibrio fischeri, this squid is the stealth bomber of the sea as Bassler puts it.

Almost as cool is how the bacteria work. The Vibrio fischeri only turn on when there is a large amount of it existing together, and when it does turn on, all the bacteria cells turn on at the same time. This is because the Vibrio fischeri, as well as all other bacteria, secrete molecules that can be detected by nearby bacteria cells. When the bacteria detects enough of these molecules it will light up. This idea is exactly the same in harmful bacteria that invade human bodies. The bacteria enter the body, replicate, and then when they recognize there is enough bacteria to take on their host they become virulent and all attack at once.

The most interesting part of all of this is how this knowledge can be applied. Most bacterial infections today are fought with antibiotics that work to kill the infectious bacteria by some mechanism such as destroying the bacterial membrane or halting the bacterias’ ability to replicate. The major problem with this strategy is that the antibiotics don’t kill all of the bacteria and can give mutant, more drug resistant bacteria less competition by killing off all the weaker bacteria. Eventually it could come to a point where our antibiotics are hardly effective for treating bacterial infections. What Bassler is proposing would be not to kill the bacteria, but to block their communication. Her lab discovered that the molecules that bacteria secrete bind to proteins in other bacteria cell membranes allowing them to communicate. They also developed a method for disabling this communication by introducing a molecule that binds to these receptor proteins and blocks the other molecules. Could this method be the future to making safer, more effective antibiotics? I think it is something that is definitely worth looking into.

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Connections Convention and Trade Show

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It has been pretty quiet at the Restoration Consultants building this week, as the majority of the staff is attending the Connections Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas. Connections is one of the cleaning and restoration industry’s largest conventions, held at the Las Vegas Hilton every year in September. There is also a Connections Conference and Exhibitian, held in Clearwater Beach, Florida every May. Both events offer an excellent learning and networking experience.

Connections Convention & Trade Show

If you are in Vegas, be sure to stop by the Restoration Consultants booth and say hi!

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WRT course in Sacramento Last Week

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Last week (August 17-19), RestCon held a 3-day IICRC Water Damage Restoration Technician course at its headquarters in Sacramento. Students studied topics like the Science of Drying, Safety Measures, Inspection and Preliminary Determination, Drying Specific Materials, and Drying Contaminated Environments.

The class was a large one and the students all seemed to actively participate in the learning process.

Below: Guest instructor, John Banta, leads a conversation with the class.
WRT at RestCon

Below: Instructor, Jim Holland, gets animated.
WRT at RestCon

Below: Instructor, Jim Holland, shows off some useful equipment.
WRT at RestCon

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What is RC Analytical? Interview with Dr. Boni Passmore.

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Jeff Cross, senior editor of CM/Cleanfax magazine, came to Sacramento last week to teach the CRA sponsored course, Residential and Commercial Marketing Techniques. While he was here, he did a video interview with our Lab Analyst, Dr. Boni Passmore.

Dr. Passmore talks about RC Analytical‘s Empower Program, which provides lab analysis and support services to the professional remediator, as well as the dangers of mold.

Dr. Boni Passmore has a doctorate in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of California at Davis with over fifteen years experience conducting biological research, the majority in the field of plant pathology. Dr. Passmore has designed and conducted several independent research projects, trained graduate students and visiting scientists, and written and edited articles for peer reviewed scientific journals.

For five years, she has owned and operated a home improvement company specializing in the analysis and improvement of residential buildings for indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

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EPA Begins RRP Lead Enforcement

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lead paintEPA has announced its first enforcement action against a company that wasn’t following the RRP regulations. They have also indicated they have placed an enforcement officer in the tornado damaged mid-west.

Maine Renovator Faces Penalty for Violations of Lead Renovation Rule

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Release date: 05/16/2011
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – May 16, 2011) – A Rockland, Maine renovator is facing penalties for allegedly violating requirements designed to protect children from exposure to lead-based paint during painting and other renovation activities.

EPA

According to information gathered by inspectors from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and EPA, two workers employed by Colin Wentworth of Rockland failed to contain dust and debris generated by lead paint removal activities during a repainting project in October 2010. Although Mr. Wentworth had completed the eight-hour course required by the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, he did not provide the required training or supervision to his employees to ensure that they followed the required work practices prior to their use of high-speed dust-generating power tools to remove lead paint from the building. Mr. Wentworth also failed to take steps to obtain the mandatory lead-safe certification for his firm.

The violations were brought to EPA’s attention via an anonymous tip linking to a video of the violations, posted on YouTube and taken in October 2010. The video documented workers using power equipment to remove lead paint from an exterior wall of a residential building without using any containment for lead-containing dust and debris.

At least six children, one of whom was under six years old, lived in the four-unit building at the time of the project. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure, which can cause developmental impairment, reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity and behavioral problems. Adults with high lead levels can suffer difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory problems and muscle and joint pain.

EPA’s investigation found that Mr. Wentworth failed to: obtain required certification as a renovation firm from EPA; post warning signs in the work area; cover the ground in the work area with plastic sheeting to collect falling lead paint debris; contain waste from the renovation activities to prevent releases of dust and debris before the waste is removed from the work area for storage or disposal; prohibit use of machines that remove lead-based paint through high speed operation without HEPA exhaust controls; and establish and maintain records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the Renovation Rule.

“In New England we have a high proportion of older houses where lead paint can still be present. It is critically important that all tradespeople understand and follow the RRP requirements so that during renovations, children are not exposed to lead and face serious, life-long health consequences,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “Many renovation firms have done the right thing by becoming certified, sending their employees to training and following the appropriate, health-protective work practices. Enforcement of these rules is important to protecting children and the business interests of those contractors who are following the rules.”

EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule is designed to prevent exposure to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. The rule requires individuals performing renovations for compensation at most pre-1978 housing to be properly trained. There are certification and training requirements for individual renovators and firms performing renovations to ensure that safe work practices are followed during renovations.

This is the first action EPA has brought against a company or individual for lead safe work-practice violations, under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule which became effective on April 22, 2010. The maximum penalty for the alleged violations is $37,500 per violation per day.

This case highlights the importance of high-quality tips that include the name, address, and phone number of the person who allegedly violated the rule, and contain details about the violations observed. While every such tip doesn’t always result in a formal enforcement action, EPA follows through on tips to identify if violations have occurred and if public or environmental health has been jeopardized.

More information:
Lead paint RRP rule
Why lead is a health hazard

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