Follow S-500

For those that think there is very little to drying a building structure–the IICRC S500 standard encompasses almost 350 pages between standard and supporting information.

 

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) IICRC S500 is the standard of care for Water Damage Restoration.  This publication sets the standard for water damage inspection, water removal, water extraction verification, drying, and the drying verification.  It is also the only water damage restoration standard that has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).   The educational material provided and testing required as a part of the certification process used by the IICRC for WRT and ASD water technician certifications are largely founded upon the S-500 standards.  877Quic-Dry has adopted and in almost all cases follows the IICRC S500.  All 877QuicDry (877-784-2379) drying technicians undergo the training to become both WRT and ASD certified. 

The bulk of the information contained on this site conforms to this IICRC S-500 standard.

 

In summary, the S-500 recommends the following inspection steps be taken:

1. Gather Information:

• Survey the structure including pre-existing damage.
• Perform a moisture inspection and map the migration.
• Develop a preliminary determination.
• Involve experts as required.

 

2. Moisture Inspection Process

• Eliminate the primary moisture source.
• Remove surface water.

 

3. Determine extent of moisture and migration.

• Select appropriate moisture detection equipment.
• Document extent of water migration within the structure, systems, and contents.
• Inspect rooms adjoining wet areas.
• Use thermal imaging devices to show flow patterns in hard to reach places …… documenting affected areas.

 

4. Establish Drying Goals

• Establish a dry standard and a drying goal.
• Record and document moisture measurements.

 

5. Determine the Category of Water

• Category 1:  Originates from a sanitary water source and poses no substantial risk to humans.  E.G., water supply pipe burst, tub overflow, sink overflow, appliance supply water supply malfunctions, melted ice or snow, falling rainwater, broken toilet tank, broken toilet bowl without contaminants, etc.  Many category one losses become category 2 losses when the water contacts other “less clean” surfaces within the structure or remains for 24 hours.
• Category 2:  Water that contains significant contamination and could potentially cause discomfort or illness if contacted or consumed by humans.  E.G., dishwasher leak, washing machine overflow, toilet bowl overflow (not sewage back-up), foundation seepage, broken aquariums, and water bed leaks.  Category two water can deteriorate to category 3 for many reasons including untimely removal, contact with more contaminated surfaces, elevated temperatures, and other circumstances.
• Category 3:  Grossly unsanitary water potentially containing pathogenic, toigenic, or other harmful contaminates.  E.G., Sewage back-up, toilet back up, seawater, ground surface water, stream or river water, and wind-driven rain from severe weather events.