February 2022 Vol.16 No. 2

Tool-Around

What are the most important restoration tools and advancements for CAT, cleaning and disinfection, contents, fire and smoke, forensic, mold, and water damage work? We asked 14 industry experts to weigh in.

On the Cover

Features

Four Chemistries of Fire Restoration

The oldest and most complex of the restoration disciplines, fire remediation work
requires an understanding of how fire and combustion residues behave to
effectively neutralize and return a structure to a livable state. Cole Stanton explores four fundamental chemistry subsets of fire damage and how each can impact restoration work.

by Cole Stanton

Stop Being a Slave to Your Business

One of the greatest pains Timothy Hull sees small business owners endure is the cycle of being so busy working in their business that they can’t find the time to do the fundamental things necessary to grow it beyond where it is at that moment. They are literally slaves to their business.

by Timothy Hull

Possibilities and Potential Problems of New Sampling Technology for Indoor Air Quality

When it comes to the plethora of new sampling systems springing to market for indoor air quality, distinguishing the steak from the sizzle can be a difficult process. By the very nature of it being new, advertising for innovative technology tends to emphasize features, with a secondary focus on benefits, the sizzle.

by Michael A. Pinto and Jacob Kooistra

Containment Strategies

The approach often taken by contractors is the simple and quick method to set up containment. In reality, the design and construction of containment often takes far longer than the actual remediation. Containment is one of the highest liabilities that impacts the contractor, as well as the client, and should be given priority.

by Rachel Adams

Recommended Restoration Tools: Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

In a video follow-up to a recent article, Chuck Boutall shares four tools every restoration contractor should have in their toolbox toolbox – you guessed it – something old, new, borrowed and blue!

by Chuck Boutall

Safety Data Sheets: The User Manuals for Chemicals

Barry Rice, CSP, considers Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) the user manuals for chemicals. In this column he highlights three of the most valuable parts of an SDS and how OSHA expects U.S. organizations to manage them. He also provides reference information and advice for training on SDS use.

by Barry Rice

Facial expression, Yellow, Gesture, Font, Happy, Line

The Invisible Tool Bag

If everyone in your local market has the same air movers, dehumidifiers and technical training for their technicians, how do you separate your company from your competition? You do it by training your technicians how to “wow” clients.

by Eric Sprague

Restorer’s Digest: The Effect High Heat Has on Concrete

When buildings are damaged or destroyed by fire, it is not uncommon to see the surfaces of exposed concrete or masonry exhibit scarring, pitting or cratering. This phenomenon is known as spalling. The costs for extensive testing, and attempts at cleaning or restoration, can be very expensive.

by Sean Scott

Containment: Is It a Choice or Just Science?

“Hideous piles of plastic in our landfills or incinerators aside, containment is never a bad thing. Just like running a HEPA on every job site is never a bad thing, building containment is also never bad, from a purely scientific perspective. These decisions, however, do not happen in a vacuum,” Keith Gangitano writes.

by Keith Gangitano

Still Open for Business: Restoring a Massive Mall Following a Fire

Kowalski Construction faced an extraordinary task in one of its recent projects. After a large fire ravaged one of Arizona’s largest malls, one-third of the shopping center was affected with heavy smoke and water damage. As one of the area’s only construction companies qualified to handle a job of this magnitude, they were asked to perform restoration services, but with a twist. Managers wanted to keep the mall open for business.

by Jim Kowalski

Columns & Departments

RandRmagonline.com | February 2022

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