Restoration Industry Association -- Educational Programs and Events

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Executive Report

The Power of Association: Making a Difference

Mom used to say, "You get out of life what you put into it." Wise words, and the same wisdom applies to trade associations.

The professional advancements that benefit an entire industry happen only through the collaboration of like-minded individuals. Virtually every successful trade association began as a group of motivated professionals, many of them competitors, realizing that their industry would be more effective if there were an organization to represent their interests. Over the years, the trade associations succeeded as a result of dedicated volunteers contributing much of their talents for the benefit of everyone in their industry.

RIA is the same. This association depends upon the participation of its members to assure that its services and the technical content of its knowledge products reflect the needs of the industry.

Associations often wonder whether they do enough to say “thank you” to their volunteers. By the same token, we sometimes do not do enough to invite members to become volunteers. It is a well-established fact that 90% of the people who do not participate in their industry’s association will respond when asked why not by saying, "No one ever asked me to join." The same can be said of volunteers.

RIA belongs to the companies in the cleaning and restoration industry. If you are a member of RIA and are wondering how you can make a difference or learn more about your industry through RIA, then volunteering is a great way.

Volunteers invariably report that they receive far more than they feel they give through participating. Volunteers are on the front line in discussions of new techniques and services that will benefit the entire industry long before they become part of the industry’s lexicon. They make new friends and professional contacts that provide them an additional support network when they're looking to expand or deal with a challenge. In short, volunteering is one of the great opportunities that associations can provide their members.

If you would like to become an RIA volunteer, send an e-mail to newsbreak@RIA.org with the word “Volunteering” in the subject line. We'll send you a volunteer interest form so that we’ll know your availability and interests. While we may not be able to accommodate every potential volunteer, opportunities are opening all the time.

And if you're a non-member reader of NewsBreak who would like to participate, the first step is to join RIA. Just follow this link (Membership) to download an RIA membership application form. It will be one of those life investments that will generate significant rewards later on.

Don Manger

RIA NEWS

Breaking News
RIA Briefs
Toolbox Tips
Marketing Savvy
Product Spotlight
On Press Now

INDUSTRY NEWS

"Companies Help Clear the Air With 'Green-Cleaning' Method"
"Pre-Dyed Carpet"
"Mold is a Hurricane's Lingering Calling Card"
"March Flood Damage to Honolulu Businesses Tops $5 Million"
"Dealing Artfully With Disaster"
"Breathing Easier"
"Secrets for Diversification"
"Chemical in Trailers a Problem, Group Says"
"NFIB: Senate Tax Vote a Win for Small Business"
"Cleaning Some Antiques Too Well Can Scrub Them of Value"
"Owner of Oregon-Based Ventilation Experts Touts Next-Generation Air Filtration Technology"
"Breaking the Mold"
"Heat Treatment Method Provides Water Damage/Mold Relief"

RIA NEWS

Breaking News

Governor Vetoes HB1006

Colorado Governor Bill Owens chose to veto HB 1006, citing that “it is unnecessary and potentially harmful,” despite the fact that it passed with overwhelming majorities in both the Colorado House and Senate. The insurance consumer freedom of choice bill would have curtailed the steering of work by insurance companies to preferred restoration contractors. “The current referral system provides consumers with valuable information and helps keep rates down,” said Owens in a letter issued explaining his decision.

“We were heartened by the exceptional bipartisan support the bill received in both houses of the General Assembly,” said RIA President Brian Spiegel, CR, who flew to Colorado in April to testify in support of the bill.

“While this may not have been a perfect bill,” said RIA Executive Director Don Manger, “we take exception to the Governor's veto message which reflects views of the bill that were never expressed in any of the public hearings on the issue.” Opponents of the bill did not actively participate in hearings leading to the bill’s passage in the General Assembly.

Congress Reforms National Flood Insurance Program

With more than $25 billion in flood claims following last year’s active hurricane season, Congress has approved legislation to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Created in 1968 when private insurers were unable to underwrite the growing flood risk, the program takes in approximately $2 billion a year, leaving $23 billion in debt from 2005. A Senate bill that passed 20-0 would require insureds to pay higher premiums, leaves the insurance commissions intact (currently ranging from 30-32%) and would forgive the $23 billion debt.

Possible reforms to the program would affect owners who have a second residence, properties that have been flooded repeatedly, and any properties sustaining damage that exceeds their fair market value. There would also be minimal deductible levels for all policyholders.

Earthquake Policyholders No Longer in “Good Hands”

Allstate Insurance will be dropping its earthquake coverage for policyholders in all but 9 states in an effort to reduce its risk and number of claims for natural disasters. Regulators in some states may require the company to renew the coverage of existing policyholders. Residents of California and Kentucky will continue to be covered, while the company will be speaking to regulators in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida about continuing coverage.

Attorney General Files Bid-Rigging Suit Against Liberty Mutual

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has filed a lawsuit charging Liberty Mutual with bid-rigging and anti-competitive conduct in an anti-competitive customer allocation scheme led by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. The suit details how the 6th largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. has “participated in a scheme to pay undisclosed kickbacks to insurance intermediaries who are supposed to represent the best interests of the clients they serve. This scheme has corrupted the nationwide marketplace for insurance, raised insurance premiums and caused many thousands of insureds to receive inferior insurance coverage.”

The suit goes on to say that “Liberty Mutual and other insurers have for years paid Producers (insurance brokers or independent agents) undisclosed kickbacks in order to induce the Producers to steer clients to them. Producers, in turn, have responded to the inducement, often breaching their fiduciary duties and guiding their clients to the insurers that paid the kickbacks, even when such insurers’ products were more expensive or otherwise less advantageous than competing products. In at least one product line, Liberty Mutual, other major insurers and a Producer went a step further, colluding to actively deceive clients and rig bids for insurance coverage.”

In response to the suit, Liberty Mutual issued a statement saying, “Allegations of wrongdoing regarding commission payment and reinsurance are incorrect. Liberty Mutual’s conduct in both areas was appropriate and lawful. Unfortunately, two former lower level employees seriously violated our trust and our standards of conduct in their quotation activity. One employee left in 2001 and the other resigned in the course of our investigation in 2005. Liberty Mutual has a culture not just of compliance, but of ‘doing the right thing.’ The company has tried to reach a resolution with the Attorneys General of New York and Connecticut, but found their demands to be excessive and unreasonable “both in terms of magnitude and in their demands that we change legitimate business practices in states outside their legal jurisdictions.”

The New York Attorney General’s office began looking into misconduct in the insurance industry in 2004. Since then, the investigation has resulted in settlements with six companies, guilty pleas from 20 insurance company executives and approximately $3 billion in restitution and penalties.

S520 to be Available for Peer Review

The IICRC has announced that its S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation will be available for Peer Review and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Public Review Process later this month.

A copy of the S520 will be available for reviewers with a format for comments. Reviewers will have 45 days to read and comment on the document. Individuals who would like to register as a reviewer may go to the IICRC website (www.iicrc.org) and register. Instructions and information will be sent to them when the review process is opened at the end of June.

Manufacturers Pledge $100,000 to Cleaning Research

Both Procter & Gamble and Tennant Company have pledged $50,000 each to the Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI), to underwrite the Scientific Advisory Council, which provides guidance, advice and analysis on principles, concepts and research related to cleaning science. Headed by Dr. Michael Berry, among the Council’s primary objectives are properly defining “cleaning,” identifying the objectives and reasons for it, highlighting their importance and value, assembling and examining the most relevant science-based cleaning information, and preparing a comprehensive “State of Cleaning Science” assessment for industry review and publication.

SBA Extends Loan Deadlines After Katrina and Rita

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has extended the deadlines for small businesses to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The deadline for businesses in the areas affected by Katrina is June 28. Small businesses in the Hurricane Rita disaster areas have until July 26 to apply.

Small business owners in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida may apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan to cover ordinary expenses the company would have been able to handle if the disaster hadn’t occurred. To apply, visit www.sba.gov/disaster or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Biosecurity Expert Cautions Against Avian Flu Misinformation

Donald A. Henderson, M.D., MPH, a resident fellow at the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, addressed the misinformation currently involving the avian flu at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition in Chicago last month.

He believes that absenteeism in the workplace will be closer to 15% instead of 40%, but calls the H5:N1 strain “unprecedented” because 50% of the 200 people infected have died. He said that almost all of the human cases have resulted from direct contact with birds, spreading only in rare cases from human to human.

Henderson expects the flu will arrive in the U.S. by September or October of this year, but doesn’t believe it will spread as rapidly through the U.S. population as it has in Southern Asia. While he says it can be expected to spread from human to human, the strain may become less virulent as it evolves, following the patterns of other flu pandemics in 1918 and 1957.

A vaccine cannot be developed until the strain transmitted from human to human is isolated and studied. The timetable for development is usually about six months, so no vaccine will be available for the 2006-2007 flu season.

Fewer Storms on the Horizon

Weather prognosticators are calling for another active hurricane season, forecasting as many as six major storms for this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts between 13 and 16 named storms, still significantly less than the 28 that appeared in 2005. Warmer water temperatures, easterly trade winds and changing weather patterns are creating conditions ripe for the storms to form.

Compiled from staff and wire reports.

RIA Briefs

RIA Launches Advanced Upholstery Course

A new three-day upholstery course will unlock some of the mysteries surrounding the care and cleaning of specialty textiles and leather. Featuring three of the industry’s leading textile and cleaning gurus, RIA’s new seminar, Advanced Upholstery Course: Textiles & Leather, takes an in-depth look at cleaning expensive, specialty textiles such as leather, plastic leather (pleather), microfibers and Jacquard woven fabrics.

Patrick Dorgan from The Leather Institute will discuss leather identification and care, surface repairs, leather conditioning, minor touchups and other skills needed to meet the demands of caring for today’s new furnishings.

Marty Gurian from Designtex has more than 35 years of experience as a textile engineer and technical director of the largest commercial fabric distributor in the U.S. He’ll explain the latest technological developments in contract and institutional upholstery.

RIA’s technical specialist for fibers, fabrics, furnishings and standards, Dr. Steve Spivak, will address cleaning and caring for the complex weavings and Jacquard fabrics such as brocade, damask, brocatelle and tapestries.

The course also includes tours of two fabric mills outside of the Philadelphia area, as well as a visit to Certified Carpet, a rug plant and cleaning facility in Lancaster, Pa. For professionals seeking their Certified Fabric Specialist designation, this course completes parts 2 and 3 of the three-part course. RIA members will receive priority for registration through July 15.

For more information, visit www.RIA.org.

Environmental & Restoration Conference Update

This fall’s conference takes an in-depth look at today’s critical environmental issues and their impact on the future. Here’s a quick look at just two of the sessions:

Straining Katrina’s Soup is a panel presentation featuring: Michael Pinto, Ph.D., CMP, Wonder Makers Environmental, Inc.; Cliff Zlotnik, CR, WLS, CMH, Unsmoke; Frank Headen, CR, WLS, First Restoration Services; Patrick Moffett, CHMM, REA, WRT, AMRT, Environmental Management & Engineering, Inc.; and a professor from Louisiana State University.

You’ve seen the images and news reports, now hear “the rest of the story.” Hurricane Katrina created a host of environmental contamination issues throughout the Gulf Coast area. What environmental hazards did workers encounter and how were they physically affected? Find out what testing results revealed and listen to firsthand reports from restoration contractors and their staffs.

The Law & Reality of Meth Lab Cleanups with: Colleen Brisnehan, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Keith Desserich, RestorAid Restoration/Div. of ServAid LLC.

After the police have left, it’s often restorers who are called in to remediate the damaged property. Find out about various state regulations regarding the cleanup of methamphetamine labs, their impact on restoration and homeowners, the state of Colorado’s industry-leading guidelines and its efforts to set threshold levels.

The one-day conference will wrap up with a joint exhibition in conjunction with RIA’s 3-day Restoration Conference & Exhibition, Weathering the Storm 2 – Survival, Prosperity & Market Leadership.

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Toolbox Tips

Best practices for cleaning and restoration professionals

Jacquard Fabric Weaving Machines – the First Real Computer!

By Steven M. Spivak, Ph.D.

Did you know that the world’s first computing machine was a textile loom developed and patented in 1804 by Frenchman Joseph Marie Jacquard? As his namesake, Jacquard fabrics and their weaving produces the most beautiful fabrics used for upholstery, draperies and textile furnishings today.

Complex fabrics such as damask, brocade, brocatelle, tapestry, marquisette, matelassé, and double cloth weaving are all made on Jacquard looms. Using multi-colored fibers — yarns and blends mixing silk, flax or linen, rayon, acetate, cotton, wool and nylon, Jacquard fabrics can be challenging for professionals to clean.

Jacquard weaving machines use the same basic technology that is accepted as the precursor to today’s advanced computers and computing machines. The original punch hole (0 or 1 — no hole or 1 hole) Jacquard control cards are identical to the IBM punch cards used in our early computers. These Jacquard cards were later modified by Charles Babbage and other computer pioneers.

The same concept is used to control computer logic, programming and today’s solid state computers. Want to learn how today’s most modern, highly advanced, computer-controlled weaving and Jacquard looms produce such fabrics? Think of attending RIA’s three-day, advanced fabric and leather care seminar and mill tours, September 7-9 in Pennsylvania, but attendance will be strictly limited.

Steven M. Spivak, Ph.D., is RIA’s technical advisor on textiles and floorcoverings.

Marketing Savvy

Readers Like Digital Media

A recent study conducted by a digital editions provider found that 91% of the readers of digital publications take action after reading an ad. Texterity interviewed more than 30,000 digital magazine readers from 45 publications and found that 83% visit an advertiser’s website, while 41% forward information to friends and colleagues. In addition, 32% will recommend a product or service, and 24% purchased a product or service from a digital ad.

Source: Publishing Executive InBox

Marketing Know-how
Need some help with your marketing? Here are 6 easy steps to get you started:

Try at least one marketing activity every day.
Earmark a percentage of gross income to spend annually on marketing
Set specific goals annually, review results and adjust your plan quarterly
Keep a “tickler” file for great ideas to use later
Always carry business cards with you
Create a personal nametag with your company name and logo to wear to high visibility meetings

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration

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Product Spotlight

RIA offers a host of products to help you make the right impression on your customers and let them see you for the professional you are. The Association also publishes a number of reference guides and resource materials to keep restoration professionals up-to-date on current information.

The RIA Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repair (formerly the NIDR Guidelines) have been revised and expanded with updates, new material, a more extensive glossary and an index. The manual defines the relationships of restorer-client-adjuster, and provides a basis for the proper training of estimators, project managers and insurance claims personnel. The RIA Guidelines address basic questions such as:

When is a wall "clean"?

What procedures are recommended for antiques?

Who authorizes the work?

Is restoration always cost-effective?

When should corrosion treatments be applied?

What should emergency contracts include?

Cost: $45/RIA members

$55/non-members

A United Kingdom Edition is also available.

Cost: $50/RIA members

$60/non-members

Designee Embosser
Enhance your business proposals and other documents with this personalized embosser. Similar to a notary public seal, the embosser features the logo along with your name and Designee identification number. It makes an attractive and professional statement on any document.

CMH, CR, WLS only

On the order form, please clearly print the name as you wish it to appear.
$150 per embosser

Designee Stamp
Enhance your proposal and other documents with this personalized seal. Similar to an engineer's stamp, the stamp features the logo along with your name and Designee identification number.

CMH, CR, WLS only

On the order form, please clearly print the name as you wish it to appear.
$75 per stamp

Designee Plaque
This handsome wall plaque will allow you to display your Designation credentials. Engraved with your name and certification number and induction date, the plaque is made of select hardwoods, enamel and polished brass.

CMH, CMP, CFS, CR, CRS, WLS only
On the order form, please clearly print the name as you wish it to appear.
$200 per plaque

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On Press Now

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up in the July issue of Cleaning & Restoration:

After the Fire: Multi-Dwelling Restoration Project

By Crystal Salzman

Multi-dwelling restoration projects provide unique challenges due to the number of stakeholders involved. First General Services of Madison, Wis., shares what they learned in handling a two-story, 21-unit apartment building fire restoration that required almost $1 million in repairs.

High Temperature Restoration: Effects on Building Materials, Contents

and Safety – Part 3

By Ralph E. Moon, Ph.D., CHMM, CIAQP

If you have ever entered an attic space during the summer months when temperatures can reach 140 to 145 F, you can appreciate how hostile the high temperature environment is to both microorganisms and man. With the detrimental effects of heat, just how high can temperatures reach before they start negatively impacting building materials, contents and workers?

The Secret to Our Mold Remediation Success – Part 2

By Steve Bos, CR, CMP

Take a look at one restoration company’s “aggressive” approach for a post-remediation evaluation criteria that can be used for mold contamination projects. Discover how to: clearly define verification and evaluation, establish a fixed standard for clearance, maintain project control and reduce your liability by taking proactive steps.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

"Companies Help Clear the Air With 'Green-Cleaning' Method"
Jacksonville Business Journal (06/12/06) Dorsch, Kirstin

Green-cleaning products can improve indoor air quality, and many believe that they can also reduce employee absenteeism and increase productivity. In the early 1990s, green-cleaning products were either ineffective or too pricey, but advancements in technology have lowered costs and made them more effective. Ashkin Group LLC President Stephen Ashkin notes that commercial building operators can use green-cleaning products as a marketing tool, touting the health benefits of non-toxic cleaners. Even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun recommending eco-friendly products that meet the 40 standards established by the nonprofit organization Green Seal. The standards encompass the product's entire life cycle from how it is made and how it is shipped to what happens when it enters the waste stream. "We offer the manufacturer the opportunity to add credibility to their product by using stringent scientific processes," says Green Seal marketing director Linda Chipperfield. Not only do green-cleaning products improve indoor air quality, but they are also believed to minimize toxic waste, global warming, and ozone depletion. One such product is the Millicare Absorbent Polymer Power Cleaning System from Jacksonville, Fla.-based Modular Designs, which is a carpet-cleaning powder that uses only a small amount of water so that mold and other allergens are eliminated from the process.
(Web Link)
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"Pre-Dyed Carpet"
Cleanfax (06/06) Warrington, Scott

Pre-dyed carpets involve the application of color prior to the tufting of the yarns. Pre-dyes are colorfast and can be used to create random patterns and other design effects. The colors are more even than post-dye methods because pre-dye fibers can be blended. However, pre-dye yarns are more expensive and come in a limited number of colors. There are several different methods of pre-dyeing. Solution dyeing ensures that the color is absorbed by the entire fiber. Stock-dyeing involves the application of color prior to the yarn being spun, with the color added to a large vat full of fiber. In contrast, yarn dyeing involves a post-spinning application of color. Skein dyeing requires yarn to be wound into skeins, placed in a vat, and dyed, while space dyeing involves spraying or rolling colors onto fibers that have been knit into the shape of a toe-less sock and later de-knit.
(Web Link)
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"Mold is a Hurricane's Lingering Calling Card"
Palm Beach Post (FL) (05/28/06) P. 160; Pacenti, John; Marshall, Barbara

Unlike the driving winds and pouring rain caused by a hurricane, mold is a damaging force that can linger long after the storm has passed. Although mold can ruin almost anything in a home, it prefers to latch on to drywall because the paper or cellulose backing contains a number of organic materials that mold spores need in order to thrive. The warm, dark environment on the back of the drywall enables the mold to quickly reproduce; and because it is hidden from view, it is typically not discovered until it grows through the wallboard. Mold-infested drywall, fiberboard furniture, cabinets, insulation, and other items should be removed completely. If there is no sign of a large-scale infestation, bleach or tri-sodium phosphate can be used to clean walls, ceilings, and floors. Isopropyl alcohol or furniture polish can be used to kill mold on wooden furniture. Hurricane victims who would rather have someone else remove the mold from their homes would be wise to hire professionals certified by such organizations as the Restoration Industry Association .
(Web Link)
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"March Flood Damage to Honolulu Businesses Tops $5 Million"
Pacific Business News (06/12/06)

A March 31 rainstorm in Honolulu, Hawaii, resulted in $5 million or more in damage to local businesses, particularly those in the Kahala Mall. The mall's common areas experienced more than $2 million in damage when the rain overflowed storm drains on Hunakai Street. Repairs to the common areas have been completed, but mall tenants continue to fix water-damaged walls, fixtures, and floors as well as replace ruined carpet and merchandise. Additionally, mold remediation will likely be necessary before the Kahala 8 Theatres can reopen. Of the mall's 90 tenants, only 30 had flood insurance.
(Web Link)
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"Dealing Artfully With Disaster"
Security Management (06/06) Vol. 50, No. 6, P. 66; Keller, Steve

Hurricanes, fires, and other natural disasters, not theft, pose the greatest danger to art museums, making it imperative that museums take steps to protect themselves. This protection should consist of several combined elements: design, planning, technology, and disaster-simulation drills. In the history of the United States, no event has caused more destruction to cultural properties than Hurricane Katrina--many documents and other fragile artifacts that survived the storm itself soon succumbed to mold and moisture. Museum security operators must accept the fact that museums are often designed and operated with minimal thought given to security. The key to protecting museums begins with forming a disaster preparedness plan--a simple Google search on the words "disaster plan" should provide links to numerous examples of plans that can be tailored to fit the museum environment. The process of creating the plan begins with identifying potential disasters and risks, and continues with the identification of countermeasures to minimize or prevent losses. Some risks will necessitate the evacuation and storage of art pieces at an off-site location, so these locations should be identified in advance. In hurricane-prone locations, it is advisable for museums to contract with a firm that can quickly board up the museum or load artifacts onto rental trucks. Museums should also guard against airborne projectiles by using glazed glass that has been rated up to 180 miles per hour against small missiles.
(Web Link)
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"Breathing Easier"
Dallas Business Journal (05/22/06) Tanner, Lisa

When Encore Acquisition Co. office manager Maria Nicholas changed the Fort Worth, Texas-based energy company's carpet-cleaning service, she noticed fewer complaints from employees about sneezing, allergies, headaches, and other health problems. The company hired the local MilliCare franchise, Corporate Floors, whose dry-polymer carpet cleaning system is designed to improve indoor air quality by capturing and vacuuming loose dirt and other organic matter. Indoor air quality is a growing concern for many companies, and it involves more than carpet cleaning. According to Larry Schoen of Columbia, Md.-based Schoen Engineering Inc., "The key is to keep the building clean and dry, avoid sources of additional contamination such as smoking and get a bit of ventilation from the outside." Encore Acquisition's plan to improve indoor air quality also involves upholstery cleaning and regular maintenance of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, among other things.
(Web Link)
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"Secrets for Diversification"
Floor Covering News (05/22/06) Vol. 21, No. 5, P. 18; Spivak, Steven

Professional cleaners can diversify their business and offer customers valuable add-on services by expanding the types of items that they clean and restore in the home or office, says Restoration Industry Association technical advisor Steven Spivak. The list of interior items in need of cleaning includes Oriental and area rugs; bedding and mattresses; wall coverings; draperies; non-textile window coverings; linens; needlepoint and other textile accessories; upholstery and furniture; toilet seat covers and other bathroom accessories; wood, marble, stone, and other types of flooring; and flags, sports banners, and other types of hangings. Among outdoor items to be cleaned are pool and patio chairs and coverings, hammocks, automobiles, and boats. By adding these specialty cleaning services to a basic cleaning job, professional cleaners can offset their costs and make more money.
(Web Link)
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"Chemical in Trailers a Problem, Group Says"
Advocate (05/18/06) P. B2; Wold, Amy

The Sierra Club says the glue-like scent in travel trailers given to Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Louisiana and Mississippi may be hazardous. The group performed indoor air quality tests on 32 of the trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and found that 30 had higher-than-recommended levels of aerial formaldehyde. Glue, curtains, countertops, and other items found in the trailers or used during the manufacturing process contain formaldehyde. Mary DeVany, an industrial hygienist who worked on the Sierra Club study, urges residents to open windows and operate fans to remove the fumes from the trailers. Becky Gillette of the Sierra Club also believes FEMA should be conducting air quality tests prior to having the trailers shipped.
(Web Link)
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"NFIB: Senate Tax Vote a Win for Small Business"
Floor Daily (05/12/06)

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has praised Congress' passage of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005. The bill lengthens the term for increased Section 179 expensing limits--which were set to expire at the end of 2007--for two years. Under the law, businesses can expense $100,000 per year, up from $25,000. Additionally, businesses cannot make more than $400,000 in investments per year in order to qualify for Section 179 expensing, up from $200,000. "These increases have put money back into the hands of small-business owners to hire new employees, purchase new equipment and expand their facilities--all significant factors contributing to our robust economy," remarks NFIB Executive Vice President Dan Danner. NFIB's May 2006 Small Business Economic Trends Report reveals that 46% of the small business owners polled purchased new equipment during the previous six months. One-quarter of respondents recently bought a new vehicle, while investments in furniture, facilities upgrades, and new facilities were reported by 16%, 16%, and 7% of those surveyed, respectively.
(Web Link)
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"Cleaning Some Antiques Too Well Can Scrub Them of Value"
FortWayne.com (05/11/06) McNatt, Cindy

Experts say it is better not to clean antiques in order to preserve their patina, or the fading or darkening effect of age. According to Leslie and Leigh Keno of "Antiques Roadshow," the patina helps indicate where, when, and how an item was used and can be used for authentication. Cleaning should be put off until the piece has been appraised so as not to ruin its value. The "Antiques Roadshow" Web site and other specialists say ceramics and glass articles can be cleaned using warm soapy water, while wood furniture can be cleaned with beeswax and a soft cloth. Silver can be cleaned with a non-abrasive silver cleaner, and jewelry should be cleaned using distilled water, dish detergent, and a soft cloth. Items like textiles, oil paintings, clocks, and posters should be cleaned by professionals. Among the antiques that should never be cleaned are bronze and copper, toys, dolls, stuffed animals, painted furniture, needlework, books, and coins.
(Web Link)
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"Owner of Oregon-Based Ventilation Experts Touts Next-Generation Air Filtration Technology"
Daily Journal of Commerce (05/11/06) Tucker, Libby

Heating and ventilation contractors are pushing next-generation air filtration technology that they say can remove mold, bacteria, and viruses. Randy Jirovec of Dallas, Ore.-based Ventilation Experts says it is a revolutionary technology. Unlike commercial ventilation systems that kill microorganisms with ultraviolet light, EcoQuest International's unit eliminates airborne impurities with plasma containing ozone and hydrogen peroxide molecules. According to Jirovec, "UV doesn't kill things in the ducting that have been there for 20 years. If birds or mice get into the ducting and leave their waste, the plasma will go through and sanitize it." The secret behind EcoQuest's air filtration system is radiant catalytic ionization (RCI) technology, which Kansas State University microbiologist James Marsden says cleans indoor air just like nature cleans outdoor air. Marsden's research found that RCI technology removes nearly 100 percent of bacteria and mold from metal surfaces over a 24-hour period.
(Web Link)
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"Breaking the Mold"
Cleaning & Maintenance Management (05/06) Pierron, Joe

Although there is never a shortage of work for mold remediation professionals, there are a number of techniques that companies can use to get even more jobs. For starters, a mold remediation professional should find out who referred the potential client to their company, which provides information about the client's expectations and a starting point for a strong working relationship. They should then schedule a visit to the site and write a report detailing the recommended course of action. They should also be willing to refer the client to contractors or subcontractors that can handle tasks that they are not willing to perform. The proposal could be broken down into line items so that clients know how much they will pay per square foot for each service, such as air filtration, containment, drywall and insulation removal, and HEPA vacuuming; or they could simply charge a flat rate for the entire job. Given that potential clients will use the proposal to make comparisons to other remediation companies, they would be wise to submit a report that showcases their expertise. Mold remediation professionals should also beef up their qualifications by obtaining industry certifications, as well as ensure that they abide by all local and state regulations.
(Web Link)
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"Heat Treatment Method Provides Water Damage/Mold Relief"
Claims (05/06) Vol. 54, No. 5, P. 39; Forbess, Alan

Mold contamination will likely threaten water-damaged homes in the regions hit by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, and estimated losses for insurance claims could reach beyond the current $90 billion estimates. Mold is also likely to strike in the Northeast where rampant flooding has become a problem. However, there is a new remedy on the market, a heat treatment, which could save insurers and real estate firms billions, called ThermaPureHeat. The treatment dehumidifies the air to disinfect and dry out buildings, much like the pasteurization process, and is completed with propane-powered portable heaters and air blowers, raising the temperature of a room or entire structure to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours. Experts note that the process could dry out and kill bacteria and mold more quickly than traditional restoration methods without the use of chemicals, and the method is less costly than tearing down mold-infected building materials or extensive cleaning with HEPA vacuums and other devices. Until now, mold remediation operated under the same pretense as asbestos removal where everything has to be removed regardless of cost, but heat treatments can likely reduce business interruption costs for insurers and their policyholders as well as help those firms avoid any additional costs associated with demolition and replacement of structures.
(Web Link)
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June 2006