Alphabet Soup
Tools of the Trades
Safety First
Source of Loss
Scope of Work
200

This five letter institute can certify you in Applied Structural Drying, Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration, and more.

What is the IICRC?

200
The workhorse of any water loss, this type of fan directs air movement over damp surfaces

What is an air mover?

200

Hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toes all fall under this three-letter category.

What is PPE?

200

The single most common winter homeowner claim.

What is a frozen/burst pipe?

200

Almost all residential carpet comes in a roll this wide, which drives your seam placement.

What is 12 feet?

400

This federal agency would like to ask you about your choice of footware.

What is OSHA?

400

This handy device comes in both pin and pinless varieties

What is a moisture meter?

400

A crawlspace, attic, or large duct can qualify as one of these.

What is a confined space?

400

The industry term for a misfiring furnace, typically oil-burning.

What is a puff-back?

400

The standard sheet of drywall hung in most homes is this size.

What is 4 feet by 8 feet?

600

This three-letter entity is a necessary evil; the cost of doing business.

What is a TPA?

600

LGR and desiccant are the two main types of this piece of drying equipment.

What is a dehumidifier?

600

This outlet is required near any water source.

What is a GFCI?

600

Sewage backup, rising floodwater, and toilet overflow from beyond the trap all classify as this category of water loss.

What is Category 3 / black water?

600

These two scope actions differ by whether the item leaves the property or is saved on site.

What are Detach & Reset (D&R) and Remove & Replace (R&R)?

800

This three-letter measure of indoor breathing conditions is what HEPA scrubbers and hydroxyls are ultimately trying to protect.

What is IAQ / Indoor Air Quality?

800

Paired with HEPA filtration, this machine creates the pressure differential that keeps mold spores inside containment

What is a negative air machine / air scrubber?

800

OSHA requires fall protection starting at this height above a lower level.

What is 6 feet?

800

Snow melts on a warm roof, refreezes at the cold eave, and backs water up under the shingles.

What is an ice dam?

800

The industry rule of thumb says Overhead & Profit is warranted when a job involves this many trades or more.

What are three trades?

1000

These three-letter abbreviations describe what your stuff is worth today and what it costs to replace it new.

What are ACV and RCV?

1000

This generator produces reactive molecules that neutralize smoke odor at the molecular level — and you don't have to evacuate the structure to run it.

What is a hydroxyl generator?

1000

Cutting concrete, brick, or tile without water or vacuum control puts workers at risk of inhaling this OSHA-regulated dust.

What is respirable crystalline silica / silica?

1000

Built-up creosote is the usual culprit behind this kind of fire, which can spread to the structure surprisingly fast

What is a chimney fire?

1000

Frequently excluded from scope: contents manipulation, floor protection, dumpster fees, and these billable hours.

What are supervisory hours?