4.0) Equipment & Materials: (page 2 of 2)

4.8.b) Chemicals (Deodorizers):  Before undertaking the odor removal after a fire, smoke or water loss, the processes as it relate to the peril should be fully understood. 

When using deodorizers, the manufacturers’ mixing, use practices, safety precautions, disposal recommendations and ventilation requirements should be followed.

Odor removal chemicals are available in, liquid, dry and gaseous form:

    - Liquid deodorants are available in water, oil, cream
      and gel form.  Water and oil base deodorants are
      generally dispensed using thermo and ULV foggers.
      Gel deodorants are wicked, while cream deodorants
      are generally a secondary agent added to restoration
      cream, that are dispensed when applying the
      restoration cream
    - Dry deodorants are available in cube and crystal form. 
      They can be physically placed in a desired location.
      Crystals can also be applied using an electric C.O.C.
      applicator.
    - Gases deodorants are produced from ozone generators,
       as described in Section 4.11.

Deodorants should not be used to mask toxic substances, or used to fool one’s sense of smell when toxic substances exist.

Physical and residual evidence of deodorant compounds should be removed after their intended use or life span.

4.9) Chemical (Lubricants): Oxidation in fire losses would be the result of sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids, while sulfur, nitrogen and hydrogen chloride react with moisture and heat.

Lubricants such as; petroleum jelly, vegetable oil, and petroleum hydrocarbons could be used to temporarily protect and delay metal surfaces from oxidation.

The use of household named petroleum jelly and hydrocarbons, such as; LPS^®, WD-40^® and Vaseline^® should temporarily protect metals  from corrosion after a loss.

The use of brand name products could be reassuring to property owner(s).  Materials and finishes should be tested for colorfast and reaction before petroleum or hydrocarbon products are applied.

4.10) Chemical Categorizing: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a compiled filing of all inert (other ingredients) used in pesticides.  This filing is an alphabetical listing, which contains a chemical CAS number and a list category for the chemical. (Not all chemicals fall into the EPA's list category)

The EPA's categorized list is as follows;

   - List 1: Categorizes 8 inert used in over 160 products
   - List 2: Categorizes 64 inert used in over 9000 products
   - List 3: Categorizes 1500 inert and the EPA is having a
                toxicological and ecological assessment performed
                on these inerts
   - List 4: Categorizes 435 inert into subdivided list of
                4A and 4B 

4A inert could be considered safe, while 4B inert have sufficient data to support their use in pesticides.  Most cleaning, degreasing, disinfecting and sanitizing chemicals used during mitigation and restoration services would be categorized within List 4A or 4B. 

Before using chemicals, they should pre-inspect to assure they conform with federal, regional and local compliance. 

4.11) Ozone Generators: Ozone generators can be used within a free standing off-site smoke odor/deodorizing chamber as shown in Figure 4-11 or a temporary deodorizing chamber could be constructed on site.  Ozone generators should be placed externally of the deodorizing chamber and the ozone should be piped in.

Smoke Odor Deodorization Chamber
Source: Sonozaire, Odor Neutralizer
© 1999 Howe-Baker Engineers, Inc. - Tyler, TX
Figure 4-11

Ozone generators could be used to neutralize odors within the plenum and ductwork of a HVAC system Figure 4-11.a.

The HVAC air handler could be used to distribute ozone throughout a structure, thus neutralizing odors within the HVAC system, structure, and contents at same time. 

The manufacturers’ use procedures, safety precautions and ventilation recommendations should be followed when using ozone equipment. 

Air Handler Deodorization
Source: Sonozaire, Odor Neutralizer
© 1999 Howe-Baker Engineers, Inc. - Tyler, TX
Figure 4-11.a

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4.11.a) Ozone as a Deodorizer: Ozone has been used successfully for years by restoration contractors for the treatment of fire, smoke, water and other forms of disaster or contamination. However, there is only preliminary scientific data concerning the proof that ozonation oxidizes or destroys odors after fire and smoke losses. 

The Journal of Applied Fire Science provided a preliminary investigation report on the effects of ozone on post-fire volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).  The findings indicate that there were chemical composition changes after treatment with ozone.  The scientific team of Dunston and Spivak stated further scientific experiments are needed.

Ozone can destroy musty odors produced from molds, although the musty odor could reappear if the mold source is not destroyed.  In addition, ozone is no-penetrating as described in Section 3.9.a.

The manufacturers use procedures, safety precautions and ventilation  recommendations should be followed when using ozone equipment. 

4.11.b) Ozone as a Disinfectant: Ozone is not a chemical, but a colorless gas with a sharp characteristic odor that produces hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at a maximum rate of 3%. 

Manufacturers of ozone equipment claim the hydrogen peroxide produced ozone generators will destroy microorganisms.  Although a proven technology when purifying water, the effective results of ozone as an air applied disinfectant could be controversial.  This is probable due to the inability of ozone to penetrate porous surfaces, and the low concentration levels at a loss sites due to inadequate barriers.

Ozone should not be used as the primary disinfectant to treat bacteria, mold, contaminates, etc. on porous surfaces.  Therefore, ozone could be used as a supplemental disinfecting means for porous surfaces.

The manufacturers’ use procedures, safety precautions and ventilation recommendations should be followed when using ozone equipment.
 

Mold-Allergen Heat Eradication Chart
Source: ThermaPureHeat® Process
Precision Environmental, Inc.
© 2004 E-Therm, Inc.
Figure 4-13
 

4.12) Commercial Emergency Mitigation Equipment: Large commercial, institutional and industrial losses would require the use of commercial grade equipment. 

Before contractors attempt to handle large commercial, institutional and industrial losses.  They should purchase, lease or pre-register with equipment rental firms on the equipment listed below:

    - Airmovers - large volume
    - Corncob blasting
    - Dry Ice (CO₂) blasting
    - Freeze-drying
    - High pressure washer (5,000 PSI)
    - Low pressure electronic cleaning equipment
    - Sand blasting
    - Soda ash blasting
    - Large volume (truck or trailer mount) desiccant
    - Heat (i.e, convection, furnace, torpedo)
    - Powered lifts

The p1m.com Supply Chain page provides a listing of firms that rent or lease the aforementioned equipment.

Contractors providing mitigation and restoration services on large losses should have a complete understanding of the equipment's uses, capabilities and limitations before using or recommending such equipment or services.

4.13) Heat (Thermal Applications): Heat is an essential application for drying wet structures, primarily concrete. While heat also provides a safe, non-chemical means of handling bacteria, mold, pests and smoke odor.

As shown in Figure 4-13, air temperatures, when held at determined timeframes, are lethal to organisms. A process discovered by Louis Pasteur in 1862.

When using heat for treating organisms, an industrial hygienist should be consulted, while the use of heat for pest services is a patent process and could require a state extermination license.

Contact; Precision Environmental, Inc. about using heat for pest services, as well as all other heat applications.

The p1m.com Thermal Expansion of Materials chart is a valuable aid when using heat within the built environment.

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Extracted from the Loss Recovery Guide with Standards (LRGS)
© Copyright 1998-2008 William Yobe