Hurricane Sandy Flood Clean Up Garry M. Springle K.Simon Construction 103 Brighton Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740 Report Date: 04/20/2013 Client: Sandford Bernstein Date of Loss 10/29/2012 Loss Location: 212 Beach 118th St., Far Rockaway New York, 11693 Inspector: Garry M. Springle First and Final Report Assignment was received on 04/11/2013 for mold inspection. A Flood Related Loss that occurred at 212 Beach 118th St., Far Rockaway, NY. the clients risk. COVERAGE: Building: N/A Business Property: N/A Deductible: N/A ADDITIONAL INTEREST: Mortgage: NA Public Adjusters: N/A Other: N/A DESCRIPTION OF RISK: The risk is a 2-story stick framed structure on a basement. The exterior is vinyl siding on the walls. The gable roof is wood frame with wood decking substrate and a three-tab composition shingle. The home is a primary residence used by Sandford Bernstein and family. CAUSE AND ORIGIN: The basement sustained flood damage due to the hurricane on the specified date. The property is between two bodies of water with both the bay and ocean contributing to the flood at the property. The storm surge along with the tides flooded the above referenced property filling the basement up to the floor joists of the first floor. INVESTIGATION: On April 11th, we met at the property with representatives of Decon 7 Joe Drake and others to test the home for microbial contamination and apply their product. Upon arriving at the site, microbial sampling was completed in accordance with established guidelines and submitted to an independent lab for identification as well as quantification. Air tests samples were utilized to sample any suspected microbial contamination. The basement and first floor had been partially demolished by one of the various volunteer organizations. About 95% of the mold impacted substrate had been removed from the basement walls, and 100% of the ceiling had been removed. A heavy layer of dust and other fine particulate construction debris was on the floor at the time of inspection. Visible mold was detected on approximately 25% of all exposed wood framed surfaces. Mold reservoirs were suspect on all exposed wood surfaces. On the first floor, the bottom 4 feet of drywall had been removed from most, but not all of the walls. The kitchen remained intact. Established guidelines for mold remediation were not followed in an attempt to gauge the effectiveness of the product when used in these situations as almost all of the homes had been remediated in a similar manner. The volunteer organizations had typically only removed most, but not all of the drywall and in this case, none of the kitchen cabinets on the first floor. Bleach was applied to the microbial contamination in an attempt to remediate. Joe Drake from Decon 7 applied their product by a foaming and fogging application to the exposed areas. A backpack foaming apparatus utilized by Joe Drake to spray the product on the surfaces as well as a fogger was utilized in the basement. Not all surfaces were covered as they were hidden in the wall cavities or were just inaccessible. On April 12th, I sampled the air in the basement with a Zeflon air cassette vacuum pump and sent the sample to Pro-Lab in Florida for identification. The lab report showed an appreciable loss in the amount of spores detected. With a reduction kill rate of 98% of the detected mold. Decon 7 was applied to the basement utilizing the foaming backpack apparatus and also fogged. The use of anti-microbials in this manner without the assistance of other proper remediation technics would not normally show such a reduction in mold spores. It is our conclusion based on our findings, that the use of Decon 7 should be used in conjunction with standard remediation technics. Furthermore, Decon 7 with its foaming applicator should be utilized in lieu of any other anti-microbial or bio-cide on the market at this time. The results were surprising considering the amount of substrate growing viable mold reservoirs remaining in the basement after partial remediation. As with any product, contact with the spore is crucial and not all of the surfaces were affected by the product application. With all things considered, the product out performed any other anti-microbial when used alone in this particular situation. Established remediation guidelines should always be followed. Specifically, all of the mold supporting materials should be removed and the home remediated by licensed and trained personnel utilizing negative air scrubbers in contained areas. Anti-microbials in conjunction with HEPA vacuuming as well as abrading and wiping of the surfaces is part of any excepted remediation protocol and should be utilized while the remediation is underway. Decon 7 product out performed any other product on the market at this time. If proper remediation protocols were to utilize this product in lieu of anti-microbials and/or bio-cides. I believe the results would be better for the contractor and the homeowner. The inherent beneficial properties of the Decon 7 product would be an asset to any remediation protocol. BUILDING ADJUSTMENT: Standard and accepted remediation protocol guidelines should be followed utilizing contained areas with negative air-scrubbers, while removing materials in 6 mill plastic bags. The use of an anti-microbial, in conjunction with HEPA vacuums, abrasion technics, wiping down and encapsulation at certain times, are all part of a typical protocol. Which should be procured and utilized so that all mold reservoirs can be identified and a proper plan of action be followed by the remediation contractor. The use of a product with the application ease and inherent properties, which Decon 7 seems to possess, along with the foaming backpack, would be an asset to any remediation protocol FURTHER ACTIVITIES There remains no activity to be completed on this file. With this report we are closing our file and thank you for this assignment. Respectfully, Garry M. Springle Haag Certified Inspector #201204514 Certified Indoor Environmentalist #01093 IA K.Simon Construction
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 20:48:55 +0000
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