ALLERGEN |
A
substance that induces the hypersensitivity state
of allergy and stimulates the formation of reaginic
(type of antibody found in the serum and skin of
allergically sensitive persons) antibodies. |
ANTIGENS |
Substances
that when introduced to the body is capable of stimulating
an immune response, specifically activating lymphocytes,
which are the body’s infection-fighting white blood
cells. |
ANTIMICROBIAL |
An
agent that limits or controls the growth of microorganisms
(bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) |
ASTHMA |
A
medical condition marked by recurrent attacks of
labored breathing and wheezing caused by spasmodic
contraction of the bronchi. |
BALANCED
DRYING |
The
point at which evaporation and dehumidification
are balanced at optimum levels. In other words,
more moisture is not being evaporated into the air
than the dehumidification methods can remove. |
BIOAEROSOLS |
“…Airborne
particles that are living or originate from living
organisms … (i.e., culturable and dead microorganisms)
and fragments, toxins, and particulate waste products
from all varieties of living things.” ACGIH Bioaerosols:
Assessment and Control |
BIOCIDE |
A
substance that kills living organisms, both pathogenic
and non pathogenic. |
CATEGORY
1 |
“Clean
Water” Water Source that does not pose substantial
harm to humans |
CATEGORY
2 |
“Gray
Water” Water containing some degree of contamination.
Has the potential to cause substantial discomfort
or sickness if consumed by humans. |
CATEGORY
3 |
“Black
Water” Grossly unsanitary. Contains pathogenic (disease
causing) agents. |
-CIDE |
To
kill, e.g., virucide, sporicide, fungicide, etc. |
CLASS
1 |
Slow
Rate of Evaporation. Affects only a portion of a
room. Materials have a low permeance/porosity. Minimum
moisture is absorbed by the materials. |
CLASS
2 |
Fast
Rate of Evaporation. Water affects the entire room
of carpet and cushion. May have wicked up the walls,
but not more than 24 inches. |
CLASS
3 |
Fastest
Rate of Evaporation. Water generally comes from
overhead, affecting the entire area; walls, ceilings,
insulation, carpet, cushion, etc. |
CLASS
4 |
Specialty
Drying Situations. Involves materials with a very
low permeance/porosity, such as hardwood floors,
concrete, crawlspaces, plaster, etc. Drying generally
requires very low specific humidity to accomplish
drying. |
CLOSED
DRYING SYSTEM |
Using
equipment to remove excess moisture from indoor
air. |
CROWNING |
A
term used to describe the appearance of wood flooring
strips that have lost moisture from the edges, leaving
the edges lower than the center of the wood strip
(plank). |
CUPPING |
A
term used to describe the appearance of wood flooring
strips that have absorbed excessive moisture from
the underside causing expansion of the edges, leaving
the edges higher than the center of the wood strip
(plank). |
DELAMINATION |
The
separation of the primary backing from the secondary
backing of tufted carpeting. |
DEW
POINT |
The
temperature at which the air becomes saturated with
moisture and condensation forms. |
DISINFECTANT |
A
biocide that kills a broad spectrum of microorganisms,
but not all their spores. |
DRY
BULB TEMPERATURE |
Temperature
registered by thermometers with dry sensing bulbs. |
DRY
STANDARD |
Pre-determined
drying goal based on the moisture content (MC) of
structure in an unaffected area; pre-loss normal
MC, or average MC for your particular area. |
ENDOTOXIN |
Portion
of the outer wall of gram-negative bacteria, such
as e-coli, that can cause fever, increased airway
resistance, raise white blood cell counts, shock
and even death. |
EQUILIBRIUM
MOISTURE CONTENT |
Moisture
Content (MC) of structural materials has stabilized
in relation to relative humidity (RH) and temperature
of surrounding air. No more moisture can be absorbed
at that temperature and humidity. Change the temperature
and/or humidity and more moisture can be absorbed. |
EVAPORATION |
Changing
moisture from a liquid to vapor. |
FUNGI |
Fungus
includes molds, mildews, years and mushrooms and
most range in size from 2 – 20 microns.
Stage 1 of growth: Spore – seed-like
bodies that allow survival of some microorganisms.
Stage 2 of growth: Hypha – As spores
absorb moisture, they swell and elongate to produce
thread-like structures.
Stage 3 of growth: Mycelium – Visible
form of fungi. Mycelium is capable of producing
additional spores. Mycelium stage generally causes
destruction of its host material. |
GRAIN
DEPRESSION |
The
difference between two specific humidity readings;
i.e. outside SH and indoor SH. Knowledge of grain
depression needed in order to determine which drying
system will be employed. |
GRAINS
OF MOISTURE |
Term
used to express the weight of moisture per pound
of air
7000 grains of moisture equals one pound.
Water weighs 8.34 lbs. per U.S. gallon (128 ounces,
3.78 liters)
8 pints per gallon
7000 grains equals approximately one pint (16 ounces) |
HVAC |
Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning system. |
HYGROMETER |
Measures
relative humidity |
HYGROSCOPIC |
The
ability of materials to absorb moisture. Hygroscopic
materials change physically as they absorb moisture
from humid air, often causing Secondary Damage. |
HYPER-SENSITIVITY |
The
human immune system’s exaggerated response to an
allergen. |
IICRC
S500 |
“The
Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water
Damage Restoration”, it is the Standard of Care
for the water damage restoration industry. |
IICRC
S520 |
“The
Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold
Remediation”, it is the Standard of Care for the
mold remediation industry. |
INFILTRATION |
Seepage
of moist air into a building through leaks in the
building structure. |
MICROBIOLOGICAL
VOLATILE COMPOUNDS (mVOCs) |
Volatile
(evaporative) gases produced by microorganisms in
their growth stage; e.g., the musty odor associated
with mold growth, damp basements, etc. |
MC |
See
Moisture Content |
MICRON |
Term
used to measure microorganisms. One micron measures
1/1,000,000 of a meter |
MICRO-ORGANISM |
An
extremely small life form that is visible only under
a microscope. |
MITIGATION |
To
control or contain / make smaller. Loss Mitigation
is to control the cost of the loss and prevent further
damage from occurring by taking reasonable and prudent
steps to secure and protect the property from on-going
damage. |
MOISTURE
CONTENT (MC) |
The
amount of water by weight in solid materials, as
compared to an oven dried sample of that material.
The average MC in North America is 10%. |
MYCOTOXIN |
A
potentially harmful chemical compound produced by
some forms of fungi to protect themselves against
other microorganisms. |
OPEN
DRYING SYSTEM |
Exchanging
humid air inside with dryer air outside. |
OSHA |
Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (United States). |
PATHOGEN |
A
specific agent, such as a bacterium or virus, that
causes disease. |
PERMEANCE |
Measure
of water vapor flow through material(s) of specific
thickness. |
PRIMARY
DAMAGE |
Damage
sustained by direct contact with water or contamination. |
PSYCHROMETRY |
The
study of the relationship between air, humidity
(relative and specific), temperature and their effect
on various materials and human health and comfort. |
PSYCHROMETRIC
CHART |
A
graph showing the relationship between dry bulb
temperature, humidity and vapor pressure. When two
values are known (relative humidity and temperature),
all other factors affecting drying can be determined. |
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY |
The
amount of moisture in the air, expressed as a percentage
of the air’s total moisture holding capacity at
a specific temperature. |
SATURATION |
The
point at which moisture vapor returns to a liquid
condensate and/or materials will absorb no more
moisture, regardless of increases in temperature. |
SECONDARY
DAMAGE |
On-going
damage that results from absorption of moisture
from abnormally high levels of humidity. |
SENSITIZATION |
An
allergic condition that usually affects the skin
or lungs. Once a reaction occurs, further exposure
may cause adverse reactions, even at lower exposure
levels. |
SPECIFIC
HUMIDITY |
The
actual amount of water vapor contained in air as
expressed by weight (GPP – grains per pound). |
SANITIZER |
An
agent that reduces microorganisms to a safe level
as judged by public health agencies. It is the lowest
level antimicrobial. |
-STAT |
To
limit or control. |
STERILIZER |
A
biocide that kills all microorganisms and their
spores. It is the highest level biocide. |
SUBLIMATION |
The
process of changing the state of a solid, such as
ice directly into a vapor (freeze drying). |
VAPOR
PRESSURE |
The
force exerted by a gas (vapor) on its surrounding
environment. High seeks low. |
VAPOR
BARRIER |
Materials
through which moisture can not easily penetrate
and pass through (permeance factor of 1 or less) |
VENTILATION |
Exchange
of air from one area to another. Usually from inside
to the outside. |
VIRUS |
Parasitic
submicroscopic organisms (0.03 – 0.25 microns) that
lack the energy generating enzyme systems necessary
to reproduce independent of living host cells. Most
are pathogenic. Over 120 different viruses exist
in human urine and feces. |