Summary
There are many issues to consider in a disaster situation: safety, communications, cancellation of activities, salvaging critical assets, securing disaster relief, setting up a central command location and finding leadership to take charge. Amid this array of complicated and confusing issues, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) may be the furthest thing from a risk manager's mind when planning for disaster cleanup. However, the window of opportunity for preventing potentially serious IEQ problems lies exclusively within the immediate post-disaster cleanup stage. Natural and man made disasters threaten IEQ in a number of ways. The most common disasters that negatively impact IEQ are those that involve water damage: flooding due to natural disasters like thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes; and man-made disasters like pipes bursting, fires and water overflow. The ultimate result of water damage is mold growth, which can lead to degraded IEQ and, in some cases, compromise the structural integrity of the building. Best practices for minimizing long-term damage and potential liability that can result from mold are discussed.
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Extract
Another Fine Mess
In the wake of a disaster, emotions and frustration often run high, and it can be difficult to formulate an organized plan of action. Depending on the extent of the damage, restoration can be a long and complex process, particularly in large commercial buildings. Building occupants are forced out, the building structure and contents are damaged, and mechanical and electrical systems are disrupted. Building owners, business managers, insurance companies and other parties are expected to return to the ruin and restore the building, occupants and operations to their original states as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
There are many issue...See the full content of this document
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