CRI flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Category 1 water

Water from a sanitary source that does not pose a substantial risk from ingestion or inhalation, such as a supply line break or rainwater. It can degrade to Category 2 if left standing.

Category 2 water

Gray water that contains significant contamination, such as washing machine discharge, dishwasher effluent, or toilet overflow without solids. It requires PPE and more aggressive cleaning than Category 1.

Category 3 water

Grossly contaminated water such as sewage, floodwater, or toilet trap water. It contains pathogens and requires full PPE, removal of porous materials, and disinfection of salvageable surfaces.

Class 1 water damage

The lowest evaporation load: minimal water absorption, with only a small portion of the room's materials wet. Drying usually takes the least time and equipment.

Class 4 water damage

The highest evaporation load, involving deep pockets of water in low-permeability materials such as hardwood, concrete, or subfloor. Requires specialty drying equipment and longer drying times.

Air mover placement

A starting rule is one air mover per 10-14 linear feet of affected wall or per 50-70 square feet of wet floor. Arrange them to create a circular airflow pattern.

Extraction before drying

Removing standing water and extracting wet carpet is the first and most important step. Equipment works far more efficiently when bulk water has already been removed.

Antimicrobial regulation

Antimicrobials are pesticides regulated under FIFRA. Only EPA-registered products labeled for the specific use may be applied, and they never replace cleaning.

Pin-type moisture meter

A meter that measures electrical conductivity between two pins driven into the material. It reads moisture content well on wood and drywall but leaves small holes.

Pinless moisture meter

A capacitance-based meter that scans a surface without pins, reading to a depth of about one inch. It is useful for scanning large areas before pin confirmation.

Thermal imaging limits

Thermal cameras show temperature differences from evaporative cooling but cannot confirm moisture. Every thermal anomaly must be verified with a moisture meter.

Moisture map

A documented diagram of the affected area showing moisture readings, material types, and equipment placement. It supports drying decisions and insurance claims.

Outdoor control sample

An air sample collected outside at the same time as indoor samples. Indoor mold spore results are compared against it to judge whether indoor levels are elevated.

Air sampling purpose

Air sampling is a screening tool that shows a snapshot of airborne spores. It is not a clearance test and does not by itself prove a health risk.

Borescope inspection

A camera on a flexible probe used to inspect wall cavities, ductwork, and other enclosed spaces where visible access is limited. Useful for finding hidden mold.

Scope of work report

A written document defining the affected area, water category and class, affected materials, and the recommended drying or remediation approach. The client signs it before work begins.

Drying goal

Materials should return to their pre-loss moisture content, typically 10-12% for wood framing and 0.5-1% for drywall. Progress is judged by daily readings, not a fixed schedule.

Drying chamber

A sealed containment around the affected area that controls temperature, humidity, and airflow. Negative pressure is used when contamination is present.

Hardwood floor drying

Drying mats and controlled airflow remove moisture from hardwood floors. Sanding or refinishing must wait until the floor reaches its target moisture content.

Category 3 material removal

Porous materials exposed to grossly contaminated water, such as carpet, pad, and drywall below the flood line, are removed rather than dried in place.

Reconstruction sequencing

New drywall and flooring are installed only after the structure is confirmed dry. Installing over wet framing traps moisture and causes future mold growth.

Soot removal urgency

Soot is acidic and corrosive to metal and finishes. It should be removed promptly with dry sponges and appropriate cleaners, followed by HEPA vacuuming and air scrubbing.

Contents pack-out

Removing furnishings and belongings for cleaning and storage. Each item is inventoried, photographed, and cleaned by a method suited to its material.

Post-remediation verification

Documented confirmation that drying or remediation met its goal, using moisture readings, visual inspection, and where required independent clearance sampling.

Mold moisture requirement

Mold growth requires sufficient moisture, generally water activity above 0.8 or relative humidity above about 60%. Correcting the moisture source is essential to remediation.

Level I remediation

A small mold job affecting less than 10 square feet. It can often be handled with limited containment and basic PPE by trained personnel.

Level III remediation

A large mold job affecting more than 100 square feet. It typically requires full containment, negative pressure, and a licensed or certified remediation professional.

Negative pressure containment

A sealed poly barrier with HEPA-filtered air scrubbers that keep the contained space at lower pressure, so air flows inward and spores do not escape.

HEPA filtration rating

A filter rated to capture 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns. HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers are standard equipment for mold remediation.

Mold PPE

Minimum protection includes an N95 or P100 respirator, goggles, gloves, and disposable coveralls. Larger or contaminated jobs may require a full-face respirator or PAPR.

Porous material disposal

Moldy drywall, insulation, and carpet are generally removed and bagged rather than cleaned. Semi-porous and non-porous materials can be cleaned with detergent.

Mold clearance criteria

Clearance requires no visible mold or dust, moisture readings at the dry standard, and where specified, air sampling comparable to outdoor control levels, verified independently.