Applied Structural Drying study guide
Applied Structural Drying · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Applied Structural Drying credential is offered in the restoration division of the IICRC certification catalog. It is aimed at restoration technicians and project leads who already understand basic water damage mitigation and want to manage the drying of building assemblies - walls, cavities, subfloors and contents - rather than only extracting standing water. The Applied Structural Drying study guide has 7 sections and about 2,042 words.
01Psychrometrics and Drying Science
Psychrometrics is the physics behind every drying decision. Expect to read a psychrometric chart in English and metric units, convert between dry-bulb, wet-bulb, dew point, relative humidity (RH), humidity ratio (grains per pound), specific volume and enthalpy, and use equilibrium moisture content (EMC) to set a defensible drying goal.
345 words, about 2 min02Moisture Inspection
Stop or control the water source before placing equipment; a live leak defeats any drying system. Interview occupants for when, what and how long, then inspect both sides of assemblies.
327 words, about 2 min03Monitoring and Documentation
Record baseline readings before any equipment is placed: material MC/%WME, air temperature, RH, dew point, GPP and outdoor conditions. Take daily readings at marked, consistent locations, at the same time of day, with the same instrument.
284 words, about 1 min04Drying System Design
Set the dry standard and target MC for each material. Classify the loss to estimate the evaporation load.
286 words, about 1 min05Equipment and Airflow
Air movers: axial and centrifugal, rated in CFM and velocity; centrifugal units produce the static pressure needed for ducted or cavity work. Refrigerant dehumidifiers, including LGR: efficient in warm air, with capacity dropping as inlet air cools and dries.
281 words, about 1 min06Project Management
Obtain written work authorization before equipment is placed; confirm who pays - insurer, owner or both - and the approved scope. Build the schedule around verification, not calendar days: assessment, mitigation, daily monitoring, drying verification, equipment pickup, then demolition and repair handoff.
253 words, about 1 min07Safety and Customer Communication
Assess hazards first: water source, electrical, biological, structural and slip/trip. Category 3 and sewage work: rubber boots and gloves, eye protection, Tyvek or equivalent, and respiratory protection - a full-face APR with P100 is typical for sewage, with N95 as a minimum for general mold work.
266 words, about 1 min