FLASH Offers Hurricane-Affected Residents Safe ReBuilding Techniques
As residents of hurricane impacted areas repair and rebuild from the devastation of Hurricanes Ivan, Frances and Charley, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes – FLASH, Inc. is offering information to help homeowners strengthen their homes and diminish future losses.
“We know that using the latest disaster-resistant construction techniques will reduce property damage,” said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. “The challenge for homeowners is finding reliable, understandable information. That’s where we come in. We provide free consumer information, professional education programs and technical resources to help strengthen homes and safeguard families.”
FLASH is offering a free, special edition of Blueprint for Safety News that details how home builders and homeowners can strengthen roofs, windows, doors and connections to withstand hurricane-force winds.
The Alliance points out that most of the techniques can qualify homeowners in Florida for a range of discounts and/or credits on homeowner insurance.
The free publication is now available online at www.flash.org, and will be available in disaster recovery centers and in Home Depot stores in the hurricane-affected areas.
Homeowners also can visit www.flash.org or call toll-free at (877) 221-7233 (SAFE) with any additional questions.
The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes-FLASH, Inc. is a unique coalition of more than 70 public, private and non-profit partners with the common goal to strengthen homes and safeguard families from disasters. ASHI is a partner, and ASHI Member Bill Mason serves as the Society’s liaison with the Alliance.
NADCA releases revised standard: Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration of HVAC Systems 2005 (ACR 2005)
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association updated and revised the standard Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration of HVAC systems. The new standard’s language has been updated to coincide with new terminology used in the indoor air quality industry for the assessment and remediation of mold in HVAC systems. ACR 2005 gives guidance and defines conditions under which mold remediation must be performed, in accordance with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), citing IICRC’s standard as reference. NADCA also has added better definitions and procedures for dealing with water damage. To order a copy, visit the NADCA Web site, www.nadca.com
AWCI Launches Revised Content and Format for EIFS Seminars
The Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries announced the completion of the revised EIFS seminar content. The major changes include expanded sections on EIFS with drainage, installation techniques and building code compliance. The participants’ handbook is now a summary of the course material.
For more information, contact Nancy Roylance, director of education and certification, 703-538-1608, roylance@awci.org
Communication skills are important
ASHI Member Jack Fehlandt, Mr. Perfection, Streamwood, Ill. recommends home inspectors read an article in the September 27, 2004, issue of Crain’s Chicago Business, “Tough sell: Good bedside manner.”
Fehlandt reports that according to the article, “Extensive research shows that friendly, informative doctors who listen are a lot less likely to be slapped with a malpractice lawsuit—regardless of the clinical outcome—than those who fail to show such empathy.” He suggests, “Like doctors, we are people dealing with people–same dynamics, same needs and wants,” and that like doctors, many home inspectors fail to see the need for better communication skills.
ATC-45 Field Manual: Safety Evaluation of Buildings After Wind Storms and Flood is available
This 132-page report provides guidelines and procedures for conducting post-windstorm and post-flood building safety evaluations. The purpose of these evaluations is to determine whether damaged or potentially damaged buildings are safe for use, or if entry should be restricted or prohibited.
Funded by the Applied Technology Council, the ATC Endowment Fund, and the Institute for Business and Home Safety, the manual is intended for use by building officials, building inspectors, engineers and others involved in post-disaster safety evaluation of building types commonly found in the United States.
It can be obtained from the Applied Technology Council, 201 Redwood Shores Parkway, Suite 240, Redwood City, California 94065. Phone – 650-595-1542. Web site & online store – www.ATCouncil.org. Price: $27 plus shipping and sales tax.
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