The Clean Trust to revise S520 and S300 standards
02/02/2012

VANCOUVER, WA — The Clean Trust (formerly the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)) announces the formation of two consensus bodies for the revisions of the "ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide on Professional Mold Remediation" and the "IICRC S300 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Upholstery Cleaning," according to a press release.

"To ensure up-to-date knowledge and quality service throughout the industry, the consensus bodies will be made up of people directly and materially affected by the standards," said Jim Holland, The Clean Trust Standards Committee chair.

"The Standards Committee will be accepting applications for volunteers from all available and interested segments of the industry through the end of March," Holland added.

The consensus bodies will meet approximately two times per year, with most of the work being completed online and via conference calls, the release stated.

According to the release, those interested in submitting an application to participate on the S520 or S300 consensus bodies, please contact Mili Washington, The Clean Trust standards director, at Mili.Washington@TheCleanTrust.org or contact The Clean Trust headquarters at (360) 693-5675.

Click here to read the complete release.

University concerned about asbestos
02/02/2012

GAINESVILLE, FL — Cleaning and air testing continue this week at the University of Florida's Medical Science Building due to concerns about the presence of asbestos, according to The Gainseville Sun.

Last Thursday, the school closed the first floor of the Department of Ophthalmology Visual Science Lab and the ground floor's morgue, autopsy suite and Department of Physiology labs, the article stated.

According to the article, those areas were closed because routine air tests conducted during low-risk asbestos removal showed that airborne asbestos levels were higher than federal guidelines allow.

Filters have been installed in all the affected areas of the Medical Science Building, and any employee who worked in those portions of the building was given administrative leave until the all clear is received, the article noted.

Click here to read the complete article.

Woman's illness linked to toxic mold
02/01/2012

MISHAWAKA, IN — A Kensard Manor Apartments resident links her battle with pneumonia, extreme fatigue and weight loss to toxic mold in her apartment, according to WNDU-TV.

Zola Blivin, 72, first attributed her symptoms to excess dust in the carpet of her residence, the article stated.

According to the article, she later found evidence of mold behind her furnace filter.

In September 2011, Blivin took a sample of what she believed to be mold to her physician, the article noted.

After the visit, her doctor wrote a letter citing what he believed to be "mold spores," and suggested his patient vacate the unit immediately for her own health, the article added.

Click here to read the complete article.

TES Drying System launches newly designed website
01/17/2012

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — TES Drying System has announced the launch of their newly designed website, according to a press release.

The redesign is the culmination of new detailed training videos of many kinds, including how to dry out wood floors, dry wall, carpet, how to set-up ventilation, how to program the E-TES SD unit and many other educational videos, the release stated.

According to the release, a modern and intuitive user interface also provides quick and easy navigation for technical support, customizable marketing material, frequently asked questions (FAQ), Xactimate codes and much more.

Click here to read the complete release.

More Floods fifth annual national sales meeting
01/31/2012

LENEXA, KS — More Floods Inc. will be hosting its fifth annual national sales meeting for More Floods members on March 21-24.

This year's event features keynote speakers Kenny Chapman and Roger Daviston, as well as numerous new marketing program releases for its membership and networking events throughout the four day convention.

Members wishing to register for the event should call More Floods at 1-866-667-3356 or visit their website at www.MoreFloods.com.

Microban acquired by W.M. Barr
01/05/2012

MEMPHIS, TN — Microban International Ltd., a developer of antimicrobial cleaners for kitchen and bath products, appliances and food service products, has been acquired by W.M. Barr and Company Inc., according to a press release.

The acquisition of Microban is part of W.M. Barr's strategic effort to bring advanced materials protection products to both the professional and consumer markets, the release stated.

"We're very excited about the opportunity to help grow and expand the Microban brand into new channels and categories, as well as the complementary synergies for the Microban and Aegis businesses in the textile category," said Rich Loomis, chief executive officer (CEO) of W.M. Barr.

"The transaction is an important step forward in the growth of Microban, creating new market opportunities for both companies," said David Meyers, chief executive officer (CEO) of Microban.

"We would like to reassure our partners that there will be no disruptions to normal business and that they will continue to receive our full support and commitment," Meyers added.

Click here to read the complete release.

Polygon to service Bureau of Land Management
01/31/2012

WASHINGTON — Polygon,  a property damage and document remediation services company, has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to provide disaster restoration services for the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management division, according to a press release.

The five-year contract, effective February 1, designates Polygon as the pre-approved vendor to offer its complete disaster recovery and document restoration products and services, the release stated.

According to the release, Polygon is currently involved in several high-profile projects for the federal government, as well as state and local governments across the country, including water and flood damage restoration, temporary humidity control, construction drying services, document drying and fire damage remediation.

Click here to read the complete release.

RLI has been acquired by the IDSO
01/30/2012

FORT WORTH, TX — The Restoration Leadership Institute (RLI), publishers of Leadership in Restorative Drying, has been acquired by the International Dry Standard Organization Inc. (IDSO), according to a press release.

The IDSO are the developers of DryStandard Report Software, the release stated.

According to the release, the RLI is a Clean Trust approved school that has produced the industry's only single restorative drying reference guide approved for use in their Water Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying Technician (ASD) and Commercial Drying Specialist (CDS) courses.

"We are very excited to broaden our service offering with the inclusion of a formal training venue," said Barbie Larsen, president of the IDSO.

"The ability to mentor the restorer's drying excellence is a perfect fit to the IDSO's mission of documenting their drying excellence," Larsen added.

Click here to read the complete release.

FRSTeam recognized as Top 500 franchise
01/30/2012

HAYWARD, CA — Entrepreneur Magazine has recognized FRSTeam in its annual Franchise 500 listing of Top North American franchise companies for the fourth consecutive year, according to a press release.

Based on a formula of financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system, FRSTeam is ranked number 333 for 2011, the release stated.

According to the release, this distinction four years in a row signifies the continued strength of FRSTeam's brand identity and successful corporate culture.

"FRSTeam is pleased to be acknowledged by Entrepreneur Magazine," said FRSTeam President, Jim Nicholas.

"Recognition such as this is a reward for all the hard work our management staff and franchisees have put in over the past year. We consider this ranking clear evidence of the strength and stability of the FRSTeam organization as a whole," Nicholas added.

FRSTeam is a national franchise company that specializes in the restoration of clothing, laundry and other soft goods damaged in a fire, water or other insurance loss, the release noted.

Click here to read the complete release.

RestoreAll VP to speak at IAQA Annual Meeting
01/24/2012

SMYRNA, GA — RestoreAll Inc. Vice President of Operations Mark McLaughlin will speak at the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) 15th Annual Meeting and Indoor Air Expo, according to a press release.

The meeting will be held March 5-7, 2012, in Las Vegas, the release stated.

According to the release, McLaughlin and Michael Pinto of Wonder Makers Environmental Inc. will be presenting Mr. McLaughlin's abstract, "Mold Remediation According to the Standard of Care: Does It Work, Is It Worth It?"

"I am honored to have been chosen for this opportunity," McLaughlin said.

"It is great to perform research that you know benefits you, your clients and the cleaning industry. I look forward to the event and I hope to shed some light on proper mold remediation and the consequences of doing it poorly," McLaughlin added.

Click here to read the complete release.

CEO of Rainbow International's parent company featured on "Undercover Boss"
01/24/2012

WACO, TX — Dina Dwyer-Owens, chief executive officer (CEO) and chairwoman of Rainbow International, whose parent company is The Dwyer Group, appeared on CBS's hit reality show "Undercover Boss, airing Sunday, January 22, at 8 p.m. EDT, according to a press release.

Dwyer-Owens went undercover within The Dwyer Group franchise service brands to find out how The Dwyer Group Code of Values and the corporate culture are being embraced by service professionals on the frontline, the release stated.

"This is clearly more than just a job for Dina: She has deep emotional ties to the business and its employees since The Dwyer Group was founded by her late father, who was also her mentor. This episode ranks among the most powerful and moving episodes of 'Undercover Boss,'" said Executive Producer Chris Carlson.

According to the release, the CEO-turned-service-professional donned company uniforms to see life as a potential trainee whose service brands represent some of the most male-dominated industries.

Click here to read the complete release.