Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Fiberlock and RRP
Permanent Lead Abatement Solutions
To learn more about how you can meet these RRP requirements click on the links below:
- Program Home Page- www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
- Contractor Brochure:www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/contractor_brochure.pdf
LBC (Lead Barrier Compound)
LBC is a high-solids, elastomeric-thermoplastic, water-based copolymer that meets or exceeds all projected federal, state and local standards for lead-based paint encapsulants. Blended specifically to form a durable and flexible encapsulant barrier between lead-based paint and the environment, LBC has been independently tested to the ASTM E-1795 requirements for Category III (Type III- Interior/Exterior) encapsulants. E-1795 is the principle performance standard required, adopted and/or incorporated by reference into lead paint abatement rules and regulations at the federal, state and local levels.
LBC has been certified by Massachusetts (No. DL-12362), authorized by the states of Connecticut, Ohio, New York, Maryland, Minnesota, and Colorado. LBC is accepted for use in all 50 states. LBC has also been classified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL®). LBC is environmentally friendly and complies with all federal and state VOC requirements.
LBC contains Bitrex®, a bitter tasting, non-toxic, anti-ingestant to discourage oral contact with lead paint. The required minimum 7 mil. dry film thickness of LBC offers unparalleled interior and exterior coverage and economics. In addition, the lower film thickness reduces stress on the existing paint system and maintains architectural detail. LBC can be successfully applied to the proper thickness in one application with most major brands of airless spray equipment. LBC can also be applied by brush or roller. LBC can be used for application with surface temperatures as low as 38° F.
Lead Shield
Lead Shield is a water-based 100% acrylic lockdown with a dual purpose; it binds residual lead-based paint and dust present after removal; and accepts most topical coverings. The clear version of this product sprays on white and dries clear to permit visual inspection of any residual paint. The translucent blue tint speeds up the post removal inspection process after the product has fully cured. The blue tint is advantageous because it enables an inspector to quickly identify areas that LBP has been removed from and subsequently locked down. These unique features assist in obtaining final LBP removal certification.
Prepare surfaces for finish coating, wipe dust, dirt, grease and other surface contaminants away with LeadSafe wipes. LeadSafe wipes are conveniently packaged towelettes pre-soaked in a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution to aid in surface preparation and cleaning.
LeadSafe wipes are effective in the quick removal of harmful lead dust particles, and can also be used as part of a conscientious program for the interim control of lead-based paint dust hazards. LeadSafe meets all Federal, State, HUD and EPA guidelines for cleaning and removing lead dust.
Piranha 2 is a heavy duty, fast acting lead-based paint remover. Piranha 2 professional paint remover will attack as many as 30 layers of lead-based paint in a single application. Piranha 2 will also remove the most difficult oil and latex paints, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers and enamels. Piranha 2 is non-flammable and will not raise the grain of wood or corrode metals. This product does not require anti-evaporation paper like many caustics and other weaker solvent formulas.
Brush application recommended. CAUTION: Contains methylene chloride.
Piranha 4 is a solvent-based gel formulated to remove multiple coats of lead-based paint. This fast acting formula starts removing most paints and stubborn coatings in less than one hour, without the use of dangerous chlorinated solvents, caustics or methylene chloride. Gel formulation yields maximum coverage per gallon and has excellent resistance to sagging, enabling it to cling to vertical and overhead surfaces. Piranha 4 has a very slow rate of evaporation keeping it active for hours.
Piranha 4 is a unique solvent formulation ideally suited for paint removal from historically significant architectural components since it does not discolor or raise wood grain or require neutralization. Piranha 4 can be used on virtually any substrate to remove oil-based paint, latex paint, elastomeric paint, cementitious asbestos paint, epoxy and urethane.
Piranha 8 is a low odor, alkaline paste paint stripper that liquefies paints on a variety of substrates. Piranha 8 removes most paints, varnishes, polyurethanes, and water-based latex paints from metal, stone, concrete, marble, plaster wall, ceiling and decorative plaster. Piranha 8 can remove multiple coats safely and easily in a single application. Piranha 8 is particularly well suited for stripping lead paints. Surfaces must be neutralized after using this remover.
Labels: Fiberlock, Lead, Lead Regulations, RRP
80 Year A-T-D Brochure
Now available is the "After the Disaster" brochure in two versions. The first is a tri-fold "leave behind" version that continues the "before, during and after" look that promotes Duraclean's ability to respond to any disaster. It also has the "80 Year" banner at the bottom of the center outside panel.
The inside right panel can be imprinted with franchise information.
This item #3160 is ordered from BFC's website. Click on the following link in the franchise catalog which has pricing information and a direct link to BFC: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=3160.
This piece may also be ordered as a "mailer." It is item 3156. The center outside panel is used for the mailing information. You can click on the following link in the franchise catalog which has the pricing information and a direct link to BFC: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=3156.
Labels: After the Disaster, ATD, Brochure, Sales
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Franchise of the Month
Rick Criss as the owner of Duraclean Services LCC of Forest Hills, MD is the eight times "President's Circle" award winner and the International Franchise Association's "Award of Excellence" winner.
Rick bought his franchise from the current owner Joe Rush in June, 1988. Prior to that he worked at Safeway Grocery stores for 15 years, the last 10 of which were in management. Rick always wanted to own his own business. He says that, "The challenges of building a business and making my own business decisions always appealed to me."
Rick currently leases 7,500 sq. ft. of office and warehouse space. They are actively looking to purchase a 10,000 sq. ft. facility.
As part of that facility are cleaning areas for contents from packouts...
...a boxing area for repacking contents cleaned as a result of a packout...
...flooring supplies for replacement including carpet and pad...
...and an area in their office space for carpet sales which also includes hardwood and laminate floor options.
Their service vehicles include 4 extraction vans, 2 passenger vans, i pickup truck and 1 box van.
Currently Duraclean Services LLC has 148 air movers and 46 dehumidifiers. They also have 15 negative machines and a soda blasting system for their burgeoning mold remediation services.
Duraclean Services LLC has a Partner - Pete Carpenter.
Duraclean Services LLC has a total of 18 dedicated employees. Here are the rest of them:
Office Manager - Lorie Masters...
Receptionist - Lisa Eckoff...
Marketing - Frank Thomas...
Estimator - Jared Harkens...
Estimator - Amy Gfrerer...
Field Manager - Tim Criss...
...and the Technicians.
Rick said that. "The greatest challenge in our business is maintaining a quality workforce in the field. Also, adjusting to the quick growth in our business particularly in the repair and reconstruction area."
The most unusual/most memorable job done by his franchise occurred this past February. "Maryland was hit with 2 blizzards with record snowfalls in less than a week. We had almost 60 inches of snow."
"We thought that the weather conditions would just put a halt to our business. 'Ice Damning' saved us!"
"We received approximately 70 water mitigation calls and 40 to 50 reconstruction jobs as a result."
As another means to market their business on April 27th Rick presented a full day water damage restoration CE (continuing education) course to insurance agents in his area. He had 19 agent attendees of which 15 were new contacts. He is very interested in seeing how the new contacts will translate into new business. This is the second time that Rick has offered a CEC presentation. His first was in November, 2008 when he held two consecutive courses (water and mold) and was assisted by Duraclean Vice President Bill Ondratschek.
Labels: Criss, Franchise of the Month
Friday, April 30, 2010
1st Period Sales Contest Results
Labels: Sales, Sales Contest
Art Restoration
Duraclean started a relationship with Chicago Conservation Center (CCC) over 12 years ago. Some of you might remember a presentation that they gave at Duraclean Central in July 2005. They are the largest restoration firm in the U.S. and have also worked on art items outside of the U.S. They are truly a full service business and we have recommended CCC to insurance agents in the continuing education courses that we have presented over that time.
To learn more about them you can check out the article that appeared in the Chicago Tribune this past March.
http://www.chicagoconservation.com/news_pdf/tribune_article_032410.pdf
You can also check them out at their website:
http://www.chicagoconservation.com/
Labels: Artwork, Chicago Conservation Center, Restoration
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Restoration Mold Newsletter Series
There are 9 new Restoration News mold newsletters that have just been added to the series. All address "Remediation Steps & Monitoring." These currently complete this series. The other two newsletter series are on water damage restoration and fire damage restoration. Here is a view of Newsletter No. 20.
The water damage series is being currently revised. The information is the same but photos and other graphics are being added. That will increase the number of newsletters from its current 15. These newly illustrated versions will not be posted in the "Downloads/Newsletter" section of our franchisee website until it is complete at which time it will replace the previous text only series.
The newsletters can be distributed to insurance agents, real estate agents and building management as both an educational and marketing tool. You can download any of the newsletters from our website using the following link: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/downloads/newsletters.htm.
Once downloaded you can personalize them with your tradestyle and phone number and then print out as many as you wish.
Labels: Fire Damage Restoration, Restoration News Newsletters, Water Damage Restoration
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Safety Considerations
Safety consultant Fred Rine says about workplace safety: "If employees don't understand the ‘why,' not just the ‘how,' they'll never get beyond a certain point. You need to motivate them by reminding them that the reason to work safely is to protect their lives and their families."
Chemical hazards can easily move from the workplace to home and harm loved ones.
- Work clothes
- Tools and equipment
- Work-related materials such as boxes, bags, or scrap brought from work
- Workers' bodies, if they don't wash carefully at the end of a shift.
Simple Rules Protect Families
A few simple rules can protect employees' families from contamination:
- Always remove contaminated clothing and PPE before going home.
- Wear gloves when removing contaminated clothing.
- Remove clothes from the upper body before those on the lower body.
- Shower or wash thoroughly with soap and water, and change clothes before going home.
- Never keep work clothes and PPE in the same locker with street clothes if you work with or around chemicals.
- Place contaminated work clothes and equipment in the proper place for decontamination or disposal.
- Never wash contaminated work clothes with family laundry.
- Don't ever bring home items from the work area such as tools, boxes, etc.
Also remind employees to be aware of the signs of exposure to any chemicals in your workplace so that they can recognize those symptoms in family members. Point out that because children's bodies are small, they may be more easily affected by even small amounts of a chemical.
And be sure to tell workers that if they think a hazardous chemical they work with could be affecting someone in their family, they should immediately consult their doctor and notify their supervisor as well.
Labels: Safety Compliance, Safety Management
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