The IICRC would like to welcome Brandon Burton as its new Standards Chairman. Effective Jan. 1, 2019, Burton took over for longstanding Standards Chairman Howard Wolf.

In the disaster recovery and restoration world, the media used for blasting is determinative to project outcome. Many historic buildings have delicate surfaces that often require a softer media. In the cases of disaster recovery, how to remove soot, coal, char and other unwanted items without damaging the structure has always been the center of discussions.

During a structure fire, toxic smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter are generated from the vast array of building materials, contents, and household products that combust. These chemicals mix and interact with each other to create a vast array of carcinogens, poisonous gasses, acids, and other toxins that can cause acute and chronic illnesses, cancer, and even death.

Restoration 1®, one of the fastest-growing and most-trusted restoration franchises in North America, kicks off 2019 with the brand’s seventh consecutive year of recognition in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® list.

If you work with insurance claims, you will want to familiarize yourself with writing and reading Xactimate estimates. This is true whether you are an adjuster or a restoration professional. Xactimate has become the standard for the majority of insurance carriers and third-party administrators (TPAs). If you are new to Xactimate we have three tips that will help you master best practices for this estimating platform.