What age do we live in today? If you're like most people, you'd probably respond, "The
Information Age, of course." It's a relatively easy question to answer considering how much our society depends on the exchange of
vital information. The speed at which we access it is almost as important as the info itself! Consider how different life would be
today without telephone, mobile phones, pagers, fax machines, debit cards, radio, television, or the Internet. Here in 2002, we find
it hard to imagine a world where accessing information would be inconvenient.
But when did the Information Age begin? That's a more difficult question to answer, even by looking it up on the Internet! Perhaps
it began with Samuel Morse and the telegraph in 1838. Or with Alexander Graham Bell and the telephone in 1876. Or maybe it didn't
truly begin until the first personal desktop computer was invented in 1950. The point is, that much of the knowledge and technology
driving today's society were born long before the term "Information Age" was even coined. We needed time to understand the technology,
improve it, and truly incorporate it into the way we live. For most of us, this last decade of the 20th Century has finally showcased the
mind-boggling power of the Information Age.
In a very similar way, the water damage restoration industry is entering the ISDT Age.
The beginning of ISDT
ISDT did not just suddenly appear. Much like the development of the Information Age, the ISDT Age is the result of years of research and
discovery. Over 30 years of collective experience, knowledge and expertise have gone into the development of ISDT.
Who were these contributors to ISDT? Representatives from every sector of the water damage restoration industry played a significant part.
Restoration contractors from around the globe shared their own real-world
experience with one another. Research scientists documented the physics of moisture migration through water-damaged structures. Certified instructors
and their students discovered new ways to communicate and apply the industry's constantly evolving knowledge. Representatives from the insurance
industry contributed their perspective alongside legal experts, remediation specialists, equipment distributors, and a host of others. Through it all,
innovative companies like Dri-Eaz Products, Inc. encouraged these discoveries with new technology that in turn fueled the engine of industry progress.
And this finally leaves the obvious question: What is ISDT? It stands for Intelligent Structural Drying Technology. ISDT is the new, comprehensive
approach to water damage restoration that incorporates the industry's improved science into more advanced methods of application, product development
and education. In other words, ISDT is an industry-wide movement that takes the newest and best discoveries in drying science and implements them into
every aspect of restorative drying.
So, ISDT really encompasses three major areas: the most advanced drying applications; the most advanced drying tools; and the most advanced educational
opportunities. Let's look a little more closely at how ISDT has raised the standard of quality in each of these three areas.
ISDT methods and applications
If you've been in the restorative drying industry for any amount of time, you've seen the rate of change for yourself. We just keep learning more and
more. And the more we learn, the greater the rate of change. Nowhere is this more apparent than in common drying applications.
In the early days, the term "water damage restoration" had not even been coined. If you dealt with abnormal water intrusion, you were essentially a carpet
cleaner with a big flood job. The drying techniques of the day went little beyond an extraction with a light wand, disengaging the carpet, removing pad,
and installing furnace fans. Five to ten days later, the job was finished. Few considered the possibility of bound structural moisture. Any residual odor
was just considered par for the course of a wet building. Restorative drying (if you could even call it that) was a habitual routine that relied solely on
the limited power of the equipment.
Can you imagine employing this strategy today? Hopefully not! Because in the ISDT Age, power does not lie in the equipment alone, but in the scientific
knowledge of the restoration contractor. An ISDT approach starts with a diagnosis of the wet structure. Precision instruments help determine exactly what
areas are wet and to what degree. Armed with this information, the contractor is able to formulate an effective drying plan and choose the right equipment
for the job. Perhaps most importantly, today's ISDT approach includes regular follow-ups and constant monitoring to ensure the structure is drying according
to plan. The contractor's command of scientific principles and high-tech equipment allows him or her to know exactly when a drying job is completely finished.
In the ISDT Age, it's now possible to leave every job in a verifiable pre-loss condition.
ISDT equipment
Again, let's look back for some context. In the very first days of water damage restoration, contractors were forced to use equipment designed for other
applications. Furnace fans were used to evaporate water from carpet. The first dehumidifiers were actually borrowed from other industries. Equipment was not
designed specifically for the restorative drying process. Yet, once placed on the jobsite, this equipment was expected to correct the problem of abnormal
moisture content.
Today's ISDT-compliant equipment takes structural drying into account from the very first concept drawing. It includes an intelligent approach to everything,
including the design, construction, materials, performance, portability, technology, controls, energy usage, and service access, to name a few. These modern
tools are precision-crafted for structural drying.
The ISDT Age is already reshaping the design of some familiar equipment. The newest, ISDT-compliant dehumidifiers and airmovers are the direct result of recent
discoveries in drying science. In addition, ISDT is highlighting the need to develop new types of restorative drying equipment. Let's look at a few examples.
Dehumidifiers
Where previous dehumidifier designs were intended to remove moisture from the air, an ISDT-compliant dehumidifier goes a step beyond. It is actually engineered
to remove moisture from the structure itself by reducing the specific humidity to previously unreachable levels. The result is incredibly dry air that will
literally pull bound moisture out of structural materials like drywall and frame lumber. But the ISDT influence does not stop with advanced refrigeration technology.
The most advanced dehumidifiers also incorporate a number of ergonomic features like intelligent electronic controls, balanced design for easy transport, rugged
construction, and high-volume water removal capacity.
Airmovers
Likewise, the familiar face of air movement has undergone a significant change. Nobody really thought that traditional TurboDryers™ could be improved on. But thanks
to the explosion of knowledge in the age of ISDT, we've found new ways to make a good tool even better.
The original TurboDryer provided a combination of high CFM and laminar airflow that was unprecedented. Since its introduction in 1982, we've also discovered several
other key features of an effective airmover. It should continue to deliver high CFM, but it should be versatile enough to operate in multiple positions at a moment's
notice. In addition to laminar airflow, it should double as a ventilator when necessary and stack for operation and storage. Perhaps most significant, an ISDT-compliant
airmover should draw as little power as possible. The lower the amp draw, the greater the number of units that can operate on a single circuit. And the more airmovers
in the structure, the greater the power of the entire drying system. With the new ISDT-compliant airmovers, structures are being dried faster and more efficiently
than ever before.
New Developments
In addition to driving the redesign of existing equipment, ISDT has exposed the need for other structural drying tools. In particular, restoration professionals
are realizing that they need to address issues of air quality and heat when dealing with water damage restoration.
It's long been common knowledge that when dealing with contaminated spaces (like for mold remediation), an air scrubber should be in place to reduce the number
of microscopic particles in the air. But what about water damage restoration? Carpet is a building's natural filter. Disturbing it with high-velocity airflow sends
unknown amounts of microscopic debris into the air. An air scrubber passes this contaminated air through a high-efficiency filtration system to reduce the number of
potentially hazardous particles in the environment. This helps protect employees and occupants alike.
Heat is also emerging as a long-overlooked component of structural drying. If a restorer can control the temperature of the affected area, it's possible to
maintain the optimum drying conditions for faster and more efficient drying. Even in relatively warm climates, the addition of dry heat to a crawlspace, basement
or other affected area can often dramatically improve equipment performance. Why? Scientifically, warm air simply facilitates better evaporation and dehumidification
than cool air.
ISDT education
What's the biggest difference about education in the ISDT Age? That it even exists.
Today's water damage restoration professional can choose from a variety of training classes accredited by organizations such as the ASCR or IICRC. In the new era of
ISDT, it's imperative that professionals seek out educational opportunities from established associations. It's not enough to depend on an individual experience, habit,
or routine.
An ISDT-compliant class should teach the science behind the drying process: psychrometry. The class should explain the different technology at work in the wide variety of
equipment available today. It should also explain how to apply this science and equipment knowledge to an actual drying job with real-world examples. Finally, the best
courses give students an opportunity to practice what they learn on an actual loss. Whether you've been in the industry 20 years or 20 months, there's nothing quite like
participating in a proper drying process on a flood house. The chance to be present during every stage of the drying process is invaluable. Take advantage of the amazing
opportunities to learn-by-doing with a hands-on course.
Education is the key component in the ISDT Age. Without it, the restorer remains cut off from the wealth of knowledge that the industry has gained in just a few short
decades. With education, the restorer takes control of the advanced drying methods and equipment at his or disposal.
A golden opportunity
Whether or not you recognize the terms, the age of ISDT has already arrived. The techniques have been percolating for years, the equipment technology is taking the
next leap forward, and educational opportunities are available to you now.
It's truly an exciting time to be a part of the water damage restoration industry. We've moved from the realm of a loose collection of family-owned businesses to a
thriving industry with a growing reputation and a bright future. Water damage restoration is here to stay, and the ISDT Age is filled with chances for you to establish
your business for the next generation.
It's your time to take the initiative. Enroll in a hands-on class. Educate yourself on the most advanced drying techniques and applications. Investigate the new
equipment and take the time to understand the technology. With a little effort on your part, the ISDT Age could be a golden one for your restoration company.
Bill Bruders is the Director of Customer Relations for Dri-Eaz Products, Inc.
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