ANSI/ IICRC S500 changes open for public review

LAS VEGAS — The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has made revisions to the ANSI/IICRC S500-2006 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration since the fourth public review in March and April, and these changes are currently available for a fifth round of public review and comment, according to a press release.

“ANSI/IICRC S500 provides a specific set of practical standards for water damage restoration. It does not provide comprehensive water damage restoration procedures,” the IICRC explains, “Rather, it outlines the foundation for basic principles of proper restoration practices. ANSI/IICRC S500 does not include exhaustive performance characteristics or standards for the manufacture or installation of structural components, materials and contents (personal property).”

The release says the following revisions have been made to the standard and reference guide since the last review:

• A.2 Purpose: This section discusses professional judgment and specifically the process of documenting a deviation from the standard of care (i.e. “shall” or “should”). Following a number of good comments from public reviewers during the previous round, the Consensus Body has  (1) removed any reference to “scope or price” and (2) removed the requirement to gain “agreement in writing” prior to the deviation. These changes made on page 1, lines 22-27 of the substantive change document, should facilitate the project without delays.
• 10.7.2 Evaluating Building Materials and Assemblies: This section discusses the process of evaluating building materials and assemblies for the purpose of determining whether attempts to restore them should be made. The third paragraph of the section beginning on page 1, line 42 and continuing on to page 2, line 4, addresses the situation where an attempt to restore is made (per agreement with MIPs) on a material or assembly that is “generally unrestorable.” Following several comments from public reviewers, the Consensus Body has changed the guidance from “should be an agreement” to “it is recommended there be an understanding.”

The fifth public review period, which began June 26, will end on July 26. All comments should be submitted by July 26 using the comment form found here. forms must be submitted to IICRC Standards Director Mili Washington at [email protected].

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