National Restaurant Chain Receives Assistance from Pure Air Control Services after Recent Flooding

New Orleans, LA – Hurricane Isaac may not have the same impact that Hurricane Katrina had seven years ago, though it is heading on the same path that will likely make landfall in New Orleans, Louisiana this Thursday as a category 2 hurricane.  Wind damage will be significant, but the real threat is flooding, water damage and subsequent microbial contamination.

Recently, Tropical Storm Debby soaked the Tampa Bay region with up to 25 inches of rain, flooding roadways and properties throughout the region.

A national food service provider experienced catastrophic damage to one of their premier restaurants as a result of the extensive flooding.  The national chain didn’t hesitant to retain the professional staff at Pure Air Control Services to assess, manage and provide environmental oversight for the restaurants clean up process.  The staff at Pure Air Control Services provided:

• Baseline IAQ assessment for viable (surface and air) bacteria and fungal concentrations including Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, total coli-forms, and fungal proliferation
• Microbial remediation and drying protocols
• Environmental remediation project oversight
• Monitoring of  temperature and relative humidity for the assessment of conditions that may support microbial proliferation
• Final clearance testing to ensure the restaurant was safe to reopen

Pure Air Control Services was able to help them get back on their feet and doors opened for business in record time.

Upon completion of the environmental oversight and cleaning the VP of Facilities Maintenance of the over 100 national food service organization applauded Pure Air Control Services efforts for a job well done stating: “Thanks for all your efforts surrounding the project.  Through your diligence we were able to understand the conditions and effectively remediate the building and bring it back to the pre-open condition in the shortest possible timeframe.”

With another major storm bearing down on the state of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, please be safe and consider the following if your building has been breached. The following efforts should be performed by licensed, accredited organizations that specialize in microbial identification and environmental project management:

• If flooded, cut the power to the building to avoid electrocution.
• Mold can fully mature and proliferate in as little as 24-48 hours, drying needs to take place immediately.
• Have a professional building scientist organization conduct a microbial assessment to determine baseline conditions and to provide effective remediation protocols depending on the damage  

Possible environmental microbial constituents to consider in the assessment may include:

• Salmonella Screen
• Listeria Screen
• E. coli Screen
• Total Plate Count
• Total Coli-forms
• Total Fungal

All samples require laboratory processing, incubation and analysis process and should be performed by an AIHA Accredited Environmental Microbiology Laboratory to ensure professional analysis.

• If affected, remove all drywall 16” above the flood line.
• Once it is safe to power up the building, employ a licensed electrician to increase the amount of power sources or provide portable power for blower fans to dry interstitial wall cavities and dehumidifiers that remove moisture from the air.
• Conduct baseline indoor air quality testing for bacteria and mold conditions.
• Utilize infrared thermometry and moisture meters.
• Clean and sanitize all surfaces
• Perform building/home disinfecting
• Conduct indoor air quality clearance testing to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all.

To learn more about storm recovery assistance or general indoor air quality concerns please call the Building Sciences department at Pure Air Control Services at 1-800-422-7873 ext 802.

The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) at Pure Air Control Services performs a wide array of mold assays (fungal identification).  EDLab can identify molds by using various techniques.  Some common analysis performed by EDLab to identify fungi and mold associated test includes, but not limited to, the Bio-Scan and Spore Trap Analysis beside mycological cultural analysis of air/bulk/surface/swab/liquid environmental samples. The type of sampling and analysis performed is determined by project specifications project requirements or individual needs.

For additional information you can contact Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Director, EDLab, Pure Air Control Services, www.pureaircontrols.com 1-800-422-7873

About Pure Air Control Services

Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm. Today, the firm sets the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis and remediation.

Pure Air’s nationally performed services include: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check; an AIHA accredited Environmental Microbiology Laboratory; Environmental Project Management; and HVAC System Cleaning/Mold Remediation Services, PURE-Steam Coil cleaning among other indoor environmental services.

The company’s expanding client roster includes the FAA, Walt Disney World, General Services Administration (GSA); Allstate Insurance; CBRE, Carrier Air Conditioning; NAVFAC, DOT, USACE, US Army, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services the reliable industry leader.

For more information on Pure Air Control Services, Inc. please contact Alan Wozniak or Cy Garner at (800) 422-7873 ext 802 or 804 respectively, or visit www.pureaircontrols.com.