As part of the ANSI 45-day public review period all comments must be submitted using the online comment form no later than September 11, 2023. 

The IICRC S700 Standard describes the principles, processes, and procedures for assessing the presence, intensity of impact and boundaries of fire residues and odors affecting a building, building systems (e.g., Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC)), and contents after a fire event. Fire events can occur within buildings, adjoining building(s), or building(s) in the vicinity impacted by an external or internal fire, other than wildfires. This Standard also describes the practical principles, methods, and processes including equipment, tools, and materials, for the restoration cleaning and fire odor management of buildings and contents. This Standard also addresses contractor qualifications, administrative requirements, procedures, development of the Restoration Work Plan (RWP), documentation of project-related events, and compliance with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). 

For more information on other Certification programs and Standards offered by the IICRC, visit www.iicrc.org. To purchase a copy of IICRC Standards, please visit http://webstore.iicrc.org. 

The post IICRC S700 Standard Available for Second Public Review appeared first on Cleanfax.

Locally owned and operated by Brandon Wilson and Chris Schedler, the new location will work with insurance companies to help preserve personal belongings.

“Brandon and I are active members of our community and have a deep passion for giving back. We are thrilled for the opportunity to step in when our community will need us most,” said Schedler.

“Our franchisees are with you every step of the way to ensure that people’s contents and valuables are restored,” said Tim Fagan, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz president. “We are thrilled to welcome Brandon and Chris to the team and are confident their combined business experience and people skills will deliver a trusted and reliable solution to the residents of Austin in the years to come. We are honored to carry on our reputation for quality and the importance of upholding our values as we continue to expand across the United States.”

For more information about Blue Kangaroo Packoutz of Austin, visit https://www.bluekangaroopackoutz.com/austin-tx/ or call (512) 277- 3212.

The post Blue Kangaroo Packoutz Opens Its First Location in Austin appeared first on Cleanfax.

Lightspeed Restoration provides water and fire damage restoration, as well as indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements for residential and commercial properties. The company is making its debut in three markets, with franchisees opening for business in the coming weeks in Lexington, Kentucky; Mobile, Alabama; and Covington, Louisiana.

“Our executive team has been serving in this industry for over 30 years, and we recognize the need for a restoration company that sets itself apart with fast response times and experience working with insurance carriers,” said Steve Willis, Lightspeed Restoration president. “The Lightspeed difference starts with our in-house call center dispatching to homes and businesses 24/7 and continues with our caring, highly trained technicians who have a passion for coming to the rescue. They know exactly what to do to mitigate water and fire damage or to improve indoor air quality. Their knowledge of the insurance process also helps to speed up the process and reduce stress for everyone involved.”

Both Willis and Troy Coolidge, Lightspeed vice president of operations, have over three decades of experience in cleaning, restoration, and IAQ. Willis has been with Home Franchise Concepts since 2021 and has a background in the residential and commercial restoration and cleaning industry. Coolidge has worked in almost every aspect of the business throughout his restoration career, with experience in training and supporting franchise networks.

“Home services is a thriving industry, and restoration in particular is showing exponential growth,” said Andrew Skehan, Home Franchise Concepts president and CEO. “Increases in extreme weather events, coupled with aging infrastructure and subpar building methods, have created a heightened demand for expertise in this area. Backed by the proven leadership of Steve and Troy, the Lightspeed Restoration team is poised to make an immediate impact on the local communities they serve and to quickly expand the brand’s reach across the country.”

Lightspeed Restoration has also partnered with Xcelerate Restoration Software to equip franchisees with an all-in-one job management platform specifically developed for the restoration contractor. The platform provides scheduling and dispatch, communication, timecard management, KPI tracking, and reporting. Lightspeed owners will receive full, ongoing support from the Xcelerate team beginning with onboarding and training.

The post Home Franchise Concepts Announces Launch of Lightspeed Restoration appeared first on Cleanfax.

These development efforts add to the 28 already open and operating Chem-Dry franchises across Tennessee.

Behind the first agreement is franchisee Derek Vestal, who operates one territory in Nashville. As a military veteran serving in the Navy for 25 years, Vestal gravitated toward the parallels between military operations and franchising. According to a press release, Vestal was impressed with Chem-Dry’s business model, quality service offering, and financials, finding what he’s called a solid investment for his future.

Franchisees Andrew and Krystal Bremer are behind the second agreement spanning three territories across the greater Knoxville area, servicing Knox, Loudon, Blount, and Roane Counties. Andrew ultimately giving into his entrepreneurial desires. Prior to serving in law enforcement, he worked as a Chem-Dry head technician, supporting the franchise owner in growing from one to three territories. Since pursuing the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity in August 2022, the Bremers have nearly tripled their monthly income.

“We feel extremely blessed to have found the early success we’ve achieved,” said Andrew Bremer. “Chem-Dry provides a roadmap to success and if you remain dedicated, motivated, and hands-on, there is endless opportunity. As a husband-wife entrepreneurial team, parenting five children, we operate like a well-oiled machine. Business continues to boom and we’re beyond thrilled for what the future holds.”

The Tennessee market is primed for continued expansion due to the massive influx of new residents choosing the state as their new home, with Nashville bringing 100 more people daily. According to the release, Chem-Dry leadership aims to capitalize on this growth, looking to award an additional 10 territories over the next five years, specifically targeting four in Nashville, two in Knoxville, two in Memphis, and two in Chattanooga.

“Statewide population continues to surge and families are turning to healthy home service offerings,” said Ed Quinlan, Chem-Dry president, part of the BELFOR Franchise Group family of brands. “Customers are looking for home service capabilities from someone who is local, who they can trust for consistent and high-quality services. Our teams continue to work tirelessly to keep our brand and our franchisees ahead of the curve in providing innovative, personalized, high-quality care that delivers on our commitment to making spaces cleaner and healthier.”

The post Chem-Dry Inks 2 Franchise Agreements in Tennessee appeared first on Cleanfax.

Walter and The Flats Summer Campaign were inspired by the “Flat Stanley” concept, which began as a children’s book series and evolved into a literacy project that spanned the nation and beyond.

Flat Walter, also known as PuroClean’s version of Flat Stanley, and his family, The Flats, are the newest addition to the PuroClean family. According to a press release, Flat Walter is more than just a character—he is a symbol of the PuroClean brand, a source of motivation and inspiration, and a fun and engaging companion that follows team members on each and every project.

Alex Pericchi, PuroClean vice president of marketing and online learning, said that the “Flat Family” was inspired by PuroClean’s core values and culture of leadership, collaboration, and positivity.

“At PuroClean, we breathe a culture of servant leadership, extreme ownership, and active collaboration, where our franchise owners emerge as everyday superheroes, fearlessly entering people’s homes and businesses during their darkest hours to work wonders,” Pericchi said. “And so, the brilliant idea struck us—drawing inspiration from the iconic Flat Stanley, we created our own ‘Flat family’ of diverse PuroClean representatives.”

Pericchi said this initiative became a powerful tool that provided engaging visual content, humanized the brand, showcased PuroClean’s community involvement and goodwill, and most importantly, sparked user-generated content that captured the PuroClean ideal of turning a bad day into a much better one.

“From broken pipes and flooded basements to menacing mold or the aftermath of a fiery blaze that leaves properties full of foul smells and smoke, to the damage caused by biohazards, our dedicated franchise owners step up to the challenge and extend their helping hands,” Pericchi said. “However, our humble teams often shy away from the limelight, camera-shy while rescuing those in need. We felt compelled to show the world how thankful we are for our franchise owners and their teams, who selflessly serve our communities with top-notch restoration services.”

Pericchi said encouraging franchise owners and teams to snap pictures with the Flats at their jobs, community events, or anywhere representing PuroClean was a game-changer and boosted morale tenfold.

“This innovative initiative not only fosters team camaraderie but also fuels creativity, inspiring our locations to share stories of their invaluable work. It enables communities to grasp the true essence of the property disaster restoration industry and the immense value we bring to their lives,” Pericchi said. “I would encourage every restoration service to add a dash of positivity and fun to the worksite. It really goes a long way.”

The post PuroClean Introduces ‘Flat Walter’ and ‘The Flats Summer Campaign’ appeared first on Cleanfax.

The current standard does not clearly state that PPE must fit each affected employee properly, yet the general industry and maritime standards of the DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) do. The proposed change would require that PPE fit each employee properly to protect them from occupational hazards.

The failure of standard-sized PPE to protect physically smaller construction workers properly, as well as problems with access to properly fitting PPE, have long been safety and health concerns in the construction industry, especially for some women. The proposed rule clarifies the existing requirement, and OSHA does not expect the change will increase employers’ costs or compliance burdens. The proposed revision would align the language in OSHA’s PPE standard for construction with standards for general industry and maritime.

“If personal protective equipment does not fit properly, an employee may be unprotected or dangerously exposed to hazards and face tragic consequences,” said Doug Parker, assistant secretary for occupational safety and health. “We look forward to hearing from stakeholders on this important issue as we work together to ensure that construction workers of all genders and sizes are fitted properly with safety gear.”

The post DOL Proposes Rule to Clarify PPE Standard and Ensure Construction Industry Workers Safety appeared first on Cleanfax.

The IICRC will be presenting on October 4. This presentation will include information on the IICRC standards and certifications associated with flooring, maintenance, and inspection. The IICRC has published several standards with information for floor care professionals, including the ANSI/IICRC S100 Standard for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings, the ANSI/IICRC S800 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Inspection of Textile Floorcovering, and more. IICRC certifications are classified into three divisions: Cleaning, Restoration, and Inspection. Certifications in the IICRC Inspection Division will be discussed, including the Senior Carpet Inspector (SCI), the Wood Laminate Flooring Inspector (WLFI), and the Resilient Flooring Inspector (RFI) Certifications. 

The IICRC Fall Flooring Education Conference will include presentations of the following IICRC/ANSI standards: 

• ANSI/IICRC S100 Standard for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings
• ANSI/IICRC S220 Standard for Professional Inspection of Hard Surface Floor Coverings
• ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration
• ANSI/IICRC S800 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Inspection Textile Floorcovering
• BSR/IICRC S250 Standard for Professional Cleaning and Maintenance of Resilient Floor Coverings
• BSR/IICRC S230 Standard for Professional Inspection of Flooring Subfloors and Substrates 

IICRC Inspection Division, Certification presentations to include: 

• Building Moisture Inspection (BMI)
• Introduction to Substrates and Subfloor Inspection (ISSI)
• Senior Carpet Inspector (SCI)
• Wood & Laminate Flooring Inspector (WLFI)
• Resilient Flooring Inspector (RFI) 

To register for the IICRC event, go to http://iicrc.org/fallflooringseminar or contact press@iicrcnet.org for more information. 

For the Floor Educational Guild event, October 3–4, 2023, please go to https://flooringinspectorsguild.org/. 

To register for the NICFI Flooring Inspectors Conference, October 5-6, 2023, please go to https://www.nicfi.org/october-2023-conference/. 

The post IICRC to Present at the Fall Flooring Education Conference appeared first on Cleanfax.

PSA is an enterprise-level suite of products designed specifically for restoration contractors to increase efficiency, accountability, and profit. By implementing an ERP solution, Steamatic aims to eliminate duplication across their network and provide a more cohesive ecosystem to streamline their overall documentation.

“We are thrilled to announce that PSA will be the new technology partner for Steamatic Canada, one of the leading property damage remediation franchise organizations in North America. This new partnership will bring an enhanced claim technology to all Steamatic locations, providing a truly all-in-one solution for our entire contractor network,” said Nancy Raymond, Steamatic Canada president.

This partnership will also help connect restoration tools for production and finance, as well as sales and marketing.

“We are very excited to have been selected by Steamatic Canada to help provide a better claim ecosystem that will capture critical information in an effort to increase efficiency, accuracy and timeliness of information across all their entire network. This strategic partnership further demonstrates Steamatic Canada’s commitment to investing in innovative & forward-thinking technology companies,” said Ryan Pritchard, PSA sales manager.

The post Steamatic Canada Chooses PSA as Its Restoration Technology Provider appeared first on Cleanfax.

In its final rule, OSHA requires certain employers to electronically submit injury and illness data that they are already required to record on their onsite OSHA Injury and Illness forms. These employers include establishments with 250 or more employees that are currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, as well as establishments with 20–249 employees that are classified in a number of specific industries—including construction; businesses that provide services to buildings and dwellings; and waste collection, treatment, and storage companies—that must electronically submit their Form 300A Summary data to OSHA.

The agency states that it is collecting this information to improve its ability to identify establishments that experience high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses. OSHA intends to use the data to interact with these establishments, through both outreach and enforcement initiatives, with the goal of reducing injuries and illnesses. On its website, OSHA claims that this regulation will improve the accuracy of this data by ensuring that workers will not fear retaliation for reporting injuries or illnesses.

The rule also prohibits employers from discouraging workers from reporting an injury or illness. The final rule requires employers to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries and illnesses free from retaliation, which can be satisfied by posting the already-required OSHA workplace poster. It also clarifies the existing implicit requirement that an employer’s procedure for reporting work-related injuries and illnesses must be reasonable and not deter or discourage employees from reporting, and incorporates the existing statutory prohibition on retaliating against employees for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses.

After the publication of the final rule, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a national construction industry trade association with more than 22,000 members, voiced its opposition via a press release.

“Unfortunately, the Biden administration is moving forward with a final rule that does nothing to achieve OSHA’s stated goal of reducing injuries and illnesses,” said Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs. “Instead, the final rule will force employers to disclose sensitive information to the public that can easily be manipulated, mischaracterized, and misused for reasons wholly unrelated to safety, as well as subject employers to illegitimate attacks and employees to violations of their privacy.”

“Smaller companies will also be negatively impacted by expanding the mandate to establishments with 100 or more employees,” Brubeck continued. “The recorded information can easily be backtracked to identify specific injuries and illnesses, and thereby the medical information of individuals in the workplace, violating their privacy.”

The final rule becomes effective on January 1, 2024.

The post OSHA Issues Final Rule to Its Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Regulation appeared first on Cleanfax.

“ISSA continues to build and strengthen our government affairs efforts so we can best represent the interests of our membership before state and federal policymakers and regulators,” said ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft. “Member responses to our current survey will help us gauge member interest in our advocacy efforts, as well as help shape those efforts moving forward.”

Based on previous member input, ISSA Government Affairs recently pursued and accomplished several key public-policy “wins,” including:

• ISSA-Supported PRIA 5 Included in Omnibus Package
• ISSA-Supported Legislation Passed to Avert Rail Shutdown
• California Dropped Revisions to Prop 65 Short-Form Warning
• Ocean Shipping Reform Act Signed into Law
• Other Highlights – The recruitment of 1,300+ ISSA Advocates for Clean, the success of the 2023 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit as part of National Cleaning Week, and more. (View the full 2022–2023 IAF Impact Report here.)

Looking ahead, ISSA Government Affairs requests your critical feedback by taking our brief advocacy survey to help guide the advocacy positions of the association on the important public-policy issues facing your business and the cleaning industry. Those who complete the survey will be entered to win a free registration for the 2024 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC! But don’t delay, the deadline to participate is August 31. For questions about the advocacy survey and ISSA advocacy, please contact John Nothdurft.

The post ISSA Wants to Know: What Public-Policy Issues Matter to You? appeared first on Cleanfax.