IICRC Commercial Drying Specialist (CDS) Exam
Study Guide+questions with Corrected Answers
principles of restoration - ANSWER safety of workers & occupants // inspect &
document (initial, on-going, final) // mitigate further damage by controlling the spread
of water and contaminants// clean and dry // complete the restoration and repairs
(remove excess water, water vapor through dehumidification/ventilation/controlled
temp, enhance evaporation)
commercial vs residential differences - ANSWER 1) size & complexity of mechanical and
HVAC systems // 2) building's electrical systems vary in complexity and voltage &
Training may be required // 3) Energy Management System // 4) Security and public
access // 5) Multiple Interested Parties // 5) construction practices, materials and codes
are complex and varied
commercial building - ANSWER retail, office, mixed-use, warehouse // power may be
lighter and single phase or 3 phase // type of building determines construction, HVAC
and build-out density
industrial building - ANSWER manufacturing, foundry, distribution // plenty of power //
tightly controlled security // escort may be necessary // safety training to enter //
raised-floor to allow for cabling, power distribution and process control lines
institutional building - ANSWER public facilities (schools, hospitals, municipal buildings,
sports complexes, airports, libraries, government facilities) // issues of power availability
// public access, security // various layers of authority and organizational hierarchy //
healthcare will have regulatory agencies to sign-off of certification to re-open // decision
making process may be lengthy
complex residential - ANSWER residential facilities (townhouse, condominium,
apartment complex, hotel, multi-family dwelling, large single family mansions) //
accessing units may be difficult // condo laws define responsibility for walls and
,materials // units remaining wet can impact drying of others // condos can require large
amount of small equipment
historical buildings - ANSWER all over the world // may be scattered in and around
modern buildings // often on national/local historical registries and pose unique
challenges // outdated and inadequate power // funding issues // required approval by
3rd party organizations (historical registries) or specialized experts (preservationists)
initial inspection priority - ANSWER determine potential for injury, hazards and risks to
workers and occupants
HVAC varies by... - ANSWER size and complexity varies // fire sprinklers // computer
server rooms and networks // multiple zones // understanding HVAC zones will help
reduce the potential for cross-contamination and help maintain drying environment
electrical designations - ANSWER volts / phase / hertz
EMS - ANSWER Energy Management System (building management systems) // EMS
cycle runtime of various systems to save energy and may be managed off site // EMS
cycle varies to save energy // might be managed off site // impact drying environment //
public access and security - ANSWER onsite security is handled by 3rd party // security
clearances & escorts are required in secure facilities // lengthen time to mobilize
equipment and personnel // prevents theft & unauthorized entry
MIPS - ANSWER multiple interested parties create more complexity with project
management, communication, administration // daily meetings might be scheduled //
competing agendas with varying priorities
, complexities of commercial - ANSWER multiple construction, materials, codes and
practices can converge in same building due to multiple renovations // this can cause
delay
5 steps of initial visit - ANSWER 1. Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment 2. Preliminary
Determination water category 3. Establish dry standard(s) 4. Determine drying goal(s) 5.
Identify need for specialized experts
categories of water - ANSWER range of contamination determined by restorer /// cat 1
= clean, little risk( water supply lines, falling rainwater) // cat 2 = discomfort or sickness
(overflow from washing machines, broken aquariums) // cat 3 = grossly contaminated
(sewage and water back flow)
class of water - ANSWER amount of water absorption and evaporation load // class 1 =
less than 5% // Class 2 = significant, 5-40% // class 3 = greatest, more than 40% // class 4
= deeply held or bound
dry standard - ANSWER reasonable approximation of moisture content or level of a
material PRIOR to loss
drying goals - ANSWER target moisture levels of materials set by restorer// within 10%
of dry standard
never... - ANSWER assume but always verify customer's word and surrounding areas and
floor
full or partial "sign off" - ANSWER needed when returning whole or part of building
closing/final job report - ANSWER confirms the scope of work completed & drying goals
were met
Study Guide+questions with Corrected Answers
principles of restoration - ANSWER safety of workers & occupants // inspect &
document (initial, on-going, final) // mitigate further damage by controlling the spread
of water and contaminants// clean and dry // complete the restoration and repairs
(remove excess water, water vapor through dehumidification/ventilation/controlled
temp, enhance evaporation)
commercial vs residential differences - ANSWER 1) size & complexity of mechanical and
HVAC systems // 2) building's electrical systems vary in complexity and voltage &
Training may be required // 3) Energy Management System // 4) Security and public
access // 5) Multiple Interested Parties // 5) construction practices, materials and codes
are complex and varied
commercial building - ANSWER retail, office, mixed-use, warehouse // power may be
lighter and single phase or 3 phase // type of building determines construction, HVAC
and build-out density
industrial building - ANSWER manufacturing, foundry, distribution // plenty of power //
tightly controlled security // escort may be necessary // safety training to enter //
raised-floor to allow for cabling, power distribution and process control lines
institutional building - ANSWER public facilities (schools, hospitals, municipal buildings,
sports complexes, airports, libraries, government facilities) // issues of power availability
// public access, security // various layers of authority and organizational hierarchy //
healthcare will have regulatory agencies to sign-off of certification to re-open // decision
making process may be lengthy
complex residential - ANSWER residential facilities (townhouse, condominium,
apartment complex, hotel, multi-family dwelling, large single family mansions) //
accessing units may be difficult // condo laws define responsibility for walls and
,materials // units remaining wet can impact drying of others // condos can require large
amount of small equipment
historical buildings - ANSWER all over the world // may be scattered in and around
modern buildings // often on national/local historical registries and pose unique
challenges // outdated and inadequate power // funding issues // required approval by
3rd party organizations (historical registries) or specialized experts (preservationists)
initial inspection priority - ANSWER determine potential for injury, hazards and risks to
workers and occupants
HVAC varies by... - ANSWER size and complexity varies // fire sprinklers // computer
server rooms and networks // multiple zones // understanding HVAC zones will help
reduce the potential for cross-contamination and help maintain drying environment
electrical designations - ANSWER volts / phase / hertz
EMS - ANSWER Energy Management System (building management systems) // EMS
cycle runtime of various systems to save energy and may be managed off site // EMS
cycle varies to save energy // might be managed off site // impact drying environment //
public access and security - ANSWER onsite security is handled by 3rd party // security
clearances & escorts are required in secure facilities // lengthen time to mobilize
equipment and personnel // prevents theft & unauthorized entry
MIPS - ANSWER multiple interested parties create more complexity with project
management, communication, administration // daily meetings might be scheduled //
competing agendas with varying priorities
, complexities of commercial - ANSWER multiple construction, materials, codes and
practices can converge in same building due to multiple renovations // this can cause
delay
5 steps of initial visit - ANSWER 1. Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment 2. Preliminary
Determination water category 3. Establish dry standard(s) 4. Determine drying goal(s) 5.
Identify need for specialized experts
categories of water - ANSWER range of contamination determined by restorer /// cat 1
= clean, little risk( water supply lines, falling rainwater) // cat 2 = discomfort or sickness
(overflow from washing machines, broken aquariums) // cat 3 = grossly contaminated
(sewage and water back flow)
class of water - ANSWER amount of water absorption and evaporation load // class 1 =
less than 5% // Class 2 = significant, 5-40% // class 3 = greatest, more than 40% // class 4
= deeply held or bound
dry standard - ANSWER reasonable approximation of moisture content or level of a
material PRIOR to loss
drying goals - ANSWER target moisture levels of materials set by restorer// within 10%
of dry standard
never... - ANSWER assume but always verify customer's word and surrounding areas and
floor
full or partial "sign off" - ANSWER needed when returning whole or part of building
closing/final job report - ANSWER confirms the scope of work completed & drying goals
were met
