Desiccant dehumidifiers are very different from refrigerant dehumidifiers and can be quite versatile. Did you know you can increase a desiccant's efficiency by maximizing airflow and providing appropriate temperature and humidity? Here are some specific ways to enhance a desiccant’s performance:

• Keep the reactivation air duct as short as possible. Long ducting restricts airflow through the reactivation chamber and inhibits water removal from the rotor. Long duct runs can also cause the reactivation air to cool below dew point, which may cause the duct to fill with water. This can lead to damage to both the dehumidifier and the structure.
• Duct the process air inlet from the coolest, driest air available using either outside air, cold air from the air conditioner, or air from the unaffected area. Cold air enhances desiccant performance for two reasons: 1) Cold air is normally drier air – and the drier the process air going into a desiccant, the drier the process air out; 2) The rotor dries using very high temperatures and must be cooled after reactivation, because a hot rotor will not collect water vapor. The process inlet air is used to cool the rotor - and the cooler this air, the faster the rotor will return to operable temperature.

• In cases where the desiccant is too far from a window or exit, duct the warm, wet air into a refrigerant dehumidifier. The refrigerant can easily collect much of the moisture from this warm, wet air.

Generators are typically rated in kilowatts per hour (kw). It is necessary to use only as much equipment as a generator can support — and that is limited by the capacity of the generator itself. To calculate how much equipment can be run by a generator, you can use the following formula:

Generator Capacity in Amps—

This formula calculates the total amperage available, given the kilowatt rating of the generator. As with any electrical circuit, the capacity of the generator must not be used at a 100% load continuously. The National Electric Code (NEC) states that electrical circuits must be run at no more than 80% of total capacity, if run continuously.

Adapted from the New Guide to Restorative Drying

The IICRC S-500-2006 contains many new and updated procedures for water restoration. Application of biocides is discussed in detail in the standard. Along with coverage on the chemistry and uses of biocides, the standard spends considerable time discussing how a restorer should communicate to the customer about biocides. When considering using a biocide on a water loss, remember to:

• Discuss the product with the customer before applying and answer any concerns
• Provide MSDS, if requested
• Obtain a customer signature on an informed consent form (this language is written into most companies' authorization forms)
• Remove occupants from the loss area during application
• Document what specific biocide was used on the loss and how it was applied
• Refrain from making claims about the biocide that may not be supported (eg: “This kills ALL bacteria!”)
• Follow local laws
• Clean up the biocide residues during the restoration process