Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Contamination Restoration & Remediation​Managing Your Restoration BusinessCleaning and Sanitation

Coronavirus Business Boom

By Doug Hoffman
workers disinfecting a room

Photos courtesy of NORMI

June 11, 2020

Never before in history has there been a time when countless numbers of businesses around the world have been forced to shut their doors and close up their buildings. As these buildings begin to reopen, professional cleaners and restorers can expect a surge of work as there is now a significant need for professionals who are trained and certified in sanitizing processes in a COVID-19 world.

In addition to sanitizing needs, many buildings will have developed other forms of microbial contamination while closed up. Let’s look at some of the challenges businesses and commercial landlords will face during the reopening phase. 

 

Structural Mold

These forced closures due to the coronavirus pandemic have put buildings worldwide at risk for mold growth and other contaminants. Without preventative steps being implemented, closed up buildings have had the potential to become structural petri dishes of mold, bacteria, and viruses causing elevated levels of airborne and surface microbials in the indoor environment. 

Structures that were not properly prepared prior to being closed up will be at higher risk for having developed unsafe levels of contamination. During client intake meetings, check to see which of the following preventative steps were taken:

  • Cleaning: A thorough cleaning should have been done, including all horizontal surfaces. Areas where dust has settled like door jambs, the top of bookcases, and even chair rails and baseboards, as they are often neglected in routine cleaning. Care should have been taken to make sure every surface was wiped down as spores live in settled dust, skin cells, and other organic matter.
  • Spoilage: Refrigerators should have been cleaned out and the trash removed. There is nothing worse than coming back into an environment where spoiled food has been rotting for weeks or months.
  • Water: Any standing water or wet areas should have been attended to as adequate moisture fosters microbial growth.
  • Ventilation: If possible, someone should have been assigned to go back on good weather days to open a few windows to allow fresh air inside. The natural sunlight and fresh air are great oxidizers of microbial contaminants like mold, bacteria, and viruses. Even periodic exposure to fresh air and sunlight can help avoid that stale smell. Ideally, the blinds and curtains should have been left open to bring in the sun’s freshening rays as ultraviolet light naturally destroys mold growth.
  • HVAC: The HVAC system should have been left on. When a building is closed with the HVAC shut off, the humidity can increase, creating an environment ripe for mold growth.
  • A/C: The air conditioning system should have been left operating on a humidistat, if it had one, to maintain the relative humidity below 60 percent, which reduces the chance of mold growth. An air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier. For HVAC units without humidistats, thermostats should have been set at 80 degrees to cause them to run periodically throughout the closedown. This would have helped keep the indoor environment drier, which helps stave off mold growth as mold does not grow when it is dry. 
classroom

Other Microbials

Mold is just one of many indoor air quality problems that could have developed while buildings were on lockdown. Unsafe levels of other microbials such as bacteria and viruses, both airborne and on surfaces, could also have accumulated.

Even though surface testing is now available for the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is expensive and time-consuming whereas surrogate testing can be used to test air and surface areas. The word surrogate means substitute or standing in the place of, so in surrogate testing, we test for another microbial that is deemed harder to kill or is similar to the microbial for which testing may not yet exist. Indoor air quality professionals must be properly trained in how to perform surrogate testing.

demonstration

Third-party Testing

To help meet the increased global demand for certified sanitizing professionals (CSP) in a world facing a highly transmittable disease, the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI) has created an online CSP course featuring a multi-strategic approach to sanitization. Course participants are trained in surrogacy testing, proven green chemistries, air filtration and purification technologies, ongoing client maintenance programs, and client lifestyle changes to reduce indoor air and surface microbial loads.

The NORMI CSP protocol includes testing of pre- and post-sanitizing samples performed by an independent third-party laboratory. Once the efficacy of the implemented sanitization procedure is verified by the independent laboratory, the lab itself then sends a NORMI Certificate of Sanitization to the client, which ensures business owners and its employees that no harmful levels of microbials are present at the time of testing.

CSPs are trained on how to educate their clients and work with them to implement an ongoing indoor air quality maintenance program that includes annual reassessments, testing, and renewal of the Certificate of Sanitization. The annual reissuance of the Certificate of Sanitization is similar to how health departments inspect restaurants and update their ratings each year.

people in a room

Be Proactive

NORMI developed the Certificate of Sanitization in 2006 to provide third-party confirmation of the effectiveness of the application of the microbial reduction protocol in an environment. NORMI protocols have undergone extensive review by legal and insurance teams, which benefits both contractors and their clients.

Due to the increased demand for sanitizing services from COVID-19, now is the time for IAQ professionals to be proactive and expand their services by becoming a CSP so they can provide vital sanitizing services in their community. By reaching out to businesses and building owners with post-closure sanitizing solutions, clients will be able to make educated and informed decisions regarding the steps they can take to create safer, healthier, and cleaner indoor environments for returning employees and customers.

moldy room

The NORMI CSP certification requires completion of the online course “Microbial Load Reduction Protocol” and active NORMI membership, which includes weekly continuing education. Certifications are issued after taking an online course and passing proctored testing.  

KEYWORDS: COVID-19 disinfection services infectious disease control

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Doug hoffman

Doug Hoffman is the founder and executive director of the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI), a not-for-profit certification organization for indoor air quality professionals. He has over 40 years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in building science and indoor air quality and holds five professional certifications in the state of Florida. For more information on how to become a CSP, visit normi.org or call 1-877-251-2296.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Cleaning and Sanitation
    By: Josh Woolen
  • certifications and licenses for restoration professionals

    Certifications and Licenses Every Restoration Company Needs

    Restoration companies need to make sure they have the...
    Restoration Training/Education
    By: Sharon Elzarat
  • a wall covered in moss and fungus

    Zero Tolerance for Toxic Molds: Essential Steps for Successful Remediation

    Understanding the importance of zero tolerance for toxic...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Michael A. Pinto CSP, SMS, CMP, RTPE, FLS, ERS and Kendra Seymour
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

bed bug

How Cutting-Edge Bed Bug Tech is Changing the Game for Restoration Pros

water on basement floor

How Much Water Causes Water Damage?

hurricane

To CAT or not to CAT? Who Should Stay Home

Submit Your New Product/Technology to R&R!

Would you like to promote a new restoration, remediation or cleaning product/technology with Restoration & Remediation? Fill out the question below to start your submission:

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Doffing PPE

When you are doffing your PPE, do you sanitize between every step?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Prepare for CATASTROPHE with R&R!

Related Articles

  • how mentorship can help grow a successful and profitable business

    How Mentorship Can Help Grow a Successful and Profitable Business

    See More
  • restorer training

    How To Avoid the School of Hard Knocks when Providing Sanitizing Services

    See More
  • connecting with restoration trade associations

    Why Join a Trade Association?

    See More
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing