IICRC WRT Containment, Controlled Demolition and Material Removal — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of negative air pressure in a containment?
- To force contaminants into adjacent rooms
- To make the room hotter
- To dry the walls faster
- To keep airflow moving into the containment so contaminants don't escape (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To keep airflow moving into the containment so contaminants don't escape
Exhausting air from the containment, typically through HEPA filtration, creates lower pressure inside, so air leaks inward rather than outward.
Question 2: What is the goal of controlled demolition during water damage restoration?
- Remove everything to the studs regardless of condition
- Remove only unsalvageable or contaminated materials while limiting the spread of debris and contaminants (Correct answer)
- Damage the structure so insurance pays more
- Demolish only after drying is finished
Correct answer: Remove only unsalvageable or contaminated materials while limiting the spread of debris and contaminants
Controlled demolition removes what cannot be restored, such as Category 3 porous materials, while preserving salvageable materials and containing dust.
Question 3: Which item is commonly used to build a containment barrier?
- Cardboard
- Polyethylene sheeting with a zippered door (Correct answer)
- Wet towels
- Open windows
Correct answer: Polyethylene sheeting with a zippered door
Poly sheeting sealed at the edges, with a zipper entry, isolates the work area and controls access.
Question 4: Which approach is generally appropriate for non-porous materials affected by Category 3 water?
- Discard all of them
- Leave them uncleaned
- Clean and disinfect them if they are structurally sound (Correct answer)
- Paint over them
Correct answer: Clean and disinfect them if they are structurally sound
Non-porous materials like metal, glass, and sealed hard plastic can be decontaminated by cleaning and disinfecting.
Question 5: Which PPE is appropriate during demolition of materials affected by Category 3 water?
- Only sandals and a tank top
- Disposable coveralls, gloves, eye protection, and a respirator suited to the hazard (Correct answer)
- Cotton gloves only
- No PPE is needed if the work is quick
Correct answer: Disposable coveralls, gloves, eye protection, and a respirator suited to the hazard
Contaminated demolition exposes workers to pathogens and dust, so full protective gear including respiratory protection is required.
Question 6: Before demolition on an older building, why should technicians be concerned about lead or asbestos?
- Older materials may contain them and disturbing them can create hazardous exposure (Correct answer)
- They are not found in older buildings
- They only matter for new construction
- They make drying faster
Correct answer: Older materials may contain them and disturbing them can create hazardous exposure
Pre-1980s buildings may contain asbestos or lead-based paint, and disturbing them releases hazardous particles, so testing and regulated work practices are needed.
