| David K. Smith AIEH Senior Inspector |
Residential and Commercial properties can have MVOC’s, VOC’s, unusual particulates, and other contaminants that could impact human health. The EPA, CDC, and NIOSH, along with several other authorities, provide exposure thresholds for most chemicals and compounds. Testing for chemicals and gases requires training and understanding of what could be causing the exposures.
New technologies and equipment enable simple screening to ensure your Home or Building is safe. A good visual assessment, along with the collection of air or surface samples for analysis, can often reveal a source.
HI Safety First has been very successful in identifying and resolving our clients’ complaints. Exposure to certain chemicals can cause severe health effects. Clients have contacted us about mold, and through proper investigation, we determined that other sources of contaminants were the cause of the complaint.
Recent cases have detected carcinogenic chemicals, buried kerosene tanks, overexposure to cleaning products, personal care products, leaking paint cans, and formaldehyde, just to name a few. Understanding the source can provide solutions for removal.
Odors are very difficult to solve in some cases. Source location is even more difficult to find, but with the right type of investigation and testing. We have been very successful in identifying and addressing odors and potential residues at the source.
Indoor Environmental Hygienist since 2009 and teaching mold-related courses since 2008. The ability to communicate and share 44 years of defect recognition training in buildings and mold assessments with students and clients has been a large part of the everyday workload. 30 years of experience as a Hospital Automated Systems Technician has provided in-depth knowledge of HVAC and mechanical systems, PPE, and defect recognition skills that can provide students and clients with direct knowledge, not just book references.
1977 – 2007
Hospital Automated Systems Technician updating the majority of equipment to computer control in Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, and reporting defects observed. Responsible for the Energy Management and Indoor Air Quality Controls for over 36 buildings. Multiple training courses were provided by the hospital as it related to different systems present and safety issues.
2005 – Present
Home Inspector providing in-depth defect recognition in report form to clients. All reports included possible causes and identified repairs to correct deficiencies. The ability to communicate with clients about the technical aspects of a building and how it functions. Intense studies in the field and years of onsite experience provide clients and learners with direct and unique knowledge that only years of field observations can provide.
2005 – PRESENT
Mold Assessor and Remediation Contractor serving the South Florida community and other countries as needed. Intense studies in the field and years of onsite experience provide clients and learners with direct and unique knowledge that only years of field observations can provide.
2005 – PRESENT
Educational training of over 1,000 hours in the mold assessment-related field through Organizations, Individual Training Courses, Industry Seminars, Self-conducted research, and Online Training. The training materials are too many to list.
2006
Passed the ICC (International Code Council) Florida Residential Building Code exam. Understanding building codes and requirements provides knowledge of how a building should function and the codes that support those conclusions.
2005 – Present
Assessed and supervised multiple mold remediation projects on large commercial projects, with new construction contractors, building management groups, as well as residential projects. Worked with several large Building Management Groups, Medical Groups, Yacht Owners and Police and Fire departments to help maintain the air quality of the properties.
List of some projects include but not limited to Renal Health Care, Vitas Health Care, St. Lucy Surgical Center, Broward General Hospital, Miramar Eye Center, Sunrise Health and Rehabilitation Center, Surgical Center of Coral Springs, Broward Housing Authority, Southwest Airlines, Fresco Y Mas, Winn Dixie, Homestead Air Force Base, FAU, FIU, La Quinta Inn, Atlantic Towers, Villages Park of Oakland, Sol of Ft. Lauderdale, Medow Ridge, Olympus Towers, Continuum Miami Beach and too many management companies to list.
2008 – PRESENT
Teaching mold education through Industry Associations and private training sessions since 2008. Teaching mold education through Mold Industry Associations, Laboratories, and private companies enables presenting information to trainees through peer-reviewed processes, supporting instruction with accurate, approved methods.
2008 – 2016
Vice President of IEAQC Indoor Environmental Air Quality Council from 2008 – 2013, Owner of IEQP Indoor Environmental Quality Professionals from 2016 – 2017
2013 – PRESENT
Performing Indoor Air Quality Assessments with correction protocols for Pembroke Pines Police Department, Fire Department, low-income housing, and Charter schools.
2010 – 2012
Retained by S.A.F.E. Engineering Group as an expert in Mold and Moisture investigations under Citizens and Universal Insurance Companies to determine if the claim was insurance fraud.
2010 – 2016
Ranked as a top Inspector on Angie’s List with 7 Super Service Awards given to only the top 5%
2010 – PRESENT
Retained by Lawyers for expert witness and consulting services. Generally, cases involve mold-related issues involving human health and safety, improper remediation, improper assessments, and verbiage for questioning the deposed.
2016
Retained to assess the Baha Mar hotel in Nassau and identify the cause of mold forcing foreclosure of a 3-billion-dollar resort for 2.5 years. Multiple experts attempted to restore the building but were unable to do so for 2.5 years. 30 years of experience working with commercial HVAC systems provided insight into the cause of mold. Within 4 hours on-site, the cause was identified, a remediation protocol was provided, and the building was opened within a month and remains open.
2017
Retained to assist in the rebuilding of an 8,000 sq ft home in Trinidad for Richard Azar (one of the 40 wealthiest men under 40 living in the USA at the time) to help contractors from England, China, and New York redesign his home to prevent mold growth.
2011
Assessed and supervised the remediation of the Drake Tower Condominium, a 13-story building. The project included assessment, communication, and discussion with the Board of Directors and over 60 building occupants regarding project protocols, expectations, and timelines for completion.
Retained by several other large projects and large home projects to ensure the work was performed to meet industry standards.
Skills
44 years of defect recognition reporting, versed in the language of the mold industry, Ability to diagnose building deficiencies in limited time frames, Ability to communicate with trainees, Knowledge of building sciences, Expert Witness in mold and building-related issues, Ability to teach a variety of IAQ sampling techniques, in-depth understanding of the Mold industry and legal issues associated with the performance of work.
Education
State Licensed Home Inspector HI #911
State Licensed Mold Inspector MRSA #1761
State Licensed Mold Remediator MRSR #1870
State Licensed Mold CEU Provider PVDR #44
AIEH Accredited Indoor Environmental Hygienist
CIAQT Certified Indoor Air Quality Technician
CMIA Certified Mold Inspector & Assessor
CAI Certified Allergen Inspector
CMRW Certified Mold Remediation Worker
GLC General Lead Consultant
Miami Dade College IAQ Report Writing 30 Hours
Miami Dade College Microscopy for the Aerobiologist 30 Hours
Miami Dade College Introduction to Industrial Hygienist 30 Hours
Miami Dade College Sampling Methodologies. 60 Hours
Miami Dade College Residential Mold Assessment 60 Hours
Miami Dade College Insurance & IAQ 30 Hours
Miami Dade College Bioaerosols 30 Hours
Miami Dade College Mold Assessment 60 Hours
Miami Dade College Teaching Instructors course 30 Hours
IICRC Certified Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician 30 Hours
EPA Asbestos Recognition Training
Residential Building Inspector trained and passed the ICC Residential Building Code Inspection Examination in 2006
2018-2019 Continuing education; 14 hours for Mold Related Licensing
2018-2019 Continuing education; 12 hours for Home Inspection Related
2016-2018 Continuing education; 36 hours for Mold Related Licensing
2016-2018 Continuing education; 14 hours for Home Inspection Related
2014-2016 Continuing education; 48 hours for Mold Related
2014-2016 Continuing education; 14 hours for Home Inspection
2012-2014 Continuing education; 38 hours for Mold Related Licensing
2012-2014 Continuing education; 14 hours for Home Inspection Related Licensing
University of Florida, My Safe Florida Home, Wind & Hurricane Mitigation Inspector Training
FABI Wind & Hurricane Mitigation Inspector Training
Miami Dade College Wind & Hurricane Mitigation Inspector Training
ASHI Wind & Hurricane Mitigation Inspector Training
2005 140-hour Certified Home Inspection Training Course that covered each system in the home individually.
NACHI Electrical Inspection Course
NACHI Roof Inspection Course
NACHI Structural Inspection Course
NACHI Electrical Inspection Training Course
NACHI Interior Inspection Training Course
NACHI Pool Inspection Training Course
NACHI Concrete Recognition, Sprawling and Defects Course
30 Years as a Hospital Automated Systems Technician requiring a journeymen’s skill level in commercial HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical systems
National Safety Council Confided Space Training
York International, York YG Compressor-Engine Theory & Chiller Maintenance & Operations
JMH Core Confidence Training
JMH 60-hour Defect Recognition & Diagnostics Training
Multiple training seminars with FABI, NACHI, IAQA, IEAQC, NAHI, IAQT and through Industry Associations.
Activities
Industry Research, Environmental conservation, Fishing, Boating, Grandparenting