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<br />D Using face masks and protective gloves, and immediately washing or cleaning clothing <br />may be necessary due to the health hazards caused by fungal and bacterial <br />organisms. <br /> <br />Section 4. Damage Assessment <br /> <br />The type and degree of damage must first be examined. One or more disaster recovery <br />team members should walk through the entire area and take notes to answer questions, <br />such as: <br /> <br />D How much damage has occurred? <br /> <br />D What kind of damage is it (fire, smoke, soot, clean water, dirty water, heat, humidity)? <br /> <br />D Is it confined to one area or is the entire building damaged? <br /> <br />D How much of the records holdings have been affected? <br /> <br />D What types of record media have been damaged (paper documents, microforms, <br />photographs, magnetic tapes and diskettes)? <br /> <br />D Are the damaged records easily replaced (is there a preservation duplicate stored off- <br />site, are these convenience copies of records)? <br /> <br />D Are the damaged records irreplaceable and what is their value (is this the only copy of <br />the information, how important are these records to the business of the agency)? <br /> <br />D Can the records be salvaged by the in-house recovery team, or will outside help be <br />required? <br /> <br />A realistic and thorough assessment must be made as quickly, efficiently, and safely as <br />possible. The damage to records should be appraised without handling the records <br />whenever possible, as further irreparable damage may result. Before you begin handling the <br />materials, photographs should be taken to document the damages. <br /> <br />Section 5. Stabilizing the Environment <br /> <br />While the character and degree of damage is being assessed, steps must be taken to <br />stabilize the environmental conditions affecting the records. Mold growth, which can <br />appear within 48 hours, is encouraged by conditions of high humidity and high <br />temperatures. By reducing relative humidity and temperatures, you can reduce the risk of <br />mold and thereby buy time for the recovery operations. The following equipment should be <br />readily accessible to help stabilize the environment: <br /> <br />D Portable generators, in case a power failure occurs. <br /> <br />D Pumps, to remove large quantities of standing water. <br /> <br />D Fans, to circulate the air. <br /> <br />D Thermometers, hygrometers, or other devices to measure the temperature and humidity. <br />Page 39 <br />