IICRC Updated WRT Exam Questions and Answers by betty

The IICRC WRT body of knowledge requires thatpre-existing damage be documented and disclosed to all materially interested parties. This includes property owners, occupants, insurers, and other stakeholders with a financial or legal interest in the project.

Pre-existing damage may include deterioration, staining, microbial growth, or structural issues unrelated to the current water loss. The WRT manual emphasizes that failing to document such conditions can expose restorers to disputes, denied claims, or allegations of causing damage that already existed.

Documentation should include written descriptions, photographs, moisture readings, and notes distinguishing pre-existing conditions from water-loss-related damage. Transparency ensures informed decision-making and protects the restorer from liability.

Limiting disclosure to only the adjuster or ignoring pre-existing damage violates professional standards. Increasing pricing or misclassifying damage is inappropriate. The WRT standard prioritizes accurate documentation and ethical communication.

The IICRC WRT body of knowledge teaches that the suitability of outdoor air for ventilation drying depends onhumidity ratio, not relative humidity alone. The best outdoor air conditions are those with thelowest humidity ratio, allowing moisture to be removed from the indoor environment.

Among the options,70°F and 30% RHhas the lowest humidity ratio, making it the most effective for ventilation. Low humidity ratio air reduces indoor vapor pressure and supports evaporation without introducing excess moisture.

High relative humidity—even at cooler temperatures—often carries more moisture than drier warm air. The WRT manual cautions restorers against using outdoor air based solely on comfort perception. Psychrometric comparison is required.

Using inappropriate outdoor air can increase indoor moisture levels and slow drying. Therefore, option C represents the best condition under WRT principles.

According to the IICRC WRT body of knowledge,condensationoccurs when the surface temperature of a material is at or below the dew point temperature of the surrounding air. Under these conditions, the air can no longer hold all of its water vapor, and moisture changes phase from vapor to liquid on the cooler surface.

This principle is fundamental to psychrometry and is directly applicable to water damage restoration. The WRT manual emphasizes that condensation represents amoisture gain, not moisture removal, and therefore counteracts drying efforts. When condensation occurs on structural materials, it can increase moisture content, prolong drying time, and contribute to secondary damage such as microbial growth or corrosion.

Restorers are trained to compare indoor air dew point measurements with surface temperatures of materials using thermo-hygrometers and infrared thermometers. If surface temperatures are below the dew point, corrective action—such as increasing temperature, improving dehumidification, or adjusting airflow—is required.

This concept also explains why cold surfaces like metal framing, concrete, or supply ductwork can develop moisture even without direct water exposure. The WRT curriculum stresses proactive monitoring to prevent unintended condensation events during drying.

The IICRC WRT body of knowledge explains that Class 4 water intrusions involve deeply held or bound water and typically require specialized drying methods, including desiccant dehumidification. Initial desiccant sizing is based on cubic footage and airflow capacity rather than AHAM pints.

In this scenario, the affected volume is 2,000 square feet × 8 feet = 16,000 cubic feet. A common WRT starting guideline for desiccant systems is approximately one 400 CFM desiccant unit per 8,000 cubic feet for Class 4 conditions.

Dividing 16,000 cubic feet by 8,000 cubic feet per unit results in an initial recommendation of two 400 CFM desiccant dehumidifiers. This capacity provides sufficient airflow and moisture adsorption to manage the heavy moisture load typical of Class 4 losses.

The WRT manual stresses that this is an initial recommendation and must be validated through psychrometric monitoring and material moisture readings. Desiccant systems are often adjusted as drying progresses.