Assessment System
Severity Index™
A proven classification system with easy to understand, visual categories that ensure accurate assessing, customer education, estimating, job preparation, production, and customer satisfaction every time.
Available exclusively from Enviroguard Certified Firms
standards of remediation
Industry-Recognized
Mold Remediation
The S520 Standard outlines proven procedures for safe and effective mold remediation, protecting both building materials and occupants, with an exceptional level of contamination control as levels of cleanliness are reached.
Fire Remediation
The S700 Standard, released in 2025, establishes a framework for evaluating, cleaning, and restoring areas impacted by fire and smoke, with a new focus on preventing corrosion, pre-testing cleaning methods, and documenting results.
Water Remediation
The S500 Standard (currently in its 5th edition, 2021) provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, drying, cleaning, and restoring water-damaged structures and contents, from Category 1 through Category 3 response.
The Problem
Industry standards provide general information for both the general public and contractor, but not the precision that measures or provides:
- The severity of a problem
- The specific and step-by-step procedures for eliminating problems
- The detail that leads to an accurate estimate
- The requirements to prepare for and complete the job while meeting customer expectations the first time
We created a simple, visual standard and testing by service that sets severity, confirms cleaning methods, ensures results, and meets customer expectations.
the solution
The Severity Index
Every remediation challenge has levels of severity; and, severity can vary throughout a space or building.
Severity can be broken down by variables such as:
Soil load level
Embedded load
Staining levels
Color Intensity
Severity Indexing combines trusted industry standards with practical clarity, helping you quickly understand the damage and the exact steps needed for restoration.
Severity That Guides Remediation
Mold Remediation
5 clearly defined categories that identify surface vs embedded growth, soil load level, and level of staining.
Fire Remediation
3 categories that classify the soot level by visibility or obscurity of the underlying surface.
Water Remediation
3 categories that define the source and contamination level of the water damage.
The Stages of Severity Indexing
Step 1
Identification
Based on definition, the inspector assigns a Severity Index to each surface or space within the Service Inspection Guide (mold, water, fire, etc).
Step 2
Testing
Using a Severity Index Test Kit, the inspector pre tests each surface with the appropriate Enviroguard product and method to determine the most effective outcome, documenting the process with before, during, and after images.
Step 3
Documentation
Within the Service Inspection Guide, notes on the testing are recorded to:
- Educate the customer
- Provide details for accurate estimating
- Assist the production team in preparation and completion of the job
- Ensure that expectations from the testing match the results for customer satisfaction
The Power of Severity Indexing
Severity Indexing™ supplies the assessment tools and organized information that sets expectations and visually demonstrates success both to your customer and to your production team.
Inspection
An inspection that defines the problem by severity, demonstrates success in overcoming the problem, provides education and confidence for the customer, and that can be used for accurate estimating, job planning, and ultimately as an objective definition of success
Management
The information collected in the inspection is passed along to ensure estimating accuracy, and to begin the process of job planning that takes into consideration safety, contents manipulation, material, and equipment requirements.
Restoration
Each Severity Index inspection report, regardless of service, supplies the technician team with the images, test results, and instructions required to meet the expectations originally demonstrated and agreed to with your customer.
Customer Satisfaction
The result is a satisfied customer who is glad to act as an advocate of your services and who provides you with testimonials, word of mouth referrals, and a glowing Google Review.
The Assessment Sets the Standard
Without a clear and thorough assessment, meeting expectations becomes difficult. It’s essential to identify the problem, define the solution, outline procedures, and calculate costs with accuracy. Without that foundation, budgets become unreliable and results become unpredictable. This creates challenges for sustainable growth and long-term success.
Ready to Stop Sounding Like Every Other Remediation Company?
Join the mold, water, and fire restoration contractors who are doubling their sales through true service differentiation.
Questions?
Call us at (828) 548-3900
or email info@enviroguarddirect.com