In water damage restoration, one of the most common sources of friction between restorers and our insurance partners is validating the equipment scope. Ambiguity over the right number of air movers can lead to disputes, processing delays, and adjuster pushback. These delays are costly. When mitigation is postponed, the risk of secondary damage and mould growth escalates, turning a manageable water claim into a complex and expensive remediation project.
This landscape is now changing. The recent publication of the AS-IICRC S500:2025 standard provides a new, nationally recognised benchmark for water damage restoration in Australia. This standard is being supported by major insurers and is shifting the industry away from “ad hoc” scoping toward a clear, data-driven framework.
As an IICRC Certified Firm, we are committed to this new standard of transparency and professionalism. To support our partners, we have launched a new tool: The TDR IICRC Air Mover Calculator.
The Complexity of the Standard of Care
Determining the correct number of air movers isn’t guesswork; it’s a multi-variable calculation based on the IICRC S500 Standard of Care. This is the industry’s gold standard for ensuring a property is dried scientifically, preventing microbial growth.
The formula is more complex than many realise, requiring a room-by-room calculation that includes:
- One air mover as a base for each affected room.
- One additional air mover for every 50-70 square feet of wet floor.
- One additional air mover for every 100-150 square feet of wet wall and ceiling (above 2 feet).
- One additional air mover for each structural inset or offset over 18 inches (like closets or alcoves).
Failing to account for all these variables is the primary cause of under-equipped jobs, failed drying, and costly secondary damage.
A Tool for Transparency and Faster Approvals
Our new calculator automates this complex IICRC formula. For our insurance and loss-adjusting partners, it provides an immediate, objective, and verifiable way to validate a restoration scope.
By aligning on the correct scope from Day 1, we get mitigation underway faster, prevent claim escalation, and ensure a better outcome for the policyholder. Ultimately, this helps us achieve our shared goal: minimising the total claim cost.
IICRC Air Mover Calculation
Alternate Calculation: Lower Walls & Limited Flooring
Use this *only* when water has affected lower walls and limited flooring (e.g., less than 60cm migration).
