BESI Offers First X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Certification for Gypsum Products

The Building Envelope Science Institute is presenting the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer
Certification (XRF-GP) training on October 26, 2010 at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina located
at 1881 SE 17th Street Causeway in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This certification program provides
valuable information and techniques for the use of XRF as it pertains to Gypsum products.

Gainesville, FL, October 05, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Building Envelope Science Institute (BESI) is
committed to helping those who have been devastated by Defective “Chinese” Drywall. Although not all
Chinese drywall is considered defective or corrosive, testing is critical in determining if the structure
contains it or not.

The latest technological advancement in diagnosing defective drywall is X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) by
handheld analyzers. The analysis can be conducted in the field and provides immediate results. XRF
involves bombarding a drywall sample through a screening process with X-Rays and measuring the
effects. Each element such as strontium produces a different energy under this condition and the results
are used to identify the various compounds in a sample. XRF in most cases can distinguish between the
Chinese drywall and non-Chinese drywall.

The institute and its members have been monitoring the results of XRF and keeping track of some of the
anomalies. This has lead to the first certification course which increases the user's accuracy and expertise
when using XRF for screening defective or corrosive drywall. There have been several critical comments
on XRF, by some who have little or no understanding of the technology, as the result of individuals
without formal training, picking up an XRF analyzer and trying to use it for inspection of drywall
(gypsum products). Scott “Spiderman” Mulholland, President of BESI, says that “Strontium” as a marker
in Chinese drywall is for the most part accurate, but not always accurate for corrosive drywall (as also
outlined in the recent CPSC new release on the issue with XRF).” This is one reason why it is essential
for those using this technology for inspection, corrosion studies or even clearance testing to be educated
or certified on its uses and limitations. “However, it is still the most reliable tool in the field for
non-destructive analysis of drywall,” says Mulholland, “and without it, we'll start punching holes and
hope you guess right.”

The best practice is for the XRF analyzer to be used in combination with other testing protocols and
backed up with destructive testing or further laboratory analysis. Jack Frost, Drywall Science LLC, is the
instructor for XRF training for the institute and agrees that XRF is not 100% accurate for overall drywall
testing but that it is an accurate indicator on where to perform further analysis. “Without having extensive
experience or training on the instrument, you will make a lot of mistakes and get inaccurate readings,”
says Mr. Frost, who has conducted over 25,000 scans with the XRF analyzer.

The institute is always searching for new technology and methods to equip professionals in the
construction industry to perform their work with accuracy and confidence; and recognized the need to
provide professional training for those who will use this technology in the inspection industry. The
institute wants to increase the effective use of XRF for drywall inspection, remediation and clearance

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testing. Mr. Frost and many other experts behind the scenes have spent thousands of hours testing and
perfecting the art of XRF analyzers in the field. “It's exciting to see all the things they are working on,”
says Mulholland.

Just one year after presenting the first remediation protocol for Defective Drywall, the institute is
presenting the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer Certification (XRF-GP). This certification program
provides valuable information and techniques for the use of XRF as it pertains to Gypsum products.
Training will be held on October 26, 2010 at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina located at 1881 SE 17th
Street Causeway in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. For details visit the Institute's website.

About BESI: The mission of Building Envelope Science Institute, Inc. (BESI) is to provide the highest
quality of training, certification programs; resources as well as overall knowledge in successfully
constructing, maintaining, and restoring building envelope construction; investigation and analysis of all
new products and materials which will further develop and enhance the building envelope construction;
and continuing the development and formal accreditation/certification for construction industry
practitioners. Visit the institute's “Nationwide Directory of Members” to locate qualified inspectors and
remediators for defective (Chinese) drywall.

To learn more about the institute or the courses that are offered, go online to www.BESInstitute.org, or
contact info@BESInstitute.org.

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Contact Information:
Building Envelope Science Institute
Richard Shaffer
877-688-BESI
info@BESInstitute.org
www.BESInstitute.org

Online Version of Press Release:

You can read the online version of this press release at: http://www.pr.com/press-release/267250

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