When calculating equipment for drying, what should you do with decimal amounts?

In the context of drying equipment calculations, it is essential to ensure that the number of units used (such as dehumidifiers, air movers, etc.) is sufficient to achieve the desired results efficiently. Rounding up decimal amounts is the recommended approach in this practice for several reasons.

When rounding up, you ensure that even if the calculation indicates a fraction of a unit, you meet the drying capacity needs adequately. For instance, if the calculation yields a requirement for 3.2 air movers, rounding up to 4 ensures that there are enough units to handle the drying area and compensate for any inefficiencies. This is critical in water damage restoration scenarios because underestimating the number of units could prolong the drying process, leading to potential issues such as mold growth or structural damage.

Using the exact number without rounding could also lead to insufficient equipment being deployed, resulting in inadequate drying. Rounding down would produce a similar outcome where the drying might be incomplete. Rounding to the nearest ten does not apply to the specific needs of equipment calculations, which typically require a more precise number.

Therefore, rounding up ensures a proactive approach to addressing the drying needs effectively and is a widely accepted practice within the industry.