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Add Non-Salvageable Items

This article explains how to add non-salvageable items (damaged beyond repair or disposal items) on ContentsPal.

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Written by David Shapiro
Updated over a week ago

🧭 Summary

Non-Salvageable Mode is a specialized capture mode for documenting items that are damaged beyond repair, contaminated, or designated for disposal. These items are tracked separately from salvageable inventory and generate their own dedicated reports. The mode features a distinctive red interface to help teams quickly identify which items cannot be restored.


βš™οΈ Prerequisites

  • A job must be created before adding non-salvageable items

  • Camera permissions enabled on mobile device

  • (Optional) Printed QR labels for boxes or disposal containers


πŸš€ Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Non-Salvageable Mode

  • On the camera screen, tap the Non-Sal button at the bottom

  • The interface turns red with a thumbs-down icon to indicate non-salvageable mode

  • The status bar displays "Non-Salvage" to confirm you're in the correct mode

πŸ’‘ Tip: The red color is an important visual cue for your team - it signals that items in this mode won't be part of the salvageable inventory.

Non-Salvageable Mode

2. Capture Non-Salvageable Items

  • Take a photo of the damaged or disposal item

  • The app automatically marks the item as non-salvageable

  • After capturing, the app stays in non-sal mode for continuous shooting

  • Take photos of additional non-salvageable items without re-entering the mode

What to photograph:

  • Items damaged beyond repair (water damage, fire damage, broken furniture)

  • Contaminated items requiring disposal

  • Items with biohazard concerns

  • Rubbish or debris from the site

3. Add Optional Labels (Recommended)

While in non-sal mode, you can optionally assign labels to track disposal:

Option 1: Scan a QR Label

  • Tap Label in the top overlay

  • Scan the QR code to link the item to a tag or disposal container

Option 2: Manual Label Entry

  • Tap Label and enter a label name manually

  • Useful for tracking grouped disposal items

πŸ’‘ Tip: Labeling non-salvageable items helps track what was disposed of and provides documentation for insurance claims.

4. Mark Biohazard Items (If Needed)

For contaminated or biohazard items:

  • Toggle the Biohazard checkbox in the top overlay

  • This marks the item as requiring special handling

  • Biohazard items require special handling and disposal procedures

  • Clearly visible in reports for proper safety protocols

5. Exit Non-Salvageable Mode

  • Tap the Exit Non-Sal Mode button when finished

  • The interface returns to normal color

  • The app returns to regular mode for salvageable items


πŸ“‹ Non-Salvageable vs. Regular Items

Understanding the key differences:

Non-Salvageable Items

Regular (Salvageable) Items

Damaged beyond repair or disposal items

Items that can be cleaned, restored, or stored

Red interface with thumbs-down icon

Blue (tag) or green (box) interface

Tracked separately in dedicated reports

Part of main inventory reports

Excluded from standard inventory lists

Included in inventory lists by default

Cannot be added to boxes

Can be boxed or tagged

Simplified workflow (no detailed identification)

Full AI identification and pricing

When to use Non-Salvageable Mode:

  • Water-damaged furniture beyond repair

  • Fire-damaged items with smoke contamination

  • Broken or shattered items

  • Moldy or contaminated materials

  • General debris and rubbish

  • Biohazard or health-hazardous items

When to use Regular Mode:

  • Items that can be cleaned

  • Items for storage

  • Items needing restoration

  • Items in good condition


πŸ“Š Non-Salvageable Reporting

Non-salvageable items are tracked and reported separately:

Dedicated Non-Salvage Report

  • Separate PDF report specifically for non-salvageable items

  • Organized by room and label

  • Shows photos, descriptions, quantities

  • Includes biohazard indicators

  • Provides complete disposal documentation

Job Metrics

  • Non-salvage count displayed in job dashboard

  • Tracked separately from salvageable inventory count

  • Helps calculate total job scope

  • Useful for insurance documentation

Report Filtering

  • Inventory List Reports: Exclude non-salvageable items by default

  • Non-Salvage Reports: Show ONLY non-salvageable items

  • Policyholder Reports: Include only non-salvage items for transparency


🎯 Working with Boxes in Non-Sal Mode

Important: You cannot use Box Mode and Non-Sal Mode simultaneously. However, you can:

  1. Use Multimode within Non-Sal Mode

    • Take one photo showing multiple disposal items

    • AI automatically identifies each item separately

    • Faster for documenting large amounts of debris

  2. Label Non-Salvageable Items to Containers

    • Assign a label/tag to disposal containers

    • Group multiple non-salvageable items under one tag

    • Track what disposal bins or containers hold

  3. Switch Between Modes

    • Document salvageable items in Box/Tag mode

    • Switch to Non-Sal mode for damaged items

    • Each mode is independent and exclusive


βœ… Best Practices

  • Enter Non-Sal mode at the start when you know items are damaged

  • Look for the red interface to confirm you're in the right mode

  • Document clearly - even disposal items need good photos for insurance

  • Use biohazard marking for contaminated items requiring special handling

  • Label disposal containers to track what was removed from the site

  • Take before and after photos of damaged areas

  • Review non-salvage reports before finalizing the job

  • Stay in continuous mode to quickly document multiple damaged items


🧩 Troubleshooting

Can't find Non-Sal button:

  • Ensure you're on the camera screen (not inventory or reports)

  • Check that you have an active job selected

  • Non-Sal button is located at the bottom with Box and Tag buttons

Interface isn't turning red:

  • Confirm you tapped the Non-Sal button (not Tag or Box)

  • The top bar should show a red background with thumbs-down icon

  • Try exiting and re-entering the mode

Can't add items to boxes while in Non-Sal mode:

  • This is expected behavior - Box and Non-Sal modes are mutually exclusive

  • Exit Non-Sal mode to use Box mode

  • Use labels instead to group non-salvageable items

Biohazard checkbox not visible:

  • Look in the top overlay notch area (below the red status bar)

  • Scroll or adjust view if the overlay is partially hidden

  • The checkbox appears as "Biohazard" with a toggle


πŸ”‘ Key Takeaways

  • Non-Salvageable Mode is for items damaged beyond repair or marked for disposal

  • Red interface with thumbs-down icon clearly identifies the mode

  • Items are tracked separately and excluded from standard inventory reports

  • Optional labeling helps document and track disposed items

  • Biohazard marking ensures proper handling of contaminated materials

  • Continuous shooting mode allows rapid documentation of multiple damaged items

  • Dedicated Non-Salvage Reports provide complete disposal documentation

  • Cannot be combined with Box Mode, but can use Multimode for efficiency


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