2015 WSSCA Conference

Patrick Finnemore, P.E.

Director of Facilities

Kenosha Unified School District

Office: 262-359-7757

Cell: 262-945-2129

pfinnemo@kusd.edu

Special thank you to Bill Freeman of EMC who developed much of the presentation

materials

1. IAQ Contaminants

2. Acceptable IAQ

3. Mold

4. Mold Clean-up and Responding to Floods

5. Preventative Maintenance

6. IAQ Response Strategies

7. State Regulations

8. Q&A

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Temperature◦ ASHRAE recommended for summer/winter

◦ Certainly very subjective!

Relative Humidity (RH)◦ ASHRAE recommended 30-60% RH

Bacteria

Chemicals

Dust Mites

Exhaust, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Nitrite Oxide (NO)

Human Related

Waste

Lead/ Asbestos

Natural Gas

Pesticides

Volatile Organic Compounds

Sewer Gas

Mold

Thermal Comfort◦ Temperature and relative humidity

◦ ASHRAE Standards – 80% of building occupants find comfort in specific range

Ventilation Standards◦ Air exchange rates

◦ Minimum outside air requirements

Fresh Air (Oxygen) Needs◦ CO2 Levels

OSHA – 5,000 ppm

ASHRAE – 1,000 ppm

Canada has a classroom limit of 1,500 ppm

◦ We have much greater CO2 monitoring in our buildings, especially in large areas such as gymnasiums

◦ Increased individual sensitivities (allergies, asthma, chemicals, etc…)

◦ Medical Advances showing correlation of disease and health related issues to the indoor environment

◦ New Building Materials: more manufactured products with chemicals that off-gas and soft/porous materials that grow mold both can negatively impact the indoor environment.

Not a plant, not an animal: Unique kingdom (Mycota)

Each species had its own unique characteristics

Most grow best in warm, wet environments

Colonization can occur in a sustained environmental conditions, and can then withstand extremes and regrow when favorable conditions return

Tertiary (>.90aW):◦ Stachybotyrys◦ Trichoderma◦ Fusarium◦ Bacteria

Intermediate(0.80 - 0.90):◦ Cladosporium◦ Some Aspergillus

Low (<.80): ◦ Penicillium◦ Most Aspergillus

Spores + Food + Moisture = Growth•Spores are everywhere!

•Food sources are abundant! (85 % of dust is organic…..cellulose is to fungi what starch is to humans)

•Moisture

(building materials wet for over 48 hours)

SPORES

+ FOOD SOURCE

+ MOISTURE

= GROWTH

All major guidance documents recommend timely removal of visible mold

Identify and correct moisture source

EPA: “Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold”

Is there more “Hidden” Mold?

Are building contents and possessions affected?

Can mold be cleaned or must it be remediated?

Non-viable fungi can still emit allergens, mycotoxins

Should I evacuate some or all occupants?

EPA Guidelines for Mold Remediation• Small

• <10 Sq. Ft. Affected• Min. PPE – No Containment (N95 respirator)• Need for OSHA respiratory protection program?

• Medium• 10 – 100 Sq. Ft. Affected• Limited to full PPE – Limited Containment

• Large• 100 + Sq. Ft. Affected• Full PPE – Full Containment, Neg pressure

Can I Remediate Small Amounts of Mold?

Locate & Repair Water sources

Hazard Communication Training (Mold Awareness)

Work Area Isolation

PPE

Engineering Controls◦ - HEPA Vacuum

◦ - Wet Wipe Mild Detergent

◦ - Do not spread the contamination

◦ - Use of biocides?

Work Practices

- Careful source removal

- Disposal

Documentation

Categories of Water Loss◦ Category 1 (Clean Water)

Water that is clean at the releasing source and does not pose a

hazard if consumed by humans. Category 1 water may become

Category 2 over time or as it mixes with soils, on or within

floor coverings or building assemblies, which can promote the

growth and amplification of microorganisms in the water.

Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on

appliances, broken toilet tanks, etc....

Categories of Water Loss◦ Category 2 (Gray Water)

Water that begins with some degree of contamination and could

cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by humans. As with

Category 1 water, Category 2 water can become Category 3 water

over time and depending on other environmental conditions.

Examples: Discharge or overflow of washer or dishwasher,

overflow of toilet bowl, etc….

Categories of Water Loss◦ Category 3 - (Black Water)

Water that is highly contaminated and could cause death or serious

illness if consumed by humans.

Examples: Sewage, rising flood water from rivers and streams,

ground surface water flowing horizontally into buildings.

State of the art guidelines◦ ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for

Professional Water Damage Restoration

◦ ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation

Rebuild/Post Remediation Considerations Determine cause of water incursion and make repairs Duct Work and HVAC cleaning Humidity resistant ceiling tiles Fiberglass based drywall-DensShield® Tile Backer No items mounted or placed directly against walls Steel Studs-Closed cell insulation

Spray or pre-formed ½” space between the floor and drywall Hard surface flooring-stained concrete is best Dehumidify during and after construction Negative Pressure-Air Scrubbing during rebuild Low or Zero VOC Paints-Green products

Air conditioning or commercial grade dehumidifiers Ventilate crawl spaces/tunnels

Slight negative pressure to the occupied space Visual Inspections of vulnerable areas

Porous building materials (carpets)

◦ HEPA vacuum daily

◦ Reduce Clutter

◦ Cleaning schedule Winter months for non-air conditioned buildings

◦ Cleaning chemicals

◦ Food, drink policies

Building design & construction

◦ HVAC

◦ Air conditioning

◦ Building materials

Carpet versus hard surface

Drywall use near water sources

Insulation

Placement of vapor barriers

Building envelope

HVAC Inspections◦ HVAC room, penthouse, roof◦ Heating & cooling coils◦ Condensate drain (Drip) pans◦ Source of outside air intake◦ Outside air intake screen/grill◦ Ducts-outside air, supply air, return air,

exhaust◦ Grills, grates & diffusers-supply and

return◦ Ceilings/tiles surrounding grills &

diffusers◦ Interior insulation

National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)◦ Frequency: Units: 1 year; Ducting: 1-2 years

(based on the type/use of the building – schools 2 years) – A 10 year cycle is generally reasonable

◦ Insure completion to current NADCA guidelines.◦ Insure NADCA trained/certified contractors.◦ Insure proper Insurance, equipment, experience.◦ Insure proper planning, expectations, follow-up.◦ Provide project follow-up documentation such as

visual Inspections, photos and samples collection with Laboratory Analytical Data.

42 Schools

Over 2,200 Classrooms

Test each room once per year in winter

Make data public

In most cases we correct problems before anyone even notices that the problem exists

Goal: Under 1,000 ppm

If measured above 1,000 ppm then we take corrective action

Retest

Maximum allowable after corrective action is 1,500 ppm

ROOM TEMP HUM % RH

CARBON

DIOXIDE

PPM

CARBON

MONOXIDE

PPM

# OF

OCCU.

DOOR

OPEN OR

SHUT

WINDOWAHU

UNIVENT

130 72.0 20.4 1680 1.6 18.0 SHUT SHUT UNI

Bad motor on univent.

130 70.3 21.1 890 0.7 20 SHUT SHUT UNI

Univent motor replaced and unit retested.

205 74.3 26.8 2050 1.3 26 SHUT SHUT UNI

Univent turned off and blocked with books

205 76.0 47.5 1108 0.7 30 OPEN SHUT UNI

Univent turned on, filter cleaned, motor greased, coil cleaned, all obstructions removed.

DATE: 2/28/03

INDOOR AIR ANALYSIS: TREMPER

DATE: 3/17/03

DATE: 3/4/03

DATE: 3/4/03

▶ Document

• IAQ complaint response form

►Hazard assessment & response

• Emergency vs. Non-Emergency

– In-house response/repairs

–Outsource response/repairs

• Inconclusive

– Investigation by outside

–Medical evaluation of affected individuals

Inspection

• HVAC

• Obvious sources

• Mold

• Carbon Monoxide

• Chemical spill

Investigation

• Survey/questionnaires/interviews

• Complaint history

• Water incursion history

• Visual inspection

• Moisture measurements

• Visual again!

Log all concerns, work done to correct concern and the final resolution

Keep employee and Principal informed of progress

Supplement resolution with test data if possible

Look for both simple and systemic solutions

Problems to Avoid:

• Hasty response

• Confusion/Lack of Communication

• Wasted time & monies

• Poor public relations

• Legal liabilities

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Management Plan required for all School Districts in Wisconsin.

Administered by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) as directed by 2009 Wisconsin Act 96.

WI Stat. 118.075 (3) and (4) is the law requiring IEQ Management Plans in school districts.

IEQ Management Plan Requirements:

1. Mission Statement

2. Role of the IEQ Coordinator

3. Communication

4. Reporting

5. Addressing IEQ Findings

6. IEQ Policies

7. Procedures for Maintenance and Facility Operations

8. Construction and Renovation

9. Staff Responsibilities for Maintaining Good IEQ

10. Prevention of IEQ Problems