Mold Removal & Remediation | Environix, Inc.

Mold Remediation & Removal Guidelines 1. Establishing containment 1.1. Materials

1.1.1. 6mil polyethylene plastic sheeting

1.1.2. Painters tape. (for securing plastic to finished surfaces)

1.1.3. Duct tape (for securing plastic to disposable or non-finished surface)

1.1.4. Adhesive carpet protection film

1.1.5. Tensioned wall poles (for securing plastic over large areas)

1.1.6. Adhesive zippers (for creation of entry zones)

1.1.7. Sheets of 1/8 hardboard Panels (for protection of hard surfaced flooring)

1.2.1. Define contained area (routes for containment that provide for debris removal directly to the exterior are preferred)

1.2.2. Protect Flooring:

1.2.2.1. Finished hard flooring must be protected by 1/8" hardboard, and covered with 6 mil plastic sheeting, and sealed with appropriate tape at all edges

1.2.2.2. Cover all unaffected carpeting completely with adhesive carpet protection film. Install appropriate tape to seal junction between wall and adhesive carpet protection film. Seal edges of adhesive carpet protection film with tape as appropriate to hard cleanable surface.

1.2.3. Create entry to contained area with 6 mil plastic sheeting (secured with appropriate tape and/or mechanical fasteners.

1.2.3.1. Install 2 adhesive zippers at least 3 feet apart to create re-usable door.

1.2.4. Construct walls.

1.2.4.1. Use existing architecture when possible.

1.2.4.2. When no existing architecture is present, construct walls using 4mil plastic, attach with zip-wall poles and blue/green painters tape. Plastic walls must be stretched tight.

1.2.5. Remove all unaffected contents (as practical to the scope of work)

1.2.5.1. Remaining unaffected contents must be securely contained with 6mil plastic in a fashion that will allow containment barrier to be thoroughly cleaned and HEPA vacuumed.

1.2.6. Disable HVAC system and cover all HVAC registers with 6mil plastic and seal edges with appropriate tape.

1.2.7. Cover all remaining unaffected fixtures with 6mil plastic and appropriate tape (to include but not limited to: lighting fixtures, cabinets and drawers, ceiling fans, built-in shelving, exhaust fans, appliances, pianos, smoke alarms, etc.)

1.2.8. Perform final check to ensure that all items in the contained area are thoroughly protected, or can be appropriately cleaned following remediation.

1.3.1. A decontamination chamber is necessary if a) it is outlined in the protocol b) containment cannot be practically extended to the exterior of the building.

1.3.1.1. A decontamination chamber shall be constructed from 6mil or thicker poly sheeting and follow all guidelines outlined for the creation of proper containment

1.3.1.2. Decontamination chamber must be large enough to contain the largest disposal containers, package items or contents.

1.3.1.3. Decontamination chamber must be large enough for an average sized adult to don PPE.

1.3.1.4. Decontamination chamber must have a dual zippered entry into the contained area and a dual zippered entry to the uncontained space

1.3.1.5. Make-up air may not be drawn from the decontamination chamber

1.3.1.6. HEPA scrubber exhaust may not be ducted into the decontamination chamber

2.1.1. HEPA rated air scrubber and necessary filters

2.1.2. Proper sized exhaust ducting

2.1.3. Appropriate gauge power supply cords and surge protector

2.1.4. Pleated filters for make-up air

2.1.5. Wood dowel to secure window.

2.1.6. 6 mil plastic & painters tape.

2.2.1. A minimum number of 12 air changes per hour is required to properly filter air inside of containment.

2.2.2. HEPA scrubber must be sufficiently sized to maintain negative pressure differential of 5 Pascal or .02" water column.

2.2.2.1. Pressure differential between affected space and unaffected space must be monitored using a calibrated manometer.

2.2.2.2. Projects where high velocity dust agitation is to be employed must maintain at least 14 air changes per hour inside of contained space to adequately filter air.

2.3.1. Ensure that all filters for HEPA scrubbers are installed correctly and in good condition as per manufacturers recommendations

2.3.2. Situate HEPA scrubber in appropriate location to allow for unrestricted airflow and removal of necessary materials

2.3.3. Connect HEPA scrubber to appropriate power supply via surge protector and adequately gauged power supply cord.

2.3.4. Connect appropriately sized ducting to exhaust portion of HEPA scrubber and extend ducting to the exterior

2.3.4.1. Stabilize lay-flat style ducting by sealing end of duct with tape or zip-tie and cut 4 12" lengthwise slits near the end.

2.3.4.2. If no access to the exterior is possible a charcoal filter must be attached to the HEPA scrubber intake to minimize odors that may remain in the exhausted air

2.3.5. Install pleated filter in containment wall or window/door at the point where make-up air will be drawn

2.3.5.1. Make-up air intake point must be at least 6' from HEPA scrubber exhaust point.

2.3.5.2. Make-up air should be drawn from the exterior of the building in an area free of carbon-monoxide or other harmful pollutants.

2.3.5.3. Secure pleated filter to window frame, door frame, or install directly into 6mil plastic sheeting.

2.3.5.3.1. Filter requirements

2.3.5.3.1.1. Required filters for make-up air shall be pleated boxed filters of at least 1 thickness, and must achieve a MERV rating of 8 or greater to reduce the chances of introduction of contaminants from outside the contained area

2.3.5.3.1.2. For containment with negative air pressurization utilizing HEPA scrubbers rated below 1000 CFM, one filter of at least 1.5 sq. ft. is necessary

2.3.5.3.1.3. For containment with negative air pressurization utilizing HEPA scrubbers rated 1000-2000 CFM, filters totaling at least 3 sq. ft. are necessary

2.3.5.3.1.4. For containment with negative air pressurization utilizing HEPA scrubbers rated 2000 CFM or above, filters totaling at least 1.5 sq. ft. per 1000CFM are necessary

2.3.5.3.1.5. Securely install filters and seal with the appropriate tape to prevent filter from dislodging and to prevent damage to the attaching surfaces

2.3.5.4. Combustion safety

2.3.5.4.1. Prior the creation of negative pressurization all precautions must be taken to ensure that gases from combustion appliances will not be drawn into occupied space

2.3.5.4.1.1. All combustion appliances in the home must be indentified

2.3.5.4.1.2. All identified combustion appliances must be deactivated

2.3.5.4.1.3. A qualified technician must perform combustion safety testing on all combustion appliances that cannot be deactivated to ensure that the remediation will not create negative pressurization sufficient to spill fuel or exhaust gases into occupied space

2.4.1. If failure of containment has occurred at any point during the remediation process or potential cross-contamination has occurred the following steps must be taken:

2.4.1.1. Immediately stop all remediation procedures and take steps to limit any additional dust generation

2.4.1.2. Re-establish containment as soon as possible

2.4.1.3. Close all doors and other easily sealed entrances to the potentially contaminated area

2.4.1.4. Perform detailed HEPA vacuuming of the area that has been subject to possible contamination

2.4.1.5. Install appropriately sized HEPA scrubber without ducting in potentially contaminated area, and allow to run for 24 hours

2.4.1.6. Perform IAQ spore trap analysis in potentially contaminated area and remediate accordingly if levels are found to be above accepted threshold

3.1.All affected materials requiring removal must be contained inside of 6 mil bags secured with duct tape.

3.2.Large fixtures, cabinetry, furniture or other items that cannot be contained inside of bags must be covered and sealed with 6mil plastic sheeting.

3.3.All poly covering (bags or sheeting) must be vacuumed or wiped thoroughly prior to removal from the contained area. If a decontamination chamber is in use, bags must be placed and sealed inside of a new 6 mil bags immediately before entering the chamber. Cover wrapped items with an additional layer of clean, 6mil plastic.

3.4.1. Baseboard and trim removal is necessary if any of the following conditions are present:

3.4.1.1. Visible mold growth is moderate to severe.

3.4.1.2. Inspection indicates a significant likelihood of mold growth on the back side.

3.4.1.3. Cleanup of the mold will result in damage to base or trim.

3.4.1.4. Inspection indicates possible long term saturation. (below window, on slab)

3.4.1.5. Removal is necessary to determine the source and extent of the damage.

3.4.1.6. Cost of cleaning exceeds the cost of replacement.

3.4.1.7. MDF products contaminated with mold growth are considered unsalvageable and must be removed.

3.4.2. Baseboard and trim may be salvageable if the following conditions are present:

3.4.2.1. Trim and baseboards are constructed of natural wood.

3.4.2.2. None of the issues listed above are present. be treated in accordance with lumber mold remediation procedures.

3.4.3. Removal

3.4.3.1. Material must be lightly wetted with anti-microbial agents prior to removal to limit dust generation and kill viable spores.

3.4.3.2. Material must be cut into small enough pieces to fit within a garbage bag.

3.5.1. Wall covering removal is necessary if any of the following conditions are necessary:

3.5.1.1. Visible mold growth is moderate to severe.

3.5.1.2. Inspection indicates a significant likelihood of mold growth on the back side.

3.5.1.3. Cleanup of the mold will result in damage to the wall covering texture or surface.

3.5.1.4. Inspection indicates possible long term saturation. (below window, on slab)

3.5.1.5. Removal is necessary to determine the source and extent of the damage.

3.5.1.6. Cost of cleaning exceeds the cost of replacement.

3.5.2. Exceptions to wall covering removal include:

3.5.2.1. Areas with light surface staining with no history of water intrusion. (Light mold growth due to condensation in a bathroom or exterior wall qualify for this exception).

3.5.3. Removal.

3.5.3.1. Wall material must be lightly wetted with anti-microbial agents prior to removal to limit dust generation and kill viable spores.

3.5.3.2. All fixtures and electrical switch plates must be removed from affected areas of wall material prior to removal.

3.5.3.3. Initial measurements should be taken and straight lines drawn or snapped with a chalk line.

3.5.3.4. Wall material should be cut with a razor knife, or other appropriate tool.

3.5.3.5. If mechanical cutting tools are used to remove wall material, a depth gauge must be in use and set to the exact depth of the wall material being removed (this will prevent the unintentional damaging of HVAC ducting, electrical wires, and plumbing fixtures).

3.5.3.6. Wall material must be removed to find clean margins of at least 16 where possible, or in a fashion that allows inspection of both sides of remaining wall material.

Read the original post:
Mold Removal & Remediation | Environix, Inc.