Florida Standards of Practice for Mold Assessors

• (a) A visual inspection should include all surfaces inside the building, hidden areas where moisture sources may be present, such as but not limited to, crawl spaces, attics, and behind vinyl wallpaper, baseboards, carpets, and wallboard wherever possible.
• (b) Specific indicators to note during the visual assessment include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Suspect mold growth;
2. Musty odor;
3. Moisture damage; and
4. Damp building materials and/or conditions.
• (c) Personal protective equipment such as gloves and respiratory protection (e.g.N-95) should be used if a visual inspection might disturb mold. Efforts should be made to minimize the generation and migration of any dust and mold.
• (d) If visible mold is observed during the visual inspection, or if physical or visible indications (e.g. moisture, staining) suggest mold may be present in areas inaccessible at the time of the initial visual assessment (“hidden mold”), the mold assessor should determine whether additional assessment actions are appropriate.
• (e) If visible mold growth is present mold sampling is unnecessary in most cases,
• (f) If mold sampling is performed, it should be in accordance with a project-specific designed mold sampling protocol, methods and results interpretation criteria.

• (a) Sampling must be performed following the recommendations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published March 16, 2010 and found online at http://www.osha.gov/.
• (b) Preservation methods shall be implemented for all samples where necessary;
• (c) Proper sample documentation, including the sampling method, the sample identification code, each location and material sampled, the date collected, the name of the person who collected the samples, and the project name or number must be recorded for each sample;
• (d) Proper chain of custody procedures must be used; and
• (e) Mold sample analysis should be performed by laboratories participating/accredited in the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP) and follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

• (a) The rooms or areas where the work will be performed;
• (b) The estimated quantities of materials to be cleaned or removed;
• (c) The methods to be used for each type of remediation in each type of area;
• (d) The PPE to be used by remediators. A minimum of an N-95 respirator is required during mold-related activities when mold growth could or would be disturbed. Using professional judgment, a consultant may specify additional or more protective PPE if warranted;
• (e) The suggested types of containment to be used during the project on each type of mold in particular areas; and
• (f) The proposed post-verification procedures and criteria for each type of remediation in each area.

• (a) The method by which the remediation is deemed complete and adequate;
• (b) The criteria to be used for evaluation analytical results to determine whether the remediation project passes post-remediation verification;
• (c) The post-verification shall be conducted while walk-in containment in is place, if walk-in containment is specified for the project.

• (a) If a mold assessment report (MAR) has not been performed, and the project qualifies as a regulated mold project, evaluate the need for a mold assessment based upon current site specific conditions.
• (b) Request and review all (if applicable) mold assessment report(s).
• (c) Assess/confirm the MAR information is representative of the size and/or moisture intrusion problems based upon current site specific conditions.
• (d) Determine if current site specific conditions require updating of the MAR and/or MRP, to include additional remediation worker training and/or unique/special hazard communication requirements.
• (e) The procedures to be used in determining whether the underlying cause of the mold identified for the project has been remediated so that it is reasonably certain that the mold will not return from that same cause.
• (f) If the remediator determines the MAR and/or the MRP is incomplete or inadequate, the remediator should seek clarification from a Florida-licensed mold assessor.
• (g) A mold remediator shall inform the client and building occupants (or the remediator shall inform the client who will then inform the building occupants) of mold-related activities that will disturb or will have the potential to disturb areas of mold contamination before remediation begins. The need to temporarily re-locate building occupants during the remediation process must be determined prior to onset of remediation tasks.
• (h) The highest priority of the remediation plan must be to protect the health and safety of the building occupants and remediators.
• (i) Whenever possible, remediation activities should be scheduled during off-hours when building occupants are less likely to be affected.
• (j) Establish a project schedule with a milestone time-line as needed.
• (k) Determine if building contents are to be relocated and/or protected in-place.
• (l) Evaluate HVAC system operations, on/off impacts, and/or isolation requirements.
• (m) Determine requirements for building containment area(s) and/or isolation requirements.
• (n) Identify various mold remediation/cleaning methods, equipment, and techniques consistent with the MRP.
• (o) Determine remediation worker personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
• (p) The performance of post-verification by an independent Florida-licensed mold assessor.

• (a) Limited Containment is recommended for areas between 10 and 100 ft² of contiguous visible surface area mold contamination and should be constructed as follows:
1. Prepare the containment area by protecting environmental surfaces/contents with a single layer of 6-mil fire retardant polyethylene sheeting and/or enclosing the remediation area with the layer of 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting on the walls and floors,
2. If remediation activities involve and/or expose a space above the ceiling used as a return air plenum (i.e. mold impacted ceiling tile removal), the containment area should be installed from the floor to the roof deck accordingly,
3. When using a remediation work area enclosure, install an entry/egress slit opening with a cover flap on the outside of the containment area,
4. Shutdown and/or isolate HVAC system(s) operation within the containment area,
5. When using a remediation work area enclosure, seal all HVAC supply and return air vents, exhaust systems, doorways, chases and risers within the containment area with a single layer of 60mil fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting, and
6. Maintain containment area under negative pressure (i.e. recommended 0.02” H2O) relative to the surrounding area outside containment. This can be accomplished with a HEPA-filtered air filtration device (AFD) as a negative air machine (NAM). General industrial hygiene practices recommend a minimum of four (4) air changes per hour for containment ventilation and dilution. Note: utilizing negative-pressure differentials within building structures can create unintended airflow hazards in both hot/humid and cold climate conditions, therefore the remediator should exercise caution in an effort to prevent/minimize these unintended airflow hazards.
• (b) Full Containment is recommended for areas greater than 100 ft² of contiguous visible surface area mold contamination and should be constructed as follows:
1. Form the containment area by enclosing the remediation area with a double layer of 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting on the walls and floors.
2. If remediation activities involve and/or expose a space above the ceiling used as a return air plenum (i.e. mold impacted ceiling tile removal), the containment area should be installed from the floor to the roof deck accordingly.
3. Construct a decon chamber (i.e. with dirty and clean side airlock rooms) for entry and egress.
4. Decon chamber entryways (i.e. remediation area and clean room side) should consist of entry with covering flaps on the outside surface of each slit entry.
5. The decon chamber dirty room side should be large enough to hold a waste container and allow for the removal of protective clothing (i.e. disposal coveralls, gloves, head and foot coverings). All PPE except respirators should be removed and placed in the waste container while in this chamber.
6. The decon chamber clean room side should be large enough to allow remediation workers to put on and remove PPE as they enter and exit the dirty room.
7. Shutdown and/or isolate HVAC system(s) operation within the containment area.
8. Cover with a single layer of 6-mil fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting all HVAC supply and return air vents, exhaust systems, doorways, chases and risers within the containment area.
9. Maintain the containment area under negative pressure (i.e. recommended 0.02” H2O) relative to surrounding area outside containment. This can be accomplished with a HEPA-filtered air filtration device (AFD) as a negative air machine (NAM). General industrial hygiene practices recommend a minimum of four (4) air changes per hour for containment ventilation and dilution. Note, utilizing negative-pressure differentials within building structures can create unintended airflow hazards in both hot/humid and cold climate conditions, therefore the Remediator should exercise caution in an effort to prevent/minimize these unintended airflow hazards.
• (c) Notice Signs. Signs advising that a mold remediation project is in progress shall be displayed at all accessible entrances to remediation areas. The signs shall be at least eight (8) inches by ten (10) inches in size and shall bear the words “NOTICE: Mold remediation project in progress” in black on a yellow background. The text of the signs must be legible from a distance of ten (10) feet.

• (a) Even if materials are dried within 48 hours, mold growth may have occurred. These guidelines are for damage caused by clean water. If you know or suspect that the water source is contaminated with sewage, or chemical or biological pollutants, then Personal Protective Equipment and containment are required by OSHA. An experienced professional should be consulted if you and/or your remediators do not have expertise remediating in contaminated water situations. If mold growth is found on the materials listed in the table in subsection 12, refer to the table in subsection 13 for guidance on remediation.

• (a) Level I – Remediation Area – (10 contiguous square feet or less) DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REGULATED MOLD PROJECT
• (b) Level II – Remediation Area – (Between 10 and 100 contiguous square feet)
  
1. The work area should be unoccupied. Removing people from areas adjacent to the work area is not necessary, but is recommended for infants (<12 months), persons recovering from recent surgery, immune-suppressed, or people with respiratory diseases.
2. Respiratory protection (for example, N-95 disposable respirator) is required. Respirators must be used in accordance with the OSHA respiratory protection standard. Gloves and eye protection are also required to be worn.
3. Limited containment of the work area is required. Surfaces within containment that could become contaminated should be covered with 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination.
4. Cover with a single layer of 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting, ventilation ducts/grills within the containment area with 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination. Note: In order to properly cover HVAC system ducts/grills, the HVAC systems(s) that services the containment area may need to be turned off during remediation and thus supplemental humidity control may also be required.
5. Remediation practices that create excessive dust such as cutting, grinding and/or resurfacing of materials require the use of wet methods and/or High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum-shrouded tools; or using HEPA vacuum equipment at the point of dust generation.
6. Mold contamination materials that can not be cleaned in-place should be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags and/or wrapped in 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting for either disposal or off-site cleaning.
7. Upon completing remediation activities, the work area and access/egress should be HEPA vacuumed and then cleaned with a damp cloth (or map) and a detergent. There are no special requirements for disposal of mold impacted materials.
8. Plastic sheeting should be placed in sealed impermeable plastic bags and removed from the building for disposal. There are no special requirements for disposal of mold impacted materials.
9. All areas and surfaces should be left dry and visibly free of contamination and debris.
• (c) Level III – Remediation Are (greater than 100 contiguous square feet)
1. The work area must be unoccupied. Removing people from areas adjacent to the work area is not necessary, but is recommended for infants (<12 months), persons recovering from recent surgery, immune-suppressed, or people with respiratory diseases.
2. Respiratory protection; it is recommended that full-face respirators with HEPA cartridges be used; however, a minimum of half-face elastomeric respirators with HEPA cartridges is required. Respirators must be used in accordance with the OSHA respiratory protection standard. Gloves and eye protection are also required. In addition, full body coveralls with head and foot coverings are required.
3. Full containment of the work area is required. Surfaces within containment that could become contaminated should be covered with 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination.
4. Cover with a single layer of 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting, ventilation ducts/grills within the containment area with 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination. Note: In order to properly cover HVAC system ducts/grills, the HVAC system(s) that services the containment area may need to be turned off during remediation and thus supplemental humidity control may also be required.
5. Remediation practices that create excessive dust such as cutting, grinding and/or resurfacing of materials require the use of wet methods and/or High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum-shrouded tools; or the use of HEPA vacuum equipment at the point of dust generation.
6. Mold contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned in-place should be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags and/or wrapped in 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting for either disposal or off-site cleaning.
7. Upon completing remediation activities, the work area and access/egress should be HEPA vacuumed and then cleaned with a damp cloth (or mop) and a detergent. There are no special requirements for disposal of mold impacted materials.
8. Polyethylene sheeting used for containments or as protective covers should be placed in sealed impermeable plastic bags and removed from the building for disposal. There are not special requirements for disposal of mold impacted materials.
9. All areas and surfaces should be left dry and visibly free of contamination and debris.

• (a) Method 1: Wet vacuum (in the case of porous materials, some mold spores/fragments will remain in the material but will not grow if the material is completely dried). Steam cleaning may be an alternative for carpets and some upholstered furniture.
• (b) Method 2: Damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or with water and detergent solution (except wood – use wood floor cleaner); scrub as needed.
• (c) Method 3: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum after the material has been thoroughly dried. Dispose of the contents of the HEPA vacuum in well-sealed plastic bags.
• (d) Method 4: Discard – remove water-damaged materials and seal in plastic bags while inside of containment, if present. Dispose of as normal waste. HEPA vacuum area after it is dried.

• (a) Minimum: Gloves, N-95 respirator, goggle/eye protection;
• (b) Limited: Gloves, N-95 respirator or half-face respirator with HEPA filter, disposable overalls, goggles/eye protection;
• (c) Full: Gloves, disposable full body clothing, head gear, foot coverings, full-face respirator with HEPA filter

• (a) Limited: Use polyethylene sheeting ceiling to floor around affected area with a slit entry and covering flap; maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan unit. Block supply and return air vents within containment area.
• (b) Full: Use two layers of fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting with one airlock chamber. Maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan exhausted outside of building. Block supply and return air vents within containment area.

Water Damage – Cleanup and Mold Prevention Guidelines for Response to Clean Water Damage within 24-48 Hours to Prevent Mold Growth* Water-Damaged Material Actions

Table 2 Guidelines for Remediating Building Materials with Mold Growth Caused by Clean Water*

SMALL – Total Surface Area Affected Less Than 10 square feet (ft²)

• Method 1: Wet vacuum (in the case of porous materials, some mold spores/fragments will remain in the material but will not grow if the material is completely dried). Steam cleaning may be an alternative for carpets and some upholstered furniture.
• Method 2: Damp-wipe surfaces with water and detergent solution (except wood – use wood floor cleaner); scrub as needed.
• Method 3: High –efficiency particular air (HEPA) vacuum after the material has been thoroughly dried. Dispose of the contents of the HEPA vacuum in well-sealed plastic bags.
• Method 4: Discard – remove water-damaged materials and seal in plastic bags while inside of containment, if present. Dispose of as normal waste. HEPA vacuum area after it is dried.

• (a) If a walk-in limited and/or full containment system was used during remediation, the post remediation evaluation must be conducted while the containment system is in place.
• (b) Where visual evidence reveals deficiencies sufficient to fail the evaluation, analytical methods need not be used.
• (c) The underlying moisture problem was identified and eliminated.
• (d) Isolation of the work area was appropriate and effective.
• (e) Mold removal and remediation/cleanup was performed according to the MRWP.
• (f) Any additional moisture or mold damage/impacts discovered during remediation were properly addressed/resolved.
• (g) Upon completion of remediation, surfaces are free from visible dust and debris.
• (h) Upon completion of remediation, building materials/contents are dry and do not have elevated moisture content or malodors.
• (i) Provide corrective measures as necessary to correct identified deficiencies.

• (a) The criteria and process used in the post-verification must be documented in writing in the MRP and approved by the assessor and building owner prior to performing the remediation.
• (b) Provide written documentation confirming success or failure of the post-verification. If the post-verification results indicate failure of the site specific remediation plan criteria, the Florida-licensed mold assessor will provide to the building owner and/or responsible party, a written report identifying the deficiencies noted during the evaluation.

• (a) Certificate of completion clearly stating the remediation has been successfully complete;
• (b) Documentation of the post-evaluations performed by the remediator;
• (c) Documentation of the post-verification performed by an independent Florida-licensed mold assessor;
• (d) Present post-verification results to the building owner and /or responsible party.