Military-based fire department - Indoor air quality and mold spore assessment

Facts and figures

• Two-story fire station building
• 43,000 sq. ft.
• 5-part assessment

Challenges

Several months before EBI was contacted, a mold investigation was conducted by another firm, and the state’s Department of Public Health performed an Indoor Air Quality Assessment. Afterwards, mold remediation was unsuccessfully conducted by another firm. EBI was brought in to evaluate the presence of water damage and/or suspected mold growth.

Solutions

Our industrial hygienist interviewed the owner’s representative, then assessed the accessible areas of the property. He evaluated the possible presence of water damage and/or suspected mold growth quantities through a variety of measures. The assessor used handheld meters to determine measurements of moisture content and indoor air quality, including levels of temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) inside and outside the building.

Finally, spore trap samples (total countable spores) were collected from the building interiors and exterior for comparison. The samples were sent to an independent accredited laboratory for analysis for a seven-day turnaround time from the date the lab received the samples.

Outcomes

A report of our findings included a summary of observations, methodologies, and representative photographs along with EBI’s general recommendations. The report of findings included a table identifying locations, types and approximate quantities of building materials observed with evidence of water damage and/or suspected mold growth.