LIMITED MICROBIAL & IAQ SURVEY CLOSING REPORT SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOL DISTRICT 02/12/2015

Transcription

1 HOME OFFICE PO Box 326 MT AETNA PA MEMBERS OF: VOICE FAX TOLL FREE Web Page: proaccorp.com CLOSING REPORT SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT 02/12/2015 PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CONTRACT FOR: DR. RONA KAUFMANN Respectfully Submitted, PROAC Corporation Reviewed By, PROAC Corporation Walt Saunders, CIEC, LEED GA Industrial Hygienist Dean R. Klopp, CIE, CMR, ASCS President WE RE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR CLIENTS SATISFACTION 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: LIST OF ATTACHMENTS PARTICLE COUNTS: DIRECT READINGS, TEMPERATURE, AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY: PICTURES: REFERENCES REPORT CONDITIONS:

3 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: On February 12, 2015, a Limited Fungal and Indoor Air Quality Survey was performed at Chanceford Elementary School in the South Eastern School District. The project was performed and supervised by: Walt Saunders, CIEC, LEED GA, Industrial Hygienist, PROAC Corporation Dean Klopp, CIE, CMR, ASCS, VSMR, PROAC Corporation The survey included direct reading measurements of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Particle Counts. An AMPROBE digital sling psychrometer was used to obtain temperature and relative humidity readings. Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC s) were sampled using a MultiRAE IR, PGM-54 Multi -Gas Monitor. Range of gases begins at 0 and the resolution is 10ppm for CO2, 1ppm for CO. Many rooms revealed elevated levels of Carbon Dioxide indicating that the unit ventilators may not be supplying sufficient fresh air to the spaces. Particle counts were obtained with a Six Channel Laser Hand Held Particle Counter (Met One G 526). Micron size of particles documented include;.3,.5, 1, 2, and 5 (um). Airborne, total, countable fungi were sampled in fifteen (15) locations including three (3) outdoor locations for comparison. Samples were obtained from each location using a Bio Pump and Allergenco D sampling cassettes as recommended for IAQ studies by EPA and American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). The pump was calibrated to meet the flow rate of 15 L/minute +/- 1% and the samples were drawn for five minutes. Typically, the fungal profile of the indoor samples should be similar to and of a lower concentration than the outdoor samples. Generally, the rooms tested did reveal a healthy fungal environment; however Pen/Asp like spores were noted in low levels in most areas tested throughout the school. Pen/Asp spores are considered to be a moisture indicator species. We suspect the source of the low level contamination is the rugs and we are recommending that the rugs be cleaned via hot water extraction and immediately dried using desiccant dehumidifiers. Unit ventilators were inspected in each room where samples were obtained, if applicable. These units were found to be generally fouled and in need of cleaning. Also, there is a potential pollutant pathway from the basement to each classroom, via an exhaust system that is no longer in use. The vents should be sealed as a precaution. 3

4 Direct air readings and microbiological samples were taken from the following locations: Outside Main Office Outside C-6 Outside C-9 Outside East Wing Guidance Office Principal Office Boiler Room Room # 1 Room # 3 Room # 6 Health Room Room # 11 Room # 12 Room # 13 Room # 15 Room # 16 GAS SAMPLING AND PARTICLE COUNTS The weather on the day of the testing was cold and clear with ambient air temperatures ranging from 29 F to 33 F. Relative humidity (RH) readings outside ranged from 22% to 70%. Carbon dioxide (CO2) readings outside ranged from 390 parts per million (ppm) to 550 ppm. Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC s) readings outside were very low. Temperatures indoors were ranged between 68 F and 75 F while RH readings indoors ranged from 20% to 32%. The American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have suggested that for optimum comfort, indoor temperatures should range from degrees F at 30% RH. The guidelines also suggest 30% RH as the minimum indoor humidity level and 60% as the maximum indoor humidity level (ASHRAE Standard ). ASHRAE has also suggested that for optimum comfort, Carbon Dioxide levels should not exceed 700 ppm above ambient air and more recent studies have indicated that CO2 levels above 1000 ppm can cause headaches and general feelings of malaise in susceptible individuals. CO2 levels were slightly elevated in many rooms including Room # 3 at 1240 ppm, Room # 6 at 1630 ppm, the Principal s office at 1120 ppm, the Health Room at 1090 ppm, Room # 11 at 2660 ppm, Room # 12 at 1620 ppm, Room # 15 at 1450 ppm and Room # 16 at 1510 ppm. Elevated C02 reading can be a result of increased occupancy and or increased activity in the space or insufficient fresh air intake. We are recommending that the fresh air intake settings be examined and changed if deemed necessary. Carbon Monoxide readings registered 0.0 ppm throughout the survey. Total Volatile Organic Compound readings were 0.0 ppm. Throughout the survey. 4

5 Particle Counts were recorded in five sizes of microscopic particulate. Data collected is used only as an indicator of dusty environments or for relative comparison. Higher counts may be an indicator of high occupancy, low efficiency filtration, lack of hygiene, use of paper products or processes, etc. Particle counts were generally lower as compared to the outdoors. MICROBIOLOGICAL SAMPLES Media Used Total, Countable Mold Spores Allergenco D Sampling Cassettes Microbiological Tests were obtained in fifteen (15) test areas including three (3) outdoors for comparison. There are currently no standards regarding the amount of fungal or bacterial (microbial) contamination on surfaces or in the air. There are, however, guidelines to assist IAQ professionals with comparing their survey data to study data. References are listed below. Samples are as follows. 15 Spore Trap Samples for Viable Mold, Fungus and Yeast According to the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists ( AC- GIH) and the EPA, the recommended level for microbiological exposure is an equal or lower quantity inside the building than found outside the building. Also, indoor samples should have the same kind, rank and order of organisms that are found outdoors. Outdoor Air Samples - Three (3) outdoor samples were obtained for comparison with the indoor environment. These samples are used to determine if contamination is entering the building from outdoors. Each of the outdoor samples revealed seasonably low levels of fungal contaminants. The weather was cold with snow cover. It should be noted that ground cover of snow will reduce ambient fungal counts. 5

6 Indoor Air Samples Twelve (12) samples were obtained from locations inside the school. Each area tested revealed low levels of fungi with Cladosporium and Pen/Asp like spores being the primary contaminants. Although the concentration of these contaminants is considered to be very low, the consistency of the spores in each area tested indicates a common thread, possibly the rugs. To that end we are recommending that the rugs in the school be cleaned via hot water extraction and immediately dried with desiccant type humidifiers. Another area of note is the air moving system with a blower fan in the boiler room and ductwork running to each classroom. There is a grill at floor level in each classroom. This ductwork was not cleaned when the school was being prepared for occupancy. We are recommending that these grills be sealed so as to limit contaminant pathways into the occupied spaces. RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Clean the unit ventilators. HEPA vacuum all surfaces, clean and treat the coils and all non-porous surfaces with the iodine based HVAC sanitizer, fast attack. 2) Clean carpets via hot water extraction and dry immediately with desiccant type dehumidifiers for several days. 3) Consider adjusting fresh air intakes to allow for more fresh air into the occupied spaces. 4) Seal all grills related to the air moving system. 6

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12 PO Box 326 MT AETNA PA VOICE FAX INDOOR AIR QUALITY SURVEY PAGE 12 Purpose: Location: DATE: 02/12/2015 NO. TIME TEMP F RELATIVE HUMIDITY CARBON DIOXIDE CO TVOC OCCUPANCY #PERSONS COMMENTS 1 9: OUTSIDE FRONT 2 9: RM # 1 3 9: RM # : RM # : GUIDANCE 6 10: OUTSIDE C6 7 10: PRINCIPAL 8 11: HEALTH RM 9 12: BOILER RM 10 12: RM # : RM # : RM # : RM # : RM # : OUTSIDE C

13 PO Box 326 MT AETNA PA VOICE FAX PARTICLE COUNTS PAGE 13 Purpose: IAQ MEASUREMENT & DOCUMENTATION Location: DATE: 02/12/2015 NO COMMENTS OUTSIDE FRONT RM #1 CLOSED RM 3 CLOSED RM 6 OLD CARPET GUIDANCE OUTSIDE C PRINCIPAL HEALTH RM RM 11 NO COMPLAINT RM 12 NO COMPLAINT RM RM RM RM OUTSIDE C

14 UNIT VENTILATOR - ROOM #3 14

15 VENT FOR BOILER ROOM AIR MOVEMENT SYSTEM - ROOM #3 GUIDANCE OFFICE WINDOW TO STORAGE ROOM 15

16 UNIT VENTILATOR - ROOM #3 FILTERS IN UNIT VENTILATOR - ROOM #3 16

17 FOULING IN COILS - ROOM #3 FILTERS IN UNIT VENTILATOR - ROOM #3 17

18 FOULED INSULATION IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #1 FOULED BLOWER FAN IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #1 18

19 ACCUMULATED DUST IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #1 ACCUMULATED DUST IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #6 19

20 ACCUMULATED DUST IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #6 FILTERS IN UNITI VENTILATOR IN ROOM #6 20

21 RADIENT HEATER IN GUIDANCE OFFICE RADIANT HEATER IN NURSE S OFFICE 21

22 RADIANT HEATER IN NURSE S OFFICE RADIENT HEATER IN NURSE S OFFICE 22

23 COILS IN RADIENT HEATER IN NURSE S OFFICE 23

24 COILS IN RADIENT HEATER IN NURSE S OFFICE AIR MOVEMENT SYSTEM IN BOILER ROOM 24

25 AIR MOVEMENT SYSTEM IN BOILER ROOM BOILER ROOM CEILING 25

26 PEELING PAINT IN BOILER ROOM PEELING PAINT IN BOILER ROOM 26

27 BLOWER FAN IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #11 BLOWER FAN COMPARTMENT IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #11 27

28 AIR MOVEMENT SYSTEM GRILL IN ROOM #12 UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #12 28

29 ACCUMULATED DUST IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #13 BLOWER FAN COMPARTMENT IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #13 29

30 ACCUMULATED DUST IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #15 FOULED FILTERS IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #15 30

31 BLOWER COMPARTMENT IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #15 ACCUMULATED DUST IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM #15 31

32 ACCUMULATED DUST IN UNIT VENTILATOR IN ROOM # 16 32

33 REFERENCES Information and excerpts may be taken from: Guidelines for the Assessment of Bioaerosols in the Indoor Environment, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1989 (ACGIH) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) Standard and 2001, Field Guide for the Determination of Biological Contaminants in Environmental Samples, American Industrial Hygiene Association, 1996 (AIHA) Bioaerosol Assessment and Control, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1999 Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments, New York City Department of Health, 2000 (NYCDOH) Micromenaces, P & K Microbiology Services, Inc., November 1998, Volume 1, Issue 2 National Air Duct Cleaners Association - Assessment, Cleaning, & Restoration of HVAC Systems, ACR 2013 (NADCA) 33

34 REPORT CONDITIONS This report is not to be considered a warranty, but an Limited Fungal & IAQ Survey Closing report on the conditions existing in the areas included in the scope of work at the time of the work only. Conditions only include work performed and reported here. We are not responsible for any errors or omissions due to hidden environmental or mechanical conditions. We are not responsible for any claims more than the amount of the total scope or otherwise noted in contract. 34