Concern: Swansfield Elementary School: February 24th, 2020 (CXXSES2020000155)

Location
Kindergarten interior room - Room 208
Date of IEQ Report Form
Date of Report
Concern
01/31/2020 & 2/3/2020 - Individual suspects mold within the room. Experienced general health symptoms after being in the classroom for a few hours. Symptoms ceased when outside. Custodian(s) indicated the room had a flood earlier in the year.
IEQ Investigation Process

Identify deficiencies that may impact IEQ and/or sources of odor concerns. Typically includes the following depending on the nature of concern, but not limited to:

  • interview/questionnaire of concern individual(s)
  • inspection above drop ceiling (condition of roof deck, pipe insulation, return air plenum)
  • inspection of ventilation system (operation of variable air volume box and outdoor air dampers, check controls, measurements of carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity, sources near outdoor air intake, measure return and supply air volume, cleanliness of coils, liner and condensate pan)
  • inspection of exterior
  • inspection below drop ceiling (housekeeping, sink and floor drain traps, signs of past and present moisture concern via visual and/or moisture meter, mold growth, ensure connection of current and capping of abandoned sanitary vents, odorizers, excessive plants and fabric items, identify potential pathways, and measure volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and lighting)
Findings

Date of Assessment:  February 28, 2020 (visits made at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. hours)

No concerns were observed above the drop ceiling.  The room's drop ceiling consists of two layers of ceiling tile.

Housekeeping of the room was found to be acceptable.

No outstanding odors were detected.

Signs of moisture or mold growth were not observed.  The room and its storage closet share a drywall wall with an exterior sprinkler and water main room.  The drywall was probed with a moisture meter and no elevated moisture was detected.

The condition of the dedicated outdoor air handling unit serving the area was in acceptable condition and the outdoor air damper was open.

A carbon dioxide measurement was taken in the afternoon to assess the ventilation unit's introduction of outdoor air (addresses odors, stagnant / stuffy air).  The carbon dioxide reading was 571 parts per million (ppm) and acceptable (below outdoor ppm + 700 ppm).  Outdoor air was 409 ppm.  The room was occupied with 18 people and classroom door was open.

The past flooding incident(s) involved rooms 207 and 208 occurred recently after the school was renovated a few years ago.  Impacted surfaces were cleaned and dried by a restoration company to avoid possible mold growth.  The source of incident had been corrected and does not represent a current environmental concern.

Closed
Yes
Tracking Number
CXXSES2020000155