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)
Date(s) of Assessment: January 13, 17, February 7, and June 16, 2020
The Office of the Environment has assessed these areas prior and additional information can be found in association with IEQ Concern #CXCLES201800009E.
January 13, 2020
Two assessors arrived at the site. One assessor did not detect an odor while the other detected a slight odor. A source was not able to be identified.
The Office of the Environment believed that a "peppermint test" should be performed to identify potential cracks/holes in nearby plumbing. This was recommended to Building Maintenance during the previous assessment but it had not been completed to date.
January 17, 2020
The Office of the Environment reviewed plans for sanitary lines and plumbing for the site and visually assessed the area of concern for disconnected plumbing. No concerns were identified.
February 7, 2020
The odor returned. Building Maintenance (Plumbing) and the Office of the Environment assessed with no definitive cause identified. A heavy rain occurred that day. Because the odor seemed to correlate with heavy rains, a peppermint test was scheduled for Spring Break.
June 16, 2020
The Office of the Environment arrived onsite to witness the peppermint test being conducted by Building Maintenance (Plumbing).
Dilute peppermint oil was introduced into the plumbing system through roof drains and sanitary vents. The building was then walked to determine if a peppermint odor was noticed within the building. After two hours, a peppermint odor was identified within the block wall in Room 156. The presence of the odor is indicative of a breech in the plumbing in that area. Building Maintenance (Plumbing) believes the potential breech is located underneath the concrete slab.
The odor appears to be correlated with heavy rains and is likely associated with changes in plumbing pressurization during larger precipitation events as well as a potential breech in the plumbing (disconnection, hole, crack, etc.).
Building Services (Plumbing) plans to perform destructive sampling of the concrete slab in an attempt to identify the source. If the line is disconnected or broken it will be repaired. Timing of the repair will be based on the availability of funding and the work can only be performed when the building is not occupied.