Concern: Oakland Mills High School: March 14th, 2024 (CXOMHS20240002F0)

Location
408/ 411/402A/602
Date of IEQ Report Form
Date of Report
Concern
We had a flood in our building just over a month ago. A concern was raised about the potential for certain areas not to have been completely addressed due to the moisture intrusion event.
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(s) of Assessment: March 16, 2024

Historical Information

The Office of the Environment was informed of a moisture intrusion event due to a plumbing leak on February 5, 2024. The Office of the Environment, Building Maintenance Staff, and a board-approved restoration contractor coordinated extraction and drying of impacted areas to prevent fungal amplification associated with the event. For additional information, please reference IEQ Concern #CXOMHS20240002E8.

Current Concern

408/411

Both rooms are of similar construction and are adjoining each other. Both spaces had the impacted drywall removed (0-2') by the restoration contractor (under containment), during the initial response, eliminating those materials from representing a potential moisture concern due to the event. The Office of the Environment probed various areas in these spaces with a moisture meter on March 16 as a precaution. No elevated moisture was detected. No moldy/musty odors were detected. Additionally a thermal infrared screening was conducted. No thermal anomalies indicative of elevated moisture were identifed. 

402A

This space is constructed with drywall and has metal bookshelves along all four walls. The room is surrounded on three sides by other classrooms. Each of the surrounding classrooms was also impacted during the February 5th event. To dry impacted drywall in room 402A, the drywall was removed from the three adjoining rooms and fans and dehumidifiers were directed to the backside of the drywall in Room 402A. Moisture readings were collected during the initial response and drying continued until moisture readings were acceptable. Drying was not discontinued until both the restoration contractor and the Office of the Environment had collected readings indicating that the drywall had returned to pre-event conditions. The Office of the Environment probed various areas in these spaces with a moisture meter on March 16 as a precaution. No elevated moisture was detected. No moldy or musty odors were detected. 

On March 16 the following was also noted:

  • Evidence of a mouse/mice (fecal matter) was observed on a bookshelf.
  • Some teacher materials (poster board/chart paper) that were stored directly on the floor during the event are water stained.

602

A concern was brought up regarding fans stored in Room 602. The Office of the Environment reviewed the map of the incident created by Building Maintenance at the time of the even. Water did not enter this space according to the map. The Office of the Environment probed the wooden casework on the room on March 16 as a precaution. No elevated moisture was detected. No moldy/musty odors were detected.

Corrective Actions
March 20th, 2024

Custodial Services is to use a vacuum equipped with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to clean the shelf impacted by pests. Additionally, submit a work order to the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Department if not already in progress. 

March 20th, 2024

Staff utilizing 409A should determine if their teaching materials were impacted. Water stained materials can be re-used at the teacher's discretion. 

Closed
Yes
Tracking Number
CXOMHS20240002F0