Concern: Veterans Elementary School: May 18th, 2023 (CXXVES2023000282)

Location
D36, D35, and B62
Date of IEQ Report Form
Date of Report
Concern
Toilet supply line had leaked on the second floor (Room D38) impacting two classrooms on the second floor, and a classroom and stairwell located under the leak.
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: May 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 30, 2023

Impacted rooms included D38 (upstairs), D35 (upstairs), B62 (below D38), and the first floor stairwell adjoining B62. The leak originated from the bathroom of D38. Extraction and the placement of fans was already complete when the Office of the Environment arrived.

May 17, 2023

D35 - Impacted materials included carpet. A file cabinet was moved from the carpet as to not trap moisture. Additionally, several areas of casework were assessed with a moisture meter. No elevated moisture was detected. Several fans and a dehumidifier were placed on the carpet to facilitate drying. 

D38 - Impacted materials included carpet and casework. The cove base was removed from casework and holes were drilled in select locations to facilitate drying. Fans and dehumidifiers were strategically placed to dry carpet/kickplates of casework.

B62 - Impacted materials included carpet and casework. The cove base was removed from casework and holes were drilled in select locations to facilitate drying. Fans and dehumidifiers were strategically placed to dry carpet/kickplates of casework. Additionally, a section of white board was removed to facilitate drying as water had gotten behind it. 

Stairwell - A drywall bulkhead was identified as wet. A fan was placed in the ceiling to dry the area. Thermal imaging also indicated that moisture was being retained within the block wall between B62 and the stairwell. Various fans were placed along the wall to faciliate drying. 

May 18, 2023

D35 - The impacted carpet areas were probed with a moisture meter. No elevated moisture was detected. No further action appears warranted in this space. 

D38 - The impacted carpet areas were probed with a moisture meter. No elevated moisture was detected. The casework was also evaluated. Elevated moisture was detected, however moisture content was decreasing. 

B62 -  The impacted carpet areas were probed with a moisture meter. No elevated moisture was detected. The casework was also evaluated. Elevated moisture was detected in a small (one to two foot section). A fan was adjusted accordingly. 

Stairwell - The block wall between the stairway and B62 did not show improvement via thermal imaging. A board approved restoration contractor was called to assist with the block wall portion of the project. 

May 19, 2023

D38 -The casework was also evaluated. Elevated moisture was detected in a small (one foot) section. A fan was adjusted accordingly.

B62 - No elevated moisture was detected in the casework with the moisture meter.

Stairwell - A board-approved restoration contractor constructed a containment in Room B62, along the shared stairwell wall.  Dehumidifiers and a heater were placed in the containment to attempt to evaporate the elevated moisture out of the wall. Additionally, the restoration contractor removed the drywall bulk-head in the stairwell as it had not yet dried. 

May 22, 2023

D38 - No elevated moisture was detected in the casework with the moisture meter. No further action appears warranted in this space. 

B62/Stairwell - Thermal imaging indicated progress, however thermal anomalies indicative of moisture were still present. 

May 24, 2023

B62/Stairwell - Thermal imaging did not indicate progress compared to the May 22 thermal image. The containment temperature was measured and found to be similar to ambient temperatures. The heater did not appear to be functioning. The restoration contractor determined that the breaker the heater was running on had "tripped." A dehumidifier was removed from the containment to decrease the electrical load and the heater was replaced with a different one.

May 26, 2023

B62/Stairwell - No thermal anomalies were observed. The heater was functioning. The containment setup will remain over the long weekend to draw out any residual moisture. 

No further action appears warranted. The following is activities were conducted to reduce the potential for fungal growth/shifts in fungal ecology. 

Closed
Yes
Tracking Number
CXXVES2023000282