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)
Building Maintenance (Plumbing) reported sewage in the crawl space, which is located underneath the school's Administrative Offices.
Historical Information
The Office of the Environment addressed odor concerns in 2019, which included the cleanup of sewage in the crawl space from a historic backup and to cap pipes that were not capped during the school's renovation. These uncapped pipes were believed to be the cause of the odors in the Administrative Office. To the Office of the Environment's knowledge these controls were successful with no further reports of odor issues since 2019.
February 25
The plumbing shop reported sewage in the crawl space. To further investigate the origin and potential cause, Building Maintenance requested the area be remediated through the Office of the Environment.
Building Maintenance reported that the cause was a clogged sewer main, that then caused sewage to backflow through a buried pipe within the crawl space. A third-party contractor was utilized to un-clog the main line.
No detections of hydrogen sulfide were reported by Building Maintenance while working with the crawl space (4-gas meter).
A third-party restoration contractor performed a cleaning of the area on March 2 and 3 during off-hours which consisted of removing debris, vacuuming (high efficiency particulate air filter), and disinfection. The cleaning process was then repeated.
Building Maintenance installed plugs into floor drains to reduce the potential for future backflows.