Page 28 - College Planning & Management, October 2017

A REVIEW COURSE ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY
many cases, you can detect mold and mildew with your nose,” says Kevin Brown, vice president and director of technical solutions with Canonsburg, PA-based ABM Franchising Group, LLC. “If you become aware of a musty smell when you first enter a space, there is probably a problem.”
The Fix: Dry Out the Air
“Mold is always present, but it needs three things to thrive and grow,” continues Brown. “It needs water, darkness or the absence of light and a food source like cellulose, perhaps in the form of the paper on the back of drywall panels.
If you do have a mold problem, you will need a plan to remediate it.
“Remediating IAQ involves dehumidifying the air and remov- ing moisture within the space,” says Agopian. “By exchanging indoor air with outdoor air, we can reduce the steady state concen- tration of moisture-laden gases to acceptable levels.”
A mild problem can often be solved internally by opening windows or bringing in a dehumidifier.
If there is standing water, mold spots may become visible on various surfaces. In such a case, remediation is more complicated. “At that point, you will need to remove the three conditions that
allow mold growth,” says Brown. “The first step is to remove water from the space.
“Next remove any other cellulose material, such as paper, books, carpet, furniture and so on. Furniture can be reused after a thor- ough cleaning — wiping down all surfaces with a soap solution.
“Foam cushions or cloth covered surfaces should probably be thrown out. While foam has no cellulose, cushions naturally col- lect dead skin cells, which are a food source for mold. I would also recommend wiping down the whole room, including light fixtures, walls and ceilings — everything that is accessible.”
Prevention
Once mold has been removed, the goal becomes preventing its return. Ventilation has proven to be an effective preventative measure.
Agopian points to research conducted by Amrin Rudd, a principal at AB SYSTEMS LLC in Annville, PA. “Amrin Rudd’s research showed that ventilation provided by an energy recovery ventilation (ERV) unit can achieve low concentrations of indoor contaminants.
“His research has been affirmed by the Institute of Medicine,” Agopian says. “Institute research showed that as the ventilation ex- change rate increases, the concentration of gases and particulates declines.” The Institute of Medicine is part of the Washington, DC- based National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
In addition to ventilating a space with an ERV, additional prevention measures include periodic visual inspections. “Look for potential sources of leaks,” says Pete Zuraw, vice president, market strategy and development with Guilford, CT-based Sight- lines, a Gordian Company. “Inspect the outside of your building for potential leaks — holes in the roof, rotting wood, exposed and deteriorating ductwork.
On the inside of a building, you can measure temperatures, hu- midity and the levels of carbon dioxide and other gases. “Check for moisture in the walls or ceiling,” Zuraw continues. “In addition, in- spect the mechanical systems, checking for the presence of water or pests. Are the mechanical systems operating properly? Is there any unusual activity — is the system operating longer than normal?”
Zuraw also suggests hiring a third party to inspect the building when it is operating properly. Such an inspection can then serve as an operational baseline against which to compare future inspections.
IAQ inspections should also be part of the recovery phase of a building’s emergency response plan. After a fire, destructive storm or other emergency, IAQ inspections rank as an important step in bringing a building back on line.
How are you doing this morning? How are your students, teach- ers and administrators doing? Are people having trouble staying awake? Are they coughing and sniffling more than normal? If so, check out your building’s indoor air quality. IAQ may be interfer- ing with your institution’s ability to educate your students. CPM
28 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / OCTOBER 2017
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