According to school officials the foyer/entrance to the gym area has been a point of chronic leakage (Picture 6), however over the summer/fall of 2017, many areas along the exterior were repointed/weather-proofed. At the time of assessment, gypsum wallboard and damaged ceiling tiles had since been repaired/replaced. The assessment occurred after a steady rain (reportedly heavy at times). All building materials were dry and no evidence of water damage/further leaks were observed in the gym/foyer area (Pictures 7 and 8). In order for building materials to support mold growth, a source of water exposure is necessary. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends that porous materials (e.g., wallboard, carpeting) be dried with fans and heating within 24 to 48 hours of becoming wet (US EPA, 2008; ACGIH, 1989). If porous materials are not dried within this time frame, mold growth may occur. CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS In view of the findings at the time of the visit, the following recommendations are made: Make repairs to exterior doors in courtyard, replace weather-stripping as needed. Monitor for continued leaks and make further repairs as needed. Continue to monitor gym/foyer areas for leaks to ensure repairs are adequate, make further repairs if necessary. For more information about mold consult the US in Schools and EPA’s “Mold Remediation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA, Commercial Buildings” published 2008) (). Refer to resource manual and other related IAQ documents located on the MDPH’s website for further building-wide evaluations and advice on maintaining public buildings. These documents are available at: .
According to school officials the foyer/entrance to the gym area has been a point of chronic leakage (Picture 6), however over the summer/fall of 2017, many areas along the exterior were repointed/weather-proofed. At the time of assessment, gypsum wallboard and damaged ceiling tiles had since been repaired/replaced. The assessment occurred after a steady rain (reportedly heavy at times). All building materials were dry and no evidence of water damage/further leaks were observed in the gym/foyer area (Pictures 7 and 8). In order for building materials to support mold growth, a source of water exposure is necessary. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends that porous materials (e.g., wallboard, carpeting) be dried with fans and heating within 24 to 48 hours of becoming wet (US EPA, 2008; ACGIH, 1989). If porous materials are not dried within this time frame, mold growth may occur. CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS In view of the findings at the time of the visit, the following recommendations are made: Make repairs to exterior doors in courtyard, replace weather-stripping as needed. Monitor for continued leaks and make further repairs as needed. Continue to monitor gym/foyer areas for leaks to ensure repairs are adequate, make further repairs if necessary. For more information about mold consult the US EPA’s “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings” published by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA, 2008) (). Refer to resource manual and other related IAQ documents located on the MDPH’s website for further building-wide evaluations and advice on maintaining public buildings. These documents are available at: .
hull-high-school-wd-feb-2018.docx