61-31.702 Minimum Standards and Practices for Mold Remediators.
(1) Mold Remediation Work Plan (MRWP). The remediator shall prepare a written MRWP consistent with the Mold Remediation Evaluation (MRE) created by the assessor, that is site specific for each project, and provides specific instructions and/or standard operating procedures for how the mold remediation project will be performed. A MRWP shall include a method to find and stop the source of moisture intrusion and/or humidity within the building (which may require an appropriate building moisture expert, plumber, roofer, air conditioning/mechanical contractor and/or drying contractor/tradesperson to identify and repair the moisture intrusion problem). The MRWP should shall also outline steps to physically remove the mold while protecting the health and safety of the building occupants and remediation workers. The following conditions shall be evaluated in preparing the MRWP:
(a) If a mold assessment evaluation (MAE) has not been performed, and the project qualifies as a mold remediation project, a mold assessment based upon current site specific conditions must be performed.
(b) If the remediator determines the MAE and/or the MRE is incomplete or inadequate, the remediator shall seek clarification from a Florida-licensed mold assessor.
(c) A mold remediator shall inform the client and building occupants of mold-related activities that will disturb or will have the potential to disturb areas of mold contamination before remediation begins.
(d) Evaluate HVAC system operations, on/off impacts, and/or isolation requirements.
(e) Determine requirements for building containment area(s) and/or isolation requirements.
(f) Identify various mold remediation/cleaning methods, equipment, and techniques consistent with the MRE.
(g) Determine remediation worker personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
(h) If a post-verification is requested by the client, it must be perfomed by an independent Florida-licensed mold assessor.
(2) Prior to initiating remediation activities, special attention must be given to the building HVAC system(s). A person who performs mold remediation on HVAC/ventilation systems must be licensed under section 489.105, F.S.
(3) HVAC System(s). Prior to performing remediation activities, the mold remediator shall determine whether or not the building HVAC system(s) should be shutdown and/or isolated/sealed-off from the remediation work area(s).
(6 4) Containment. The primary purpose of containment during remediation is to control/limit the dispersion of mold during remediation activities thereby limiting exposure to building occupants and remediation workers.
(a) Limited Containment is for areas between 10 and 100 ft2 of contiguous visible surface area mold contamination and shall be constructed as follows:
1. Prepare the containment area by protecting environmental surfaces/contents with a single layer of 6-mil fire retardant polythylene sheeting and/or enclosing the remediation area with the layer of 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting on the walls and floors,
2. If remediation activities involve and/or expose a space above the ceiling used as a return air plenum (i.e. mold impacted ceiling tile removal), the containment area should be installed from the floor to the roof deck accordingly,
3. When using a remediation work area enclosure, install an entry/egress slit opening with a cover flap on the outside of the containment area,
4. Shutdown and/or isolate HVAC system(s) operation within the containment area,
5. When using a remediation work area enclosure, seal all HVAC supply and return air vents, exhaust systems, doorways, chases and risers within the containment area with a single layer of 6-mil fire-retardant polythylene sheeting, and
6. Maintain containment area under negative pressure (i.e. recommended 0.02” H2O) relative to the surrounding area outside containment. This can be accomplished with a HEPA-filtered air filtration device (AFD) as a negative air machine (NAM). General industrial hygiene practices recommend a minimum of four (4) air changes per hour for containment ventilation and dilution. Note: utilizing negative-pressure differentials within building structures can create unintended airflow hazards in both hot/humid and cold climate conditions, therefore the remediator should exercise caution in an effort to prevent/minimize these unintended airflow hazards.
7. Notice Signs. Signs advising that a mold remediation project is in progress shall be displayed at all accessible entrances to remediation areas. The signs shall be at least eight (8) inches by ten (10) inches in size and shall bear the words “NOTICE: Mold remediation project in progress” in black on a yellow background. The text of the signs must be legible from a distance of ten (10) feet.
(b) Full Containment is for areas greater than 100 ft2 of contiguous visible surface area mold contamination and shall be constructed as follows:
1. Form the containment area by enclosing the remediation area with a double layer of 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting on the walls and floors.
2. If remediation activities involve and/or expose a space above the ceiling used as a return air plenum (i.e. mold impacted ceiling tile removal), the containment area should be installed from the floor to the roof deck accordingly.
3. Construct a decon chamber (i.e., with dirty and clean side airlock rooms) for entry and egress.
4. Decon chamber entryways (i.e. remediation area and clean room side) should consist of a slit entry with covering flaps on the outside surface of each slit entry.
5. The decon chamber dirty room side should be large enough to hold a waste container and allow for the removal of protective clothing (i.e. disposal coveralls, gloves, head and foot coverings). All PPE except respirators should be removed and placed in the waste container while in this chamber.
6. The decon chamber clean room side should be large enough to allow remediation workers to put on and remove PPE as they enter and exit the dirty room.
7. Shutdown and/or isolate HVAC system(s) operation within the containment area.
8. Cover with a single layer of 6-mil fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting all HVAC supply and return air vents, exhaust systems, doorways, chases and risers within the containment area.
9. Maintain the containment area under negative pressure (i.e., recommended 0.02” H2O) relative to surrounding area outside containment. This can be accomplished with a HEPA-filtered air filtration device (AFD) as a negative air machine (NAM). General industrial hygiene practices recommend a minimum of four (4) air changes per hour for containment ventilation and dilution. Note, utilizing negative-pressure differentials within building structures can create unintended airflow hazards in both hot/humid and cold climate conditions, therefore the Remediator should exercise caution in an effort to prevent/minimize these unintended airflow hazards.
10. Notice Signs. Signs advising that a mold remediation project is in progress shall be displayed at all accessible entrances to remediation areas. The signs shall be at least eight (8) inches by ten (10) inches in size and shall bear the words “NOTICE: Mold remediation project in progress” in black on a yellow background. The text of the signs must be legible from a distance of ten (10) feet.
(5) The remediator shall consider possible additional site-specific conditions during the final selection of appropriate remediation procedures. Remediation procedures shall be determined based upon the project.
(a) When remediating areas between 10 and 100 contiguous square feet);
1. The work area should be unoccupied. Removing people from areas adjacent to the work area is not necessary, but is recommended for infants (<12 months="" persons="" recovering="" from="" recent="" surgery="" immune-suppressed="" or="" people="" with="" respiratory="" diseases="" span="">
2. Respiratory protection (for example, N-95 disposable respirator) is required. Gloves and eye protection are also required to be worn.
3. Limited containment of the work area is required. Surfaces within containment that could become contaminated shall be covered with 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination.
4. Cover environmental surfaces with a single layer of 6-mil fire retardant polythylene sheeting, ventilation ducts/grills within the containment area with 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination. Properly cover HVAC system ducts/grills, the HVAC system(s) that services the containment area may need to be turned off during remediation. Humidity control may be required.
5. Remediation practices that create excessive dust such as cutting, grinding and/or resurfacing of materials require the use of wet methods and/or High-Efficiency particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum-shrouded tools; or using HEPA vacuum equipment at the point of dust generation.
6. Mold contaminated materials that can not be cleaned in-place shall be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags and/or wrapped in 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting for either disposal or off-site cleaning.
7. Upon completing remediation activities, the work area and access/egress shall be HEPA vacuumed and then cleaned with a damp cloth (or mop) and a detergent. There are no special requirements for disposal of mold impacted materials.
8. Surface covers shall be placed in sealed impermeable plastic bags and removed from the building for disposal. There are no special requirements for disposal of mold impacted materials.
9. All areas and surfaces shall be left dry and visibly free of contamination and debris.
(b) When remediating areas greater than 100 contiguous square feet):
1. The work area must be unoccupied.
2. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) which includes respirators, gloves, eye protection and full body coveralls with head and foot coverings are required.
3. Full containment of the work area is required. Surfaces within containment that could become contaminated must be covered with 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination.
4. Cover environmental surfaces with a single layer of 6-mil fire retardant polythylene sheeting, ventilation ducts/grills within the containment area with 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination. Properly cover HVAC system ducts/grills, the HVAC system(s) that services the containment area may need to be turned off during remediation. Humidity control may be required.
5. Remediation practices that create excessive dust such as cutting, grinding and/or resurfacing of materials require the use of wet methods and/or High-Efficiency particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum-shrouded tools; or the use of HEPA vacuum equipment at the point of dust generation.
6. Mold contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned in-place shall be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags and/or wrapped in 6-mil, fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting for either disposal or off-site cleaning.
7. Upon completing remediation activities, the work area and access/egress shall be HEPA vacuumed and then cleaned with a damp cloth (or mop) and a detergent. There are no special requirements for disposal of mold impacted materials.
8. Polythylene sheeting used for containments or as protective covers shall be placed in sealed impermeable plastic bags and removed from the building for disposal. There are no special requirements for disposal of mold impacted materials.
9. All areas and surfaces shall be left dry and visibly free of contamination and debris.
(6) Containment Requirements
(a) If you know or suspect that the water source is contaminated with sewage, or chemical or biological pollutants, then it requires PPE and containment.
(b) Limited: Use polyethylene sheeting ceiling to floor around affected area with a slit entry and covering flap; maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan unit. Block supply and return air vents within containment area.
(c) Full: Use a single layer of fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting with one airlock chamber. Maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan exhaust outside of building. Block supply and return air vents within containment area.
(7) The following guidelines shall be followed for cleanup and mold prevention: