Indoor Environment: Mold Abatement Procedures for UCSD Facilities Personnel
Last updated
August 11, 2009 3:43:09 PM PDT
Facilities Management and Housing, Dining & Hospitality personnel, follow these procedures when responding to work orders involving water damage and possible mold abatement.
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Note: This information is intended exclusively for use by University of California, San Diego employees in university facilities.
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- Control the moisture source. This is essential for stopping mold growth. Common sources of moisture contributing to mold growth include but are not limited to:
- Flooding
- Leaking plumbing fixtures, pipes, or appliances
- Roof leaks
- Water intrusion from outdoor irrigation
- Unvented combustion appliances
- High humidity
- Condensation
- Water collection dishes, such as refrigerator drip pans
- Wear personal protective equipment and restrict access to the affected area if you know or suspect the water source is contaminated with sewage or chemical or biological pollutants.
- Important: If flooding occurs in a lab or involves gray water (overflow from machines, pumps, aquariums, toilet bowls, etc.), call (858) 534-HELP (-4357). The Campus Police will dispatch an Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) professional.
- EH&S must give clearance before facilities personnel can work in the area.
- Clean and dry water damaged materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Maintain humidity below 60%.
- Keep HVAC drip pans clean and flowing.
- Do not use fans before determining that the water source is clean or sanitary.
- Be alert for mold growth if materials have been wet for more than 48 hours. Mold growth may have occurred — but not always.
- If you encounter or suspect mold growth during cleaning and drying activities, follow steps below.
- Ensure personnel responding to work orders that may involve mold formation are trained to work safely.
- Take these safety precautions while investigating and evaluating mold and moisture problems:
- Consider using an N-95 filtering face piece, gloves, and eye protection.
- Do not touch mold or moldy items with bare hands.
- Do not get mold spores in your eyes.
- Do not breathe in mold or mold spores.
When indoor mold investigation or abatement work affects building occupants, address their concerns by doing the following:
- Emphasize the health and safety of building occupants is a top priority.
- Demonstrate that the occupants' concerns are understood and taken seriously.
- Present clearly the current status of the investigation or remediation efforts.
- Identify a person whom building occupants can contact directly to discuss questions and comments about the remediation activities.
- Measure the affected area. The level of remediation procedures to follow depends on the size of the area involved. There are 4 levels of mold remediation.
- Follow the appropriate procedure level for the size of the job:
- Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services, (858) 822-1743 or (858) 534-1075, if you need help classifying a mold remediation job.
- Level 1
- Use Level 1 procedures for areas 10 sq. ft. or less. Trained UCSD facilities staff must perform Level 1 work. Containment is not necessary.
- Restrict entry to the work area to trained staff.
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Remove or clean contaminated materials:
- Place items in a sealed waste bag.
- Dispose of items as regular garbage.
- Leave the area clean and visibly free of contamination and debris.
- Level 2
- Use Level 2 procedures for areas 10 to 30 sq. ft. Trained UCSD facilities staff must perform Level 2 work.
- Restrict entry to the work area to trained staff.
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Cover the work area with plastic sheeting.
- Remove or clean contaminated materials:
- Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
- Place items in a sealed waste bag.
- Dispose of items as regular garbage.
- Leave the area clean and visibly free of contamination and debris.
- Level 3
- Use Level 3 procedures for areas 30 to 100 sq. ft. Specialists trained in handling hazardous material must perform Level 3 work.
- Consult with EH&S for Level 3 jobs.
- Contract Level 3 work out to a professional mold remediation service.
- UCSD project managers, require the contractor to do the following:
- Restrict entry to the work area to trained personnel.
- Vacate building occupants from adjacent areas.
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Cover the work area with plastic sheeting.
- Seal ventilation ducts and grills.
- Remove or clean contaminated materials:
- Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
- Place items in a sealed waste bag.
- Dispose of items as regular garbage.
- Leave the area clean and visibly free of contamination and debris.
- Level 4
- Use Level 4 procedures for areas over 100 sq. ft. Specialists trained in handling hazardous material must perform Level 4 work.
- Consult with EH&S for Level 4 jobs.
- Contract Level 4 work out to a professional mold remediation service.
- UCSD project managers, require the contractor to do the following:
- Restrict entry to the work area to trained personnel.
- Vacate building occupants from adjacent areas.
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Seal ventilation ducts and grills.
- Encapsulate the work area in plastic sheeting, ventilated with negative pressurization and a HEPA filter.
- Use an airlocked, negative-pressure decontamination room.
- Remove or clean contaminated materials:
- Place items in a sealed waste bag.
- Decontaminate the outside of the waste bags.
- Dispose of items as regular garbage.
- Consult with EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services, (858) 822-1743 or (858) 534-1075, before authorizing occupancy.
Note: UCSD's 4 levels of mold remediation are adapted from Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments, New York City Department of Health.
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