Ready for the CMP Class in November?

Schedule your prep classes so that you are ready to take the Certified Mold Professional course that RIA is offering this fall. Register today.

Mold Remediation Technician Course

Date: August 28-30, 2017    

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Date: October 9-11, 2017
Location: Atlanta, Georgia   

Three days of information focused on teaching individuals how to set up various mold remediation projects and how to accomplish the specific removal and cleaning tasks associated with that industry. The course includes discussion and hands-on activities. Respirator fit test demonstration is provided.  

The Fungal Contamination textbook is included.

Cost: $795, plus $100 RIA certificate fee

Click here to register online.
Or call us at 888-382-4154.   

Continuing education credits: RIA-17.25; IICRC- 2; NADCA-4   

Mold Remediation Supervisor Course

Date: August 31-September 1, 2017   

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Date: September 26-27, 2017     

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Date: October 12-13, 2017     

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

 

 

Focus: Equipping the project supervisor with skills in choosing from a variety of techniques and alternatives to best suit a particular project. The heaviest emphasis is on risk assessment, selection of containment and decontamination unit options, communication of information to technicians and clients, and a deeper understanding of the various standards of care in the industry.

Cost: $695, plus $50 RIA certificate fee

Click here to register online.
Or call us at 888-382-4154.

Continuing education credits: RIA-11.75, IICRC-2, NADCA-4

What to Do With a Broken CFL Bulb

These clean up guidelines for fluorescent bulbs are rarely followed.  Do not even ask me about my days in the grocery store when they would re-lamp the entire store and we would load hundreds of bulbs at a time in the garbage compactor! Here are the guidelines for cleaning up a broken CLF, taken from the EPA's website here.

 

Before Cleanup

• Have people and pets leave the room.
• Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment. 
• Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.
• Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulb:
• stiff paper or cardboard;
• sticky tape;
• damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces); and
• a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag.

During Cleanup

• DO NOT VACUUM.  Vacuuming is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken.  Vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor.
• Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder.  Scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard.  Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.  See the detailed cleanup instructions for more information, and for differences in cleaning up hard surfaces versus carpeting or rugs.
• Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.

After Cleanup

• Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of.  Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors. 
• Next, check with your local government about disposal requirements in your area, because some localities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center. If there is no such requirement in your area, you can dispose of the materials with your household trash.
• If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.

10 reasons there could be mold regrowth after an effective remediation

Recent article in the Journal of Cleaning, Restoration and Inspection, "Mold Regrowth After Effective Remediation" (Nolan B. Wells: R.E. Moon): "Months after a water-loss restoration, you get a call complaining of mold growth on contents. In the absence of a plumbing leak or exterior water infiltration, there are a number of reasons why surface mold can return months after a competent water-remediation effort."

1.     Fan in the “on” position—moisture from evaporator coils recycles portion of removed water vapor into supply air stream, and gets redistributed throughout the entire home.
 2.     Temperature across evaporator coils too low—when it fails to drop below dew point, moisture won’t condense and dehumidify the air.
 3.     Installation of larger/more efficient HVAC system—may short cycle and reduce dehumidification, increased moisture encourages surface microbial growth.
 4.     Thermostat-humidistat wiring (series or parallel)—differs in moisture management.
 5.     Negative pressure from mechanical exhausts—ventilation can introduce unconditioned air to interior surfaces, causing condensation/moisture.
 6.     Poor bathroom to HVAC circulation—non-ducted HVC ventilation results in diminished air circulation and gives opportunity for moisture to be absorbed into materials in the home.
 7.     Operational error—elevated humidity is a concern post-remediation.
 8.     Diminished sensible heat load—diminishes effectiveness of HVAC dehumidification.
 9.     Thermal gradients from opposing floor or ceiling—condensation can occur if the thermal gradient is too large.
 10.  Reintroduction of contaminated contents—bringing the previous issue back into the clean home.