Indoor Air Quality - Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools

Chapter 10: Building Maintenance Checklist (Continued)

Drain Traps

Drain traps can cause IAQ problems when water in the drain trap evaporates due to infrequent use. If the building interior is under negative pressure, soil gas or sewer gas can be drawn indoors through a dry drain trap.

Confirm that all drains have drain traps

List all drains and traps.
Install traps on any untrapped drains.
All drains have drain traps.
Need help with traps.

Confirm that all drain traps are filled in areas that only you have access to

Pour water down floor drains regularly.
Run water in sinks at least once per week.
Flush toilets once per week.
Traps are filled regularly.
Need help filling traps regularly.

Moisture, Leaks, and Spills

Mould and mildew can grow almost anywhere that provides a food source and a small amount of moisture, whether from leaks and spills or condensation. Mould and mildew do not require standing water in order to grow. The higher the relative humidity, the higher the probability of fungal growth.

Each school facility should have written procedures for responding to: 1) emergency conditions (spills, leaks or sewer backup), and 2) maintenance and repairs (clean-up and repair of components).

Assemble the following tools before conducting these activities:

• a small floor plan for taking notes and logging observations;
• an instrument to measure relative humidity (e.g., sling psychrometer); and
• a flashlight.

Inspect the building for signs of moisture, leaks, floods, spills, or water damaged/mouldy materials

When conducting an inspection, use visual and odour clues. Do not disturb suspect areas until a proper clean-up and repair plan is in place, since large amounts of contaminants could be released.

Check for mouldy odours.
Look for stains or discoloration on the ceiling, walls, or floor.
Examine inaccessible or limited access areas such as crawlspaces, sub-floor cavities and service tunnels.
Identify any areas that have exposed soil or appear cool/damp.
Check cold surfaces such as locations under windows, in corners formed by exterior walls, and uninsulated or poorly insulated cold water piping.
Check areas where moisture is generated such as locker rooms, bathrooms, and sinks.
Check for the presence of stained, deteriorated, or mouldy materials including textiles, cardboard boxes, and other building contents.
Look for signs of water damage in:

• indoor areas in the vicinity of known roof or wall leaks;
• walls around leaky or broken windows;
• floors, ceilings, or cabinets under plumbing or piping;
• duct interiors near humidifiers, cooling coils, and outdoor air intakes; and
• crawlspaces.

Identify moisture-damaged but dry materials, note their location, and make arrangements for their proper removal and repair.
If active leaks or damp areas (such as exposed soil) are discovered during the inspection, note their location(s) on your floor plan and repair them as quickly as possible.
There are no signs of moisture, leaks, or spills.
Found signs of moisture, leaks, or spills, or need help inspecting.

Respond promptly when you see signs of moisture, or when leaks or spills occur

Clean and dry damp or wet building materials and furnishings.
Work with manufacturers of furnishings and building materials to learn the recommended cleaning procedures and/or identify competent contractors who can clean damp materials.
Porous, absorbent building materials or furnishings, such as ceiling tiles, wallboards, floor coverings, etc., must be thoroughly dried and cleaned as soon as possible. In some cases, these materials may require disinfection. If the materials cannot be dried and cleaned within 24 hours, they may have to be removed and later replaced after the cause of the moisture problem has been corrected.
Moisture, leaks, or spills are fixed.
Need help fixing damage from moisture, leaks, or spills.

Prevent condensation

There are several methods to prevent condensation:

Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (piping, exterior walls, roof, or floor) by adding insulation. (Note: when installing insulation that has a vapour barrier, put the vapour barrier on the warm side of the insulation.)
Raise the air temperature. Unheated building areas are susceptible to moisture problems if there are moisture sources, air leaks from indoor spaces, or poor ventilation.
Improve air circulation in the problem location.
Decrease the amount of water vapour in the air.

• In dryer climates or winter, supply more outdoor ventilation air.
• In humid climates or during humid times of the year, use a dehumidifier or desiccants to dry the air.
• Increase the capacity or operating schedule of existing exhaust fans or add a local exhaust fan near the source of the water vapour.
• Note that ventilation with outdoor air can cause moisture problems in some locations.
   

Moisture prevention activities are completed.
Moisture prevention activities underway and will be completed promptly.
Need help with moisture prevention activities.

Combustion Appliances

Combustion appliances are potential sources of carbon monoxide and other combustion gases. Carbon monoxide is odourless yet toxic, so it is important that appliances are properly vented to remove combustion gases. If inadequate combustion air is available to an appliance, air may be pulled, or back drafted, down the flue, bringing combustion gases back indoors instead of exhausting them outside.

In addition to completing the checklist items, a competent individual should conduct a complete inspection of all combustion equipment and systems at least once per year.

Note odours upon entering a location containing combustion appliances

The nose quickly becomes accustomed to odours, but the initial detection of combustion gas odours or a damp, musty smell may indicate a leak or backdrafting problem.
No combustion odours noted.
Need help resolving combustion odours or problems.

Visually inspect exhaust components

Inspect flue components for leaks, disconnections, and deterioration.
Inspect flue components for corrosion, soot or staining.
Ensure that all ducts are sealed and equipment doors are properly installed. Negative pressures caused by mechanical equipment can easily backdraft chimneys and vents.
Check that combustion air intake ducts and grilles are unobstructed.
No apparent problems found.
Need help repairing exhaust components.

Check for backdrafting of combustion appliances

When the combustion appliance is operating, and the building ventilation systems are in normal operating mode, use chemical smoke to determine whether air is flowing up the flue by puffing smoke near any vent openings or joints.
No backdrafting noted.
Need help resolving backdrafting problem.

Pest Control

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods of pest control. A pest control plan should contain information on approved products, methods, and communication requirements.

Pest management plans should ensure that the building is well-sealed to prevent pest entry and that food sources are not available to attract and support pests.

Do not rely on the widespread, indiscriminate use of pesticides to control pests. Pesticides should be considered only for specific, short-term problems, when other methods cannot be effectively applied. The pesticide use should be carefully monitored and recorded.
Regularly inspect all building areas to monitor pest activity.
If you are in charge of pest control, obtain information about IPM from the IAQ coordinator.
If pesticides are used outdoors, do not apply them near outdoor air intakes for the ventilation system. However, if this is unavoidable, shut down the affected ventilation system(s) and remove school occupants until the pesticide application has been completed and ventilation has been restored. Similarly, avoid applying pesticides near doors and open windows.
Provide signs and barriers around all pesticide work areas.
No pest problems found.
Already using Integrated Pest Management methods.
Need information or assistance with IPM.

Problem Summary

All activities on this checklist have been completed and no help is required.

OR

A list of problems and/or assistance required is attached.

Comments Form

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools

We anticipate revising the Tools for Schools Action Kit in the future. To help us ensure that the Kit meets the needs of those who are using it, please send us your comments about how easy or difficult you found the Kit to use. Suggestions for how to make the Kit more useful are especially welcome. If
a reply is requested, please provide your name, address and phone number along with the completed sheet and mail it to:

• Health Canada
  Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
  Indoor Environments Division
  Room 120, Environmental Health Centre (P.L. 0801D)
  Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2

Comments or Suggestions:

Your role at the school (e.g., custodial staff, teacher, etc.):

Checklist (s) used:

Optional for correspondence purposes:

Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail: