Mold Management

Process Flow

The health and safety of our students and employees is our top priority. We ask that all students help us in stewarding campus by keeping their living spaces clean. If a student suspects mold, they should notify the residence life staff (their RD or RA) immediately.

1. Alleged mold is reported immediately by phone (TKC Maintenance/Housekeeping on-call 828.357.4222) or submitted online and is documented through the maintenance request system so that Facilities staff can respond swiftly.
2. The Facilities Director or designee will respond within 24 hours of alleged mold issues for initial observation and determine the level of moisture problem (using classification system of Level 1, 2, 3, or 4)
   • If an issue is classified as Level 1: Small Isolated Area (10 sq. ft. or less contiguous involving ceiling tiles, small areas on walls), then appropriate Maintenance and/or Housekeeping will respond using appropriate cleanup methods and personal protection.
   • If an issue is classified as Level 2: Mid-Sized Isolated Areas (11-32 sq. ft. contiguous; individual wallboard panels), then remediation shall be conducted by regular Maintenance staff (Housekeeping staff is not engaged in any removal of contaminated materials and shall not clean mold from a porous surface).
   • If an issue is classified as Level 3: Large Isolated Areas (33 –100 sq.ft. contiguous; – e.g., several wallboard panels), then our Facilities Director contacts our Director of Community Life and/or VPSS with recommendation to either test through a professional testing service or proceed directly to a restoration/remediation firm. Industrial hygienist or other environmental health and safety professionals with experience performing microbial investigations and/or mold remediation will be consulted prior to remediation activities to provide oversight for the project (Note: The Keith Group [TKC] employees and subsidiaries should not engage in Level III work).
   • If an issue is classified as Level 4: Extensive Contamination (greater than 100 contiguous sq. ft. in an area), then industrial hygienists or other environmental health and safety professionals with experience performing microbial investigations and/or mold remediation should be consulted prior to remediation activities to provide oversight for the project. (Note: TKC employees should not engage in Level IV work).
3. Based on testing results, observations, and any other additional room condition considerations the following steps will be taken.
   • If the test returns positively, a joint decision is made by the Director of Facilities and CFO/VPSS (or designee) to move forward with 3rd party room restoration/remediation.
     • During restoration/remediation, a temporary room relocation plan is established and communicated by the RD and Director of Community Life (i.e. student will need to bag all clothing, do laundry on campus or in a designated location in conferral with Residence Life). In relocation scenarios, the college will seek to utilize available on-campus rooms followed by local rooms available (i.e. Assembly Inn, Ridgecrest Conference Center, etc.) and the college will cover the housing expense for 1-2 nights (if necessary). Laundry can be completed on campus for free in college laundry facilities.
   • If the test results return negative, a decision is made to not move forward with restoration/remediation.
     • This decision is communicated to student(s) by the RD and Director of Community Life.

Tools and Classifications for Mold Management

Level I: Small Isolated Areas (10 sq. ft. or less contiguous) – e.g., ceiling tiles, small areas on walls.

• Maintenance staff may engage in any removal of contaminated building materials and clean mold from a porous surface.
• Remediation can be conducted by the regular building maintenance staff as long as they are trained on proper clean-up methods, personal protection, and potential health hazards. This training can be performed as part of a program to comply with the requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
• Respiratory protection (e.g., N-95 disposable respirator) is recommended. Respirators must be used in accordance with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Gloves and eye protection should be worn.
• The work area should be unoccupied for the duration of the remediation process until Facilities staff deem room safe to live in. Removing people from spaces adjacent to the work area is not necessary, but is recommended for infants (less than 12 months old), persons recovering from recent surgery, immune-suppressed people, or people with chronic inflammatory lung diseases (e.g., asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and severe allergies).
• Containment of the work area is not necessary. Dust suppression methods, such as misting (not soaking) surfaces prior to remediation, are recommended.
• Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in a sealed impermeable plastic bag. These materials may be disposed of as ordinary waste.
• The work area and areas used by remediation workers for egress should be cleaned with a damp cloth or mop and a detergent solution.
• All areas should be left dry and visibly free from contamination and debris.
• Observe area for one week following remediation to confirm no new mold growth.

Level II: Mid-Sized Isolated Areas (11-32 sq. ft. contiguous) – e.g., individual wallboard panels.

• Housekeeping staff shall not engage in any removal of contaminated building materials and shall not clean mold from a porous surface.
• Remediation can be conducted by the regular building maintenance staff. Such persons should receive training on proper clean-up methods, personal protection, and potential health hazards. This training can be performed as part of a program to comply with the requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
• Respiratory protection (e.g., N-95 disposable respirator) must be used. Respirators must be used in accordance with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Gloves and eye protection should be worn.
• The work area should be unoccupied. Removing people from spaces adjacent to the work area is not necessary, but is recommended for infants (less than 12 months old), persons recovering from recent surgery, immune-suppressed people, or people with chronic inflammatory lung diseases (e.g., asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and severe allergies).
• Surfaces in the work area that could become contaminated should be covered with a secured plastic sheet(s) before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination.
• The HVAC system should be shut off in the affected area and all vents sealed with plastic and tape.
• Dust suppression methods, such as misting (not soaking) surfaces prior to remediation, are recommended.
• Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in a sealed impermeable plastic bag. These materials may be disposed of as ordinary waste.
• The work area and areas used by remediation workers for egress should be HEPA vacuumed and cleaned with a damp cloth or mop and a detergent solution.
• All areas should be left dry and visibly free from contamination and debris.
• Observe area for one week following remediation to confirm no new growth.

Level III: Large Isolated Areas (33 –100 sq.ft. contiguous) – e.g., several wallboard panels.

Industrial hygienists or other environmental health and safety professionals with experience performing microbial investigations and/or mold remediation should be consulted prior to remediation activities to provide oversight for the project. TKC and partner employees should not engage in Level III work.

The following procedures should be implemented depending upon the severity of the contamination:

• Personnel trained in the handling of hazardous materials and equipped with:
  • N-95 disposable respirator;
  • Gloves and eye protection should be worn.
• Containment of the affected area:
  • Surfaces in the work area and areas directly adjacent that could become decontaminated should be covered with a secured plastic sheet(s) before remediation to contain dust/ debris and prevent further contamination.
  • Partial or mini-enclosures are recommended to contain the dust and mold spores.

Note: If abatement procedures are expected to generate a lot of dust (e.g., abrasive cleaning of contaminated surfaces, demolition of plaster walls) or the visible concentration of the mold is heavy (blanket coverage as opposed to patchy), it is recommended that the remediation procedures for Level IV be followed.

Level IV: Extensive Contamination (greater than 100 contiguous sq. ft. in an area).

Industrial hygienists or other environmental health and safety professionals with experience performing microbial investigations and/or mold remediation should be consulted prior to remediation activities to provide oversight for the project. TKC and partner employees should not engage in Level IV work.

The following procedures should be implemented depending upon the severity of the contamination:

• Employ personnel trained in the handling of hazardous materials and equipped with:
  • Full face piece respirators with HEPA cartridges
  • Disposable protective clothing covering entire body including both head and shoes and gloves
• Containment of the affected area:
  • Complete isolation of work area from occupied spaces using plastic sheeting sealed with duct tape (including ventilation ducts/grills, fixtures, and other openings)
  • The use of an exhaust fan with a HEPA filter to generate negative pressurization
  • Airlocks and decontamination room