When our Indoor Environmental Professionals are hired to mold test a project, here is what a client can expect:
Initial Site Visit
The consultant will need to physically visit the site, preferable with the client or building staff that can express the concerns and answer questions about the building. That site visit normally consists of a visual inspection, a thermal imaging scan and the collection of environmental samples. The consultant will recommend a sampling plan to gather the best data. Once the client has decided on a sampling plan, the samples will be collected. Normally this initial visit takes a couple hours, depending on the size of the building and the complexity of the project. Please keep in mind, this is not a home inspection. Our consultants are not trained in electrical, plumbing, HVAC or overall building trades, our expertise is in mold and environmental air quality.
Laboratory Testing
The samples are sent Overnight by FedEx to EMSL Laboratories. Their credentials are available here https://www.emsl.com/Qualifications.aspx. The laboratory will analyze these non-viable samples and generate an Expanded Fungal Report within 24 hours of receiving the samples. Some viable mold tests that involve culturing may require a week or more.
Analysis Letter and Remediation Scope
Once the laboratory report is received, our Senior Consultant will interpret the laboratory data and write up an analysis which will explain the relevance of the data in relation to the observations from the site visit. In addition to the analysis, if it is determined that remediation is recommended, a remediation scope will be written. This remediation scope will identify each of the steps that is necessary for the remediation contractor to complete to ensure the highest likelihood of returning the building to Normal Fungal Ecology (NFE). A certified remediation contractor should be able to generate an estimate for their work using the remediation scope and a site visit of their own. That remediation contractor should be able to provide an estimate to complete the remediation scope as outlined.
Post Remediation Verification (PRV) Testing
Once the work outlined in the remediation scope has been completed, we are normally asked to return and conduct another site visit. This visit is intended to confirm that the recommendations were followed and to collect PRV samples. These samples will be sent to EMSL laboratories also. The laboratory analysis of those samples is expected to result in a determination of return to Normal Fungal Ecology (NFE). If NFE is not achieved, a supplementary scope will be written for additional work. When NFE is confirmed, our consultant will draft a letter stating that the issue was properly remediated and that the building was returned to a state of Normal Fungal Ecology. That document should be kept with the important papers for the home for use during a future sale.
