Download Evaluation Tools - Minnesota Department of Health

I. Construction and Renovation (building additions, replacing flooring, applying paints and finishes, applying panels, erecting walls,
installing insulation, new roofs, installing large new furnishing, restoring smooth floors and the like)
I.1
Schedule all construction and remodeling
The best way to prevent exposure during
When are construction or
projects outside child care center hours (e.g.,
construction and renovation is for occupants to
renovation projects performed,
weekend and vacations) and complete projects
be away from the work site, preferably out of the
including stripping and waxing
during unoccupied times
building when feasible. Putting up plastic sheets
floors?
and using other containment and engineering
Schedule extra time to ensure delays don’t cause methods may not be sufficient to prevent dust
the projects to continue during occupied times.
and odors from spreading throughout the
building.
Air out the building before re-occupancy.
I.2
Are air vents and work areas
sealed off with plastic and tape
during renovations and
remodeling?
I.3
Do you increase housekeeping
during and after projects to
clean dust that may have settled
in adjacent areas?
I.4
Are outdoor air intakes closed
off near or downwind during
roofing work?
I.5
Is the building flushed out with
fresh air for at least 3 days after
construction or renovation
projects are completed?
OK
See Notes
During renovations, isolate work areas using
engineering controls. This could include
installing temporary barriers (polyethylene
sheeting), covering vents and fire alarms, and
providing local exhaust (for example, window
fans pointing outward from the area).
OK
See Notes
Perform careful cleaning in nearby rooms and
areas served by the same ventilation system,
including damp wiping of all horizontal
surfaces, mopping floors, and vacuuming
carpets and fleecy materials.
OK
See Notes
Shut outdoor air intakes and windows near or
downwind from roof work (approximately 100
feet or less).
OK
See Notes
Allow three days of outdoor ventilation to air
out the building before it is occupied again.
Where feasible, air out the building by opening
windows, running fans, and running the
ventilation system at maximum outdoor air (if
this can be done without creating moisture or
temperature problems).
OK
I.6
Are durable and low chemical
emitting materials used in
renovation and construction
projects? Materials of interest
include flooring, paints,
adhesives, panels, insulation,
and furniture.
See Notes
Talk to your vendor about environmentally
preferable products, such as:
 Green Label (carpet)
 Green Guard (furniture, building
materials)
 Green Seal (paints, coatings)
 ANSI A208 (pressed wood and particle
board)
OK
See Notes
Dust and chemical fumes can be irritating to the
airways. Even if the building is unoccupied
during renovation, the dust and chemicals will
spread through the building, settling in ducts and
other building surfaces. These contaminants can
be released into the air at a later time.
A large amount of dust may settle in adjacent
areas. These should be cleaned so the dust
doesn’t become resuspended in air.
The gas and particles released from roofing
work can enter buildings through openings such
as outdoor air intakes and open windows. This
may irritate the air ways of some individuals.
Many building materials and coatings contain
chemicals, which off-gas into air after
application. Typically, levels are acceptable for
most people after the area has been aired out for
72 hours. However, particle board furniture and
some building materials, tend to off-gas more
slowly and it may be necessary to air out the
building for several months (as weather
permits). Care should be taken when increasing
your mechanical ventilation because moisture
problems may occur during very warm or cold
days.
Many building materials, furnishings, and
coatings emit significant levels of volatile
organic chemicals. Selecting products that have
low emissions is an effective way to prevent
exposure to chemicals that may irritate the
airways of some individuals. The products
should balance low volatile organic chemical
emissions, quick curing time, durability, ease of
cleaning, and ease of application.
I.7
Check the building exterior and
interior for renovation needed
in walls, floors, windows,
ceiling.
 cracks, tears, or
openings
 stained areas, water
damage, peeling paint
 weeps missing/ weeps
touching soil
 vegetation touching
building
 wetted by sprinklers
Replace worn and torn carpeting and smooth
flooring. Repair walls and windows. Seal cracks
and openings.
Worn flooring collects more dust and is more
difficult to clean compared to flooring in good
condition.
Correct moisture problems and staining. Paint
walls and correct any moisture causing peeling.
Gaps and cracks in the walls and windows can
allow cold air in and create condensation that
may lead to mold or bacteria growth. In
addition, these openings may allow pests to
enter the building.
Install weeps or other feature to drain water.
Move weeps off the ground or snow.
Trim back plants and shrubs
Direct sprinklers away from the building.
OK
See Notes
Staining may indicate a water problem, such as
gutter, faucet, downspout, and flashing
problems. Moisture problems should addressed
following MDH or EPA best practices (see
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/mold/i
ndex.html)
Weeps are ropes that stick out of brick walls,
and should be present to move water out of the
wall cavity.
Plants and shrubs should not touch the building
exterior. This can contribute to dampness in the
building wall and provide harborage and cover
for pests that can enter the building.
Sprinklers directed against buildings for
prolonged periods may cause moisture problems
in walls.
I.8
Check the building roof top, if
accessible, for:
 standing water
 roof doesn't slope to
drain or gutter
 apparent water
infiltration, roof
disrepair
 ice dams
 plumbing exhaust
blocked
Change the grading of the roof to ensure water
drains off the roof.
Check the roof drainage every three months to
see if water drains away properly.
Minnesota rules require that areas used by
children must be free from debris, loose flaking,
peeling, or chipped paint, loose wallpaper, or
crumbling plaster, litter, and holes in the walls,
floors, and ceilings.
Water infiltration through the roof is one of the
most common causes of mold in buildings. It
can be caused by poor drainage, damage from
ice dams, and disrepair. Plumbing exhausts
need to be unobstructed, to allow for sewer
gases to leave the plumbing system.
Repair roof, patch or replace roof.
Improve roof insulation to prevent ice dams.
Where possible, make repairs or modification to
ensure ventilation and exhaust stacks/pipes don’t
get obstructed with debris, leaves, snow, and the
like. Remove snow and debris as needed.
OK
See Notes
Rev 8/07
2