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CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
South Miami
bO,.
A1I-AmeI1ca City
'IIII.'
2001
The Honorable Mayor, Vice Mayor and Members of the City Commission
Steven Alexander
August 26, 20 I 3 Agenda Item NO.:.J..I-
..
A Resolution relating to budget; authorizing a transfer of $10,000 from
account No. 001.1310.513.9920, City Manager General Contingency to
account No. 001.1310.513.5210, City Manager Supplies.
It is essential to provide sufficient funds for the City Manager Supplies account
as the City Manager's office location. located within the City of South Miami
City Ha". is in need of renovations in an effort to remediate certain malodorous
conditions which was validated by an independent contractor. HEI Systems. As
stated in the Summary and Conclusions Section. the sources of the malodorous
conditions present within the building should be removed. The renovations wi"
include most of the suggested causes stated in the report; replacement of the
outdated carpet. paint. table. chairs. and other minor repairs and maintenance.
Additiona"y. a new configuration is planned including a conference table and
chairs as a more private conference room is needed. Discount furniture has
been located for this purpose.
$10,000
TRANSFER FROM: Account No. 001.1310.513.9920. City Manager General Contingency.
with a current balance of $21. 100.
TRANSFER TO: Account No. 001.13 10.513.5210, City Manager Supplies. with a current
balance of -$7.79.
ATTACHMENTS: HEI Systems Report of Findings
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RESOLUTION NO. _____ _
A Resolution relating to budget; authorizing a transfer of $1 0,000
from account No. 001.1310.513.9920, City Manager General
Contingency to account No. 001.1310.513.5210, City Manager
Supplies.
WHEREAS, it is requested that the budget for City Manager Supplies be increased by
$10,000 from account No. 001.1310.513.9920; and,
WHEREAS, it is essential to provide sufficient funds for the City Manager Supplies
account as the City Manager's office location, located within the City of South Miami City Hall,
is in need of renovations in an effort to remediate a certain odor issue which was validated by
an independent contractor; and,
WHEREAS, the renovations will include the replacement of the outdated carpet,
paint, and other minor repairs and maintenance; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission desire to transfer sufficient funds from
account No. 001.1310.513.9920, City Manager General Contingency, with a current balance of
$21, 100 settlements to account No. 001.1310.513.5210, City Manager Supplies, with a current
balance of -$7.79.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT;
Section I. The Mayor and City Commission desire to transfer sufficient funds from
account No. 001.1310.513.9920, City Manager General Contingency, with a current balance of
$21,000, settlements to account No. 001.1310.513.5210, City Manager Supplies, with a current
balance of -$7.79.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption .
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _ day of ____ " 2013.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF:
CITY ATTORNEY
Page 1 of 1
APPROVED:
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Liebman:
Commissioner Newman:
Commissioner Harris:
Commissioner Welsh:
Additions shown by underlining and deletions shown by o't'erstriltiRg.
HEI Systems
1690 N.E. 191 st Street, Suite 308
North Miami Beach, Florida 33179-4191
786-512-1450 Phone • 305-945-0755 Fax
Report of Findings
Assessment for a Malodorous Condition at a City Hall Building
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, Florida 33143
File Number: 13-08-0101-M
Prepared For:
The City of South Miami
Attention:
Mr. Steven Alexander, City Manager
Richard H.
McMonagle
Digitally signed by Richard H. McMonagle
DN: cn=Richard H. McMonagle, o=HEI
Systems, OU, email=mc2@bellsouth.net.
c=US
Date: 2013.08.07 12:26:02 -04'00'
Richard H. McMonagle, Ph. D., CIE
HEI Systems
~~CG"'·I ------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I Introduction ................................................................... 2
Section II Discussion .............................................................. 3
Section III Summary and Conclusions .......................................... 12
Section IV Basis of Report ...................................................... 13
Section V Appendices ............................................................ 15
A. Photographs .......................................................... 16
B. Sample Information Log (Chain of Custody) and
Laboratory Results .................................................. .40
-1 -
Section I
Introduction
On July 18,2010, HEI Systems was retained to conduct an assessment related to a
reported malodorous condition within the South Miami City Hall building located at 6130
Sunset Drive, South Miami, Florida 33143. The stated purpose of the assessment was to
identify and determine both the presence and extent of the odor within the interior of the
building, and to identify potential sources of the odor(s) and to make corrective
recommendations for their removal.
On Thursday, August 1,2013, HEI Systems performed a walk-through inspection
for any visual or osmic evidence that would lead to any malodorous condition. Present
during the August 1, 2013 assessment was Richard H. McMonagle, Ph. D., CIE, and
Stacy B. Davids, Ph. D., from HEI Systems, along with Ms. Maria L. Garcia, Executive
Assistant to the city Manager, who granted access to the indoor spaces of the City Hall.
On Thursday, August 1, 2013, indoor environmental sampling was conducted at
the City hall. The collected samples were submitted to a fully accredited microbiology
laboratory (AEML, Inc.) for identification and quantification. Richard H. McMonagle,
Ph. D., CIE, evaluated the sampling laboratory results received from AEML, Inc.
This report is prepared for the exclusive use of the City of South Miami, and is
not intended for any other purpose. The report is prepared in accordance with recognized
procedures and appropriate scientific methods applicable and used by professionals in
this field. This report is based upon the information available to HEI Systems at this
time, as described in Section IV, Basis of Report. Should additional information
become available, HEI Systems reserves the right to determine the impact, if any, of the
new information on our opinions and conclusions, and to revise our opinions and
conclusions, if necessary, as warranted by the discovery of additional information.
-2 -
Section II
Discussion
Prior to tabulating conditions with the City Hall building that are conducive to the
creation of a malodorous condition, a brief understanding of factors relating to the
common body of knowledge regarding odors in building is presented. There are widely
differing "opinions" about odors among people, but for the purpose of this assessment,
the following definitions will apply. First, odors are gases that people notice. Odors
emanate from a source, into the air, where they are perceived. Odors are perceived when
odorous molecules contact olfactory nerve endings in the nasal cavities. These sensations
are then transmitted to the olfactory lobe. This is referred to as "real odor". The basis of
this assessment deals with real odor.
"Heightened Awareness Odor" or "Psychological Odors" are terms used to
describe odors that people "believe" they smell, based upon experiences, suggestions and
past impressions, e.g. when people believe that the odor in their surrounding area is not
"normal". This assessment does not deal with heightened awareness odor.
In order to be smelled, material must have certain properties:
1. It must be volatile, and be able to evaporate molecules into the air.
2. An odor bearing molecule must be soluble in water, even if only to an
infinitesimal degree. If it is not water soluble, it will be barred from reaching
nerve endings by the watery film that covers their surface.
3. Odor bearing substances must be soluble in lipids or fatty substances, which
enables them to penetrate the nerve endings through the lipid layer that forms part
ofthe surface membrane of every cell.
4. Finally, odor bearing molecules must be customarily absent from the nasal tissue.
The ability of a material to hold odors is related to its porosity. The more porous
a substance is, the more likely it is to adsorb odors. This process is known as preferential
adsorption. A natural wick is a highly porous substance that tends to tenaciously cling to
malodors. Some natural wicks include fabric, cellulose ceiling tiles, paper, cardboard,
carpet, and unsealed concrete. Additionally, odor is most apparent when both
temperature and relative humidity are high.
In conducting our assessment for malodorous conditions within the South Miami
City Hall building, we focused upon potential sources, confirmation through sampling
and recommendations for removal of the malodors from the building.
When recorded with a digital psychrometer, temperatures and relative humidity
were within acceptable ranges (ASHRAE Standards) throughout the building. However,
it should be noted that the relative humidity was> 10% the average in the Commission
Chambers Room and the Mail Room at the entrance to the Finance Department. A
summary of temperature and relative humidity is presented in the table below.
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Room Tempera.ture Rela.tIve H umidity
Manager's Conference 73.0 0 F 47.5%
Room
Executive Assistant's 73.4 0 F 45.7%
Office
City Manager's Office 73.4 0 F 44.8%
City Manager's Back Office 73.0 0 43.9%
Hallway 74.6 0 F 42.8%
Lobby 72.8 0 F 44.8%
Finance Office (Front) 71.2 0 F 44.8%
Finance Office (Rear) 71.0 0 F 46.4%
Finance Office Mail Room 70.5 0 F 58.2%
Mayor's Office 71.7 0 F 50.2%
City Clerk's Office 70.1 0 F 47.1%
Break Room 70.8 0 F 47.7%
Records Room (Front) 70.3 0 F 50.6%
Records Room (Rear) 69.9 0 F 49.5%
Commission Chambers 73.2 0 F 54.6%
HV AC Room -1 st Floor 75.5 0 F 40.6%
Observations:
Different odors were noted in different rooms throughout the building, emanating
from different sources. These are articulated below.
The carpeting throughout the building is old, damaged, stained, odorous, and at
the end or its normal lifespan or beyond. The carpet is replete with excessive and
undifferentiated debris, insect and lizard parts, skin cells, fiberglass, and fungal spores
that are no longer removable by normal maintenance and cleaning. The carpeting is
beyond normal cleaning and should be removed and discarded throughout the building.
The concrete slab beneath the carpeting should be abrasively cleaned and sealed, prior to
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the installation of any new floor covering. Carpeting, as a new floor covering would not
be recommended, rather, some form of hard surface floor covering. Should the carpeting
be found to be installed upon vinyl composition tile or linoleum, then the vinyl sub-
surface should be removed and discarded to the slab, and then the slab abrasively cleaned
and sealed prior to the installation of any new floor covering. Vinyl composition and
linoleum surfaces are usually the most difficult to decontaminate as they have a tendency
to adsorb and hold odors for a long period of time.
Paper and cardboard boxes stored on the floor contribute to malodorous
conditions. This condition was observed in the Manager's Conference Room, HVAC
Room, the Human Resource Department and the Records Room. Banker Boxes and
Cardboard storage should be placed upon shelving and plastic containers should be
considered.
Stained ceiling tiles should be removed and discarded as they are repositories for
fungal growth and malodorous conditions. The source of the staining should be defined
and repaired. Stained ceiling tiles were noted in the Commission Chambers Room.
The vertical carpet soundproofing at the front of the Commission Chambers
Room is malodorous, water damaged and separating at some seams. The exposed glue
on the back side of the carpet presents with suspect fungal growth. This carpeting should
be removed and discarded, and the remaining glues abrasively removed from the wall and
the wall sealed.
Intrusions of warm, humid air through the building envelop should be sealed to
prevent any further intrusion and subsequent condensation, water intrusion and damage,
corrosion, staining and fungal growth. Intrusions of warm, humid air were found in the
Commission Chambers beneath the exterior windows and the exterior metal door leading
out to the generator. The area beneath the windows is allowing moisture and insects to
enter the room. The door is corroded and daylight can be observed on both sides of the
door when the door is fully closed at the bottom. Weather stripping and sealing are
recommended for this door.
Unsealed concrete and cracking were observed in the HVAC Room in the walls
and ceiling. All of the cracks should be sealed to prevent intrusion of water and outside
air. Staining on the concrete at the wall bottoms and from the ceiling down is indicative
of a history of water intrusion into the room.
The interior component fiberglass insulation within the HV AC system air-
handlers upstream of the filters was absorbed with dirt, debris, fungal growth (diffused
into the fiberglass insulation) and allowing these particulate to be distributed throughout
the building via the supply diffusers. Evidence of these particulate is seen on the covers
and louvers of the supply diffusers throughout the building. The wall bottom of the
Commission Chambers, the wall in the Mail Room outside of the Finance Department
and the supply diffuser in the Women's Restroom adjacent to the Lobby are elevated in
settled Cladosporium spore counts. Elevated Cladosporium counts associated with this
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particular genus of fungal growth within HV AC systems are considered common. It is
recommended that "time-release" activated charcoal be placed in the return plenums of
the air-handlers to reduce odor throughout the building.
Room Odor Source and Issue
Manager's Conference Carpeting stained, worn and odorous. Storage of Paper
Room and Cardboard on Floor.
Executive Assistant's Carpeting stained, worn and odorous.
Office
City Manager's Office Carpeting stained, worn and odorous.
City Manager's Back Office Carpeting stained, worn and odorous. Storage of Paper
and Cardboard on Floor.
Hallway
Lobby
Finance Office (Front) Carpeting stained, worn and odorous. Fungal growth on
supply diffusers.
Finance Office (Rear) Carpeting stained, worn and odorous. Fungal growth on
supply diffusers.
Finance Office Mail Room Fungal growth on wall.
Mayor's Office Carpeting stained, worn and odorous.
City Clerk's Office Carpeting stained, worn and odorous.
Break Room
Records Room (Front) Carpeting stained, worn and odorous.
Records Room (Rear) Carpeting stained, worn and odorous.
Commission Chambers Carpeting stained, worn and odorous. Intrusion of warm
humid air from outside beneath windows and exterior
metal door. Odorous vinyl seat cushions. Odorous
soundproofing carpet on wall and glue.
HV AC Room -1 st Floor Unsealed concrete walls, ceiling and floors. Cracks that
need to be sealed. Interior air-handler insulation impacted
and absorbed with dirt, debris and fungal growth. Storage
of Paper and Cardboard on Floor.
2nd Floor Human Resources Carpeting stained, worn and odorous. Scented candles and
Department electric plug-in deodorizers off-gas VOC's. Storage of
Paper and Cardboard on Floor.
Women's Restroom Fungal growth on supply diffuser.
adjacent to Lobby
-6-
Hypotheses:
HI: The 5 Liter aerosol sample collected from the City Manager's Carpet surface
will substantially exceed the debris and particulate levels necessary for particulate
analysis and the sample will therefore be considered to be elevated.
HOI: The 5 Liter aerosol sample collected from the City Manager's Carpet surface
will not substantially exceed the debris and particulate levels necessary for particulate
analysis and the sample will therefore be considered to be not elevated.
H2: The 5 Liter aerosol sample collected from the Commission Chamber's Carpet
surface will substantially exceed the debris and particulate levels necessary for particulate
analysis and the sample will therefore be considered to be elevated.
H02: The 5 Liter aerosol sample collected from the Commission Chamber's
Carpet surface will not substantially exceed the debris and particulate levels necessary for
particulate analysis and the sample will therefore be considered to be not elevated.
H3: The wall bottom beneath the windows in the Commission Chamber's will
exceed a fungal load of 1,000 aggregate fungal spores per cm2, in the direct sterile swab
sample collected, and is therefore considered to be in a state of elevated fungal ecology.
H03: The wall bottom beneath the windows in the Commission Chamber's will
not exceed a fungal load of 1,000 aggregate fungal spores per cm2, in the direct sterile
swab sample collected, and is therefore considered to be in a state of normal fungal
ecology.
H4: The window frame in the Commission Chamber's will exceed a fungal load
of 1,000 aggregate fungal spores per cm2, in the direct sterile swab sample collected, and
is therefore considered to be in a state of elevated fungal ecology.
H04 : The window frame in the Commission Chamber's will not exceed a fungal
load of 1,000 aggregate fungal spores per cm2, in the direct sterile swab sample collected,
and is therefore considered to be in a state of normal fungal ecology.
Hs: The Finance Office Mail Room wall will exceed a fungal load of 1,000
aggregate fungal spores per cm 2, in the direct sterile swab sample collected, and is
therefore considered to be in a state of elevated fungal ecology.
Hos: The Finance Office Mail Room wall will not exceed a fungal load of 1,000
aggregate fungal spores per cm2
, in the direct sterile swab sample collected, and is
therefore considered to be in a state of normal fungal ecology.
-7 -
H6: The Lobby Women's Rest Room supply diffuser wall will exceed a fungal
load of 1,000 aggregate fungal spores per cm2
, in the direct sterile swab sample collected,
and is therefore considered to be in a state of elevated fungal ecology.
H06: The Lobby Women's Rest Room supply diffuser will not exceed a fungal
load of 1,000 aggregate fungal spores per cm 2 , in the direct sterile swab sample collected,
and is therefore considered to be in a state of normal fungal ecology.
Sampling:
A five liter aerosol samples was collected from the carpet in the City Manager's
Office to ascertain the debris and particulate load in this carpet.
Total enumeration was not possible due to the excessive load of debris present
within the carpet. Observed in the sample were Basidiospores, Undifferentiated Pollen
spores, Fiberglass fibers, Cellulose Fibers, Insect parts and Skin Cells.
Basidiospores are the sexual spores produced by Basidiomycetes.
Basidiomycetes are a class of fungi characterized by spores formed on basidia. They
include mushrooms, toadstools, boletes, wood bracket fungi, and puffballs. Some species
are edible, such as Agaricus bisporus, the commercially cultivated mushroom. A few
species cause wood brown rot, white rot, and dry rot in buildings.
A five liter aerosol sample was collected from the carpet in the Commission
Chamber's to ascertain the debris and particulate load in these carpets.
Total enumeration was not possible due to the excessive load of debris present
within the carpet. Observed in the sample were AspergilluslPenicillium-like spores,
Cladosporium spores, Epicoccum spores, Smut/Myxomyces/Periconia spores, Hyphal
Fragments, Undifferentiated Pollen spores, Cellulose Fibers, Insect parts and Skin Cells.
Aspergillus and Penicillium spores are often difficult to distinguish
microscopically, and are commonly T~rouped together in the analysis of total count
samples. All spore-trap (Allergenco-D ) samples are total count samples.
Aspergillus is found in soil, compost piles, decaying vegetation, stored grain, and
other kinds of organic matter. Aspergillus can also be found indoors in water-damaged
buildings. Some species are able to produce mycotoxins, depending upon the species,
substrate, and/or food source.
Penicillium consists of many species that are common contaminants on a variety
of substrates. Penicillium may be found indoors in air samples, carpet dust, or on
wallpaper. Some species are able to produce mycotoxins depending upon the species,
substrate, and/or food source.
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Cladosporium are widely distributed as plant pathogens and saprobes.
Cladosporium is the most frequently found fungus in outdoor air. Indoors, Cladosporium
usually occurs at low concentrations in damp or humid areas, but may be found in high
concentrations in water-damaged building materials. Its ability to sporulate heavily and
to get airborne makes it an important fungal allergen. Cladosporium is only occasionally
associated with disease in humans. The most common species include Cladosporium
eiatum, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and Cladosporium
cladosporioides. Some Cladosporium spp. are causative agents of skin lesions, keratitis,
onychomycosis, sinusitis and pulmonary infections.
Species of Cladosporium are not human pathogens except in some cases of
immuno-compromised patients. However, Cladosporium species have the ability to
trigger allergic reactions to sensitive individuals. Prolonged exposure to elevated spore
concentrations can elicit chronic allergy and asthma. Concentrations of 3000
Cladosporium spores per cubic meter of air are generally taken as the threshold
concentrations for clinical significance. However, individuals may react at lower
concentrations depending on their sensitivity. Spores of Cladosporium are formed in
simple or branched loose chains. They vary greatly in size (5-40 x 3-13 ~m) and shape
(ovoid, lemon-shaped, oblong, spherical). They are easily detected in spore traps,
although small single celled spores may be easily mistaken for spores of other molds.
Only the small sized spores (about 0.6% of total airborne spores of Cladosporium) can
penetrate into the terminal bronchi and alveoli in humans.
Epicoccum fungi are commonly found in plant debris and soil. Indoors,
Epicoccum are found in paper and textiles. They are disseminated by wind and have a
Type I allergenic potential.
Hyphal Fragments are portions of the fungal mycelium that do not have any
spores or other diagnostic fungal structures, and therefore could not be identified.
Myxomycetes are popularly called slime molds. They are not true fungi,
taxonomically. Some species are found in the soil, in decaying wood, or other organic
matter, where they produce structures full of powdery resting spores.
Periconia is found outdoors in grasses, dead herbaceous plant material, rushes
and soils. It is primarily disseminated by the wind and is known to produce Periconia
circinata that subsequently produces Periconin A and Periconin B; both of which are
biologically inactive.
Smuts are pathogens of cereals crops, com, grasses, onion, and sorghum. Smut
fungi require a living plant host for growth. They are disseminated throughout the
environment by wind, rain, shoes and lawnmowers. Smut fungi belong to the order
Ustilaginales and there are about 4000 known species. Smuts are associated with Type I
allergens (Hay Fever and Asthma).
-9-
A direct sample was collected by sterile swab from the Commission Chambers
wall bottom beneath the exterior windows, as a response to the moisture intrusion, and
suspect fungal growth on the surface. This sample was approximately 1 cm2 in
dime n io n . Th e results o f thi s sampl e an a lys is by AEML, Inc. revealed the presence of
7,12 0 A perg iliu s/Peni c illiulll-lik.e s po res/cm 2 10,800 Cladosporium spores/cm2 and 880
Hy pha ] Frag me nts/cm2 in t he s ampl e co ll ected.
A direct sample was collected by sterile swab from the Commission Chambers
window frame, as a response to the moisture intrusion, and suspect fungal growth on the
surface. This sample was approximately 1 cm2 in dimension. The results of this sample
analysis by AEML, Inc. revealed the presence of 80 Cladosporium spores/cm2 and 80
Curvularia spores/cm2 in the sample collected.
Curvularia is a common saprobe found in soil, plants, cereals, and cellulose
materials such as paper and archives. Some species are plant pathogens, but can also
occur indoors. Curvularia is allergenic and may cause infections in immunocompromised
people.
A direct sample was collected by sterile swab from the Finance Department Mail
Room wall, as a response to the suspect fungal growth on the wall surface. This sample
was approximately 1 cm2 in dimension. The results of this sample analysis by AEML,
Inc. revealed the presence of 942,000 Cladosporium spores/cm2 and 43,800 Hyphal
Fragments/cm2 in the sample collected. It should be noted that when a large number of
hyphal fragments is associated with the spores collected in a sample, it is typically
indicative ofthe viability of the spores in the sample.
A direct sample was collected by sterile swab from the Lobby Women's Room
supply diffuser, as a response to the suspect fun gaJ g rowth on the surfa ce. This sample
was approximately 1 cm2 in dimension. The r es ults o f t hi s sam p le anal y sis by AEML,
Inc. revealed the presence of 89,000 Cla dos po rium s pores/c m2 ; 480 Ganoderma
spores/cm2 and 3,280 Hyphal Fragments/cm2 in th e sampl e coll e cte d.
Ganoderma are large, very hard, woody bracket fungi that grow on living and
dead trees.
Interpretation of Laboratory Analysis:
An interpretation of the laboratory analysis of the 5 liter aerosol sample' collected
from the City Manager's carpet results in the rejection of the null hypothesis, and a
finding that this carpet substrate may be considered to be in a state of elevated fiber,
fungi and particulate.
An interpretation of the laboratory analysis of the 5 liter aerosol sample collected
from the Commission Chamber's carpet results in the rejection of the null hypothesis, and
a finding that this carpet substrate may be considered to be in a state of elevated fiber,
fungi and particulate.
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• • •
An interpretation of the laboratory analysis of the direct sample by sterile swab
collected from the Commission Chamber's wall bottom results in the rejection of the null
hypothesis, and a finding that this area substrate may be considered to be in a state of
elevated fungal ecology.
An interpretation of the laboratory analysis of the direct sample by sterile swab
collected from the Commission Chamber's window frame results in the acceptance of the
null hypothesis, and a finding that this area substrate may be considered to be in a state of
normal fungal ecology.
An interpretation of the laboratory analysis of the direct sample by sterile swab
collected from the Finance Department's Mail Room wall results in the rejection of the
null hypothesis, and a finding that this area substrate may be considered to be in a state of
elevated fungal ecology.
An interpretation of the laboratory analysis of the direct sample by sterile swab
collected from the Lobby Women's Rest Room supply diffuser results in the rejection of
the null hypothesis, and a finding that this area substrate may be considered to be in a
state of elevated fungal ecology.
Photographs:
Photographs of odor sources are presented in Appendix A, Photographs.
Locations where indoor environmental samples were collected may be depicted.
Environmental Sample Results:
HEI Systems personnel collected indoor environmental samples.
1. Laboratory results and the sample information logs are contained in Appendix B,
Sample Chain of Custody and Laboratory Results.
2. Conclusions derived from the sample results are stated in Section III, Summary
and Conclusions.
-11 -
•
• .. ..
Section III
Summary and Conclusions
..
The condition of this City Hall building can be said to be a state of differential
malodorous ecology. Those specific areas and/or rooms where malodorous conditions
exist are identified and relate to cellulose ceiling tiles, paper, cardboard, carpet, and
unsealed concrete.
The sources of the malodorous conditions present within this building should be
removed by licensed professionals trained in odor restoration.
-12-
Section IV
Basis of Report
1. Richard H. McMonagle, Ph. D., CIE, and Stacy B. Davids conducted the walk-
through visual inspection; collected environmental samples from the building, and
evaluated the sampling laboratory results received from AEML, Inc. (Appendix B,
Sample Information Log [Chain of Custody] and Laboratory Results).
2. The following reference materials were incorporated within the development of
this report:
ASHRAE (2004). ANSIIASHRAE Standard 62.I-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable
Indoor Air Quality. Atlanta, Georgia.
Bailey, H. S. (2005). Fungal Contamination: A Manual for Investigation, Remediation
and Control. Jupiter, Florida, BECi.
Committee (2000). Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures. Washington,
D.C., Institute of Medicine.
Committee (2004). Damp Indoor Spaces and Health. Washington, D. C., Institute of
Medicine of the National Academies.
DiNardi, S. R., Ed. (2003). The Occupational Environment: Its Evaluation, Control, and
Management. Fairfax, Virginia, American Industrial Hygiene Association.
Emanuel, P., Jason W. Roos, Kakoli Niyogi, Ed. (2008). Sampling for Biological Agents
in the Environment. Washington, D.C., ASM Press.
Gunderson, E. C., Ed. (2006). The IAQ Investigator's Guide. Fairfax, Virginia, American
Industrial Hygiene Association.
Harwood, C., Merry Buckley (2008). The Uncharted Microbial World: Microbes and
Their Activities in the Environment. Washington, D.C., American Academy of
Microbiology.
Hess-Kosa, K. (2002). Indoor Air Quality: Sampling Methodologies. Boca Raton,
Florida, Lewis Publishers.
Hung, L.-L., Miller, J. David, Killon, H. Kenneth, Ed. (2005). Field Guide for the
Determination of Biological Contaminants in Environmental Samples. Fairfax, Virginia,
AIHA Press.
Lomax, J. D., Eckardt Johanning (2001). Occupational Medicine. Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, Lippencott Williams & Wilkins.
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Macher, J., Ed. (1999). Bioaerosols Assessment and Control. Cincinnati, Ohio, American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygientists.
NADCA (2005). Introduction to HV AC System Cleaning Services: A Guideline for
Commercial Consumers. Washington, D.C.
NADCA (2006). ARC 2006: Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration of HVAC Systems.
J. Schulte. Washington, D.C., NADCA National Air Duct Cleaners Association.
Pope, A., M., Roy Patterson, Harriet Burge, Ed. (1993). Indoor Allergens: Assessing and
Controlling Adverse Health Effects. Washington, D.C., National Academies Press.
Prezant, B., Weekes, Donald M., Miller, J. David, Ed. (2008). Recognition, Evaluation,
and Control oflndoor Mold. Fairfax, Virginia, American Industrial Hygiene Association.
Singh, J. (1994). Building Mycology. London, UK, Chapman & Hall.
Smith, E. G. (2000). Sampling and Identifying Allergenic Pollens and Molds: An
Illustrated Identification Manual for Air Samples. San Antonio, Texas, Blewstone Press.
Spengler, J. D., Jonathan M. Samet, John F. McCarthy, Ed. (2001). Indoor Air Quality
Handbook. New York, New York, McGraw-Hill.
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A. Photographs
Section V
Appendices
B. Sample Chain of Custody and Laboratory Results
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Section V
Appendix A
Photographs
Photographs taken during this inspection that are not included in this report are
retained in our files and are available to you upon request.
Location Description Photo #
City Hall Front of City Hall on the day of the assessment.
1
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.. .. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
HVAC Prior water intrusion. Storage of paper and cardboard on
Room floor. 2
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.. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
HVAC Prior water intrusion. Cracks in ceiling and walls should be
Room sealed. 3
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.. .. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
HVAC Cracks in ceiling at seam should be sealed to prevent 4
Room moisture intrusion.
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.. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
HVAC Concrete cracking in ceiling and walls . 5
Room
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.. .. •
Location Description Photo #
HVAC Air-Handler interior fiberglass lining impacted with fungal 6
Room growth and undifferentiated debris. The fiberglass
insulation should be replaced.
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• •
Location Description Photo #
HVAC Air-Handler interior fiberglass lining impacted with fungal 7
Room growth and undifferentiated debris. Insulation is torn and split
open reducing its capacity to insulate. The fiberglass
insulation should be replaced .
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.. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
Finance Air conditioning supply diffusers impacted with debris 8
Dept. and fungal growth and should be cleaned.
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• • • •
Location Description Photo #
Women's Fungal growth and undifferentiated debris on supply 9
Room by diffuser. Diffuser should be cleaned.
Lobby
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• • •
Location Description Photo #
Human Employee blocking the designed air-flow likely affects the 10
Resource proper balance of the HVAC system resulting in thermal
Office comfort issues.
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• •
Location Description Photo #
Commission Water staining and fungal growth in ceiling tiles. Tiles 11
Chambers should be replaced and in-line tracks should be cleaned.
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• •
Location Description Photo #
Commission Water staining and fungal growth in ceiling tiles. Tiles 12
Chambers should be re placed and in-line tracks should be cleaned .
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.. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
Commission Water staining from intrusion on ceiling tile and behind 13
Chambers carpeting used for soundproofing. Carpeting is splitting
and malodorous.
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.. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
Commission Water staining from intrusion on ceiling tile and behind 14
Chambers carpeting used for soundproofing. Carpeting is splitting
and malodorous. Fungal growth on back side of
carpeting. Glue is source of nutrition for fungal growth.
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.. .. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
Commission Intrusion of moisture, and warm humid air from exterior 15
Chambers beneath windows in Chambers . Pathway for insects and
reptiles tracking water from outside.
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• • • •
Location Description Photo #
Commission Intrusion of moisture, and warm humid air from exterior 16
Chambers beneath windows in Chambers. Pathway for insects and
reptiles tracking water from outside. Prior water damage.
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.. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
Commission Worn, stained, splitting and malodorous carpeting 17
Chambers throughout the Chambers should be removed and concrete
slab sealed prior to installation of any new floor covering.
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• • • •
Location Description Photo #
Executive Worn, stained and malodorous carpeting throughout all of 19
Assistant the 1 sl Floor Offices should be removed and concrete slab
Office sealed prior to installation of any new floor covering.
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• • • •
Location Description Photo #
Human Worn , stained and malodorous carpeting throughout all of 20
Resources the 2nd Floor Offices should be removed and concrete slab
Office sealed prior to installation of any new floor covering.
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.. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
Human Worn, stained and malodorous carpeting and storage of 21
Resource cardboard and paper on floor .
Office
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.. .. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
Human Use of fragrance candles and plug-in deodorizers to mask 22
Resource odors in office space should be discouraged. Placement
Office of time-release activated charcoal in return plenums of
air-handlers should help reduce odors.
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.. .. .. •
Location Description Photo #
Commission Corrosion and opening to outside allows warm humid air 23
Chambers into Chambers from exterior door leading to generator.
Weather stripping on door bottom and sealing holes
recommended.
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.. .. .. ..
Location Description Photo #
Commission Corrosion and opening to outside allows warm humid air 24
Chambers into Chambers from exterior door leading to generator.
Weather stripping on door bottom and sealing holes
recommended .
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• • • •
Location Description Photo #
Commission Intrusion above ceiling tiles running down wall on column 25
Chambers and beneath carpet soundproofing.
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