Pro Course 3 of 5 · Core · 17 minutes
Mold Containment Basics
Size the job, build limited or full containment the way EPA describes it, protect the crew and clean up so nothing spreads.
What You Will Be Able to Do
- Size a mold job by area and pick the containment EPA describes for it
- Build limited containment with the right sheeting, entry and pressure
- Know what full containment adds
- Wear the minimum protection and handle moldy material so it does not spread
Lesson 1
Fix the Water First
Mold grows where water stays. Cleaning without fixing the leak or the humidity means the mold comes back. EPA says to fix the water problem, then clean and dry. It also says not to paint or caulk over moldy surfaces.
When a water job turns up mold, the S500 points you to the current S520 standard for professional mold remediation. Treat it as a separate scope with its own controls.
Key Points
- Stop the moisture source before cleanup
- Never paint or caulk over mold
- Mold found on a water job becomes its own scope
Lesson 2
Size the Job
EPA’s remediation guide for schools and commercial buildings scales the work to the area of mold. For small areas, under about 10 square feet, EPA’s home guide says a homeowner can usually handle the cleanup. Between 10 and 100 square feet, EPA generally recommends limited containment. Over 100 square feet, it recommends full containment.
Measure the visible growth and look for more behind it. Mold on the face of drywall often means more on the back. Size the job on what you expect to find once materials come off, and write down why.
Key Points
- Under about 10 square feet is a small job
- 10 to 100 square feet calls for limited containment
- Over 100 square feet calls for full containment
Lesson 3
Limited and Full Containment
EPA describes limited containment as a single layer of 6 mil fire retardant polyethylene sheeting around the moldy area, with a slit entry and a covering flap on the outside. The area is kept under negative pressure compared with the rest of the building, which a HEPA filtered fan unit exhausted outside can do.
Full containment uses double layers of polyethylene between the moldy area and the rest of the building, and adds a decontamination chamber or airlock for going in and out. Seal off vents and openings in the work area so the air handler does not carry spores through the building.
Key Points
- Limited means one layer of 6 mil fire retardant poly, slit entry, flap outside
- Keep the work area under negative pressure
- Full containment adds double poly and an airlock
Lesson 4
Protect the Crew and Clean Up Right
EPA gives the minimum protection for mold cleanup as an N95 respirator, gloves and eye protection. Larger jobs call for more, so match protection to the size and the conditions.
Porous materials that got wet and grew mold may have to be thrown out. EPA says moldy material that cannot be saved should be double bagged in 6 mil polyethylene. Scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry them completely. Once materials are dry and removed, HEPA vacuuming is EPA’s recommended final cleanup of the work area.
Key Points
- Minimum is an N95, gloves and eye protection
- Double bag moldy waste in 6 mil poly
- HEPA vacuum as the final cleanup
Ready for the Exam
10 questions, 8 right to pass. Retake it as often as you like.
Sources
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