Disclaimers:

The IICRC S520 Standard is a procedural standard for the remediation of mold damaged structures and contents. It outlines the procedures to be followed and the precautions to be taken when performing mold remediation in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, and the systems and personal property contents of those structures.

The standard is based on reliable remediation and restoration principles, research, and practical experience. It attempts to combine essential academic principles with practical elements of water damage restoration for technicians facing “real-life” mold remediation challenges.

The IICRC S520 is written for use by those involved in the mold remediation industry. It is the result of collaboration among microbiologists and other scientists, public health professionals, industrial hygienists, remediation contractors, restoration service companies, cleaning and restoration training schools, trade associations that service the professional restoration industry, allied trade-persons, and others with related professional and practical experience.

The ANSI/IICRC S520 is recognized in the insurance industry and is commonly used as a reference for mold remediation procedures. It is important to note that the standard is periodically reviewed and updated. The most recent review closed on February 25th, 2024.

IOWA MOLD REMOVAL, LLC. stays current with all mold remediation standards including keeping all certified medication technician licenses renewed for continuing education.

IOWA MOLD REMOVAL, LLC. mitigation plan will be subject to the mitigation recommendations set forth by a third party independent microbial growth hygienist in conjunction with IICRC standard practices.

IOWA MOLD REMOVAL, LLC, reserves the right to use "Remedia 1000" or Serum 1000 since Xactimate line-item pricing for plant-based anti-microbial is not as effective in penetrating porous surfaces to adequately remediate the microbial growth. This product is more expensive than the generic line items currently in Xactimate pricing and will be charged accordingly with an F9 note attached. If there is any discrepancies in pricing, we can send a redacted copy of our updated material pricing.

IOWA MOLD REMOVAL reserves the right to not warranty a mitigation project if the insurance company, insured, or any other parties involved deviate from the set mitigation plan or do not adhere to set mitigation plan. If such occurrence were to take place, the parties involved will have to sign a release stating that the parties involved acknowledge the deviation from the mitigation plan, and assume all risks associated with microbial growth returning and/or cross-contamination other areas outside of IOWA MOLD REMOVAL's agreed scope of work and designated work areas.  This would also apply to any insurance carrier that demands deviation from the set mitigation plan but the certified mold hygienist, including but not limited to the insurance adjustor. This is an acknowledgement of liability for any party involved in mandating any deviation proposed by a third-party certified mold hygienist with potential cost for any health issues and/or damage to the structure.

Note on Serum 1000 and Mold Remediation

Serum 1000 is a solution specifically formulated for mold remediation, particularly on porous materials like wood. It contains surface-active agents that enhance wetting, allowing the solution to penetrate deep into the substrate of wood and other porous materials.

Serum 1000 reacts with organic matter, generating and releasing large quantities of oxygen. This reaction generates profuse foam. The profuse foam effectively “boils” the organic stains and other contaminants (including mold) from deep within the porous material to the surface. Once the contaminants have been brought to the surface, they can be removed via HEPA vacuuming. HEPA vacuums are capable of trapping small particles, including mold spores, preventing them from being released back into the air. The reaction also occurs with oxides on surfaces such as wood, thereby brightening the appearance of the surfaces.

By using Serum 1000, the process of mold remediation becomes more efficient and effective, reducing the need for more labor-intensive and time-consuming methods such as scraping, sanding, wire brushing, or wiping.

OSHA CODE REFERENCE:

1910.146(b)

Definitions.

Attendant means an individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and who performs all attendant's duties assigned in the employer's permit space program.

Authorized entrant means an employee who is authorized by the employer to enter a permit space.

Blanking or blinding means the absolute closure of a pipe, line, or duct by the fastening of a solid plate (such as a spectacle blind or a skillet blind) that completely covers the bore and that is capable of withstanding the maximum pressure of the pipe, line, or duct with no leakage beyond the plate.

Confined space means a space that:

(1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and

(2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and

(3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Double block and bleed means the closure of a line, duct, or pipe by closing and locking or tagging two in-line valves and by opening and locking or tagging a drain or vent valve in the line between the two closed valves.

Emergency means any occurrence (including any failure of hazard control or monitoring equipment) or event internal or external to the permit space that could endanger entrants.

Engulfment means the surrounding and effective capture of a person by a liquid or finely divided (flowable) solid substance that can be aspirated to cause death by filling or plugging the respiratory system or that can exert enough force on the body to cause death by strangulation, constriction, or crushing.

Entry means the action by which a person passes through an opening into a permit-required confined space. Entry includes ensuing work activities in that space and is considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the entrant's body breaks the plane of an opening into the space.

Entry permit (permit) means the written or printed document that is provided by the employer to allow and control entry into a permit space and that contains the information specified in paragraph (f) of this section.

Entry supervisor means the person (such as the employer, foreman, or crew chief) responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as required by this section.

Note: An entry supervisor also may serve as an attendant or as an authorized entrant, as long as that person is trained and equipped as required by this section for each role he or she fills. Also, the duties of entry supervisor may be passed from one individual to another during the course of an entry operation.

Hazardous atmosphere means an atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (that is, escape unaided from a permit space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the following causes:(1) Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL);

(2) Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL;

Note: This concentration may be approximated as a condition in which the dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet (1.52 m) or less.

(3) Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent;

(4) Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which a dose or a permissible exposure limit is published in subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control, or in subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, of this part and which could result in employee exposure in excess of its dose or permissible exposure limit;

Note: An atmospheric concentration of any substance that is not capable of causing death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or acute illness due to its health effects is not covered by this provision.

(5) Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health.

Note: For air contaminants for which OSHA has not determined a dose or permissible exposure limit, other sources of information, such as Material Safety Data Sheets that comply with the Hazard Communication Standard, § 1910.1200 of this part, published information, and internal documents can provide guidance in establishing acceptable atmospheric conditions.

Hot work permit means the employer's written authorization to perform operations (for example, riveting, welding, cutting, burning, and heating) capable of providing a source of ignition.

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) means any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or that would interfere with an individual's ability to escape unaided from a permit space.

Note: Some materials - hydrogen fluoride gas and cadmium vapor, for example - may produce immediate transient effects that, even if severe, may pass without medical attention, but are followed by sudden, possibly fatal collapse 12-72 hours after exposure. The victim "feels normal" from recovery from transient effects until collapse. Such materials in hazardous quantities are considered to be "immediately" dangerous to life or health.

Inverting means the displacement of the atmosphere in a permit space by a noncombustible gas (such as nitrogen) to such an extent that the resulting atmosphere is noncombustible.

Note: This procedure produces an IDLH oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

Isolation means the process by which a permit space is removed from service and completely protected against the release of energy and material into the space by such means as: blanking or blinding; misaligning or removing sections of lines, pipes, or ducts; a double block and bleed system; lockout or tagout of all sources of energy; or blocking or disconnecting all mechanical linkages.

Line breaking means the intentional opening of a pipe, line, or duct that is or has been carrying flammable, corrosive, or toxic material, an inert gas, or any fluid at a volume, pressure, or temperature capable of causing injury.

Non-permit confined space means a confined space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.

Oxygen deficient atmosphere means an atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen by volume.

Oxygen enriched atmosphere means an atmosphere containing more than 23.5 percent oxygen by volume.

Permit-required confined space (permit space) means a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

(1) Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;

(2) Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;

(3) Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or

(4) Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

Permit-required confined space program (permit space program) means the employer's overall program for controlling, and, where appropriate, for protecting employees from, permit space hazards and for regulating employee entry into permit spaces.

Permit system means the employer's written procedure for preparing and issuing permits for entry and for returning the permit space to service following termination of entry.

Prohibited condition means any condition in a permit space that is not allowed by the permit during the period when entry is authorized.

Rescue service means the personnel designated to rescue employees from permit spaces.

Retrieval system means the equipment (including a retrieval line, chest or full-body harness, wristlets, if appropriate, and a lifting device or anchor) used for non-entry rescue of persons from permit spaces.

Testing means the process by which the hazards that may confront entrants of a permit space are identified and evaluated. Testing includes specifying the tests that are to be performed in the permit space.

Note: Testing enables employers both to devise and implement adequate control measures for the protection of authorized entrants and to determine if acceptable entry conditions are present immediately prior to, and during, entry.