MAINE BUREAU OF GENERAL SERVICES
INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL
For
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Bureau of General Services (BGS) has provided technical and financial assistance to public schools for several years to perform assessment, interpretation and mitigation services pertaining to indoor air quality concerns. The Legislature (5 MRSA -1742-E) has determined that the Bureau shall be the lead agency for State facilities and Public Schools to address asbestos, lead and indoor air concerns. The Bureau has developed a protocol to assist public schools, which should enable more effective use of scarce Bureau and Local School District resources.
Any request for assistance shall be a written request from the Superintendent of the Local School District to the Manager, Environmental Program, Division of Safety and Environmental Services at 77 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Although the Bureau may be present at the request of a Superintendent, it does not necessarily "represent" the Superintendent or the District. It is essential that Bureau staff be recognized as a neutral party and that they are present to determine facts.
The Bureau utilizes a protocol of building diagnostics assessment, plus other selected activities, as opposed to a general comprehensive testing of environmental conditions, to determine if a problem may or may not exist.
The Protocol presented below, consists of several phases. Not all phases may be required. The Environmental Program Manager and the Superintendent shall determine the type and extent of any assessment. There shall be no charge for any services provided by Bureau staff.
The Bureau shall pre-qualify any consultants who perform a Phase 1, 2 or 3 assessments in a public school with Bureau staff or under Bureau direction. A Local School District shall follow the established protocol and use a BGS pre-qualified consultant in order to be eligible for State financial or technical assistance.
A. Phase 1 - This visit, by Bureau staff, is a site visit to determine:
i. The probability of an IAQ problem; or
ii. Whether Bureau staff may be available to perform an adequate assessment; or
iii. Potential staffing and assessment requirements to perform a Phase 2 or a Phase 3 Assessment.
B. Phase 2 - IAQ Assessment:
A pre-qualified consultant in IAQ matters most likely would conduct this visit:
i. Bureau staff would be provided at no charge if requested by the LEA.
ii. Any consultant shall be reimbursed by the Local School District.
iii. The consultant shall provide three (3) copies of a report (assuming a consultant has been retained). The report shall be prepared in an Executive Summary format but shall include appropriate recommendations.
iv. The Phase 2 assessment may determine the validity of any concerns that no problem exists, or that a comprehensive assessment may be necessary.
v. This assessment will start and end with an interview with the Superintendent plus other selected staff. The initial interview is necessary to explain the extent and limitations of the assessment. The exit interview has proven beneficial to explain the findings of the assessment and provide an opportunity to indicate the source or sources of concern.
vi. No specialized comprehensive air testing shall be performed at this time (i.e. Air and bulk sampling for mold) .
vii. Selective generally accepted air testing (CO, CO2, Temperature, Relative Humidity and Dust Particulate) may be performed by use of sensitive, calibrated, direct read instruments.
viii. This assessment shall include a review of any related written reports or activities.
ix. Many times the preliminary assessment frequently provides sufficient information to identify the cause or causes of a problem. Therefore, this may negate the cost of a more comprehensive (and expensive) assessment.
C. Phase 3 - Comprehensive Assessment:
The Phase 3 comprehensive assessment may be significantly more intensive and time consuming than previous assessments and shall be performed by pre-qualified consulting personnel:
i. The resulting report would be expected to be very detailed to include specific assessments performed and rationale for such tests, photo documentation, an interpretation of results plus recommendations for corrective action.
ii. Bureau staff is not available to assist in the on-site assessment but shall maintain oversight.
iii. The consultant shall be responsible for addressing any questions relating to the final report.
iv. Comprehensive air testing is not advised except for specific circumstances to confirm a hypothesis.
v. Should comprehensive air testing be utilized, the client should be advised in advance of the rationale, effectiveness and potential utilization of any results.
D. Mitigation:
Any mitigation, or corrective activity, is the financial responsibility of the Local School District. However, the Bureau offers to review any mitigation plans, prior to initiation of activity, to assist the District to obtain maximum financial or technical effectiveness.
Conflict of Interest
No party, entity, corporation, and / or partnership performing assessments for the Bureau or School Administration on any given project shall be eligible to perform remediation or abatement on that project.
Contact:
Program Manager, Div. of Safety & Environmental Services
Bureau of General Services
77 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0077
Tel: (207) 624-7360
Fax: (207) 287-4039
Revised February 11, 2003