CIEC case studies
CIEC · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) is a professional credential administered by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC), a certification body whose programs ACAC states are third-party accredited by CESB. The CIEC designation is intended for experienced indoor environmental professionals who investigate, interpret, and advise on building conditions rather than simply performing field work - typically consultants directing assessments, designing remediation approaches, and communicating findings to building owners, occupants, and other stakeholders. The CIEC case studies are 5 cases and about 3,179 words.
1The Condo Complaint Cluster That Doesn't Fit the Obvious Source
You are retained by a property manager of a 24-unit, three-story wood-frame condominium built in 2007. Over eight weeks, seven occupants on floors 1 and 2 report headaches, eye irritation, and a persistent 'chemical' odor concentrated in hallways and bathrooms.
778 words, about 4 min2The Basement That Tests 'Clean' But Smells
A homeowner in a 1950s split-level reports a musty odor in a finished basement and worsening allergy symptoms over two winters. A prior contractor ran two spore-trap air samples in the basement and one outdoors; all three were 'low' and similar, and the report concluded 'no mold problem.' You inspect: vinyl flooring over a concrete slab, a dehumidifier set to 55% RH running continuously, efflorescence and a dark tide-line on the lower 300 mm of two framed walls, visible dark staining on the back of drywall where a baseboard was removed, and a downspout discharging within 300 mm of the foundation.
690 words, about 3 min3Clearance Pressure After a Small Sewage Spill
A retail tenant calls at 4 p.m. Friday: a toilet supply line failed overnight and Category 3 water affected roughly 15 m2 of carpet, pad, and the base of two drywall partitions in a stockroom.
569 words, about 3 min4The School District Wants a Number, Not a Plan
A school district asks you to design remediation for a 1970s elementary school with reported 'mold issues.' Walkthrough finds: ceiling tiles with water staining in two classrooms, a rooftop unit with standing water in the drain pan and biological growth on the coil, carpet in one classroom with a history of a roof leak, and a gymnasium with high humidity and condensation on windows. The district's draft scope says: 'HEPA vacuum all rooms, fog with an antimicrobial, replace stained tiles, retest air.' Budget is fixed and tight; summer break is 10 weeks.
610 words, about 3 min5The Consultant Who Also Sells the Fix
You are asked to assess a small office with reported musty odors. During the site visit you learn that the property manager also owns a remediation company that is bidding on the corrective work.
532 words, about 3 min