CIEC flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Consultant versus remediator

The indoor environmental consultant characterizes conditions and verifies outcomes; performing remediation on the same project creates a conflict of interest and compromises independent verification.

Scope of work elements

A defensible scope states the question, sampling locations and methods, analytical laboratory, decision criteria, deliverables, and limitations before fieldwork begins.

Report structure

Standard sections include site description, methodology, results, limitations, conclusions, and recommendations, with each conclusion traceable to documented observations or data.

CO2 as ventilation indicator

Indoor carbon dioxide above roughly 1,000 ppm suggests outdoor air supply is inadequate for occupancy; it indicates ventilation, not a health-based pollutant limit.

Phased IAQ investigation

Begin with occupant interviews and walkthrough; proceed to targeted sampling only when a specific hypothesis requires measurement to answer the question.

Comparison and outdoor baseline

Indoor air samples are interpreted against outdoor or non-complaint-area samples, because indoor concentrations alone cannot distinguish sources from background.

Pressure differential measurement

Measuring pressure between zones identifies air transport paths; HVAC balance and stack effect drive pollutant movement between areas of a building.

Moisture transport mechanisms

Water moves by bulk flow, capillary action, vapor diffusion, and air transport; air transport generally moves far more moisture through assemblies than diffusion.

Dew point and condensation

The dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated; surfaces colder than the dew point support condensation and potential biological growth.

Vapor retarder placement

Vapor retarders belong on the warm side of an assembly in cold climates; retarders on both faces create a double vapor barrier that traps moisture.

Relative humidity temperature dependence

Relative humidity depends on temperature; warming air lowers RH without removing water vapor, so RH alone can understate moisture loading in an assembly.

Wood moisture content threshold

Wood moisture content above roughly 20 percent, measured with a calibrated meter and corrected for species and temperature, supports decay risk.

Asbestos bulk analysis

Bulk samples of suspect materials are analyzed by polarized light microscopy; materials are presumed to contain asbestos until sampling and analysis demonstrate otherwise.

Mold spore trap limitation

Spore trap air samples provide genus-level counts of non-viable spores; they do not establish viability, species, or the source of the spores.

Radon test duration

Short-term radon tests use charcoal canisters for two to seven days under closed-house conditions; long-term alpha track detectors run ninety days or more.

Lead dust wipe clearance

Lead dust wipe samples are analyzed by flame atomic absorption or ICP; clearance criteria come from EPA and HUD guidance and differ by surface type.

VOC sampling methods

Summa canisters with TO-15 or sorbent tubes with TO-17 provide speciated VOC results; a PID screens total organics but does not identify compounds.

Formaldehyde sampling

Active sampling uses DNPH cartridges analyzed by HPLC; passive badges are used for longer averaging periods and lower-cost screening.

Containment negative pressure

Containment is maintained at approximately -5 Pa or greater relative to occupied space, with HEPA-filtered exhaust, and verified daily during remediation.

HEPA filtration specification

HEPA filters remove 99.97 percent of particles at 0.3 micron; air scrubber capacity is selected to match containment volume and target air changes.

Predefined clearance criteria

Remediation design states the cleaning standard, project boundaries, and clearance criteria before work starts, so verification is objective rather than negotiated afterward.

Aerosol minimization methods

Wet methods, bagging debris inside the work area, and HEPA vacuuming reduce aerosolization of contaminants during removal and cleaning.

Visual inspection before sampling

Clearance sampling follows visual inspection; visible dust or debris must be corrected before air or surface samples are collected, or results are not meaningful.

Independent post-remediation verification

Clearance verification is performed by a party independent of the remediation contractor, using methods and criteria defined in the project design.

Clearance failure handling

If any defined clearance criterion fails, clearance is not granted; the area is re-cleaned and re-sampled until all criteria are met.

Oversight documentation

Daily logs, photographs, chain-of-custody records, laboratory reports, and a final report with clearance conclusions form the project record.

Waste characterization and manifests

Remediation waste is characterized and disposed of under applicable rules; manifests and disposal records are retained in the project file.

Practice within competence

A professional accepts only work within their training and experience; when expertise is lacking, they disclose the limitation and engage a qualified professional.

Objectivity in reporting

Results that contradict a client's preferred outcome must still be reported; withholding or misrepresenting adverse findings breaches professional duty.

Conflict of interest disclosure

Referral relationships and compensation arrangements with contractors or laboratories are disclosed in writing so clients can judge the independence of findings.

Citing standards and editions

Reports cite the specific standard, method, and edition used, such as an ASHRAE standard or ASTM method, so conclusions can be independently reviewed.

Record reproducibility

Project records are retained and organized so another qualified professional could review the data and reach the same conclusions independently.