Renovation and Repairs Checklist
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seven major tofiic areas:
Communication
General Activities
Painting
Flooring
Roofing
Project Completion &
Commissioning
Construction Administration
1. Read the IAQ
Backgrounder and the
information in this
section.
2. Distribute appropriate
portions of this checklist
to groups or individuals
involved in the planning
process and/or actual
repair/renovation work.
3. Use the checklists on
pages 7-10 to limit indoor
environmental hazards as
repairs and/or
renovations are' planned
and completed. Use the
checklist hints to guide
.your observations. ' .
4. Completed checklists
should be returned to the
IAQ Coordinator.
NOTE: Check EPA's web
site for information on
Indoor Air Quality
Tools for NEW
Schools, a
comprehensive guide
to new school
construction with a
good IAQ environment
When planning and conducting
renovations in schools, it is important
to remember four potential causes of
indoor air problems during renovation
and repairs:
• Demolition that releases toxic
materials or mold
• Construction dust and fumes
• ' Designs that interfere with
ventilation
• Off-gassing from building
materials and new products'
You can minimize these problems by
making good indoor air quality (IAQ)
one of the criteria during project
planning. Also, contract language and
negotiations with service providers
(contractors) can help ensure that
proper materials and procedures are
used, such as performing work during
unoccupied periods in the school. This
Renovation and Repairs Checklist is
for use before and during renovation
projects.
Depending on who is performing the
work, you may need to give relevant
sections of this Checklist to the
different in-house staffer contractors
involved. Instruct those who receive a
portion of the Checklist to return it to
the IAQ Coordinator.
See Appendix I, Resources, in the IAQ
Coordinator's Guide, for additional
sources of information on the following
activities. Also see the IAQ
Coordinator's Guide for suggested
contract language and other useful
information.
COMMUNICATION
It is important to provide advance
notice and information about the project
to all school occupants and parents.
This helps build trust and avoid misun-
derstandings. Communication should
include information about who will be
affected,
and how (e.g., disruption of normal
routines). Input into the process and
expression of concerns should be
encouraged. During longer projects,
periodic updates should be given to
keep the school community informed.
Designate an individual to provide a
timely response to IAQ problems that
might arise during the renovation.
Ensure that emergency response plans
are appropriate for the work performed.
For example, if an emergency exit is
blocked, an alternative must be
identified. Appropriate signs should
be posted to alert occupants. Projects
involving asbestos and, in some
states, lead, have specific regulatory
requirements. .
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Plan to isolate students, staff, and other
areas of the school from any dust or
fumes generated during renovation
work. This may include temporarily
relocating people away from potential
problem areas. Use plastic sheeting,
portable fans, and a mechanical ventila-
tion strategy (where applicable) to
prevent dust and fumes from reaching
school occupants through hallways,
doors, windows, and the ventilation
system (for additional details, see the
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activity groups on this Checklist). Also
consider conducting renovation work
during hours when the school is
unoccupied, for example during
summer "vacation" months. Even
during unoccupied times, the ventila-
tion and containment strategies
mentioned above should be used to
prevent the spread of contaminants
through the school.
During periods of renovation, height-
ened housekeeping practices may be
necessary, not only in the renovation
area, but also in the rest of the school.
Give attention to workers and equip-
ment leaving renovation areas to avoid
carrying dust and fibers to other parts
of the school. Walk-off mats, the use
of removable coveralls, and wiping
down equipment before exiting the
work area are-all effective practices.
Do not disturb asbestos during demoli-
tion. Most schools have identified and
dealt with asbestos in the school under
state or Federal requirements. Schools
that have asbestos-containing materi-
als, as identified in an AHERA survey,
should have a management plan on file
at the school. Refer to the management
plan when considering whether
planned renovations will require
disturbing areas containing asbestos.
Use an asbestos professional to consult
on and assist with such renovation
work. Be sure to update the AHERA
management plan to reflect any
asbestos abatement activities.
Test for lead-based paint before
removing old paint. Use a certified
inspector (if your state certifies
inspectors) or a reputable testing firm
for areas to be demolished, sanded, or
stripped. Use appropriate personnel
and precautions when removing and
disposing of lead-based paint.
Avoid exposure to mold and bacteria. If
renovation is likely to expose large
areas of microbial growth such as mold
and mildew (for example, while
repairing water damage), consult with
an environmental professional about
adequate protective measures to ensure
both worker and occupant safety.
Note: Even dead mold can potentially
still cause allergic reactions and other
health effects, (see Appendices H & I
in the IAQ Coordinator's Guide for
more information on mold).
Consider the effect of the renovation
on ventilation and mixing of air in
rooms. Beware of cutting off a room
from its supply of outdoor air, enclos-
ing a pollutant source (like photocopi-
ers) in a room with inadequate exhaust
or supply air, or erecting barriers, such
as new walls, that could prevent
adequate movement of air throughout
the a room.
Minimize and provide for off-gassing
from new products. New products
contain volatile constituents, such as
resins, solvents, and binders, which
off-gas volatile organic compounds for
a period of time. This process is called
"off-gassing." Whenever possible,
obtain information on emissions from
potential new products to be installed
in the school and select lower emitting
products when available. Whenever
new products with the potential for off-
gassing are installed, allow adequate
time for off-gassing before re-occupy-
ing the area, and increase ventilation
with outdoor air until off-gassing odors
and any irritation symptoms no longer
occur. Examples of products which will
potentially off-gas include:
• Wall paneling
• Draperies
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Composite wood furniture and
cabinets
Cubicle dividers
Carpet and vinyl flooring
Paints and finishes
PAINTING
There are many factors to consider
before beginning a painting project.
Special care should be taken when
sanding a surface to prepare for
painting, due to the dust released into
the air. The dust may contain lead
particles. Exposure to excessive levels
of lead could affect a child's mental
growth and interfere with nervous
system development, which could
cause learning disabilities and im-
paired hearing. In adults, lead can
increase blood pressure.
The type of paint is an important
decision. For instance, both solvent-
based and water-based paints give off
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
that could lead to IAQ problems.
Water-based paints produce less VOCs
than solvent-based paints, but produce
them over a longer period of time.
Durability is important—a relatively
low-emitting paint might create more
IAQ problems in the long run than a
higher-emitting paint, if the low-
emitting paint requires repainting more
often. In addition, many water-based
paints (even interior paints) have, until
recently, used mercury as a fungicide.
Any paint that contains mercury should
not be used indoors.
Check painting records or old paint
cans to determine whether the paint
contains lead. Do an initial screen
using a trained lead paint inspector. If
there is lead in the existing paint,
contact a trained lead-based paint
contractor.
Evaluate existing stock of paint (prop-
erly dispose of paints containing lead or
mercury or having higher VOC emis-
sions than new paints).
Evaluate new paint before you pur-
chase it. Express your indoor air quality
concerns to paint suppliers and use
their technical personnel as a resource.
Not all paint suppliers have information
on pollutant emissions; consult other
sources (e.g., manufacturers) if your
paint supplier cannot provide adequate
information.
Schedule exterior painting to occur
when the building is unoccupied (for
example, weekends or vacation peri-
ods).
Keep nearby windows and doors closed
as much as possible.
Schedule interior painting to occur
when the area is unoccupied (for
example, on weekends or during
vacation periods), and allow time for
paint odors to dissipate before occu-
pants return to the area. If the area
being painted has a heating, cooling,
and ventilation system which is shared
•with other areas, those areas should
also he unoccupied.
Use supply and exhaust fans to'sweep
paint fumes out of the building.
Operate supply fans continuously (24
hours/day, 7 days/week), at the highest
possible outdoor air supply setting,
from the beginning of the painting work
until several days after painting has
• been completed.
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-331ock return openings to prevent air
from circulating from the work area to
occupied areas.
Seal containers carefully after use.
Keep paint containers in designated
storage areas equipped with exhaust
ventilation, never in heating, ventila-
tion, and air conditioning equipment
rooms.
Use an appropriate waste disposal
method to dispose of any paints
containing lead or mercury.
Follow EPA National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant
rules for disposal of asbestos-contain-
ing materials.
FLOORING
As is the case with other building
materials and furnishings, flooring
materials have the potential to impact
indoor air quality; therefore selection
of flooring materials is an important
consideration during the renovation
process. Potential pollutants from
flooring materials which can impact
IAQ include volatile organic com-
pounds (VOCs) that off-gas directly
from many flooring materials, and the
cleaning products used to maintain the
flooring. Dirty and persistently damp •
flooring materials can become a
location for the growth of biological
contaminants, such as mold. Proper
cleaning and maintenance of flooring
materials helps to improve IAQ.
When your school installs flooring
materials, the following selection,
repair, and installation activities will
help protect the indoor air quality in
the school.
Determine whether resilient tile
flooring scheduled for removal
contains asbestos fibers. Asbestos
surveys conducted under AHERA may
have identified asbestos-containing
floor tiles. Refer to the inspection
report and management plan on file at
the school.
Follow notification and handling
procedures defined under the National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP, 40 CFR Part 61
Subpart M) if renovations will disturb
asbestos-containing tile flooring.
Use low-emitting adhesives.
Follow manufacturers'recommenda-
tions for ventilating the work area.
Ask manufacturers to submit informa-
tion about product constituents and
emissions that may adversely impact
IAQ.
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has
a carpet testing and labeling program.
If your carpet supplier cannot provide
information on any carpets you are
considering, contact CRI (800-882-
8846) to obtain data on emissions from
these carpets.
If practical, unwrap and unroll flooring
products and cushion (if any) in a well-
ventilated location prior to installation,
preferably in a location other than the
school, such as a ventilated warehouse.
Install carpet, vinyl, and related
• flooring materials only when the
school building is not in use, except in
the case of a small installation where
you are able to exhaust the air from the
space directly to the outdoors and
maintain the room under negative
pressure relative to the surrounding
rooms and hallways.
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The typical recommendation is to
continuously operate the building
ventilation system at normal tempera-
ture and maximum outdoor air during
installation and for at least 72 hours
after installation is completed. The
Carpet and Rug Institute Standard for
Installation of Commercial Textile
Floor Covering Materials (CRI104)
addresses airing and other installation
procedures for carpet.
Avoid recirculating air from the
installation area through the heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning
system, and into occupied areas. Seal
return air grilles, open doorways,
stairways, and use exhaust fans to
remove airborne contaminants.
Vacuum old carpet that is to be
removed and subfloor surfaces (once
carpet is removed) to reduce release of
particles such as dirt, dust, and biologi-
cal contaminants into the air and onto
the new carpet.
Vacuum new flooring after installation
to remove loose matter and particles
generated by the installation process
and general construction in the area,
Do not install carpet near water
sources or areas where there is a
perpetual moisture problem, i.e., by
drinking fountains, classroom sinks, or
concrete floors with leaks or frequent
condensation.
To reduce the potential for microbial
growth in the joints of hard surfaces or
porous flooring installed near water
sources, be sure to seal entire surface.
ROOFING
problems if fumes enter the building.
School officials and roofers can
cooperate to prevent these problems
and complaints from occupants.
Schedule pollutant-producing activi-
ties for unoccupied periods (e.g.,
weekends or vacation periods).
Check to ensure that pollutant-produc-
ing activities occur during unoccupied
periods.
Consider wind patterns at the work site,
and arrange equipment so prevailing
winds carry odors away from the
building.
Modify ventilation to avoid introduc-
ing odors and contaminants.
Advise staff and students to keep doors
and windows closed until the roofing
work is finished.
It may be advisable to temporarily close
the outdoor air intakes of air handlers;
particularly rooftop units in the vicinity
of (and downwind from) the work area.
(NOTE: To avoid creating IAQ prob-
lems from under-ventilation, provide a
temporary means [fans and/or ducts] to
supply unaffected outdoor air. and
reduce pollutant generating activities
indoors.)
PROJECT COMPLETION
& COMMISSIONING
Roofing work often involves the use of
tar or other pollutant-producing
chemicals which may cause indoor air
You should establish lAQ-related
procedures and criteria that must be
met at the completion of any renovation
project. These criteria should address
the state in which the school should be
in when the project is finished and the
last worker leaves. Areas that should
be covered include:
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l pleaning, including the
wet wiping of surfaces and
vacuuming (high efficiency
vacuuming for fine or potentially
toxic dusts, such as asbestos, lead
or mold)
Tlnaning building system comoo-
nenls, including those in the
ventilation system which have
been contaminated during the
work. This includes the disposal
and replacement of filters
Balancing and testing the ventila-
tion system if it has been modified,
or if areas served by the ventilation
system have been altered (e.g., if a
partition wall was installed or
removed)
CONSTRUCTION
ADMINISTRATION
Schools should include contract
specifications which reflect the
recommendations in this information
and checklist Oversight should be
used to ensure the specifications are
being met Possible contract specifica-
tion topics include:
• Notification and communication
* Scheduling to minimize occupant .
exposure ..'
• - Selection of building materials
• Protection of building systems and
furnishings, including the ventila-
tion system
Use of isolation techniques,
including barriers and negative
pressure
Ventilation and filtration
requirements
Work practices and housekeeping
Material storage
Close-out and commissioning
criteria
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Renovation and Repairs Checklist
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Pie-Renovation
Q Notify school occupants and
parents.
Q Consult asbestos (AHERA) survey.
Q Test for lead-based paint before
removing old paint.
Plan isolation strategy for:
Q Students and staff.
Q Non-work areas of building.
Q Ventilation system.
Q Arrange for increased housekeeping
activities.
Q Consider ventilation implications,
supply and exhaust for all affected
rooms, in and out of work area.
Q Select products to minimize off-
gassing.
Q Put lAQ-related specifications in
construction contracts.
Q Evaluate work area for signs of
potential hidden mold before
starting destructive activities. Signs
include must or moldy odors,
visible water damage, or a history of
leaks in the area.
During Renovation
Q Progress reports made to school
occupants and parents for longer
projects.
Q If asbestos will be disturbed, use an
asbestos professional.
Q Avoid exposure to mold and
bacteria, tor large areas of con-
tamination, consult with an environ-
mental professional about protective
measures and special close-out
procedures.
Q Implement isolation plan.
Q Verify that housekeeping activities
are sufficient to control dirt and
dust.
Q Verify that contract specifications
are being adhered to.
Close-out
Q Clean surfaces with -wet-wiping and
vacuuming (high efficiency vacu-
uming for fine or potentially toxic
dusts, such as lead, asbestos, or
molds).
Q Clean building system components
as needed.
Q Ventilation system filters changed.
Q if HVAC system has been modified,
or if rooms served by system have
been altered, balance and test
HVAC system.
Q I have completed the activities on
the Renovation and Repairs
Checklist, and I do not need help
in any areas.
Name:
School:
Room or Area:
Date Completed:
Signature:
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Renovation and Repairs Checklist
PAINTING
Pre-ftonovation
Q Confirm that the painted surface is
lead-free before preparing a surface
for repainting.
O Paint contains lead or
testing is needed to determine if
lead is in existing paint
Q Select a low-VOC emitting paint
that is free of lead and mercury.
Q Schedule painting to occur when
building is unoccupied, if possible.
I have completed the activities on
the Renovation and Repairs
Checklist, and I do not need help
in any areas.
Name:
School:
Room or Area:
Date Completed:
Signature:
Dining Renovation
Q Minimize occupant exposure to
odors and contaminants.
ID Use exhaust and supply ventilation
to sweep fumes out of building.
Q Block ventilation return openings to
prevent circulating air from the
work area to other areas of the
building.
Q Use proper storage and disposal
practices for paints, solvents, and
supplies. Keep container lids
sealed when not in use.
Ooa»0ut
Allow paint odors to dissipate
before occupants return to the area.
Use supply and exhaust fans to
sweep fumes out of the building.
Operate supply fans continuously at
the highest possible outdoor air
supply setting until several days
after the painting has been com-
pleted.
Use appropriate storage and
disposal practices for paints,
solvents, and clean-up materials.
Keep container lids sealed when
not in use.
Use an appropriate waste disposal
method to dispose of any old paints
containing lead or mercury.
Follow EPA National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants rules for disposal of
asbestos-containing materials.
O Need help with storage
and disposal.
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Renovation and Repairs Checklist
FLOORING
Pro-Installation
Q Determine whether resilient tile
flooring scheduled for removal
contains asbestos fibers.
O Renovation may/will disturb
asbestos-containing flooring.
Q Select low-emitting adhesive when
installing glue-down flooring.
Q Obtain information about product
constituents and emissions that
may adversely impact IAQ from
manufacturers.
Q Select a low-emitting adhesive.
Q Select low-emitting flooring
materials.
O Need additional information
for selecting low-emitting
adhesive and flooring materials.
Q Do not install carpet near water
sources.
Q When possible, schedule installation
for time when school is
unoccupied.
During Installation
Q Use low-emitting adhesives.
Q Use low-emitting flooring materials.
Q Air out new products before
installation.
O Need help arranging the
airing out of flooring products.
Q Follow manufacturers'recommen-
dations for ventilating the work area
during and after flooring installa-
tion.
Q Install carpet, vinyl, and related
flooring materials only when the
school building is not in use or
maintain the room under negative
pressure relative to the surrounding
rooms and hallways.
Q Avoid recirculating air from the
installation area, through the
heating, ventilation, and air condi-
tioning system, and into occupied
areas. Seal return air grilles, open
door ways, stairways, and use
exhaust fans to remove airborne
contaminants.
O Need help arranging the
airing out of space during and
after installation.
O Vacuum old carpet that is to be
removed and subfloor surfaces
(once carpet is removed).
Q Seal joints of hard surfaces and/or
entire surface of porous flooring
installed near water sources.
Post-Installation
Q Vacuum new flooring after installa-
tion to remove loose matter and
particles generated by the installa-
tion process and general construc-
tion in the area.
Q Follow manufacturers'recommen-.
dations for ventilating the work area
space during and after flooring
installation. (Typical recommenda-
tion is maximum outdoor air for 72
hours after installation.)
I have completed the activities on
the Renovation and Repairs
Checklist, and I do not need help
in any areas.
Name:
School:
Room or Area:
Date Completed:
Signature:
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Renovation and Repairs Checklist
ROOFING
Pre-ftenovation
Q Schedule pollutant-producing
activities for unoccupied periods
(e.g., weekends or vacation
periods).
O Need help to minimize
occupant exposure
During Renovation
Q Put "hot pots" of tar and other
pollutant-producing materials away
from outdoor air intakes.
Q Consider wind patterns at the work
site, and arrange equipment so
prevailing winds carry odors away
from the building.
O There is not a good location
for pollutant-producing
materials during this renovation
Q Modify ventilation to avoid intro-
ducing odors and contaminants.
Q Advise staff and students to keep
doors and windows closed until the
roofing work is finished.
Q It may be advisable to temporarily
close the outdoor air intakes of air
handlers, particularly rooftop units
in the vicinity of (and downwind
from) the work area. (NOTE: To
avoid creating IAQ problems from
under-ventilation, provide a tempo-
rary means [fans and/or ducts] to
supply unaffected outdoor air, and
reduce pollutant generating activi-
ties indoors).
O Need help to modify
ventilation
Q I have completed the activities on
the Renovation and Repair
Checklist, and I do not need help
in any areas.
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