ASTM E2418-06

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: E2418 − 06
StandardGuide for
Readily Observable Mold and Conditions Conducive to Mold
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in Commercial Buildings: Baseline Survey Process
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2418; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope may warrant consideration by parties to a commercial real
2 estate transaction. The need to investigate any such conditions
1.1 Purpose—The purpose of this guide is to define good
in the consultant’s scope of services should be evaluated based
commercial and customary practice in the United States of
upon, among other factors, the nature of the property and the
America for conducting a baseline survey for readily observ-
reason for conducting the BSP. The scope of such further
able mold and conditions conducive to mold in a commercial
investigation or testing services should be agreed upon be-
building related to a commercial real estate transaction by
tween the user and the consultant as additional services, which
conducting: a walk-through survey, document reviews, and
arebeyondthescopeofthis guide,priortoinitiationofthe BSP
interviews as outlined within this guide. This guide is intended
process.Theresponsibilitytoinitiateworkbeyondthescopeof
to identify observable mold and physical deficiencies condu-
this guide lies with the user.
cive to mold as a result of moisture and water infiltration
1.3.1 Sampling for mold growth is a non-scope consider-
through the commercial building’s envelope or substructure, or
ation under this guide. As noted by EPA 402-K-01-001,
generated within the building as a result of processes or
sampling cannot be used to assess whether a commercial
mechanical systems, excluding de minimis observable mold
buildingcomplieswithfederalstandards,sincenoEPAorother
and physical deficiencies conducive to mold. This guide is to
federal standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) have been
allow a user to assess the potential need for further assessment
established for mold spores. And, sampling would only pro-
or other actions that may be appropriate that are beyond the
duceresultsreflectinga specific moment in timeinthebestcase
scope of this guide. For purposes of this guide, the acronym
andcouldproduceinaccurateormisleadingresultsintheworst
“BSP” or “Baseline Survey Process” is used interchangeably
case.
with this guide’s full title.
1.4 Organization of the Guide—This guide has 13 sections
1.2 Purpose Limitations—While a BSP may be used to
and three appendices. Section 1 defines the Scope. Section 2 is
survey for readily identifiable mold and physical deficiencies
Referenced Documents. Section 3 is Terminology. Section 4
conducive to mold, the BSP is not designed to serve as
defines the Significance and Use of this guide. Section 5
comprehensive survey for the presence of observable mold and
describes User Responsibilities. Sections 6 through 11 provide
physical deficiencies conducive to mold in all or most areas in
guidelines for the main body of the report, including the scope
a commercial building. It is not intended to reduce the risk of
of the Walk-through Survey and preparation of the report.
the presence of observable mold and physical deficiencies
Section 12 and Appendix X1 identifying Out of Scope Con-
conducive to mold nor is it to eliminate the risk that observable
siderations. Section 13 lists keywords for Internet reference.
mold and physical deficiencies conducive to mold may pose to
Appendix X1 provides the user with additional BSP scope
the building or its occupants.
considerations, whereby a user may increase this guide’s
1.3 Considerations Beyond This Scope—The use of this
baseline scope of due diligence to be exercised by the
guide is strictly limited to the scope set forth in this section.
consultant, Appendix X2 provides the user with a suggested
Section 13 of this guide identifies, for informational purposes,
Interview Checklist, and Appendix X3 provides the user with
certain physical conditions (not an all-inclusive list) that may
a suggested Field Checklist.
exist at a property and certain activities or procedures (not an
all-inclusive list) that are beyond the scope of this guide but
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil-
3
ity of Subcommittee E50.02 on Real Estate Assessment and Management. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2006. Published March 2006. DOI: 10.1520/ contact ASTM Customer
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