Current Standards for Managing Water Damage
or Mould Growth in Buildings

Mould growth in buildings has emerged as one of most pressing health and safety issues of the day. Employers, property managers and constructors understand they have a responsibility to protect the health and property of employees, clients and occupants. This article and the accompanying flowchart will assist these responsible parties in meeting current standards for managing water damage and mould growth in buildings.

Mould microorganisms are rapidly growing fungi, present throughout the natural world. Mould spores will always be present in buildings, whether blown in through windows or other openings, brought in by ventilation equipment, or tracked in with dust and dirt. Mould growth can occur when susceptible building materials are wet for long enough to allow the spores to germinate, grow and multiply. Common sites for mould growth include drywall, carpets, ceiling tiles, wood and wood products, and any paper products.

Once the mould spores are formed, they are readily airborne and the mould growth remains a potential hazard until it is removed. This is the case even when the growth is within wall cavities or other concealed locations.

The most common symptoms reported from mould exposure in buildings include running nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, aggravation of asthma, headache and fatigue. There is also a risk of respiratory infections in occupants with compromised immune systems. There is no acceptable level of mould growth in buildings, that is an amount of mould growth that can be present without risking adverse health effects among at least some of the occupants.

Several professional bodies have issued standards in the past few years on the assessment and remediation of mould growth in buildings. The more significant of these can be viewed here.

The attached flowchart summarizes the major requirements of the standards listed above, as well as some general responsibilities for employers under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Please click the links below for information regarding the following questions:

1. Occupants experiencing adverse health effects?
   
   
2. Is the building a hospital or health care facility?
   
   
3. Contamination with sewage or other highly contaminated water?
   
   
4. Newly reported water damage?
   
   
5. Report of old water episode or signs of mould growth present?
   
   
6. Is the property a workplace?
   
   
7. Once mould growth is confirmed?

This article is modified from an article published in the May 2002 edition of "Without Prejudice", published by the journal of the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association.

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