Mold Inspection & Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Mold Inspection & Procedures flashcards as text
When conducting a visual inspection in a building suspected of mold contamination, which area should a CMA prioritize examining first?
Answer: Locations with past or current moisture intrusion
Mold growth requires moisture, so areas with known or suspected water intrusion are the highest-priority zones during a visual inspection.
A CMA notices a musty odor in a basement but no visible mold growth. What is the most appropriate next step?
Answer: Use air sampling and cavity sampling to investigate hidden mold
A musty odor without visible growth strongly suggests hidden mold, warranting air and cavity sampling behind walls or under flooring.
Which tool is MOST useful for locating hidden moisture within wall cavities without causing damage?
Answer: Non-invasive infrared thermometer
Infrared thermometers and thermal imaging cameras identify temperature differentials indicating moisture without penetrating surfaces.
During a mold inspection, a CMA collects an outdoor air sample alongside indoor samples. What is the primary purpose of the outdoor sample?
Answer: To serve as a baseline for comparing indoor spore types and counts
Outdoor samples provide a baseline that allows the assessor to determine whether elevated indoor spore counts represent an indoor mold problem.
What condition must be met before a CMA can declare a building's mold problem fully remediated?
Answer: Post-remediation verification sampling shows spore counts within acceptable limits
Post-remediation verification (clearance) sampling is required to confirm that spore levels have returned to acceptable conditions before re-occupancy.
A CMA is inspecting a commercial HVAC system for mold. Which component is MOST likely to harbor amplified mold growth?
Answer: The air filter housing and drain pan
The drain pan collects condensate, creating standing water, and the filter housing traps organic debris — both are prime mold amplification sites.
Under Florida's mold assessment standards, a CMA must provide the client with which document before beginning mold-related work?
Answer: A signed contract and disclosure of any conflict of interest with remediation companies
Florida law requires assessors to provide a written contract and disclose any financial relationships with remediation contractors to prevent conflicts of interest.