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
A CMA is evaluating a building after flooding. How long after a flood event does the IICRC recommend that remediation begin to prevent mold amplification?
Answer: Within 72 hours
The IICRC S500 and S520 standards recommend beginning water mitigation and remediation within 24–72 hours to prevent mold growth on wet materials.
When assessing mold in a school building, which regulatory framework primarily guides acceptable indoor air quality thresholds?
Answer: EPA guidelines and state-specific school IAQ programs
The EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program and applicable state regulations guide mold assessment and remediation in school environments.
A CMA finds mold on a bathroom ceiling directly below a second-floor bathroom. What is the MOST likely primary cause to investigate?
Answer: A leaking wax ring seal or water supply connection in the second-floor toilet
Mold on a ceiling below a bathroom most commonly results from plumbing leaks at the toilet base, supply lines, or drain connections on the floor above.
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is the MINIMUM recommended for a CMA entering a heavily mold-contaminated area (Condition 3)?
Answer: N95 respirator, goggles, gloves, and disposable coveralls
IICRC S520 and ACGIH guidelines recommend at minimum an N95 respirator, eye protection, gloves, and disposable coveralls when entering heavily contaminated areas.
A CMA suspects mold growth behind vinyl wallpaper in a hotel room. What is the BEST minimally invasive initial diagnostic step?
Answer: Use a borescope through a small penetration to visually inspect behind the wallpaper
A borescope inserted through a small-diameter penetration allows visual confirmation of mold behind wallpaper without extensive destructive investigation.
What does the term 'post-remediation verification' mean in the context of a mold assessment?
Answer: A clearance inspection and sampling conducted after remediation to confirm contamination has been adequately addressed
Post-remediation verification is an independent assessment by a licensed CMA to confirm through inspection and sampling that remediation goals have been achieved.
A CMA collects bulk samples from suspected mold-growth areas. To which type of laboratory should bulk samples be submitted for analysis?
Answer: An accredited mycological or industrial hygiene laboratory using direct microscopy or culture methods
Bulk samples require analysis by laboratories accredited for environmental mycology, using direct microscopy (e.g., tape prep) or culture methods to identify mold species.