Containment & Isolation Procedures Flashcards

If a negative air machine fails during active remediation, what is the immediate protocol?

Answer: Stop all disturbance work immediately and seal the containment until the machine is repaired or replaced

Without negative pressure, the containment cannot prevent spore migration, so all disturbance activities must cease until the system is restored.

When applying poly sheeting to a rough concrete block wall for containment, which technique best ensures an airtight seal?

Answer: Apply construction adhesive or spray foam sealant along the base and edges before taping poly

Rough masonry surfaces have too many voids for tape alone; adhesive or foam sealant fills gaps and ensures the poly creates an airtight barrier against the surface.

What is the purpose of a 'negative pressure verification' test performed before starting active remediation work?

Answer: To verify that the containment is maintaining inward airflow and that no breaches exist

Negative pressure verification — typically using a manometer or smoke pencil — confirms that airflow is inward through all seams and openings before disturbance work begins.

A remediation crew is working in a building with a forced-air heating system that cannot be shut down due to extreme cold weather. What is the best approach?

Answer: Seal all supply and return registers inside the containment and install a temporary heating source within the zone

Sealing all HVAC registers inside the containment and using a standalone heater prevents the HVAC from transporting spores while maintaining acceptable temperatures.

Which of the following best describes the 'smoke pencil test' as applied to mold containment?

Answer: A method to visualize airflow direction at containment seams and the airlock entry

A smoke pencil emits visible vapor that reveals airflow direction — if smoke is drawn INTO the containment at seams and entries, negative pressure is confirmed.

Under what circumstance is it acceptable to use an existing interior wall as part of the containment critical barrier without adding poly sheeting?

Answer: When the wall is an exterior concrete or masonry wall verified to be fully continuous with no penetrations

A solid, continuous masonry or concrete wall with no penetrations may serve as a critical barrier, but any wall with gaps, outlets, or drywall construction requires poly reinforcement.

What documentation should be completed regarding containment setup before disturbance work begins on a mold remediation project?

Answer: Photographs of the containment setup, negative pressure readings, and a written pre-work checklist

Pre-work documentation including photos, manometer readings, and a checklist creates a verifiable record that containment was properly established before any disturbance occurred.