Residential IAQ Assessment Checklist
From IAQforms
Contents |
Phase 1, Data Collection
Questions to ask:
- What type of problems are there?
- When did they first occur?
- Notice any improvements when leaving the home?
- Number of people in the home? Smokers?
- Age of occupants and general health? Age of frequent visitors? How often visitors?
- Any pets? Visitors have pets? Type?
- Any recent renovations and/or improvements? New furniture, carpet or paint?
- Any construction in the area?
- Any specific building problems? Any leaks?
- How old is the home?
- What type of foundation do you have? (Crawlspace, basement, slab on grade, etc.)
- How old is the HVAC system? What type is it? Where is it located?
- When was the last time the filter was changed? How many filters?
- How long have you been in the home?
- Any other assessments done in your home? Any doctors visits? For what? (Be careful about HIPPA)
- Do you anticipate any legal issues involved?
- Is there any planned litigation?
- Do you have any land and building plans?
- What is the normal maintenance of the home, HVAC system and outside area? Do you do it or do you have a service contract?
- What do you think the problem is?
- Do you notice symptoms more after certain activities?
- Do you have a pest control service? If so, how often? When was the last time they sprayed? # Do you do it yourself?
- If you have a pool, where do you store the chemicals?
- What is your occupation?
- Is there any history of water damage or water leaks? When? Where?
- Have you noticed any staining?
- Do you own or rent?
- Does anyone in the home suffer from allergies or headaches
- Is your attic and crawlspace vented?
- What is your normal procedure for sealing crawlspace vents during different seasons?
- Do you operate exhaust fans regularly during cooking and showers?
- Does your home get dry during winter?
- Do you operate a sprinkler system?
- Does your HVAC system frequently cycle on and off?
- Does your home stay unoccupied for any length of time regularly?
- Have you noticed any odors or smells?
- Any known medical issues? Allergies?
- Any neighbor symptoms?
- Any neighbor renovations or changes?
- Any pest control issues?
- Any rodents discovered in the house? Other, birds, bats, wildlife in attic?
- Do you have a fireplace? What fuel does it use? Is it vented?
- Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?
- Where do you do laundry in the home?
- What type of range top stove do you have?
- What type of exterior landscaping do you have? Mulch type? Grass type?
- What energy source do you use? (natural gas, oil, etc.)
- Have you had your ducts cleaned recently? Any odors, particulates noticed?
- What type of vacuum do you have?
- What type of cleaning products do you use?
- Any hobbies carried out in the home ? (adhesives, sanding, soldering)
- Pesticide/Insecticide applications in the home ?
- Flea control products used on pets or in house ?
- Is there a crawlspace? Vapor barrier over soil ?
- Pressure treated deck? (arsenic)
- Factory, golf course nearby?
- Is there anything you haven't told me?
- Has anyone assessed this problem before?
Phase II: Walk Through Inspections
Locations to inspect:
- HVAC system
- Do exhaust fans exit building?
- Are HVAC system vents in locations to properly circulate air?
- Are all exhaust fans operating properly? (visually inspect where able)
- Check ductwork for proper insulation
- Check ductwork for leakage
- Check ductwork for cleanliness
- Check cleanliness of humidifier
- Check static pressure of HVAC system
- Condition and efficiency of filters
- Check drain pan
- Where do drains penetrate for air conditioning condensation?
- Fiberglass insulation inside ducts ?
- Windows
- Single or Double?
- Condensation?
- Leaking?
- Doors
- Baseboards
- Under and around all plumbing fixtures
- Overall cleanliness
- Evidence of roof leaks
- Exterior walls- interior of those if possible
- Class Pets - dander, stains
- Furniture - stains, odors
- Recent renovations
- Visible water damage/ staining in exterior and interior
- Wall coverings
- Roof damage
- Patches on roof, ceiling or drywall
- Gutters/ drainage system. Is there any standing water around the structure? Are gutters clean? Properly working and extensions? Are there enough downspouts?
- Mold growing on clothes, personal belongings
- Changes to HVAC System
- Foundation's condition from exterior and interior
- Grade (slope) of areas surrounding Building
- Crawlspace, check vapor barrier
- Crawlspace, check for mold between sill plate and fiberglass insulation
- Crawlspace, signs of water leaks under restrooms
- Crawlspace, condensation or water dripping from metal pipes and ducts ?
Phase III: Indicator Measurements
- Temperature
- Relative Humidity
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Moisture meter readings
- Dew Point Temperature
- Pressurization in relation to outdoors
Phase IV: Sampling
Samples to take only when Phase I-III indicates its usefulness:
- Mold (tape lift, swab, spore traps, viable air, bulk)
- Bacteria (swabs, bulk)
- VOCs (PID, FID, Sorbent tubes)
- Radon (Alpha Track, Charcoal Adsorbers, e-Perm)
- Allergens (cat, dog, rodent, dust mites, cockroaches, pollens)
- Lead (requires state licensing)
- Asbestos (requires state licensing)
- Ozone
