Residential IAQ Assessment Checklist

From IAQforms

Phase 1, Data Collection

Questions to ask:

1. What type of problems are there?
2. When did they first occur?
3. Notice any improvements when leaving the home?
4. Number of people in the home? Smokers?
5. Age of occupants and general health? Age of frequent visitors? How often visitors?
6. Any pets? Visitors have pets? Type?
7. Any recent renovations and/or improvements? New furniture, carpet or paint?
8. Any construction in the area?
9. Any specific building problems? Any leaks?
10. How old is the home?
11. What type of foundation do you have? (Crawlspace, basement, slab on grade, etc.)
12. How old is the HVAC system? What type is it? Where is it located?
13. When was the last time the filter was changed? How many filters?
14. How long have you been in the home?
15. Any other assessments done in your home? Any doctors visits? For what? (Be careful about HIPPA)
16. Do you anticipate any legal issues involved?
17. Is there any planned litigation?
18. Do you have any land and building plans?
19. What is the normal maintenance of the home, HVAC system and outside area? Do you do it or do you have a service contract?
20. What do you think the problem is?
21. Do you notice symptoms more after certain activities?
22. Do you have a pest control service? If so, how often? When was the last time they sprayed? # Do you do it yourself?
23. If you have a pool, where do you store the chemicals?
24. What is your occupation?
25. Is there any history of water damage or water leaks? When? Where?
26. Have you noticed any staining?
27. Do you own or rent?
28. Does anyone in the home suffer from allergies or headaches
29. Is your attic and crawlspace vented?
30. What is your normal procedure for sealing crawlspace vents during different seasons?
31. Do you operate exhaust fans regularly during cooking and showers?
32. Does your home get dry during winter?
33. Do you operate a sprinkler system?
34. Does your HVAC system frequently cycle on and off?
35. Does your home stay unoccupied for any length of time regularly?
36. Have you noticed any odors or smells?
37. Any known medical issues? Allergies?
38. Any neighbor symptoms?
39. Any neighbor renovations or changes?
40. Any pest control issues?
41. Any rodents discovered in the house? Other, birds, bats, wildlife in attic?
42. Do you have a fireplace? What fuel does it use? Is it vented?
43. Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?
44. Where do you do laundry in the home?
45. What type of range top stove do you have?
46. What type of exterior landscaping do you have? Mulch type? Grass type?
47. What energy source do you use? (natural gas, oil, etc.)
48. Have you had your ducts cleaned recently? Any odors, particulates noticed?
49. What type of vacuum do you have?
50. What type of cleaning products do you use?
51. Any hobbies carried out in the home ? (adhesives, sanding, soldering)
52. Pesticide/Insecticide applications in the home ?
53. Flea control products used on pets or in house ?
54. Is there a crawlspace? Vapor barrier over soil ?
55. Pressure treated deck? (arsenic)
56. Factory, golf course nearby?
57. Is there anything you haven't told me?
58. Has anyone assessed this problem before?

Phase II: Walk Through Inspections

Locations to inspect:

1. HVAC system
   1. Do exhaust fans exit building?
   2. Are HVAC system vents in locations to properly circulate air?
   3. Are all exhaust fans operating properly? (visually inspect where able)
   4. Check ductwork for proper insulation
   5. Check ductwork for leakage
   6. Check ductwork for cleanliness
   7. Check cleanliness of humidifier
   8. Check static pressure of HVAC system
   9. Condition and efficiency of filters
   10. Check drain pan
   11. Where do drains penetrate for air conditioning condensation?
   12. Fiberglass insulation inside ducts ?
2. Windows
   1. Single or Double?
   2. Condensation?
   3. Leaking?
3. Doors
4. Baseboards
5. Under and around all plumbing fixtures
6. Overall cleanliness
7. Evidence of roof leaks
8. Exterior walls- interior of those if possible
9. Class Pets - dander, stains
10. Furniture - stains, odors
11. Recent renovations
12. Visible water damage/ staining in exterior and interior
13. Wall coverings
14. Roof damage
15. Patches on roof, ceiling or drywall
16. Gutters/ drainage system. Is there any standing water around the structure? Are gutters clean? Properly working and extensions? Are there enough downspouts?
17. Mold growing on clothes, personal belongings
18. Changes to HVAC System
19. Foundation's condition from exterior and interior
20. Grade (slope) of areas surrounding Building
21. Crawlspace, check vapor barrier
22. Crawlspace, check for mold between sill plate and fiberglass insulation
23. Crawlspace, signs of water leaks under restrooms
24. 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