Radon & Mold Professionals Newsletter

Mold, Radon, Indoor Air Quality

"How we see it"

Home Inspector Edition

New Florida Mold Law

July 2007

In This Issue

 New Florida Mold Law

In a effort to protect the citizens of Florida, Florida Governor Crist signed Mold / Inspection legislation (SB2234) into law. The new law will regulate the Mold Inspection industry and Home Inspection businesses and individuals.

Individuals will need a license and businesses will need to be certified.  The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation will handle the licensing and the company certifications.

One very important aspect of the new law the consumer should understand is that Mold Inspections and Home Inspections are two different professions, with separate licenses and regulations.

To veiw the new Florida mold / inspector law:

http://election.dos.state.fl.us/laws/07laws/ch_2007-235.pdf 

Law and more info:

http://www.naplesmoldinspection.com/id12.html 

Mold bill became law July 1
By Joe Adams
Originally published on July 05, 2007As mentioned in my previous column (Bill puts focus on mold inspections, June 7), the State of Florida has been grappling with the appropriate standards for licensing mold "assessors" and "remediators" since 2004.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/COLUMNISTS16/707050328/1014/BUSINESS

New Mold Laws - Central Florida News 13:  http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2007/7/9/new_mold_laws.html

 Highlights of New Mold / Inspector Law

Mold Inspector (Assessor)                                       

        License Requirements:

• Extensive approved training                    
• Pass a state exam                                                         
• 4 years Experience                                                         
• $1,000,000 Liability, E&O insurance                            
• Continuing Education classes 

(1 year of experience with specific College degrees)

        Home Inspector   License Requirements:  

• 120 hours of approved training
• NO EXPERIENCE
• Pass a state exam
• $300,000 Liability insurance
• No E&O insurance
• Continuing Education classes

Companies providing Mold Inspection Services or Home Inspection Services must be certified by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation thru licensed employee.

Note:

Minimum time to become a licensed Mold Inspector:  3 to 4 Years

Minimum time to become a licensed Home Inspector: 3 to 4 weeks

Law and more info:

http://www.naplesmoldinspection.com/id12.html 

E&O Mold Insurance (about $2,000 per inspector plus FL tax, group membership)

ESA members can get $1 million mold E&O issued for inspector not company.

EAA members can get $1 million mold E&O issued for inspector not company.

Rumor is that NACHI members will be able to get the same soon.

IAQA members also can get the $1 million E&O but thru a different carrier.

From looking at the last couple years in Texas (since their mold law became effective); it appears some inspectors will get their money's worth from the insurance in Florida too.

What Now?

Until the FL DBPR issues the qualified individuals a mold license. 

What should be done:

www.naplesmoldinspection.com

Step 1

First-line mold screening performed by home inspectors is to get preliminary information on whether a mold problem may exist and further investigation is warranted.

Ad for Z5 (Pro Lab website)

"The Z5 Sampling Cassette is a cost effective, first-line mold screening tool that efficiently and reliably collects mold.
It can be easily used by home inspectors to get preliminary information on whether a mold problem may exist and further investigation is warranted."

Step 2

A professional mold inspector (CIE or CIH) will determine if property has a mold/moisture problem, identify and document the sources and write recommendations for corrections.

Step 3

Remediation Company will clean up mold problem following the recommendations of the CIETM(Certified Indoor Environmentalist) or CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) based on "IICRC S520 Standard for Mold Remediation.

Step 4

Clearance inspection and testing is performed by a CIETM or CIH to ensure mold clean up was done properly. Home Inspectors should not do Clearance inspections or testing unless they are qualified to write remediation specification or protocols and carry "mold specific" Errors and Omissions Insurance.

NOTE: 

 LIABILITY for job passes to the person who performed the Clearance inspection.  MOLD specific Errors and Omission insurance is NOT the same as Home Inspector Insurance.   Many companies form a corporation and then just close company when liability issues arise.

New law will require $1 million mold E&O, this expected to impact the number of inspectors in the mold business.

 Why Florida has a new mold law!

Bill puts focus on mold inspections
By Joe Adams
Originally posted on June 07, 2007    The News-Press

Joe Adams is an attorney with Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., Fort Myers. http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/RE/706070309/1032/COLUMNISTS 

A Florida Seller Fights Unregulated Mold Report Stigma

Realty Times article by Blanche Evans    http://realtytimes.com/rtapages/20030925_stigma.htm

"A Florida seller is upset that unlicensed, unregulated home inspectors can perform non-standardized mold tests which may result in stigmatizing a home"

Mold Law

State Senator Dave Aronberg: "It's really a roll of the dice who you get because the people right now holding themselves out as mold              don't have to go through any training or education."

http://www1.wsvn.com/features/articles/carmelcase/MI25977/

 Texas Mold Law 

"Of all the states with mold regulations Texas and Florida laws will have the most Impact mold business in their states"

When Texas passed their mold law in 2003 they had about 500 to 600 "mold inspectors" before the law became effective.

The day after the law became effective they had about 24.  We understand they now have over 200 licensed mold inspectors three years later.  They also are required to have $1 million E&O mold specific insurance.

Similar numbers are expected in Florida, one legislative committee report indicated 200 to 300 licensed mold assessors once the Florida law becomes effective. Some estimates are 2,000 to 3,000 entities now are claiming to perform mold inspections in Florida.

The Florida DBPR is very responsible about dealing with complaints concerning companies licensed thru their department unlike the FL DOH radon bureau.

Most mold inspectors, CIE's, we know are excited about cleaning up the business. The DBPR is expected to enforce the law just well Texas does.

Couple examples of how Texas seems to be enforcing their mold law.

 (there are hundreds of examples on their website for various complaints)

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mold/docs/currentactionsmold.pdf

Name License #        Location       Nature of Violation     Disciplinary Action Final     Enforcement Date

Preferred HomeInspections, Inc.

None 11435 Slash Pine, TheWoodlands

295.305 - Performing mold assessment activities without a license.

Penalty: $500.00 with conditions 12/19/06

Vadehra, Priya D. None 3722 Simsbrook Dr., Houston 295.305 -

Performing mold assessment activities without a license

Penalty: $1,000.00 with conditions

12/04/06

Humor:

The Texas Licensing board:        (Wonder if they have a mold problem)

DSHS Regulatory Services Division is currently transitioning back to full operations after flooding of our headquarters building. The building has partially reopened, and some staff have been able to return to their work stations

 Mold Inspection certification (our view)

The Mold Inspection license should put everyone on a level playing field. The days of the "one and two day wonder" certified mold inspector should be nearing an end in Florida.

We do not know what training will be approved for mold yet but the Indoor Air Quality Association has been doing training for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations for 9 years already.  I'm sure other training organization will apply for approval.

AmIAQC certified Indoor Environmentalists  are recognized nationally because their training is from one organization (IAQA) and their certification (and exam) is from a different organization (AmIAQC).  You take the training, apply for the certification then take an examination usually in one of the testing centers located across the country; we went to Sarasota for ours. Your application then has to be approved by a national board and they do check your experience, etc., the committee called one of John's clients in Michigan. 

The American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQC) certifications require proof of 2 years experience just to apply.   You can plan on a couple of months to complete the process if you choose the IAQA training and AmIAQC certification.

IAQA  http://www.iaqa.org           AmIAQC   http://www.iaqcouncil.org

We have attended several classes from each of these groups, ESA, EMSL, PRO Lab, IAQA and more.  ESA has good classes but have no experience requirements for certifications.  ESA does have testing standards but unlike IESO standards, ESA standards are not approved by ANSI  (The American National Standards Institute).

ESA has been providing training for several years now, they are approved for training in Texas and probably will in Florida too.  

 ESA  https://site352.mysite4now.com/envirosol/www/index.html

American Indoor Air Quality Council, (AmIAQC)

AmIAQC certifications accredited by CESB

The Only Independently-Accredited Certifications in the IAQ Industry!

Accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards

The recognized accreditation body for engineering and scientific certification and specialty certification programs.

American Indoor Air Quality Council,  all certifications including:

• Council-certified Indoor Environmentalist
• Council-certified Microbial Remediator
• Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor
• Council-certified Residential Mold Inspector

No other mold certifications are independently-accredited in the United States.

 Mold Reports  (Our View)

Lab analysis only reports will be a thing of the past with the new law (2010).

Everyone should realize Nationally accepted Industry Testing STANDARDS and Remediation STANDARDS are not same as your best guess.  Remember, if you end up in court someday; Standards trump guidelines every time.

Reports should include a scope of work, source identification with documentation, lab analysis with interpretation, recommendation for corrections based on accepted industry standards.

Particle counters, infrared cameras, books:

You can get by without a particle counter, although we think they are great. But if you don't use an infrared camera, you will miss something sooner or later.

Concerning the IAQA class and/or your reports you will probably need several books; about $800 to a $1000 worth.  We use the books for reference almost every day when doing reports.  We seem to end up buying a new book about once a month.  Your reports will change regularly, for some it could be a year to learn how to write an good mold report.  The science and your experience will change, and so will your report.

Remember the state did not make the 4 year experience requirement in the new law so the inspector could learn how to collect a couple air samples. 

To many "mold inspectors" think just collecting air samples is a mold inspection.

Two mold inspections a day with reports is a full 8 hour day.  Our minimum report is about 17 pages, this could be why we have had "a record year" for jobs in the last 12 months.

Even if you only issue a "minimum real mold report"

You will want copies of "Fungal Contamination" by Holly Bailey, "Bioaerosols Assessment and Control" by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, "IICRC S520 Guide for Professional Mold Remediation" , Post-Remediation and Clearence Testing" by R Brandys,

"Worldwide Exposure standards for Mold and Bacteria" by R. Brandys, and several more.

A Mold inspection report should include:

1. a scope of work performed.

2. an executive summary documenting any suspect  conditions.

3. Lab analysis .... (test results & Your Interpretation

4. Source identifications & RECOMMENDATIONS for corrections based on?.

5. Photo's documenting signs moisture intrusion, suspected mold.

6. Infrared Thermal imaging camera survey of subject property.

7. May also include a particle count survey;  to aid in finding the source of mold growth.

If you don't think these are necessary in a report, just think Liability, Liability, Liability.

Radon & Mold Professionals

office: (239) 498-4619

 Certified Indoor Environmentalists 
AmIAQC Certified Indoor Environmentalist is qualified to determine if a home has a mold problem and what should be done to correct the mold problem. 

Radon & Mold Professionals

John Cosgrove, CIE, CRMI

Doug Wall, CIE, CRMI

Council-certified Indoor Environmentalists,

Council-certified Residential Mold Inspectors,

Board-awarded by the American Indoor Air Quality Council

The American Indoor Air Quality Council requires at least 2 years experience before an individual can apply for certification.      http://www.iaqcouncil.org/

Radon & Mold Professionals

(In 7 years over 13,000 radon tests and 4,000 mold inspections

with thousands of mold tests performed)

             website:   www.radonmoldhelp.com

www.naplesmoldinspection.com

office: (239) 498-4619  

toll free: (800) 881-3837

• Radon Testing, FL DOH certified Business    (Residential, Schools, Assisted Living Facilities)
• Mold Inspections & Mold Testing, DNA Testing for Mold, Mold Clearence Inspection/Testing.
• Infrared Thermal Imaging Cameras, Laser Particle Counters, Boroscopes, Moisture Meters. 
• Allergen and Formaldehyde Testing.

We have carried $1 million in Errors and Omissions insurance on each inspector for years (a requirement of new law).

Florida Gulf Coast Inspections, Pro-View Inspections, Pillar to Post, and Certified Inspector and many more Home Inspectors hire us for mold inspections and radon testing.

Law and more info:

http://www.naplesmoldinspection.com/id12.html 

 Florida Governor Signs Mold Bill

http://www.iicrc.org/newsflash.shtml

The State of Florida has been grappling with the appropriate standards for licensing mold "assessors" and "remediators" since 2004. Senate Bill 2234, adopted by the 2007 Florida Legislature as the latest effort on that front, was signed by Governor Crist on June 27 and became the law on July 1st. The bill regulates and licenses providers of home inspection services, mold remediation services, and mold assessment services.The new Florida law will impact many IICRC registrants who perform mold related services or home and building inspection services in Florida.

 Other Home Inspector News

Licensing in NYS was approved in 2005. All Home Inspectors were mandated to be licensed effective 1-1-06.

"In New York, the state had estimated approx. 2000 to 2500 inspectors before licensing, now we have approx. 1500 licensed inspectors."

Bill C. Merrell

http://www.realestatefoundation.org

http://www.merrellinstitute.com/

http://www.northamericanassociationnetwork.com/

http://www.homeinspectionconference.com

bmerrell@merrellinstitute.com

NY Metro Education Chapter President (05061990)

NACHI Education Committee Member

 H2O 911  Restoration

        Storm / Fire / Water / Mold

               www.H2O911.com

Contact: Brian Bland

office: (239) 567-0001

fax:  (239) 997-0016

cell: (239) 707-7931

email: brian@H2O911.com

Mold remediation with clearence certification

      MPSS Environmental

  http://www.mpssenvironmental.com

Contact:  Steve Wirtjes

office: (239) 992-6255

fax: (239) 992-6640

email: info@mpssenvironmental.com

Mold remediation with clearence certification

  IAQA Government Affairs Update

Summary of Activity for June 2007

ATTN:  Douglas Wall

State legislative activity has slowed to a crawl with all but all but nine states having completed their 2007 sessions.  States remaining active are: California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.  While there are some bills of interest to IAQA members in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey, they do not appear too likely to pass. 

The big news that was reported earlier is that Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill (SB 2234) that establishes a licensing program for mold assessors and remediators.  That bill has been in the making for three years and IAQA participated in a broad coalition that made positive changes to the original bill.  Bills of interest to IAQA members also passed in Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota and Maine.

Femto Tech /radon monitors http://www.femto-tech.com

"This is the top of the line in radon testing. We have performed thousands of radon tests with the Femto Tech monitor.  We tried the inexpensive Honeywell, sun nuclear, and Radalink monitor, no thank you.  Your client deserves the best, Femto tech radon monitors are used around the world by radon professionals who recognize quality. 

Femto Tech radon monitors provide detailed hour by hour reports with barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, radon levels and with 3 page reports with color graphs from Air Chek Inc. www.radon.com assures your client the best test and best report."

Doug Wall, CIE

WallRadon Testing, Inc. FL DOH certified Radon Business

Radon & Mold Professionals

John Cosgrove, CIE

Certified Radon Service, FL DOH certified Radon Business

 office: (239) 498-4619        http://www.radonmoldhelp.com 

 Lemacks Htg & AC Inc.

1770 Sanctuary Rd, Naples, FL 34120

Serving Lee & Collier Counties

Sales - Service - Installation

Residential & Commercial

Ray Lemacks, owner

Cell: (239) 370-8838                      New & Existing Const.

Office: (239) 348-1734                   CAC 1813576