Expedient reporting and response is critical when water intrusion event occurs in a building.

The ̽̽Water Intrusion Response Program (PDF) is intended to provide basic procedures in response to a water intrusion event inside a ̽̽ building. Additionally, this written program is a means to analyze workplace conditions, impacted materials, and determine appropriate corrective actions to prevent the development of hazardous conditions in the workplace.

Water intrusion events inside a building can have undesirable consequences, such as damage to building components and furnishings, mold growth, odor problems, and other hazardous conditions.

Mold

Mold is a type of fungi that is naturally occurring and can be found in various indoor and outdoor environments year-round. If mold is introduced to an indoor environment and left unchecked, mold gradually causes building material and structural damage, damage to furnishings, and impacts indoor air quality (IAQ). Please see ̽̽’s Indoor Air Quality Response Program for more information regarding indoor mold growth.

If key variables are present, mold can grow on various types of materials, such as dust, food, potted plants, furnishings, wood, paper products, insulation, carpet, and other building materials.

Contact and inhalation of mold can cause various health effects. Health effects, such as allergic reactions can occur and be evident by headaches, irritation to the eyes, throat, and skin, running nose, stuffiness, coughing, or other possible symptoms.

Molds come in many colors including white. "Black mold" and "toxic mold” are not a species or specific kind of mold. These are marketing and news media terms used and can be misleading. All mold under the right conditions have the potential to cause building damage and health effects.

Bacteria, Viruses, and Pathogens

"Grey" water and "black" water intrusion events can introduce biological hazards, such as bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. It is critical that these events be reported immediately, and corrective action implemented as soon as possible to prevent further contamination or potential health risks.

Damp or Wet Building Materials

Common sources of moisture in buildings include: plumbing; roof and window leaks; flooding; condensation on cold surfaces, e.g., pipe sweating; poorly maintained drain pans; and wet foundations caused by landscaping or gutters that direct water into or underthe building.Water vapor from unvented or poorlyvented kitchens, showers, combustion appliances,or steam pipes can also create conditions thatpromote microbial growth.

Over time, if building materials remain damp or wet, the structural integrity of such components may become compromised.

Additionally, damp or wet building components and furnishings may release chemicals indoors, such as volatile organic compounds. Various odors may result and worsen with time if impacted areas remain wet or damp.

Pests

Damp building materials and furnishings may attract rodents and other pests, such as dust mites and cockroaches. Many pests can cause further damage to building materials and furnishings. Additionally, pests can introduce physical and biological hazards within the indoor environment.

To report a water intrusion event, Call SOS at (802) 656-2560

To request training on water intusion response, please contact your supervisor and the Occupational Health and Safety Office at ohso@uvm.edu or call 802.656.SAFE (7233).

Additional Resources