The “IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation”: Why It’s Important

Whether you are a contractor or a customer, everyone can benefit from the guidance provided by the S520 Standard because it is based upon the experience of people working in actual indoor environments with real mold problems. The Standard utilizes this real world experience and provides us with a guideline to follow that ensures the best possible outcome for mold remediation projects.

Without this Standard, it could be particularly difficult for a customer unfamiliar with the trade to effectively choose a quality contractor for their remediation project. If you solicit three bids all from different contractors, it is highly likely significant differences will exist amongst them. Most people with a mold issue requiring professional remediation are not educated or experienced in the field and have little to no way of determining which contractor to choose or why.  The S520 Standard helps keep things in balance by providing effective methodologies for contractors to utilize and enables customers a greater opportunity for an “Apples to Apples” comparison.

The Standard for Professional Mold Remediation

To sum it up very briefly, the standard firstly describes mold remediation procedures and techniques that should be followed by remediators, and secondly describes the methodology and criteria for remediators to use while inspecting mold contaminated structures and developing remediation plans.

While the Standard discusses many topics, some of the items addressed include: inspections, project documentation, contaminant control, contaminant removal, and prevention.

Who Develops the Standard?

The content of the Standard is created from the combined voluntary effort of industry experts and other organizations such as the Indoor Environmental Institute (IEI), the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), and the Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians (SCRT).

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)

The IICRC is a nonprofit certification and standard setting organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. Its mission is to identify and promote an international standard of care that establishes and maintains the health, safety and welfare of the built environment.

Let the Standard work for you!

If you have a situation involving mold, make sure that any contractor you do business with follows the S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation. This will go a long way to protect your investment and ensure the problem is dealt with properly.

If you would like to learn more about the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification or the S520 Standard, please visit: http://iicrc.org/