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Standards for mold remediation

It is a fact that mould, bacteria etc. spread almost randomly in all directions. So it is good that the remediation of this building damage is at least subject to clear regulations: removal and disinfection are technical standards and therefore part of building law. Further information can be found here.

Complimentary disinfection is a technical standard

Guidelines, such as the German construction contract procedures (VOB/C) or the BFS data sheets, are used as orientation for disinfection measures. The VOB/C procedures include the General technical terms of contract for building work (ATV), which are also issued at the same time as DIN standards. Specialist companies, experts, planners and architects can also find supporting information in the BFS data sheets 11 and 20, also referred to in the comments on VOB Part C.

What do the DIN standards of VOB/C state?

Hereinafter we quote from the comments on VOB Part C, the general technical terms of contract for building work (ATV), DIN 18363 – Painting and Coating Work – Coatings:

Point 3.4 states: “Organic growth on old coatings is to be pretreated with a biocidal product and removed.”
“Organic growth caused by mould may occur on internal coatings and also on external coatings caused by algae, lichen and moss. This growth is to be removed before the remedial coating … The affected areas indoors are to be disinfected…”

Point 4.2.17 refers to: “Pretreatment of organic growth with a biocidal product and removal of algae and fungal infestations as well as services for the protection of surfaces against algae, fungal and insect infestations.” … If fungal growth is present, the contractor should advise the client that this preparatory work and the biocide treatment comply with the generally recognised technical regulations with respect to the local conditions.

Failure to use disinfectants can be expensive

“The inclusion of VOB/B in the building contract means that Part C also forms part of the contract and is, for example, decisive for the evaluation when there is a building defect. For example, if specific building work does not comply with the DIN standards of VOB/C, this is regularly because it has not been performed professionally in accordance with the contract and the architectural regulations.”
(Source: http://www.anwalt.de/rechtsanwalt/vob.php)

What do the BFS data sheets state?

The guidelines for painting and coating work – the BFS data sheets – are prepared in expert committees of the Federal Committee for Paints and the Protection of Objects.

The BFS data sheets describe the recognised technical regulations and, if necessary, the technical standards for different service areas within the painting and coating trade and are used as a technical basis for painting and coating companies, experts, planners and architects.

Further information at https://www.farbe-bfs.de/

In a nutshell, there are clear regulations.

Whenever the VOB/B part of the building contract is in place and there is a mould infestation, failure to use a suitable disinfectant means that work has not been performed professionally in accordance with the contract and the generally recognised technical regulations. It is known that a defect exists if nothing is wrong with the execution of the work. In accordance with the above-mentioned regulations, DIN standards and data sheets, the following can be concluded:
“Disinfection as an element of professional mould remediation complies with the generally recognised technical regulations and technical standards.”

BE SURE TO NOTE

The professional application of disinfectants to combat mould is not only understood as the application of a product to kill the mould, but always also the subsequent removal of the dead mould when cleaning the surfaces.

Directive on mould remediation after mains water damage (VdS 3151)

This directive is intended as a practical guide for remediation projects. It is intended for the loss adjusters as well as the insurance company representatives, as well as the affected policy holders, experts or specialists and employees from the remediation company.

The topic of cleaning and disinfection is also an integral part of this directive. Information on this can be found in section 6 on pages 19-25.

The directive on mould remediation after mains water damage (VdS 3151) can be ordered as a print version from VdS-Verlag (VdS Schadenverhütung Verlag, Amsterdamer Straße 174, 50735 Cologne, Tel./Fax: +49 221-7766-369/-109) or through the VdS-Verlag’s online shop (http://www.vds-shop.de/).

The PDF version of the guideline can be found here.

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