Professionalism and TrustMy Account Apply for Membership My Account Apply for Membership National Association of Mold Remediators & Inspectors 16192 Coastal Highway, Lewes, Delaware 19958 Mold Inspection Standards of Practice 1. Introduction The NAMRI Standards of Practice establish a minimum and uniform standard for performing a mold inspection of one to four family residential dwellings. These Standards define the scope, procedures, limitations, and reporting requirements for a NAMRI Mold Inspection and ensure consistent expectations for both inspectors and clients. The inspection identifies suspected microbial growth and conditions conducive to microbial amplification in readily accessible areas. 2. Key Terms Client - The person who engages the inspector to perform a mold inspection. Mold Inspection Agreement - A written agreement signed before the inspection that defines the scope, limitations, fee, inspection date and time, and property information. Mold Inspection Report - A written report documenting suspected microbial growth, moisture intrusion, water damage, musty odors, conditions conducive to mold growth, areas not inspected and the reasons, and laboratory results when sampling is performed. Inspect - To visually examine readily accessible areas using non invasive methods and normal operating controls. Readily Accessible - Available for visual inspection without moving personal property, stored items, insulation, furniture, floor or wall coverings, or performing destructive or unsafe actions. Component - A part of a system. System - A group of related components performing a function. Unsafe - A condition posing a significant risk of injury or property damage during normal use. Mold-Specific Terms Moisture Intrusion - Unintended water entry into a building component or system. Water Damage - Deterioration, staining, or material degradation caused by moisture intrusion. Musty Odor - A damp, earthy smell commonly associated with microbial growth. Apparent Mold Growth - Visible discoloration or growth patterns consistent with microbial activity. Conditions Conducive to Mold Growth - Environmental or building conditions that support microbial amplification, including elevated moisture, humidity, or organic material. Area of Concern - Any location with moisture intrusion, water damage, musty odors, visible mold, or conditions conducive to mold growth. Sampling-Related Terms Air Sample - A sample collected using a pump and cassette to evaluate airborne mold spores. Surface Sample - A swab or tape sample collected from a surface suspected of microbial growth. Baseline Sample - An outdoor air sample collected for comparison with indoor samples. Closed Building Conditions - Conditions required for accurate indoor air sampling, including closed windows and exterior doors and deactivated whole house fans. Chain of Custody - Documentation tracking sample handling from collection through laboratory analysis, including sample number, location, date, time, and environmental conditions. AIHA Accredited Laboratory - A laboratory accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association for microbial analysis. 3. Purpose The purpose of a mold inspection is to identify suspected microbial growth and conditions conducive to microbial growth in the readily accessible areas of the property. The Mold Inspection Report communicates these findings and may include laboratory results from surface or air samples collected during the inspection. A mold inspection is not a home inspection, not a structural evaluation, and not a comprehensive indoor air quality assessment. 4. Scope The inspection consists of a non invasive visual examination of the readily accessible and visible areas of the following systems and components: Grounds Exterior Structure (including roof surfaces observable from ground or eaves) Plumbing Interior HVAC Moisture / Humidity / Temperature Measurements Sampling (when authorized) A mold inspection is valid only for the date and time of the inspection and cannot predict future mold growth. The scope may be modified by mutual written agreement before or during the inspection. 5. Limitations The mold inspection is limited to readily accessible and visible areas. The inspector is not required to move or dismantle: Furniture, appliances, personal property Floor coverings or finished surfaces Equipment, ducting, insulation, or stored items Structural components or roofing materials Inaccessible areas include, but are not limited to: Interiors of walls or concealed cavities Areas beneath flooring or over concrete slabs Attic or crawlspace areas obstructed by insulation, belongings, or construction Enclosed eaves, bay windows, or boxed soffits Locked or obstructed rooms Areas concealed by heavy vegetation The inspection does not include destructive testing or invasive probing. 6. Warranties and Guarantees The Mold Inspection Report is not a warranty or guarantee that the property is free of mold or conditions conducive to mold. Mold may exist in concealed or inaccessible areas even if not observed. The inspection does not eliminate uncertainty regarding the presence of mold and does not guarantee that mold will not develop in the future. 7. Inspector Qualifications NAMRI members must demonstrate competency by: Completing accredited mold inspector education Passing the NAMRI national examination Maintaining continuing education as required by NAMRI 8. Standards of Practice 8.1 Grounds The inspector shall: Inspect grading, surface drainage, landscaping, and water features that could contribute to water intrusion or microbial growth. Report suspected microbial growth, water damage, or conditions conducive to mold. Limitations: The inspector is not required to inspect underground drainage systems, detached structures, or areas not visible or readily accessible. 8.2 Exterior The inspector shall: Inspect exterior wall coverings, trim, doors, windows, decks, steps, porches, patios, window wells, eaves, soffits, gutters, downspouts, and penetrations where these may contribute to water intrusion or microbial growth. Report suspected microbial growth, water damage, or conditions conducive to mold. Limitations: The inspector is not required to inspect components not accessible from ground level or evaluate adequacy or functionality. 8.3 Structure The inspector shall: Inspect the foundation, basement, crawlspace, attic, and roof surfaces observable from ground level or eaves. Describe methods used to inspect attic and roof surfaces. Report suspected microbial growth, water damage, or conditions conducive to mold. Limitations: The inspector is not required to walk on roofs, enter crawlspaces with less than 24 inches of clearance, enter attics with less than 36 inches of clearance, enter unsafe areas, evaluate structural adequacy or remaining life, or evaluate ventilation or insulation beyond visual observation. 8.4 Plumbing The inspector shall: Inspect sinks, drains, showers, tubs, toilets, water main, supply pipes, waste pipes, and water heater where these may contribute to water intrusion or microbial growth. Report suspected microbial growth, water damage, or conditions conducive to mold. Limitations: The inspector is not required to operate shut down systems, operate main shut off valves, or fill fixtures. 8.5 Interior The inspector shall: Inspect kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas, laundry rooms, closets, and other interior spaces, including walls, ceilings, floors, and windows. Report suspected microbial growth, water damage, musty odors, or conditions conducive to mold. Limitations: The inspector is not required to move furniture or inspect surfaces concealed by coverings. 8.6 HVAC The inspector shall: Inspect filters, return air boxes, condensate drains and pumps, humidifiers, ducts, and vents where these may contribute to water intrusion or microbial growth. Report suspected microbial growth, water damage, or conditions conducive to mold. Limitations: The inspector is not required to certify HVAC operation, activate shut down equipment, disassemble components, or evaluate efficiency. 8.7 Moisture, Humidity, and Temperature Measurements The inspector shall: Measure moisture in any area with water damage, musty odors, visible mold, or conditions conducive to mold. Measure humidity and temperature at the inspector's discretion. Report all measurements taken. 8.8 Sampling (When Authorized) The inspector shall: Collect surface or air samples when authorized and when conditions allow. Collect at least one outdoor baseline sample when air sampling is performed. Collect at least one indoor sample when air sampling is performed. Collect surface samples in areas of concern unless declined by the client. Document environmental conditions affecting sampling. Use appropriate pumps and cassettes. Complete chain of custody documentation. Submit samples to an AIHA accredited laboratory. Provide the client with the original lab report. Closed Building Conditions: Windows and exterior doors closed except for normal entry/exit Whole house and window fans off HVAC systems may operate normally ERVs/HRVs may operate normally Radon mitigation systems remain active Environmental Restrictions: No sampling during severe weather or high winds No outdoor sampling during rain or within two hours after rain No outdoor sampling below freezing No outdoor sampling when ground is fully snow covered Equipment Requirements: Pumps calibrated daily Flow rate must match manufacturer recommendations All air samples must have consistent volume 9. Limitations & Exclusions 9.1 Limitations The inspection is not technically exhaustive. The inspection will not identify concealed or latent conditions. The inspection will not identify hidden mold. The inspection does not predict future mold growth. The inspection does not include future conditions or events. 9.2 Exclusions The inspector is not required to: Report on systems or components not readily accessible Evaluate code compliance Evaluate BTU, capacity, performance, or efficiency Identify pests, rodents, insects, or wood destroying organisms Provide repair or replacement cost estimates Determine cause or origin of conditions Perform structural, geological, or geotechnical evaluations Lift carpeting or padding Move insulation, furniture, or coverings Inspect environmental issues unrelated to mold 10. Enforcement Violations of the NAMRI Mold Inspection Standards of Practice or the NAMRI Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, required retraining, suspension, or revocation of NAMRI membership or credentials. NAMRI may initiate an investigation upon receiving a complaint or credible information suggesting non compliance. Members shall cooperate with NAMRI during any review or investigation. NAMRI may notify appropriate regulatory bodies when violations involve legal, health, or safety concerns.

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