How to find the cause of indoor air quality or sick-building syndrome (SBS) problems in buildings:
Here is a sick building questionnaire form helpful in tracking down building-related indoor air quality and health complaints that may be related to building conditions.
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Mail or give this questionnaire to your building investigator or consultant
Email: _____________________________________
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Name/Company :_ __________________________________________ Date:_________________
Name :_ ___________________________________________________ Tel: __________________
Address :_ _________________________________________________ ClientEmail:____________
___________________________________________________ Inspector :_____________
Complaints/Symptoms (Per occupant):
Occupant :___________________ Symptoms/Complaint:______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Complaint type (circle):
Chills, Cough, congestion, chest tightness, dizziness, eye irritation,
fatigue fever, headache, itching, lethargy, nausea, nose irritation
o dors/smells, shortness of breath, sinus irritation, sleepiness, swelling,
temperature/hHumidity (discomfort), throat irritation
Other (describe): ___________________________________________________________________________
Medical diagnoses: infection, immunocompromised, clusters of serious health concerns
Occupant's suspected cause or contributor____________________________________ Don't Know ______
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Time of day/season when more severe: Morning EveningNo Difference This is your home workplace both
When Symptoms Started :______________________ Years occupying subject building:________
Profession/Job :______________________________ Other Exposures at home/work:___________
Hours per day in building ____ _How Long spent in each room________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Symptoms change when out of building? If so, how/how long? _______________________________
Complaint started/stopped (date/time) _________________ or Complaint is Ongoing: Yes ___ No____
Complaint Dates if recurrent, or first observed if ongoing ______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Exterior:
Lawn treated with pesticides herbicides? This Lawn Neighbors_______________________
Building Distance to: Swamps/wetlands ______ Dry-Cleaners/Laundry ______ Compost _____
Mildew or Molds growing on exterior? No. / Yes. Where ? _ _______________________
Building or Exterior treated for _________________ Date/Frequency___________________
Termites Carpenter ants Other Insects / Rodents _____________________________________
Pesticides/Chemicals Used____________________ Treatment Company________________
Unusual number of spider webs in basement/crawl space/ building Yes No No Access
Carpet or furniture treated for Mites Fleas Date/Frequency____________________
Building Information: Age :_____ Type Of Structure: 1 Office
1 Story 2-Story 3 StoryHigh-Rise: Your Floor :____________
Garage: None Attached Under Detached Slab construction yes no Other_________________
Basement: None Finished Un-finished Both Crawl space: None partial full dirt cement no access
Carpeting: At :____________ Area Wall-to-wall Material: Wool Synthetic Don't know
Carpeting: At :____________ Area Wall-to-wall Material: Wool Synthetic Don't know
Carpeting: At :____________ Area Wall-to-wall Material: Wool Synthetic Don't know
Carpeting cleaned _________ Method Used: Steam Water Dry Chemical ________________
Recent Construction: __________________________________________________________
Materials Used: (Particle board, adhesives, carpeting, painting, etc.) __________________________
Comments: ___________________________________________________________________
Room Comments
Observed: Odors Mold /Mildew Soot/Dust/Leak Stains At:________________________________________________________________
Observed: Dates/Tiimes/Weather/Sunlight/Wind/Temperature/HVAC Operating: ___________________________________________________
Observed: Odors Mold /Mildew Soot/Dust/Leak Stains At:_________________________________________________________________
Observed: Dates/Tiimes/Weather/Sunligh/Windt/Temperature/HVAC Operating: ___________________________________________________
Other Observations (Drafts, leaks, insect or rodent pests )_ _______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Attic:
Whole House Fan: Yes Frequency of Use :_______________ Rarely or Not Used
Condensation: NoneLight Heavy No Access
Roof Ventilation: None Gable-end/Roof Vent Fan Ridge Vent Soffit Vent Continuous? Obstructed?
Roof Leaks: None PriorPresent Significant
Basement/Crawl Space:
Water Entry and Moisture History :_ _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Mold/Mildew: visible @ ___________________________________________ Odors Stains
Other Water Entry Signs: Partition Walls Closets Carpets/Rugs Present
Windows generally shut open varies
Hours basement used/occupied per week :_ _____ Office Exercise space Other
o:p>
Chemical Storage:
Pesticides/Fertilizers stored at :____________________________________________________
Cleaning/Other Chemicals stored at :________________________________________________
Other leaks / Water Entry History Notes: site drainage ice dams gutter defects plumbing leaks sewage-backup
_____________________________________________________________________________
Mechanical Systems
Heating Systems:
Type: Furnace Hot Water Boiler Steam Stove/Fireplace
Fuels: Oil Gas Electric Wood/Coal __________
Recent Problems Fuel Leak Puff-Back Spillage Soot/Dust Noises
Ductwork: Last Cleaned_________________ Return Ducts at :____________________
Kick-space heaters in kitchen in bath
Air Filters: Fiberglass furnace filter Fiberglass media filter Accordion Paper Filter Electronic
Frequency of changing/cleaning filters :________________________
Humidifiers: (devices to add moisture to air, usually used in winter)
Type: In-Room At-Furnace Leaks/Other Notes :_______________________________
Dehumidifiers: (devices to remove moisture from air, used in humid weather and/or damp locations)
Present in use L ast cleaned_________Coil Condition_____
Air Conditioning:
Type: Central Room -Units Located at:______________________________________________
Return Air Locations: ________________________________________________________
Located near: bathroom garage utility room Duct Type: metal insulated flexible building cavities
Duct Insulation: fiberglass lining? Yes No Condition: _________ Cleaned? Yes No
Condensate Handling: Gravity drains Pumps Leaks? Yes No Cleaned ? Yes No
Appliances
Clothes Dryer at: __________________ Vented to :____________________________
Washing Machine at :_______________ Leak history___________________________
Kitchen Stove: Electric Gas ignition: Match Pilots Automatic/Electronic
Refrigerator: Drip Tray missing present dirty Last Cleaned____________ Ice Maker Leaks?
Dishwasher: Leaks Soil under unit?
Other Information
Allergens/Irritants:
Pets (list all ) _ __________________________________________________________
House Plants Ficus Benjamina (ornamental fig)
Bedding: Allergy control covers in use not apparent Linens washed in hot cold water.
Feather pillows quilts mattresses
Furniture: padded: cushions fleecy materials _________________
Fragrances Hair Spray PerfumesAir Fresheners _____________________
Candles/oil lamps burned in home Frequency_____________ Scented Candles Incense used?
Cleaning:
Vacuum cleaner type: Canister Upright /HEPA filter ? Brand :______________
Cleaning Service yes uses their own vacuum cleaner? Yes No
Any other comments about sources of complaint: ____________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Medical Consultation:
Regarding these complaints) consultation has also been with
Medical ProfessionalIndustrial Hygienist Home Inspector No One Else
Names/Dates _________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Attach Sketchs: floor plan, building plan, photographs, indicating areas of complaints, suspected causes or sources of complaints.
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