Full Description
1.1 Purpose-The purpose of this
guide is to define good commercial
practice for conducting a
limited survey for
readily observable moisture affected materials and conditions conducive to elevated
moisture in a
commercial building related to
commercial real estate transaction or
commercial real estate management by conducting: a
walk-through survey, document reviews, and
interviews as outlined within this
guide. This
guide is intended to provide a practical means for the limited identification of
moisture affected materials and
physical deficiencies conducive to elevated moisture caused by water infiltration through the
building envelope or substructure or generated within the
subject building as a result of processes or mechanical systems, excluding
de minimis conditions. This
guide is to allow a
user to assess general
moisture concerns, as well as the potential need for further assessment or other actions that may be appropriate that are beyond the scope of this
guide. For purposes of this
guide, the initialism "
LMA" or "
Limited Moisture Assessment" is used interchangeably with this
guide''s full title.
1.2 Purpose Limitations-While a
LMA may be used to
survey for readily identifiable
moisture affected materials and
physical deficiencies conducive to elevated moisture, the
LMA is not designed to serve as
comprehensive survey for the presence of
moisture affected materials and
physical deficiencies conducive to elevated moisture in all or most areas in a
commercial building. It is not intended to reduce or eliminate the risks that elevated
moisture may pose to the
subject building or its
occupants.
1.3 Considerations Beyond This Scope-The use of this
guide is limited to the scope set forth in this section. Section
12 of this
guide identifies, for informational purposes, certain physical conditions (not an all-inclusive list) that may exist at a
subject property and certain activities or procedures (not an all-inclusive list) that are beyond the scope of this
guide but may warrant consideration by
users. The need to investigate any such conditions in the
provider''s scope of services should be evaluated based upon, among other factors, the nature of the
subject property and the reason for conducting the
LMA. The scope of such further investigation or testing services should be agreed upon between the
user and the
provider as additional services, which are beyond the scope of this
guide, prior to initiation of the
LMA process. The responsibility to initiate work beyond the scope of this
guide lies with the
user.
1.3.1 Sampling for suspect
fungi and other forms of
biological growth is a non-scope consideration under this
guide.
1.3.2 Sampling or otherwise measuring for
moisture is a non-scope consideration under this
guide.
1.4 Organization of the Guide-This
guide has 13 sections and two appendices. Section
1 defines the Scope. Section
2 is Referenced Documents. Section
3 is Terminology. Section
4 defines the Significance and Use of this
guide. Section
5 describes User Responsibilities. Sections
6 through
11 provide guidelines for the main body of the
report, including the scope of the
walk-through survey and preparation of the
report. Section
12 identifies Out of Scope Considerations. Section
13 lists keywords for Internet reference.
Appendix X1 provides the
user with a suggested Interview Checklist, and
Appendix X2 provides the
user with a suggested Field Checklist.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 
