ASTM E3026-15

4.2.1 Specific Point in Time—Because conditions conducive to elevated moisture in a building can vary greatly over time due to changes in weather, interior air handling and conditioning, occupancy, and so forth, a user should only rely on the results presented in the report for the point in time at which the 4.2.2 Site-Specific—This guide is site-specific in that it relates to assessment of readily observable moisture affected materials and physical deficiencies conducive to elevated moisture within a specific commercial building. Consequently, this 4.2.3 Residential Tenants/Purchasers and Others—No implication is intended that it is currently customary 4.3 Who May Conduct—The walk-through survey portion of a 4.4 Additional Services—As set forth in 11.13, additional services may be contracted for between the user and the provider. Such additional services may include 4.5 Principles—The following principles are an integral part of this guide and are intended to be referred to in resolving ambiguity or exercising such discretion as is accorded the 4.5.1 Uncertainty Not Eliminated—No limited 4.5.2 Not Exhaustive—Appropriate inquiry does not mean an exhaustive assessment of a 4.5.3 Activity Exclusions—Certain activities are generally excluded from or otherwise represent limitations to the scope of a 4.5.3.1 Removing or relocating materials, furniture, storage containers, personal effects, debris materials or finishes; conducting exploratory probing or testing; 4.5.3.2 Sampling of any type, including sampling for suspect fungi or other forms of biological growth, or sampling or otherwise measuring moisture or other physical characteristics.

4.5.3.3 Entering or accessing areas of the premises deemed to pose a threat of dangerous conditions with respect to the 4.5.3.4 Providing an environmental site assessment, 4.5.4 Hidden Areas—Moisture affected materials may occur in hidden areas such as: within wall cavities, within crawlspaces; above ceiling tiles or beneath flooring materials, and so forth. Possible locations of hidden moisture affected materials can include pipe chases and utility tunnels, porous thermal or acoustic liners inside ductwork, or roof insulation materials above roof decks of ceilings. If the user suspects the presence of hidden 4.5.5 Representative Observations—The purpose of conducting 4.5.5.1 User-Requested Representative Observations—A user may define the representative observations required for a given 4.5.5.2 Extrapolation of Findings—Provider may reasonably extrapolate 4.5.6 Level of Inquiry Is Variable—Not every 4.5.7 Comparison With Subsequent Inquiry—It should not be concluded or assumed that an inquiry was not an appropriate inquiry merely because the inquiry did not identify 4.6 Rules of Engagement—The contractual and legal obligations between a 1.1 Purpose—The purpose of this guide2 is to define good commercial practice for conducting a baseline survey for readily observable moisture affected materials and conditions conducive to elevated moisture in a commercial building related to a 1.2 Purpose Limitations—While a VMA may be used to survey for readily identifiable 1.3 Considerations Beyond This Scope—The use of this 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 1.4 Organization of the Guide—This 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.