Environmental Consulting
Indoor Environmental Quality
MZA specializes in the investigation and remediation of mold, bacteria, and other microbiological aerosols in buildings. MZA conducts indoor air quality inspections and assessments to diagnose "sick" or contaminated buildings.
MZA conducts indoor environmental quality (IEQ) investigations, prepares specifications for the remediation project, assists in contractor screening and selection, monitors OSHA compliance, and provides on-site administration to assure a successful resolution to the project.
MZA sets up Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Programs to maintain good indoor air quality in existing buildings. Most indoor air quality (IAQ) issues arise from reports from building occupants, rather than being discovered by building inspections or testing. The enormous range of human response to agents in the air of a building and the real possibility of false reports make it important to have an effective way of evaluating reports. MZA has designed proven, effective, and simple O&M programs to maintain good indoor air quality. O&M programs allow the facility owner to respond to "concerns" before they become "problems." Implementation of the IAQ management program helps the facility owner avoid the potential for the disaster scenarios of evacuated buildings and traumatized employees that have afflicted other, less prepared facility owners.
As a firm, MZA's team is comprised of associates with multi-disciplinary skills, including the following certifications:
- Mechanical and electrical PE licenses
- Certified Industrial Hygienist
- Certified LEED Accredited Professional (AP)
- Certified Safety Professional
- Certified Indoor Air Quality Manager
- Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
- American IAQ Council CIEC
- American IAQ Council CIAQM
- Certified Hazardous Material Manager
Taking advantage of the synergy between our mechanical engineering capabilities and our industrial hygiene expertise, MZA has addressed unique analytical issues which typical engineering or industrial hygiene firms by themselves would not be qualified to handle. For example, MZA's work has included the study of building ventilation rates. MZA has studied the relationship between ventilation rates and indoor air quality in over 40 South Florida Schools. High ventilation rates carry an increased risk of elevated humidity and mold contamination, which is the primary indoor air quality problem in schools in the hot humid environment of South Florida. Using the approach referred to as the ASHRAE Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Procedure, the MZA study has determined that ventilation rates less than 10 cfm/student provide adequate control over indoor pollutants, thus meeting requirements of the Florida Building Code, while minimizing the risk of high humidity and mold growth. This study will potentially have far-reaching implications for building owners on IAQ, building performance, and energy efficiency, since the appropriate ventilation rate not only optimizes indoor air quality, but also results in reduced energy and equipment costs.
In addition to IEQ evaluations, MZA offers IAQ services including ASHRAE studies, lighting analyses, and ergonomic evaluations, as well as traditional OSHA exposure sampling and workers compensation claims analysis. MZA also offers EPA "Tools for Schools" consulting services.
