1. Scope
This test method describes an environmental chamber and the conditions of operation to evaluate in a 4-week period the relative resistance to mold growth on building products designed for exterior application using a direct inoculation method. The apparatus is designed so it can be easily built or obtained by any interested party. 1.2.This test method can be used to evaluate the comparative resistance of building products to accelerated mold growth. Ratings do not imply a specific time period that the building product will be free of fungal growth during installation in an interior environment. 1.3.This test method is not intended for use in the evaluation of public health claims. 1.4.The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6. The test method is intended for the accelerated evaluation of mold growth on a building product designed for exterior use. This method is not intended for evaluation of surfaces designed for interior applications or coated surfaces. Use of this test method for evaluating interior performance has not been validated, nor have the limitations for such use been determined. Any use of accelerated weathering (leaching, weathering machine exposure, etc.) should be reported and should also bear reference to the fact that it is beyond the current scope of this test method.
Several organizations have attempted to develop tests for determining the likelihood of fungus growth on building materials. These tests all attempt to limit the exposure of test pieces to one or two specific strains of fungus or to tightly controlled environmental conditions and are intended to evaluate interior building products. Building materials are exposed to many different conditions and should not be rated as mold-resistant based on a challenge of 1 or 2 organism. The challenge should be severe, but not overwhelming, so a single direct inoculation of a mixed spore suspension, providing trace elements necessary for fungal growth and incubating the test pieces in a high humidity is more realistic.
Keywords
fungus resistance; mold resistant; accelerated fungus growth
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Citing ASTM Standards
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