ICRA Requirements.docx

ICRA REQUIREMENTS.

The ICRA Level would be considered Level III. Please see below for requirements.

1. Perform work activity in a manner that does not create dust.

1. Immediately replace any ceiling tile, close access panels, etc., upon completion of work.

1. Any materials and equipment being brought into the facility must be free of contaminants and loose material.

1. Provide active means to control airborne dust from dispersing into occupied areas and/or water mist surface to control dust (e.g., Mobile Dust Containment Cart or some other system).

1. Ensure worker clothing is clean and free of visible dust before leaving the work area.

1. Remove or isolate air diffusers (supply and return) to protect the HVAC system from dust and reduce air turbulence. Rebalance system to address diffuser isolation.

1. When the work involves or impacts potable water systems including stagnation due to reduced usage, the piping shall be flushed twice a week or isolated from the main system.

1. Seal doors to prevent dust migration.

1. Contain all trash and debris in the work area. Perform daily cleaning and disposal of trash (covered) from work area using an identified exit route.

1. Any equipment, tools, or materials removed from the work area must be in sealed containers and/or cleaned of dust and debris prior to removal from the area.

1. Nonporous/smooth and cleanable containers (with a hard lid) must be used to transport trash and debris from the construction areas. These containers must be damp-wiped cleaned and free of visible dust/debris before leaving the contained work area.

1. Install a sticky (dust collection) mat at entrance of contained work area based on facility policy. Sticky mats must be changed routinely and when visibly soiled.

1. Maintain clean surroundings when area is not contained by damp mopping or HEPA vacuuming surfaces at least daily.

1. Ensure availability of equipment for cleaning hands.

1. Construct and complete critical barriers meeting NFPA 241 requirements. Barriers must extend to the ceiling or if ceiling tile is removed, to the deck above.

1. All (plastic or hard) barrier construction activities must be completed in a manner that prevents dust release. Plastic barriers must be effectively affixed to floor and ceiling (or floor/roof deck above) and secure from movement or damage.

1. Seal all penetrations in containment barriers, including floors and ceiling, using approved materials (UL schedule firestop if applicable for barrier type).

1. Maintain .01 inches /water gauge negative pressurization of the entire workspace by use of HEPA exhaust air systems directed outdoors, or comply with the alternative method outlined in Appendix A of this document. These control measures must be maintained continuously 24/7 for the duration of the project. HEPA filtered exhaust if discharged directly to the outdoors must be at a distance of 25 feet or greater from entrances, air intakes and operable windows. Exhausting discharged air into shared or recirculating HVAC systems, or other shared exhaust systems (e.g., bathroom exhaust) is prohibited.

1. Install a differential pressure sensing device (e.g., magnehelic, manometer, or digital monitoring) on exterior of work containment to continually monitor and document negative pressurization. The “ball in the wall” or similar apparatus are not acceptable Appendix A Interior Construction Space Exhaust:

If the facility is not able to exhaust to the building exterior, the Healthcare Environment and Facilities program office has identified an alternate industry-recognized standard interior exhaust procedure that is accepted as providing an equivalent level of infection prevention and control (IPC), and safety. The alternate interior exhaust procedure is implemented by completing the following:

a. If exhaust is directed indoors, then the system must be HEPA filtered. Maintain .01 inches water gauge negative pressurization of the entire workspace by use of HEPA exhaust. These control measures must be maintained continuously 24/7 for the duration of the project.

b. Prior to start of work, including assembly of the ICRA barriers, initial baseline air sampling measurements for particulate levels must be taken in the planned area of discharge. Once containment is erected and completed, HEPA filtration must then be verified by particulate measurement, using a particle counter with multi-channel capabilities to measure down to 0.3 microns, to confirm that the discharge of the HEPA unit does not exceed the baseline particulate count of the area to which the exhaust is directed. Verification must continue at least once per 8 hour shift when there is construction activity. Any exceedance must trigger a work stoppage and an immediate response and resolution. All particulate measurements, including the baseline measurement, must be documented and retrievable.

c. To accommodate the sampling, the negative air pressure machine must be fitted with a 2 ft section of rigid ductwork at the discharge. The sample port for monitoring must be in the rigid ductwork section.

d. Vapor generating processes must be assessed and appropriate filtration must be installed to mitigate transmission to the facility.

e. Engineering must do a complete flow and pressure analysis and document the area to which the air is being discharged to ensure the flow and pressure relationships in that area are not being adversely impacted by the additional flow. Ideally, this is done as part of the construction package to ensure the design is implementable and no additional HVAC changes are required to accommodate the exhaust from the negative air equipment.

f. Install device on exterior of work containment to continually monitor negative pressurization. To ensure proper pressure is continuously maintained, the device(s) shall have a visual pressure indicator, data collection and alarm.

g. Exhaust must be directed to Low Risk areas as defined in Table 3 in this VHA ICRA template. Ideally this discharge must be located so as not to impinge on high traffic areas or create a nuisance with noise or excessive airflow.

NOTE: Exhaust into shared or recirculating HVAC systems, or other shared exhaust systems (e.g., bathroom exhaust) is not acceptable.