11. How to prevent and manage mould in office space
What is mould?
Mould is a type of fungus that is found both outdoors and indoors. It multiplies via airborne spores which may start to grow if they land in a place with favourable conditions. Mould can develop on a wide range of surfaces, such as wood, paint, walls, fabric, paper, and soil.
What are the favourable conditions for mould to grow?
Mould needs three conditions to grow:
- a suitable temperature
- a source of food (such as dust or porous material)
- moisture (on surfaces or humid air).
How to prevent mould
To prevent mould, the above 3 conditions must be made unsuitable for mould growth. The most important of these is moisture, either on surfaces or in the air (humidity), as without this it is unable to grow. Some ways to prevent mould occurring are:
- Set the building A/C temperature to 24 degrees.
- Clean wet areas as soon as possible, preferably within 24-48 hours.
- Don’t leave wet or damp items such as gym or rain gear indoors for any longer than necessary.
- Assign well ventilated areas with fixtures such as umbrella stands and hangers that allow air flow around damp items.
- Don’t keep boxes, files or furniture against walls that will restrict ventilation.
- Ensure good ventilation in kitchens, bathrooms and wet areas.
- Provide a cleaning regime that keeps all surfaces free of dust and moisture, with extra attention to gyms, air supply grills, storerooms, and other at-risk spaces.
How to identify and report mould
All building occupants are encouraged to actively look for, and report:
- the presence of water leaks - or evidence of leaks, such as newly water-stained materials
- condensation
- evidence of suspected mould such as discoloured walls, ceilings, and other surfaces
- musty or unpleasant odours even if mould is not seen.
If there are any areas of concern, immediately notify your department’s facilities management team who will liaise with the Department of Energy and Public Works, Public Works Division to address the issue.
For more information
- Contact the Queensland Government Accommodation Office at qgao.enquiries@epw.qld.gov.au or call 3008 2761.
- WorkSafe Queensland has more information on mould management, including health implications, at: Managing mould | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au
- For information on mould prevention and management in government residences please refer to Mould (govnet.qld.gov.au)