Mold growth test method released

ASTM has developed a new method called WK32079 for checking mold growth for buildings that have exterior applications.

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A new method for checking mold growth on building materials has been designed by ASTM. The procedure, developed by subcommittee G03.04, is specifically designed for exterior applications using an environmental chamber and direct insulation.

The method, called WK32079, explains direct operational conditions using an ecological chamber designed to assess mold growth over a four-week period. The test also assesses mold’s natural resistance. The apparatus used for the test is designed so anyone interested in its application can build or obtain it with relative ease.

The test is designed to show the comparative resistance of building products to accelerated mold growth. It does not, however, suggest a specific time period for when a building’s interior will be free from mold. Nor is the test designed for use in public health claims or address all public safety concerns with mold.

WK32079’s main function is for accelerated evaluation of mold growth on a building designed for exterior use. The test is not designed for buildings with interior usage or coated surfaces because the test has not been validated as of yet. The test is intended to be more in-depth than the test by D01.28 for interior applications, which is being developed under similar auspices.

ASTM intends to use a single direct inoculation of a mixed spore using trace elements for fungal growth and then incubating the test subjects in high humidity. The purpose of this method is to create a more realistic test subject for a certain situation without other mold organisms playing a factor in the test.