Commercial real estate owners and operators may not be mindful of every new ASTM standard.  They should, however, pay attention to the new E3026, Guide for Readily Observable Moisture Affected Materials and Conditions Conducive to Elevated Moisture in Commercial Buildings: Visual Moisture Assessment Process.  Please see the attached Backgrounder on the new standard.
Released in September, this standard replaces the expired E 2418-06, “Standard Guide for Readily Observable Mold and Conditions Conducive to Mold in Commercial Buildings.”  The prior standard was never widely adopted because it emphasized visual mold observations as opposed to a broader focus on observable conditions caused by moisture in commercial buildings.
The new Guide will be used during facility site assessments that may include evaluations of architectural, engineering, industrial hygiene, and construction or maintenance-related practices.  Users may include parties conducting transactional or asset management due diligence as prospective purchasers, tenants, and owners or their respective investors, lenders and property managers.
Jim Bartlett, Senior Vice President with EMG, served as the Co-Chairman of ASTM Committee E50 which was responsible for the development of the Guide.  He is now leading the ASTM E3026 Workgroup, which will be soliciting feedback and participation from providers and users of the Guide.