Following Water, Fire, or Mold Damage – IICRC
S590 Study Guide, Original Practice Questions &
Answers, Exam Preparation, Comprehensive HVAC
Assessment Review, Testing Methodologies,
Sampling Protocols, Restorable vs Non-Restorable
Components, Safety, Documentation, Reporting &
Restoration Work Plans
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the ANSI/IICRC S590 Standard?
A. To provide guidelines for the installation of new HVAC systems in residential
buildings.
B. To establish procedures for the routine maintenance of HVAC systems to improve
energy efficiency.
C. To outline procedures for performing assessments and creating work plans for HVAC
systems following a water, fire, or mold damage event.
D. To serve as a certification exam for HVAC technicians on system design and repair.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To outline procedures for performing assessments and
creating work plans for HVAC systems following a water, fire, or mold damage
event.
Rationale: The ANSI/IICRC S590 Standard is specifically designed to provide
procedures for assessing HVAC systems that have been impacted by a water, fire, or
mold event. Its goal is to determine the condition of the system and to create a written
Restoration Work Plan (RWP) .
Question 2: For which types of buildings does the IICRC S590 Standard provide
assessment procedures?
A. Only residential single-family homes.
B. Only large commercial and industrial complexes.
C. Residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare buildings.
D. Only buildings constructed after the year 2000.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare
buildings.
Rationale: The standard explicitly states that its scope covers a broad range of building
types to ensure a comprehensive approach to HVAC assessment, including residential,
commercial, institutional, and healthcare facilities .
Question 3: According to the IICRC S590, what is the first step in the HVAC
assessment process?
,A. Immediately begin cleaning all accessible ductwork.
B. Identify impacted and non-impacted HVAC internal surfaces.
C. Replace the HVAC system's air filters.
D. Test the airflow rate from all supply registers.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Identify impacted and non-impacted HVAC internal
surfaces.
Rationale: The core of the S590 standard is a systematic assessment process. The first
major step is to identify which internal surfaces of the HVAC system have been affected
by the damage event and which have not. This distinction is crucial for developing an
effective and targeted restoration plan .
Question 4: What is the official ANSI designation for the IICRC HVAC
Assessment Standard?
A. ANSI/IICRC S100
B. ANSI/IICRC S500
C. ANSI/IICRC S520
D. ANSI/IICRC S590
CORRECT ANSWER: D. ANSI/IICRC S590
Rationale: The standard for assessing HVAC systems following a water, fire, or mold
damage event is officially designated as ANSI/IICRC S590. The "S" signifies a standard
within the IICRC's portfolio, and "590" is its specific identifier .
Question 5: When was the first edition of the ANSI/IICRC S590 Standard
published?
A. 2010
B. 2018
C. 2020
D. 2023
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 2023
Rationale: The ANSI/IICRC S590 Standard for Assessing HVAC Systems Following a
Water, Fire, or Mold Damage Event was published as a new standard in 2023. It is
identified as the first edition .
Question 6: The IICRC S590 Standard integrates which other industry
standard?
A. ASHRAE Standard 62.1
B. SMACNA's HVAC Duct Construction Standards
,C. The NADCA ACR Standard
D. The IECC Energy Conservation Code
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The NADCA ACR Standard
Rationale: The development of the S590 represented a significant milestone by
integrating multiple existing standards, including the National Air Duct Cleaners
Association (NADCA) ACR Standard, which is a key reference for HVAC system
cleanliness and restoration .
Question 7: What is the name of the written document created after an S590
HVAC assessment?
A. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
B. A Restoration Work Plan (RWP)
C. An HVAC System Blueprint
D. An Energy Audit Report
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A Restoration Work Plan (RWP)
Rationale: Following the assessment procedures outlined in the S590, the assessor is
required to create a written report that includes a Restoration Work Plan. This plan
details the scope of work and procedures needed to restore the HVAC system .
Question 8: Which of the following is a key principle included in the IICRC
S590 Standard?
A. HVAC system replacement costs.
B. HVAC Assessment Principles.
C. Marketing strategies for restoration companies.
D. Employee payroll procedures.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. HVAC Assessment Principles.
Rationale: The standard outlines several key sections, with "HVAC Assessment
Principles" being one of the foundational elements that guide the entire assessment
process. These principles ensure a structured and professional evaluation .
Question 9: The S590 Standard is crucial for determining what about HVAC
system components?
A. Their original manufacturer and model number.
B. Whether they are restorable or non-restorable.
C. Their energy efficiency rating (SEER).
D. Their expected remaining lifespan.
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. Whether they are restorable or non-restorable.
Rationale: A key outcome of an S590 assessment is to make a professional
determination regarding the condition of various components. This involves classifying
components as either restorable (can be cleaned and returned to service) or non-
restorable (must be replaced) .
Question 10: What types of damage events are covered by the scope of the
IICRC S590 Standard?
A. Only fire and smoke damage.
B. Only microbial growth (mold) damage.
C. Only water and flood damage.
D. Water, fire, or mold damage events.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Water, fire, or mold damage events.
Rationale: The standard is comprehensive and specifically addresses the assessment of
HVAC systems following three primary categories of damage: water intrusion, fire
incidents, and mold contamination. This makes it applicable to a wide variety of
restoration scenarios .
Question 11: According to the IICRC S590, who are the primary stakeholders
for the information generated by an HVAC assessment?
A. The HVAC equipment manufacturer.
B. The local utility company.
C. Restorers, insurance carriers, and property owners.
D. The building's original architect.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Restorers, insurance carriers, and property owners.
Rationale: The assessment report and work plan provide essential information to all
parties involved in a restoration project. This includes the restorers performing the work,
the insurance carriers authorizing the work, and the property owners/managers who
are responsible for the building .
Question 12: What is the role of a Consensus Body in the context of the IICRC
S590?
A. To market and sell the standard to the public.
B. To develop, review, and revise the standard through a formal process.
C. To enforce compliance with the standard.
D. To provide legal advice on standard implementation.