ANSI/IICRC S590 Assessment of HVAC Systems
Following Water, Fire & Mold Damage – HVAC Post-
Disaster Contamination Profiling Study Guide,
Original Practice Questions & Answers, S590 Exam
Preparation, Comprehensive HVAC Assessment
Review, Contamination Assessment, Sampling
Protocols, Testing Methodologies, Restorable vs.
Non-Restorable Components, Safety, Reporting &
Restoration Work Plans
Question 1: According to the ANSI/IICRC S590, what is the primary purpose of
an HVAC assessment following a water, fire, or mold damage event?
A. To determine the energy efficiency of the HVAC system post-event.
B. To identify impacted and non-impacted HVAC internal surfaces and determine the
condition of the system.
C. To service the HVAC system and replace all filters regardless of condition.
D. To test the structural integrity of the ductwork under stress.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To identify impacted and non-impacted HVAC internal
surfaces and determine the condition of the system.
Rationale: The ANSI/IICRC S590 Standard is designed to assess HVAC systems
following a water, fire, or mold damage event. Its primary purpose is to identify
impacted and non-impacted internal surfaces and determine the overall condition of the
system to inform necessary remediation or restoration actions .
Question 2: The S590 Standard applies to assessments in which types of
buildings?
A. Only residential single-family homes.
B. Only commercial and industrial facilities.
C. Residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare buildings.
D. Only healthcare and institutional buildings.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare
buildings.
Rationale: The scope of the S590 Standard is broad and covers procedures for
performing HVAC assessments in residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare
buildings .
Question 3: Which two primary observational methods are the foundation of
an HVAC assessment as defined by the S590?
A. Thermal imaging and pressure testing.
B. Airflow measurements and sound level monitoring.
C. Visual deposition and odor retention observations.
D. Swab sampling and microbial culturing.
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. Visual deposition and odor retention observations.
Rationale: The S590 Standard lists methods and procedures specifically to determine
visual deposition and odor retention within HVAC systems, establishing these as the
core of the assessment protocol .
Question 4: According to the S590, who should ideally conduct the HVAC
assessment?
A. A licensed general contractor.
B. The property owner or occupant.
C. An HVAC restoration assessor or an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP).
D. A certified public accountant.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An HVAC restoration assessor or an Indoor
Environmental Professional (IEP).
Rationale: The assessment should be conducted by a qualified individual, typically an
HVAC restoration assessor or an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP), who is
knowledgeable of HVAC system components and typical particulate deposition within
them .
Question 5: What is the standard title of the document that outlines the
procedures for cleaning and restoring HVAC systems, which is referenced
alongside S590?
A. IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration.
B. NADCA ACR Standard (Assessment, Cleaning, and Restoration of HVAC Systems).
C. IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation.
D. IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. NADCA ACR Standard (Assessment, Cleaning, and
Restoration of HVAC Systems).
Rationale: The S590 standard is integrated with the NADCA ACR Standard, which
provides the procedures for the actual remediation and cleaning of HVAC systems
following assessment .
Question 6: What is the specific edition and year of the current S590 Standard?
A. First Edition, 2020.
B. Second Edition, 2025.
C. First Edition, 2023.
D. Third Edition, 2024.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. First Edition, 2023.
Rationale: The ANSI/IICRC S590 Standard for Assessing HVAC Systems Following a
Water, Fire, or Mold Damage Event was published as the First Edition in 2023 .
,Question 7: The S590 Standard was developed through a cooperative
agreement between which two organizations?
A. The IICRC and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE).
B. The IICRC and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
C. The IICRC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
D. The NADCA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The IICRC and the National Air Duct Cleaners
Association (NADCA).
Rationale: The S590 is a procedural standard developed by an IICRC Consensus Body in
a cooperative agreement with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) .
Question 8: What is a Restoration Work Plan (RWP) in the context of S590?
A. A plan for the demolition and reconstruction of the building.
B. A written report outlining the work to be performed by the restorer based on the
HVAC assessment.
C. A contract between the property owner and the HVAC assessor.
D. A financial plan for the remediation project.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A written report outlining the work to be performed by
the restorer based on the HVAC assessment.
Rationale: The S590 Standard contains procedures to create a written report and
Restoration Work Plan (RWP) that provides the restorer with the scope of work and
recommendations for remediation .
Question 9: S590 assessments are based primarily on visual and olfactory
observations. What does "olfactory" refer to?
A. Sensory observations related to touch.
B. Sensory observations related to sight.
C. Sensory observations related to smell.
D. Sensory observations related to sound.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sensory observations related to smell.
Rationale: The standard specifies that assessments are based on visual and olfactory
observations, where "olfactory" refers to the sense of smell . Odor retention is a key
component of the assessment.
Question 10: According to S590, if event-related particulates are present in the
general environment, does that automatically indicate that the HVAC system is
impacted?
A. Yes, if any particulates are found in the air, the HVAC system is always impacted.
B. No, the presence of event-related particulates in the general environment does not
automatically indicate impact on the HVAC system.
, C. Only if the particulates are mold spores.
D. Only if the HVAC system was not operational during the event.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. No, the presence of event-related particulates in the
general environment does not automatically indicate impact on the HVAC
system.
Rationale: A key principle of S590 is that the presence of event-related particulates in
the general environment does not automatically mean the HVAC system components
are impacted. A qualified assessor must determine the visual and odor impact on the
system itself .
Question 11: The S590 Standard does NOT address the identification of which
of the following?
A. Visual deposition from a fire.
B. Odor retention from a water event.
C. Potentially hazardous regulated materials like asbestos or lead.
D. Mold contamination on internal surfaces.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Potentially hazardous regulated materials like asbestos
or lead.
Rationale: The S590 Standard specifically notes that it does not address the
identification of potentially hazardous or regulated materials such as asbestos, lead,
arsenic, mercury, PCBs, pesticides, and other chemical contaminants .
Question 12: What is the primary goal of the IICRC's consensus-based
standard development process, as exemplified by S590?
A. To create legally binding regulations for all HVAC systems.
B. To develop a voluntary standard that reflects the current standard of care and
improves the environments where people live and work.
C. To generate revenue for the IICRC through standard sales.
D. To replace all existing NADCA standards.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To develop a voluntary standard that reflects the
current standard of care and improves the environments where people live and
work.
Rationale: The IICRC develops voluntary consensus-based standards. The S590 is
intended to reflect the standard of care and contribute to the overall goal of improving
the environments where people live and work .
Question 13: Which of the following is a section included in the S590
Standard?
A. HVAC Assessment Principles.
B. Reconstruction Procedures for Fire-Damaged Structures.
Following Water, Fire & Mold Damage – HVAC Post-
Disaster Contamination Profiling Study Guide,
Original Practice Questions & Answers, S590 Exam
Preparation, Comprehensive HVAC Assessment
Review, Contamination Assessment, Sampling
Protocols, Testing Methodologies, Restorable vs.
Non-Restorable Components, Safety, Reporting &
Restoration Work Plans
Question 1: According to the ANSI/IICRC S590, what is the primary purpose of
an HVAC assessment following a water, fire, or mold damage event?
A. To determine the energy efficiency of the HVAC system post-event.
B. To identify impacted and non-impacted HVAC internal surfaces and determine the
condition of the system.
C. To service the HVAC system and replace all filters regardless of condition.
D. To test the structural integrity of the ductwork under stress.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To identify impacted and non-impacted HVAC internal
surfaces and determine the condition of the system.
Rationale: The ANSI/IICRC S590 Standard is designed to assess HVAC systems
following a water, fire, or mold damage event. Its primary purpose is to identify
impacted and non-impacted internal surfaces and determine the overall condition of the
system to inform necessary remediation or restoration actions .
Question 2: The S590 Standard applies to assessments in which types of
buildings?
A. Only residential single-family homes.
B. Only commercial and industrial facilities.
C. Residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare buildings.
D. Only healthcare and institutional buildings.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare
buildings.
Rationale: The scope of the S590 Standard is broad and covers procedures for
performing HVAC assessments in residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare
buildings .
Question 3: Which two primary observational methods are the foundation of
an HVAC assessment as defined by the S590?
A. Thermal imaging and pressure testing.
B. Airflow measurements and sound level monitoring.
C. Visual deposition and odor retention observations.
D. Swab sampling and microbial culturing.
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. Visual deposition and odor retention observations.
Rationale: The S590 Standard lists methods and procedures specifically to determine
visual deposition and odor retention within HVAC systems, establishing these as the
core of the assessment protocol .
Question 4: According to the S590, who should ideally conduct the HVAC
assessment?
A. A licensed general contractor.
B. The property owner or occupant.
C. An HVAC restoration assessor or an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP).
D. A certified public accountant.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An HVAC restoration assessor or an Indoor
Environmental Professional (IEP).
Rationale: The assessment should be conducted by a qualified individual, typically an
HVAC restoration assessor or an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP), who is
knowledgeable of HVAC system components and typical particulate deposition within
them .
Question 5: What is the standard title of the document that outlines the
procedures for cleaning and restoring HVAC systems, which is referenced
alongside S590?
A. IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration.
B. NADCA ACR Standard (Assessment, Cleaning, and Restoration of HVAC Systems).
C. IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation.
D. IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. NADCA ACR Standard (Assessment, Cleaning, and
Restoration of HVAC Systems).
Rationale: The S590 standard is integrated with the NADCA ACR Standard, which
provides the procedures for the actual remediation and cleaning of HVAC systems
following assessment .
Question 6: What is the specific edition and year of the current S590 Standard?
A. First Edition, 2020.
B. Second Edition, 2025.
C. First Edition, 2023.
D. Third Edition, 2024.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. First Edition, 2023.
Rationale: The ANSI/IICRC S590 Standard for Assessing HVAC Systems Following a
Water, Fire, or Mold Damage Event was published as the First Edition in 2023 .
,Question 7: The S590 Standard was developed through a cooperative
agreement between which two organizations?
A. The IICRC and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE).
B. The IICRC and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
C. The IICRC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
D. The NADCA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The IICRC and the National Air Duct Cleaners
Association (NADCA).
Rationale: The S590 is a procedural standard developed by an IICRC Consensus Body in
a cooperative agreement with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) .
Question 8: What is a Restoration Work Plan (RWP) in the context of S590?
A. A plan for the demolition and reconstruction of the building.
B. A written report outlining the work to be performed by the restorer based on the
HVAC assessment.
C. A contract between the property owner and the HVAC assessor.
D. A financial plan for the remediation project.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A written report outlining the work to be performed by
the restorer based on the HVAC assessment.
Rationale: The S590 Standard contains procedures to create a written report and
Restoration Work Plan (RWP) that provides the restorer with the scope of work and
recommendations for remediation .
Question 9: S590 assessments are based primarily on visual and olfactory
observations. What does "olfactory" refer to?
A. Sensory observations related to touch.
B. Sensory observations related to sight.
C. Sensory observations related to smell.
D. Sensory observations related to sound.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sensory observations related to smell.
Rationale: The standard specifies that assessments are based on visual and olfactory
observations, where "olfactory" refers to the sense of smell . Odor retention is a key
component of the assessment.
Question 10: According to S590, if event-related particulates are present in the
general environment, does that automatically indicate that the HVAC system is
impacted?
A. Yes, if any particulates are found in the air, the HVAC system is always impacted.
B. No, the presence of event-related particulates in the general environment does not
automatically indicate impact on the HVAC system.
, C. Only if the particulates are mold spores.
D. Only if the HVAC system was not operational during the event.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. No, the presence of event-related particulates in the
general environment does not automatically indicate impact on the HVAC
system.
Rationale: A key principle of S590 is that the presence of event-related particulates in
the general environment does not automatically mean the HVAC system components
are impacted. A qualified assessor must determine the visual and odor impact on the
system itself .
Question 11: The S590 Standard does NOT address the identification of which
of the following?
A. Visual deposition from a fire.
B. Odor retention from a water event.
C. Potentially hazardous regulated materials like asbestos or lead.
D. Mold contamination on internal surfaces.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Potentially hazardous regulated materials like asbestos
or lead.
Rationale: The S590 Standard specifically notes that it does not address the
identification of potentially hazardous or regulated materials such as asbestos, lead,
arsenic, mercury, PCBs, pesticides, and other chemical contaminants .
Question 12: What is the primary goal of the IICRC's consensus-based
standard development process, as exemplified by S590?
A. To create legally binding regulations for all HVAC systems.
B. To develop a voluntary standard that reflects the current standard of care and
improves the environments where people live and work.
C. To generate revenue for the IICRC through standard sales.
D. To replace all existing NADCA standards.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To develop a voluntary standard that reflects the
current standard of care and improves the environments where people live and
work.
Rationale: The IICRC develops voluntary consensus-based standards. The S590 is
intended to reflect the standard of care and contribute to the overall goal of improving
the environments where people live and work .
Question 13: Which of the following is a section included in the S590
Standard?
A. HVAC Assessment Principles.
B. Reconstruction Procedures for Fire-Damaged Structures.
