Preventing Mold

Growth
Best Practices

Eduardo Barragán

October 3, 2011
1
Confidential.
OUTLINE

• Mold Control Program

• Inspection Flowchart
• Pallet Dryness
• Pallet Wash
• Optimal Storage for Wet Pallets
• Inspection Checklist

2
Confidential
MOLD CONTROL PROGRAM

1. An effective program must begin with management commitment!!!

2. Reducing airborne mold spore density (Visual Cleanliness Specification):
- regular inspection of entire premises, building, grounds (twice per week)
- spot treat (spray) any existing mold in the premises with a 2:1 ratio of water and household
bleach
- any new lumber and/or pallets with mold must be segregated and washed
- eliminate excess piles of wood debris and any other unnecessary material
3. Source 100% kiln-dried lumber below 19% Moisture Content (MC)
4. Proper storage with good airflow, keeping lumber and pallets away from moisture
and/or standing water
5. Shipping trailers are dry, air-tight, no holes in the roof, no obvious moisture leaks
6. Delivered loads of pallets are immediately unloaded at the customer site and stored
in dry, well ventilated storage areas away from all types of moisture
7. Do not wrap lumber and place it in direct sunlight that will cause the entrapped
moisture to evaporate out and then condense back onto the surfaces of the wood

3
Confidential
INSPECTION FLOWCHART

C Stock Cleanliness Send to

No
US Plus Specification a Wash Site

Yes

Segregate pallets to
Awaiting Dry (AD) under
%MC > 22% Yes
optimal conditions for a
minimum of 24 hrs

No

Store Pallets
under optimal No %MC over 22% Yes
conditions

Audit 5 pallets at
random per stack No Label Pallet Stack
for %MC

Yes

Record %MC
data over time

Trailer Info & Ship

Contact Logistics
Trailer Load pallets into
No Yes C Stock
Inspection trailer US Plus Pallets
4
Confidential
PALLET DRYNESS -HOW TO MEASURE

• Dry Pallet: measures less than, equal to22%MC and meets Visual Dryness Spec
• Suspect Pallet: measures 22–28%MC regardless of Visual Dryness Spec
• Wet Pallet: measures greater than 28%MC and fails Visual Dryness Spec



Notes:
o Avoid taking readings in close proximity to nails, resin pockets or knots
o Measuring %MC perpendicular to the grain is preferred
– There is a 4% statistical difference between the side grain and end grain using an pin type reader on new blocks
– There is NO statistical difference between the side grain and end grain using any type of reader technology on
pooled blocks
– There is NO statistical difference between the side grain and end grain using an ultrasonic reader on new and
pooled blocks

5
Confidential
PALLET DRYNESS - BEFORE & AFTER
PAINT
• (12) pallets, (5) measurements %MC Variation Before & After Paint
each: T1, B1, B2, and (2) BK1s
25
• Pallets were from 5 yrs old to less
than 1 yr; (1) pallet w/ CW blocks
20
• Kelly Moore Blue Paint (3:1) 19

• 2 passes of paint application

%MC
15 3%
• Pallets were deemed dry to the difference 13.9

touch 30 minutes after paint 10.7

11.4
10
• Plant conditions: 90+F, 90+RH 1/2%
difference
• NOT normal data, ran Mood 5 n = 60 n = 60 n = 60
Median Testing Before After Dry
%MC
Results
• Before & After Paint: 3%MC difference
• Before - Dry to the Touch: ½%MC difference

6
Confidential
PALLET DRYNESS - STORAGE

• Storing wet pallets with spacing between the stacks and optimal airflow reduces the
amount of Awaiting Dry (AD) by 66%
• Boards absorbed moisture faster than blocks
1 ft spacing 1 ft spacing w/ fans
No spacing (2) Fans of 36CFM
each

1 2 3

 6+ days to dry  4+ days to dry

 2+ days to dry

7
Confidential
PALLET DRYNESS - STORAGE

Basic Requirements
• Must be clean, dry (no presence of
standing water) and odorless
• Room Temperature (70 to 80ºF)
• Relative Humidity (< 60% preferred)
• Floor Spacing
• Airflow (ventilation, ceiling and floor
Notes: 1 ft spacing reduces a 50’x50’
fans are preferred)
cube ~45% (110 stacks of 18 = 1,980)
• Lighting (absence of darkness)

8
Confidential
PALLET WASH – MANUAL
CHEP CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
SUBJECT TO STRICT NON DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS
Results
Group: Cleanser Rinse Post Treat Lab Lab
Mold Bacteria
Group:
3 Cleanser
KOH 0.1% Rinse
Hot Water Post Treat
None (% Reduction)
62% (% Reduction)
~80%
5 KOH 0.1% Hot Water H202 87% 93%

5 KOH 0.1% Hot Water

BEFORE AFTER

9
Confidential
BEST PRACTICES

• Optimal airflow & Lighting

10
Confidential
Transportation Impact
Analysis

% Moisture Content

Eduardo Barragán Dan Lantz Joe Pasquali Byron Page

John Cardenas Scott Laroche Chris White

October 6, 2011
11
Confidential.
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT ANALYSIS

Purpose: To quantify any increase in wooden

pallet percent moisture content due to
transportation condensation build-up inside the
trailer (see picture) during normal lead times and/or
poor FIFO at a customer location
Note: A pallet with 20+% moisture content is susceptible to mold growth under poor
lighting and airflow

Location: CHEP Scarborough, MN Service Center and Nestle Kingfield Plant

Duration of Test: 15 days
Date: 9/20/2011 – 10/5/2011

12
Confidential
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT ANALYSIS

Description of Test
• Select and inspect a std trailer (complete CHEP Trailer Inspection Sheet)
• Select (540) US Plus pallets with NO visual contamination
• Serialize (48) pallets, measure and record %MC, (7) readings per pallet: (2)BK1s on
opposite sides, (2)B1's, (2)B2's, (2)T1s, and (1)T4, label the location of readings
 Place (15) pallets at random in the front of the trailer
 Place (1) stack of (18) pallets in the middle of the truck
 Place (15) pallets at random in the back of the trailer
• Temp. Data Loggers Positions: (1) Outside top middle, (1) Inside top middle, (1) Inside
center middle of the pallet stack, (1) inside middle bottom of pallet stack (see next slide)
• Seal trailer with a caution tape and label stating “Test Load – DO NOT USE” and send
to Nestle Kingfield
• Allow the trailer to sit for (15) days at the customer location
• Measure and record %MC on the same pallet locations for a Before & After Analysis
• Inspect all (540) pallets for any visual contamination (mold)
13
Confidential
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT ANALYSIS

(18) Pallet Stack

middle of the trailer
■
■

(15) % MC
Readings

■ (15) % MC
Readings

■ Temp/Humidity Data Loggers

14
Confidential
 % MC ANALYSIS – BEFORE & AFTER
Scarborough
Scarborough
ANOVA Analysis:Scarborough --Trailer
-Trailer
Trailer
the p-values Testing
Testing
Testing
of 0.235 %MC
%MC
and %MC BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
0.145 are Analysis
Analysis
Analysis
greater Scarborough -
than α, so there is NO
statistical difference in % moisture content  
Target
Target
Target USL USL USL
USL
BEAFFO BE
TERERF OPRE P rocess
rocess Data
D ata B/W
A F TERB/W
B/W
P rocess Data
LSLL LS L
LS ** * LSOverall
L Ov erall*
Overall
Target
TargetTarget 19 19
19 Target 19
UUSSLL U S L 22 22
22
After USL 22
SSampleS ample
ample MMeanean M ean 12.9911
12.9911
13.2465 S ample M ean 13.2465
SSampleS ample
ample NN N 48 48
48 S ample N 48
SStDev S(Betw
tD ev tDev
(Betw (Betw
een)een)
een) 00 0 S tDev (Betw een) 0
S tDev (Within) 1.03502 S tDev (Within) 1.16456
SStDev
tD ev(Within)
(Within) 1.03502
1.16456
S tDev (B/W) 1.03502 S tDev (B/W) 1.16456
SStDev
tD ev(B/W)
(B/W) 1.03502
1.16456
S tDev (O v erall) 1.0356 S tDev (O v erall) 1.23326
SStDev
tD ev(O
(Ovverall)
erall) 1.0356
1.23326

Test for Equal Variances for MC

Before

F-Test
Test Statistic 1.42
A fter P-Value 0.235
Levene's Test
Factor

Test Statistic 2.16

P-Value 0.145
Before 10.5 12.0 13.5 15.0 16.5 18.0 19.5 21.0 10.5 12
10.5
10.5 12.0
12.0 13.5
13.5 15.0
15.0 16.5
16.5 18.0
18.0 19.5
19.5 21.0
21.0
15
0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 Confidential
95% Bonferroni Confidence Intervals for StDevs
 AIR MASS SATURATION ANALYSIS
IN TRANSIT
CHEP USA - Temp Analysis during TRANSIT
CHEP USA - Dew Point Analysis in TRANSIT

160
70
140
60
120
50
100

Dew Point (F)

Temp (F)

40
80

60 30

Top Pallet Bottom Pallet

40 20
Bottom Pallet Top Pallet
20 Top Inside Roof 10 Top Inside Roof

0
0
Time
9/21 9/21 9/21 Time 9/21
9:53AM 1:30PM 9:53AM 1:30PM
CHEP USA - Temp vs Dew Point in TRANSIT

100
90
80

70
60
Delta

50
Bottom Pallet
40
Top Pallet
30
Top Inside Roof
20
10

0
9/21 Time 9/21 16
9:53AM 1:30PM Confidential
AIR MASS SATURATION ANALYSIS
IN TRANSIT & CUSTOMER SITE
CHEP USA - Air Mass Saturation Analysis
9-20-11 to 10-5-11 (TOP INSIDE OF TRAILER)
160 Readings (°F)
Calc Dewpoint (°F)
140 Temperature Delta (°F)
120

100
Temp (F)

80

60

40

20

0
0
9/20 500 1000 1500 2000 9/272500 3000 3500 10/5
4000 4500

“Dew point is a better "absolute" measure of the air's moisture content, when
the air temperature and dew point are equal (with no pressure change) the air
mass saturates”
17
Confidential
AIR MASS SATURATION ANALYSIS
IN TRANSIT & CUSTOMER SITE
CHEP USA - Temp vs Dew Point Delta
9-20-11 to 10-5-11
20
Bottom Pallet
18 Top Pallet
Top Inside Roof
16

14

12
Delta

10

0
9/20 9/27 10/5
Time
18
Confidential
AIR MASS SATURATION ANALYSIS
IN TRANSIT & CUSTOMER SITE
CHEP USA - Temperature Analysis INSIDE Trailer
9-20-11 to 10-5-11

Bottom Pallet
150
Top Pallet
Top Inside Roof
130

110
Temp (F)

90

70

50

30
9/20 9/27 10/5
Time
19
Confidential
AIR MASS SATURATION ANALYSIS
IN TRANSIT & CUSTOMER SITE
CHEP USA - Dew Point Analysis INSIDE Trailer
9-20-11 to 10-5-11
80 Bottom Pallet
Top Pallet
75 Top Inside Roof

70
Dew Point (F)

65

60

55

50

45

40
9/20 9/27 10/5
Time
20
Confidential
WEATHER ANALYSIS
NEAR SCARBOROUGH, ME
Greenville Maine: Weather
Temp (F avg)
120
Dew Point (F avg)
Rel Humidity (% avg)
100

80

60

40

20

0
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1/1 1/1 2/1 3/1 3/1 4/1 5/1 5/1 6/1 6/1 7/1 8/1 8/1 9/1 0/1
0 /0 /0 0 /0 /0 0 /0 /0 /0 /0 0 /0 /0 1
1/ 21 10 2/ 22 11 1/ 21 10 30 20 9/ 29 18 8/
21
Confidential
OBSERVATIONS

• There was NO visual mold inside trailer and (540) pallets

• There was NO statistical difference in % moisture content on the (18) pallets
measured before and after the test
• There is no indication of air mass saturation during TRANSIT
• On 9/26, from 11:30 PM to 1:18 AM, the inside top of the trailer (ONLY)
experienced the most possible air mass saturation
• The inside, top of the trailer, showed significant temperature spikes (48-157°F)
compared to the bottom and top pallet temperature fluctuations (50-84°F)
• On all (3) locations: bottom pallet, top pallet and top inside roof the calculated
DEW point exceeded 60°F
• Kingfield, ME experiences high relative humidity (>60%) through the entire year
with higher temperatures and dew point from May to September

22
Confidential
BACKUP SLIDES

23
Confidential
CLEANLINESS SPECIFICATION

DESCRIPTION
– Free from hazardous chemicals
– Free from off-odors and pest infestation
– Free from decayed, rotten, and/or moldy lumber components
– Free from surface moisture (dry), no standing water and/or liquids are
allowed
– Lumber components must be less than equal to 22% moisture content
– Clean, dry, and odorless of any stains visibly present on outer sides like:
sap, water hardness, paint, oil, glue, etc.
– Clean from extraneous visible material such as: chemicals, dirt, glue, paint,
oil, glass, cement, wrapped around plastics, paper, labels, debris, etc.
– Sap stains are unlimited but must be clean, dry and odorless
– New lumber must be 100% kiln-dried and free of wood preservatives

24
Confidential
INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Warehouse Comments
1 Clean, Dry and Odorless 5S, Cleanliness Program, no presence standing water, leaks, etc
2 Airflow Fans/outside vents are preferred
3 Lighting Ambient is preferred
4 Humidity <60% is recommended
5 Material Hold Area Allocated Non-compliant material must be away from production
6 Presence of Bins/Boxes for Scrap Material Must have capabilities to sort moldy lumber away from production lines

Pallets Comments
1 Clean, Dry and Odorless Follow Pallet Cleanliness Specification
2 Presence of Mold (Yes/No & % Coverage) % coverage shows magnitude of problem ( <25%, 50%, > 50%)
3 Mold Description Dry and/or moist, color, etc.
Presence of Other Foreign Substance &
4 Follow Pallet Cleanliness Specification
Rotted/Decay Components
Pallet Dryness: Follow Pallet Dryness Specification
- Visual Dry Pooled Pallets must be less than equal to 22%
5 New Lumber %MC Specification: Softwood < 19% and Hardwood < 28%
- Touch Dry
- Percent Moisture Content

Transportation Comments
1 Clean, Dry and Odorless Maintenance schedules, standing water, leaks, odor, etc.
Material should not remain inside containers for more the 24hrs
2 FIFO Effectiveness
Never leave pallets and/or lumber locked up in a closed trailer over the weekend
3 Time of the Year High temp and humidity represent the most risk (summer and spring)

25
Confidential
Climate Index for Estimating
Potential for Decay in Wood
Climate has an important bearing on the relative rate of wood decay. The climate index map
primarily estimates the decay hazard of wood exposed above ground to weather. The most severe
decay hazard location in the United States is the Southeast, where rainfall is high and weather is
warm and humid. In the Northeast and Midwest, decay advances at a somewhat slower rate.

26
Confidential
QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM FOR MOLD

• Measuring % Moisture Content at the core and surface of the lumber

Delmhorst RDM3
• 6-60% MC range depending on
species/temperature
• Built in wood species corrections for 71 species of
wood
• Built in temperature compensation over the range
of 0° to 255° F (-18° to 124°C)
• Integral contact pins mounted on top of meter
provide 5/16” penetration
• Connector for external electrode
• On-screen reading recall of up to 1400 stored
For surface measurements (boards)
readings
• Date and time stamp for each stored reading
• Job groupings
• Infrared linking capability w/ application software
• 0.1% MC resolution
• Operating Temperature -4°to158°F (-20° to 70°C)
Price: $700 est. for both plus software For core measurements (blocks)
27
Confidential
BEST PRACTICES

L612 Digital Recording Moisture Meter

• Takes up to 5,000 separate moisture readings.
• Stores readings in up to 200 groups to compare
averages, std deviation, and range
• Built-in real-time clock/calendar
• Scanning Area: 2.5" x 2.5"
• Scanning Depth: 1"
• Measurement Range: 5% to 30%
• Ports: RS-232 Serial Interface (for connecting
with desktop computers)
• Stores readings even when the batteries are
removed
• Price: $1,450.00

28
Confidential
BEST PRACTICES

Relative Humidity Meter

• The HT-3000 is a portable meter
for measurement of ambient
temperature, relative humidity,
dewpoint and absolute humidity
• After pressing on the On/Off
Button, press down on the Hold
Button until the display shows your
current surroundings data

29
Confidential
BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Marshall S. White, Water in Wood Pallets, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University
• Peter Hammer, How to Prevent and Eliminate Mold on Wooden Pallets, Virginia
Tech Univ. June 13, 2011
• Brian Bond, Case Studies of HT and Mold Control of Wood Pallets, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Lance Johnson, Lumber Stains: Cause and Control, Biocides, Inc.
• Brian Bond, Drying Options to prevent Mold on Wood Pallets and Containers, The
Dept of Wood Science & Forest Products at Virginia Tech Univ.
• West Virginia Wood Technology Centre, TRADA (Timber Research and
Development Association) BRE (Building Research Establishment),
• CHEP internal expertise, trade associations and articles researched on the internet

30
Confidential
BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Case Studies of Heat Treating and Mold Control of Wood Pallets, Brian Bond, Department of
Wood Science and Forest Products , Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , 1650
Ramble Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24060.

• Denig, J and B. Bond. 2003. Steam, Dry Heat and Heat with humidity Test Results. Heat
Sterilization Of Hardwood Pallets and Pallet Material. Pallet Phytosanitary Project
Technical Paper No. TP-1 September 2003.

• Simpson, W. T., 2001. Heating times for round and rectangular cross sections of wood in
steam. Gen. Tech. Rep. FPL-GTR-130. Madison, WI. USDA, FS, FPL.

• Simpson, W. T., 2002. Effect of wet-bulb depression on heat sterilization time of slash
pine lumber. Res. Pap. FPL-RP-604. Madison, WI. USDA, FS, FPL

• Simpson, W. T., W. Xiping, S. Verrill. 2003. Heat sterilization time of ponderosa pine
and Douglglas-fir boards and square timbers. Res. Pap.
FPL-RP-607. Madison, WI. USDA, FS, FPL.

• White, M. S. and F. M. Lamb. 2002. Performance Evaluation of the Pest-Heat Thermal Pest-
Heat
TM Management System for the Heat Sterilization of Wood Pallets. William H. Sardo Jr. Pallet
and Container Research Laboratory. Blacksburg, VA.
31
Confidential