DSS-E.03.02 — Lichens / Moss (Rough Adhesion)

Lichens / moss represent biological colonization on glass under persistent damp/shade with nutrient deposition (dust, organics). They appear as tenacious rough pads (lichens) or small green tufts (moss), commonly edge-biased near gaskets, sealants, weeps, horizontal ledges, and shaded façades. Classification is appearance-only per VIS (method-agnostic). Inspect after Non-Invasive Reveal under VIS lighting/geometry; record surface numbering and worked-surface status.

• Lichens: Crustose or foliose discs (1-10+ mm), pale grey/green, matte and rough; often in clusters at edges/ledges.
• Moss: Bright to dark green tufts (1-5+ mm), soft “pile” look, retain moisture; often nestled at frame interfaces.
• May co-present with algal film (E.03.01) and runoff patterns (E.01.04).

Surface-catch class (MSRT)

• Typically SC-0 (organic mass on surface).
• SC-1 can register adjacent to colonies where grit is embedded or prior abrasive wiping created very shallow micro-texture. SC-2 suggests misclassification-re-evaluate for M.02 abrasion fields or Ch.03.03 mineral etch if matte persists post-reveal.
• Perform one light, non-marring pass on a small revealed test patch (substrate). Use polymer stylus if a functional coating is suspected. MSRT supports classification only.

Visual signature

• Discrete, adherent pads/tufts with rough texture and matte finish; may trap soil grains and retain moisture.
• No chip-flank sparkle, no fused pits/nodules; colonies cast tiny shadows at oblique light.

Viewing / lighting

• Evaluate clean & dry at 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal and oblique sweep (~60°-120°); use raking macros to show surface relief and attachment edges. Record distances/angles in-frame.

Location / access

• Record pane ID and surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal). Common on outboard (#1) shaded/damp zones; rare on inboard (#4) except high-humidity interiors (natatoriums/greenhouses). Between-pane by parallax on #2/#3 → CAT-5 by location.

Mechanism cue (context)

• Vegetation proximity, irrigation overspray, blocked weeps, persistent shade, organic debris on sills/gaskets.

Assign CAT by visibility at acceptance geometry and MSRT after a small reveal patch around (not through) a colony. Depth values are indicative-field measurement not required.

• CAT-1 (Benign / non-relief): Sparse, small colonies with SC-0 surroundings; visible mainly in raking/angle; lifts when organic mass is dislodged on test patch. Indicative relief: 0-10 μm (optical film residue only).
• CAT-2 (Light): Multiple colonies/edge clustering with localized SC-1 where grit entrapment created slight micro-texture; limited standard-view impact. Indicative relief: ~10-40 μm.
• CAT-3 (Moderate): Broad colonization legible at standard distance (edge belts/ledges), scattered SC-1, persistent wetting anomalies after rinse. Indicative relief: ~40-120 μm (film stack/adjacent micro-texture).
• Reclassify when: Post-reveal, if non-directional substrate matte remains without organics → E.01.02 atmospheric matte; if white crystalline rims/etch present → Ch.03 mineral system; if linear abrasion remains → M.02.
• CAT-5 (by condition/location): Between-pane/inaccessible by parallax, integrity indicators, or confirmed functional-coating loss on the surface to be worked → CAT-5.

CAT is appearance-based; acceptance is separate under VIS-A at 12/36/72 in. Do not abrade to “force” a response during classification.

• vs. Algae/biofilm (E.03.01): Algae is thin chromatic film; lichens/moss are discrete, raised colonies with physical relief.
• vs. Sealant/mastic smear (R.01.xx): Sealant residue is oily/tacky with stringers; colonies are dry/vegetative and retain moisture when misted.
• vs. Mineral accretions (Ch.03.01/02): Minerals are inorganic, crystalline/white-grey; colonies are green/olive/grey, organic, and compressible.
• vs. Coating anomalies (Co-family): Coating issues are planar/patchy on designated faces; colonies are raised, edge-biased, and respond to reveal.

• Photo set (VIS): 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal + oblique; raking macros of colony relief, attachment edges, edge clustering; façade context showing shade/moisture/vegetation. Record distance/angle in-frame.
• MSRT result (substrate): After a small reveal patch around the colony, perform one light, non-marring pass; record SC-class (SC-0/SC-1/SC-2).
• Forms: Pane ID; product family & surface numbering; worked surface Y/N; functional coating present on worked surface? (Y/N/Unknown); reveal status; lighting/time; geometry checklist; photos attached.
• Acceptance split: Post-restoration acceptance per VIS-A §6; classification ≠ acceptance. Coated-face appearance rules apply per VIS §6.2.e when the worked surface is a factory functional coating.

• E.03.02 Lichens / Moss (Rough Adhesion) - Discrete rough colonies/tufts at edges/ledges on surface #___; post-reveal test patch shows [SC-0/SC-1]; visible at [12/36/72 in] under VIS geometry. Morphology: raised pads/tufts, moisture dwell context, no chip-flank sparkle, no pits. Classification: CAT-[1/2/3] by visibility and SC-class; reclassify per notes if inorganic accretions or substrate matte persist; CAT-5 if between-pane or coating-side loss on the surface to be worked. Forms + photo set attached; acceptance per VIS-A §6.