New EPA RRP Rule Takes Effect April 2010--ALL Trades Need To Understand This

Paulie

I'm not familiar with the stick test. Does it show lead presence below layers of paint? Or behind a layer of drywall that got put over lead paint?

Sorry Chris I didn't take the time to read your post thoroughly.

__________________
Grand Rapids Remodeling
Grand Rapids Remodeling Contractors

ChrWright

For now, these kits detect any presence of lead. The EPA has specified that after Sept 2010, these tests must indicate the presence of the minimum amount of lead to be dangerous. (can't recall the actual amount).

But this test can't be used on drywall or plaster (I believe it's prone to false positives with those materials).

You have to cut the painted surface to expose the various layers of paint when using it.

__________________

Christopher Wright, CR: President @ WrightWorks, LLC/President @ Central Indiana NARI, Named to the 2010 REMODELING Big50
www.WrightWorks.net - Facebook - Twitter - Carmel Remodeling
Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

Paulie

So how do you bid lets say a window replacement job. The HO is not going to let you cut every window stop to test for lead. How about lead paint behind drywall? Cut a opening for a new electrical box and you could be liable if LP is found down the line.

__________________
Grand Rapids Remodeling
Grand Rapids Remodeling Contractors

carolinahandyma

I appreciate all the info being shared on this topic within this forum. I have been trying to stay on top of this and CT has helped a lot. Just a few weeks ago I took the EPA Renovator Certification class and here are some points I want to share from my training:

-The training manual I received is pretty large with several hundred pages but it really boils down to this. Create as little dust and mess as possible within a contained work area and then thoroughly clean up your work area.

-My instructor stated the EPA wanted to be careful and not make the rules too burdensome. They were careful about defining the new RRP as Renovation work and not Lead Abatement work. Lead abatement work carries with it a higher degree of training and credentialing and obviously higher cost.

-The EPA was also careful to define the refuse produced during these renovations as regular solid waste versus hazardous waste. Hazardous waste being rather expensive and harder to dispose of.

-The EPA is giving the RRP Certified Remodeler many responsibilities. These include:

• notification and educating the property owner/property inhabitants
• training the workers doing the actual work
• performing initial stick test to determine presence of lead (right now there is just one EPA recognized test available, made by Hybrivet Systems Inc. under the brand name Lead Check see www.leadcheck.com. They have several different test sticks but just ONE is EPA recognized).
• set-up of work areas
• ensuring all proper personal protective gear for workers is present and used
• ensuring all set-up and clean-up tools and supplies are available and used
• supervising work
• overseeing clean-up
• verification testing after clean-up
• demanding further clean-up if verification test isn't passed
• documenting the process.

-My instructor believed that enforcement for these new regs would probably come from the property owners themselves. Either someone in the home gets lead poisoning and they trace it back to the contractor or the property owner reports the contractor to the EPA for not following the regs.

For my customers, I started an informational blog (see http://newepaleadpaintrules.wordpress.com/ ) where I have posted content to learn more about this subject.

ChrWright

Not sure, but I know there's a provision for those who already have some certifications. You might have to dig through the EPA site to find out more.

__________________

Christopher Wright, CR: President @ WrightWorks, LLC/President @ Central Indiana NARI, Named to the 2010 REMODELING Big50
www.WrightWorks.net - Facebook - Twitter - Carmel Remodeling
Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

BCConstruction

Come on guys this is some sort of April fools joke ain't it! I have just read through the details and it's crazy. I have hacks pricing work at half the cost i am at the moment and now I'm going to have to sell this to the customer also. They already wanna know why I'm so much more expensive. What next full HEPA neg pressure extraction systems to remove a piece of drywall then DCU for the days end? Yeah thats really gonna work out for all of us. This is crazy i tell ya, crazy!


There's also a few things i would like to know. It says that each state choose how far they go with this law. So how do we find out about each area's laws for this? They also say that if you disturb 6sqft of "paint" or more you have to get certified. In my eyes thats a lot of paint to disturb. If i take out a piece of 8x4 drywall in one piece and make only two very fine cuts down either side does that whole area count toward the disturb paint or just the areas of paint i disturb? because it's worded like the paint you disturb and not the area of material! This reminds me of the laws for asbestos in the UK for the tanks in lofts. Leave them in one piece and they were safe to take to dump. Break them up into bits(which is classed as disturbed) and you would need to call the pros out because you wernt covered to have multiple piece's on a waste carrying license! How do you have every tool with HEPA exhaust control also?






Warning signs posted at entrance to work area
Work area contained to prevent spread of dust and debris
All objects in the work area removed or covered
HVAC ducts in the work area closed and covered
Windows in the work area closed
Windows in and within 20 feet of the work area closed
Doors in the work area closed and sealed
Doors in and within 20 feet of the work area closed and sealed
Doors that must be used in the work area covered to allow passage but prevent spread of dust
Floors in the work area covered with taped-down plastic
Ground covered by plastic extending 10 feet from work area
plastic anchored to building and weighed down by heavy objects
If necessary, vertical containment installed to prevent migration of dust and debris to adjacent property
Waste contained on-site and while being transported off-site
Work site properly cleaned after renovation
All chips and debris picked up, protective sheeting misted, folded dirty side inward, and taped for removal
Work area surfaces and objects cleaned using HEPA vacuum and/or wet cloths or mops
Certified renovator performed post-renovation cleaning verification




Looks like a bloody asbestos removal guide to me.

Dave R

Carolinahandyman, where did you take your certification class. I'm having trouble finding places offering it in NC.

carolinahandyma

The training company I used was EI Group in Morrisville. I believe it is ei1.com.

The EPA.gov website has a list of approved trainers throughout the US.

carolinahandyma

Dave
There is also a place I believe in Spartanburg, SC area that would probably be closer for you in Charlotte.

Dave R

Dave

Thanks, I will check them out.

TileLady

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/training.htm

and here's the course:

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/epahudrrmodel.htm#manuals

And finally here's the application to submit to the EPA.

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/firmapp.pdf

carolinahandyma

Some states are developing their own certification programs that the EPA will recognize and therefore you won't have to pay a $300 fee to be certified by the EPA. You would only need to apply for the EPA certification if you do work outside of your home state.

Wisconsin already has this in place and there are other states that are planning to do this as well. I am in North Carolina and they are planning their own certification program. So before submitting the EPA application check with your own state.

rselectric1

I brought this thread back from the recent morgue and into new posts because it needs to be kept on the front burner.

I know we all wish this issue to go away, but I don't think it will.

I first found out about this on CT (thanks Chris) and then a few days later on the NKBA member section.

All the contractors I have mentioned this to are TOTALLY unaware of it and have appreciated the heads up.

I think this thread should be kept in front of us to ensure that those of us who are serious can be ready by April 22.

Does anyone have more information on how we can become certified locally?

__________________
220...221...whatever it takes!

BCConstruction

Out of the 10+ contractors i have spoken to about this from window fitters, Plumbers, Dry Waller's and so on. Even an inspector. Not one has heard anything about it. They thought i was having a laugh. One painter said whats the point when we been doing it this way for over 30 years and the amount of Lead based paint back in the day was very minimal anyway. Seems crazy to me that no one knows anything about it though.

rselectric1

Exactly.

I have even googled it and had to work very hard to find it. I can't believe this isn't getting more attention.

__________________
220...221...whatever it takes!

RCPainting

I know, it is crazy, been trying to talk about it for months! Look here to order materials to educate customers.
Talk to your insurance rep about coverage as well. It is not covered under your regular policy. I was quoted minimum of 3k a year for a rider.

__________________
Painting Southern Utah one house at a time!
Cedar City, Utah Painting Company
Linkedin
The Blogging Painters

charimon

I love the Clearence Sampling..... After cleaning run a
A swiffer over a 4'x10' area match it to the sample card If it is the same or lighter than it is a pass (get a picture of the Owner holding the test wipe and the "test" card to "prove" that it passed)
If it didn't reclean and retest
If it still didn't pass wipe with an electrostatic dry wipe and call it a win
Even though I am a licensed Lead Abatement Supervisor I am still Required to take a 4 hour RRP "Refresher" actually it is good as the standards are different.


Actually I am thinking about starting a company that will prep work areas for other contractors. Have a crew who goes and tapes off the floors or outside adds the caution tape and signage. If they are certified lead workers they can do it. Heck I could even rent the hepa vacs and neg air machines

In an abatement or even interim measures the standard is 6mil plastic sheeting where in RRP it is all "heavy weight" plastic sheeting and bags

Craig

oldfrt

I received these current listings that may help those in the Northeast for RRP certificates;
http://rrptrainer.storesecured.com/i...ducts/list.htm

__________________
https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-...94183374011504

rselectric1

Being a guy who thinks outside of the box, I was wondering the same thing. Will this open up a whole new trade?

__________________
220...221...whatever it takes!

rselectric1

Thanks Oldfrt,

Angus has been looking for a course for us to attend and has found a similar private company offering in the Chicago area. I guess there will be a lot of private firms cashing in on this too.

__________________
220...221...whatever it takes!