Do you own a home built before 1979? Is your home considered a historic property? Do you have young children living or visiting your home? If you answered yes, be aware rules are about to change regarding the remodeling and repair of your home.
I’ve done a bit of cut and paste from the National Association of Home Builder’s web site that will give you their take on the new laws regarding renovation, repair and painting of older homes. In addition, at the end of this post is a news clip from 12 News in Phoenix offering more insight and information.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule governing the work of professional remodelers in homes where there is lead-based paint was published in the Federal Register on Earth Day, April 22. The rule will take effect in April 2010.
The rule addresses remodeling and renovation projects disturbing more than six square feet of potentially contaminated painted surfaces for all residential and multifamily structures built prior to 1978 that are inhabited or frequented by pregnant women and children under the age of six.
Summary of the Rule
Review the points below for a quick summary of the new EPA lead paint rule.
Beginning in April 2010, firms working in pre-1978 homes will need to be certified. Along with the firm certification, an employee will also need to be certified as a Certified Renovator. This employee will be responsible for training other employees and overseeing work practices and cleaning.
Once work starts on a pre-1978 renovation, the Certified Renovator has a number of responsibilities. Before the work starts this person will post warning signs outside the work area and supervise setting up containment to prevent spreading dust. The rule lists specific containment procedures for both interior and exterior projects. It forbids certain work practices including open flame or torch burning, use of a heat gun that exceeds 1100°F, and high-speed sanding and grinding unless the tool is equipped with a HEPA exhaust control. Once the work is completed, the regulation specifies cleaning and waste disposal procedures. Clean up procedures must be supervised by a certified renovator.
3. Verification and Record Keeping
After clean up is complete the certified renovator must verify the cleaning by matching a cleaning cloth with an EPA verification card. If the cloth appears dirtier or darker than the card the cleaning must be repeated.
A complete file of records on the project must be kept by the certified renovator for three years. These records include, but aren't limited to: verification of owner/occupant receipt of the Renovate Right pamphlet or attempt to inform, documentation of work practices, Certified Renovator certification, and proof of worker training. NAHB believes that record keeping will be a major enforcement tool for the regulation.
It is important to note that these work practices may be waived under these conditions:
- The home or child occupied facility was built after 1978.
- The repairs are minor, with interior work disturbing less than six square feet or exteriors disturbing less than 20 square feet being exempt.
- The homeowner may also opt out by signing a waiver if there are no children under age six frequently visiting the property, no one in the home is pregnant, or the property is not a child-occupied facility. EPA has proposed removing this opt-out from the rule.
- If the house or components test lead free by a Certified Risk Assessor, Lead Inspector or Certified Renovator
CHANNEL 12 NEWS CLIP:
We’ll try and get more information to you on this subject as it evolves… including a place to find certified renovation contractors in Arizona. Our research, thus far, has turned a blank page on such searches.
Best to you,
Gene & Ron Urban
The Urban Team at Realty Executives
602-234-5777
