Do you live in or own a pre-1978 home? Are you aware of the EPA Lead Paint Rule that affects your home?

A new EPA Lead Paint Rule - The EPA has implemented a new Lead Paint Rule for Renovation, Repair, and Painting.  This affects any person performing any kind of work for compensation. This would apply to ALL CONTRACTORS WHETHER OR NOT THEIR INDUSTRY IS LICNESED such as Building Contractors, Plumbing Contractors, Mechanical Contractors, Specialty Contractors, Painting Contractors, Window and Siding Contractors, etc). This also applies to everyday workers such as handymen, painters, carpenters, laborers, etc.. Basically anyone being paid to perform work on a pre-1978 child occupied facility. Facilties would include homes, apartments, condos, child care facilities, schoolrooms, etc. If a person is found to be non-compliant with the EPA rules and guidelines, they are subject to large fines and possible jail time. 

EPA Mandatory Certification - The EPA has made a mandatory certification requirement in order to work on any pre-1978 child occupied facility. This EPA certification is known as an "EPA Certified Renovator". This mandatory certification requirement goes into full effect on April 22, 2010. Training to become an EPA Certified Renovator will begin on October 22, 2009.

Does anything need to be happening right now as far as the EPA and Lead Paint is concerned? - YES. Any person performing renovations for compensation in pre-1978 child occupied facilities must provide a "Renovate Right" brochure to the individual(s) occupying the facility. There has to be an accompanying document which the occupant's sign and this document must remain on file in the renovator's posession for at least three years.

Are there any exceptions to the EPA certification requirement and this new Lead Paint Rule? - YES. There are not many exceptions to the rule, but there are a couple. One exception is if there are no children under six occupying the facility. Another exception is for minor repairs and maintenance to LESS THAN SIX SQUARE FEET OF INTERIOR RENOVATIONS and LESS THAN TWENTY SQUARE FEET OF EXTERIOR RENOVATIONS (cannot be a high dust generating practice or window replacement). You should still carry out the notification via the brochure mentioned above, but you would not have to be an "EPA Certified Renovator"

Where can I learn more about Lead Paint and the EPA? - http://www.epa.gov/lead/index.html | http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm

Where can I download the EPA "Renovate Right" brochure? - http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf

If you have additional questions about Lead Paint or whether or not your compensated entity is an EPA Certified Renovator, please contact the Northeast Florida Builder's Association REMODELERS with any questions - 725-4355 ext 224.