San Antonio, TX. — Saturday, February 6, 2010. This month Rudy became one of the first contractors to become a Certified Renovator. The course teaches contractors how to test for lead and safely contain it during renovation to reduce exposure to both residents and workers and the specifications that must be followed in accordance with the new law.

Renovation, Repair and Painting
April 22, 2010 is the starting date, which remodelers working on residential homes, home daycare centers or any other "child-occupied facility" built before 1978 must be certified, follows specific work practices to prevent lead contamination, and keep detailed records.

Here is a section of the new federal law; it specifies any project that involves more than 6 square feet of interior painted surface or 20 square feet of exterior surface, 99.9% of renovation projects will be affected.

This new federal laws instituted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require contractors who perform interior and exterior work on homes built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices in order to prevent lead contamination. The EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR 745) states that renovations conducted for compensation must be performed by "Certified Firms" using "Certified Renovators."

Once work starts on a pre-1978 renovation, the Certified Renovator has a number of responsibilities. Beginning with distributing EPA's "Renovate Right" brochure to the homeowner and having them sign the pre-renovation form in the booklet. Before the work starts the Certified Renovator 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.

Contractors and companies that do remodeling must have a person on staff that has taken the EPA-certified course. The training and certification also have to be renewed every five years.

After clean up is complete the Certified Renovator must verify 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.

Exemptions
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 sq. ft. or exteriors disturbing less than 20 sq. ft.
• If the house or components test lead free by a Certified Risk Assessor, Lead Inspector, or Certified Renovator.

If you'd like to learn more, visit http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.