Approximately 34 million pre-1978 housing units contain paint that meets the Federal definition of “lead-based paint” (Source: American Healthy Homes Survey: Draft Final Report for Peer Review: Lead and Arsenic Findings, October 7, 2008).
EPA’s RRP Rule assumes that any house built before 1978 contains lead-based paint, unless the house has been tested for lead-based paint and the results indicate that the house does not contain lead-based paint.
Components most likely to be coated with lead-based paint include windows and doors (interior and exterior), as well as exterior walls and porches.
Year House was Built % of Houses with Lead Based Paint
Before 1940 86%
19040 - 1959 66%
1960 - 1978 25%
All Housing 35%
EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Final Rule:
Published April 22, 2008, under the authority of the Toxic Substances Control Act (section 402(c)(3) of TSCA).
After April 22, 2010, the final rule addresses lead-based paint hazards created by renovation, repair and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint in “target housing” and “child-occupied facilities.”
Target Housing is a home or residential unit built on or before December 31, 1977, except:
Housing designated for the elderly or persons with disabilities (unless any child who is less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in such housing).
Any zero-bedroom dwelling (e.g. studio apartments, hospitals, hotels, dormitories, etc).
A Child-Occupied Facility is a pre-1978 building that meets all three of the criteria below:
> Visited regularly by the same child, under 6 years of age.
> The visits are on at least two different days within any week (Sunday through Saturday period), provided that each day’s visit lasts at least 3 hours.
> Combined weekly visits last at least 6 hours, and the combined annual visits last at least 60 hours.
Child-occupied facilities may be located in a public or commercial building or in target housing. These facilities include schools, child care facilities, and daycare centers.
State Authorization: EPA may authorize states, territories and tribes to enforce all aspects of the RRP Rule. Such states are called “Agreement states.” EPA enforces the Rule in non-Agreement states.
The RRP Rule requires that an individual Certified Renovator be responsible for the renovation job regardless of the level of training and certification of the other persons working on the job. This individual Certified Renovator has the following responsibilities.
> Perform work and direct the work of non-certified renovation workers.
> Train all non-certified workers on-the-job in lead-safe work practices.
> Maintain copies of initial and/or refresher training certifications onsite.
> Conduct testing for lead-based paint using EPA-recognized test kits and report findings.
> Remain onsite during the sign posting, work area setup, and cleanup phases of work.
> When not on site, be available by telephone or pager.
> Make sure that the containment is maintained in a way that prevents the escape of dust and debris. This responsibility implies a need to determine which work practices should be used to minimize dust.
> Conduct the cleaning verification procedure to make sure that the work is complete and that the work area is ready to reoccupy.
> Prepare a summary of the work, maintain training and certification records, and certify that all work was done in a lead safe manner.
On the Job Records
The Certified Firm must designate (in writing) a Certified Renovator to be responsible for each renovation job in target housing or a child-occupied facility. This is the logical person to organize and maintain on-the-job records during the work. On the jobsite, the records should be kept in a safe, secure, clean and dry place. Once the project is complete, some records can be filed with other firm records while others may need to be moved to the next job site.
Records to be maintained on site include:
> Copy of Certified Firm and Certified Renovator(s) certifications.
> Non-certified worker training documentation.
Records to be maintained to document the job:
>Copy of Certified Firm and Certified Renovator(s) certifications.
>Non-certified worker training documentation.
>Designation of a Certified Renovator to the job.
>Information on and results of use of EPA-recognized test kits provided by a Certified Renovator who acted as the representative of the Certified Firm at the job site and who conducted testing for the presence of lead-based paint on surfaces to be affected by the renovation.
> Lead-based paint inspection reports provided by a Certified Lead Inspector or Certified Lead Risk Assessor, if applicable.
> Proof of owner/occupant pre-renovation education
Opt-out certification by owner-occupant, when they qualify to, and decide to, opt-out of lead safe work practice requirements.
> Any other signed and dated documents from the owner(s) and/or residents regarding conduct of the renovation and requirements in the EPA RRP Rule.
> All reports required from the Certified Firm and the Certified Renovator by the EPA RRP Rule.
Resources:
EPA Renovate, Repair, and Painting
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
Information for Property Onwers of Rental Homes:
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/renovation.htm#owners
Information for Property Managers and Realtors
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/renovation.htm#realtors
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Water Damage Restoration
The primary function of a restoration contractor that performs emergency mitigation services is to handle the claim professionally, expeditiously, and cost effectively. Professional restorative contractors should understand what it means to be professional when conducting their business. They should also understand the importance of prompt response and quick action to limit the scope of the loss. However, a difficult area to institute and control is how to be cost ef-fective. This is especially true when customers are making demands and expecting quick action concerning what is happening to their home and belongings.
Water damage mitigation that is performed by using the PuroClean QuickDry System (PQDS), focuses not only on stabilizing and reducing further damage, but also includes reducing unnecessary services that increase direct costs. Direct costs are labor, time, and materials that contribute directly to the total dollar amount of sustained damage. The PQDS reduces that total dollar volume by enacting tested and proven procedures while performing water damage mitigation services.
Many water mitigators use a light wand extraction which removes some water and may involve moving all or half of the furniture from a room so that the carpet can be pulled back far enough to remove the cushion (pad). The furniture has to be re-moved from the room so that air fans can be placed under the carpet in a corner to “float” the carpet. The concept of floating the carpet with air makes the room difficult, if not impossible, to occupy. This is a major problem in bedrooms where headboards, footboards, and rails need disassembling, and mattresses and box springs need to be carried into a dry, unaffected area. That is, if any dry areas ex-ist. Under the PQDS, furniture in any affected room only needs to be manipulated enough to extract the water. Furniture is then placed on blocks and tabs to prevent the transfer of furniture stain or the development of rust marks. The time and labor saved in performing this function alone is substantial, espe-cially if multiple rooms are involved.
These PQDS procedures include a new extraction technology that enables water to be removed from the carpet and cushion (pad), simultaneously without disengagement of the installation. This extraction removes 90 to 95% of the total liquid moisture available in the carpet and pad. By removing this quantity of liquid moisture, less time is required to evaporate any remaining moisture by airflow and dehumidification. Most projects are completed on the average within three days.
Removing wet carpet from the installation is risky business. Carpets that are totally saturated are more easily damaged when wet than when they are dry. This is due to the fact that the latex binder between the primary and secondary backings is 50% weaker when saturated with water. Even with the best intentions, removing the carpet tension with a knee kicker or pulling the carpet from the tack strip can often cause rips or tears.
If the carpet is not disengaged, the pad is not removed, and the furniture is minimally disrupted, then the entire cost of new cushion, professional power stretched installation, and furniture remanipulation is not required. This results in a tremen-dous direct cost reduction.
The aggravation, frustration, and total inconvenience of the old process must also be considered as an indirect cost reduction. A non-monetary form of indirect cost is the price that one pays in stress and duress when processing a claim incorrectly which creates fear, suspicion, and distrust on the part of the customer and inevitably the insurance adjuster. The PQDS takes these issues and other factors into consideration when mitigat-ing a water loss.
Structurally, the PQDS employs many cost effective philosophies, for example, drying drywall in place. Many schools originally taught that any initial wicking of water into drywall specifically dictated the removal of baseboard molding, both vinyl and wood, as a necessity to dry the lower wall area. Technicians went so far as to poke holes in the wallboard to increase evaporation and ventilation. Some even sprayed water based antimicrobials into the holes increasing the wetness factor. These actions dictated, providing that the area dried properly, that new baseboards will need to be installed and that the entire room or rooms will require painting to correct the damage done to the surface during the demolition.
The PQDS does not initially require removing baseboards when wetness is detected. PuroClean structural dryers are deployed forcing air directly towards the wet walls drying the area in most cases without removing the molding. This direct airflow against the lower wall dries the baseboard, the wallboard, and the framing structure. Many types of insulation, for example, fiberglass batt, will dry as well. Baseboard molding removal would be necessary only if cellulose or rock wool insulation were present. These materials lose loft and respective R value when wet and compressed. Replacement is war-ranted for these materials.
When comparing the old drying procedure and philosophy to the new PuroClean QuickDry System, there is no contest. The direct cost effective savings as well as the indirect time and incon-venience reductions are obvious. Call your local PuroClean office to take advantage of the PuroClean QuickDry System to help reduce your costs when processing water damage losses today.
Water damage mitigation that is performed by using the PuroClean QuickDry System (PQDS), focuses not only on stabilizing and reducing further damage, but also includes reducing unnecessary services that increase direct costs. Direct costs are labor, time, and materials that contribute directly to the total dollar amount of sustained damage. The PQDS reduces that total dollar volume by enacting tested and proven procedures while performing water damage mitigation services.
Many water mitigators use a light wand extraction which removes some water and may involve moving all or half of the furniture from a room so that the carpet can be pulled back far enough to remove the cushion (pad). The furniture has to be re-moved from the room so that air fans can be placed under the carpet in a corner to “float” the carpet. The concept of floating the carpet with air makes the room difficult, if not impossible, to occupy. This is a major problem in bedrooms where headboards, footboards, and rails need disassembling, and mattresses and box springs need to be carried into a dry, unaffected area. That is, if any dry areas ex-ist. Under the PQDS, furniture in any affected room only needs to be manipulated enough to extract the water. Furniture is then placed on blocks and tabs to prevent the transfer of furniture stain or the development of rust marks. The time and labor saved in performing this function alone is substantial, espe-cially if multiple rooms are involved.
These PQDS procedures include a new extraction technology that enables water to be removed from the carpet and cushion (pad), simultaneously without disengagement of the installation. This extraction removes 90 to 95% of the total liquid moisture available in the carpet and pad. By removing this quantity of liquid moisture, less time is required to evaporate any remaining moisture by airflow and dehumidification. Most projects are completed on the average within three days.
Removing wet carpet from the installation is risky business. Carpets that are totally saturated are more easily damaged when wet than when they are dry. This is due to the fact that the latex binder between the primary and secondary backings is 50% weaker when saturated with water. Even with the best intentions, removing the carpet tension with a knee kicker or pulling the carpet from the tack strip can often cause rips or tears.
If the carpet is not disengaged, the pad is not removed, and the furniture is minimally disrupted, then the entire cost of new cushion, professional power stretched installation, and furniture remanipulation is not required. This results in a tremen-dous direct cost reduction.
The aggravation, frustration, and total inconvenience of the old process must also be considered as an indirect cost reduction. A non-monetary form of indirect cost is the price that one pays in stress and duress when processing a claim incorrectly which creates fear, suspicion, and distrust on the part of the customer and inevitably the insurance adjuster. The PQDS takes these issues and other factors into consideration when mitigat-ing a water loss.
Structurally, the PQDS employs many cost effective philosophies, for example, drying drywall in place. Many schools originally taught that any initial wicking of water into drywall specifically dictated the removal of baseboard molding, both vinyl and wood, as a necessity to dry the lower wall area. Technicians went so far as to poke holes in the wallboard to increase evaporation and ventilation. Some even sprayed water based antimicrobials into the holes increasing the wetness factor. These actions dictated, providing that the area dried properly, that new baseboards will need to be installed and that the entire room or rooms will require painting to correct the damage done to the surface during the demolition.
The PQDS does not initially require removing baseboards when wetness is detected. PuroClean structural dryers are deployed forcing air directly towards the wet walls drying the area in most cases without removing the molding. This direct airflow against the lower wall dries the baseboard, the wallboard, and the framing structure. Many types of insulation, for example, fiberglass batt, will dry as well. Baseboard molding removal would be necessary only if cellulose or rock wool insulation were present. These materials lose loft and respective R value when wet and compressed. Replacement is war-ranted for these materials.
When comparing the old drying procedure and philosophy to the new PuroClean QuickDry System, there is no contest. The direct cost effective savings as well as the indirect time and incon-venience reductions are obvious. Call your local PuroClean office to take advantage of the PuroClean QuickDry System to help reduce your costs when processing water damage losses today.
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