Lead Rule for Window replacement. New RRP law.

The Lead Paint Renovation Law

On April 22, 2010, the new EPA  Lead; Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule went into effect. The rule applies to all persons who are paid to perform renovation, repair and painting projects where painted surfaces are disturbed in pre-1978 housing, child care facilities and schools where lead paint is present. The rule contains requirements to distribute an EPA informational brochure in advance of the work and to follow lead-safe work practices outlined in the training, including proper clean up and verification testing to determine compliance with the rule, as well as requirements for proper record keeping. The rule requires EPA certification for contracting firms and contractors performing the work. Window and door replacement is impacted by the rule.

The EPA’s ruling goes into effect April 22 and it requires that lead safe practices are used during any Renovation, Repair or painting project (RRP) done on homes built before 1978 where lead is present.   This ruling means big changes for contractors accross the country - including your favorite Universal Windows Direct window installers. 

The EPA’s ruling addresses certain types of renovation, repair and painting projects (including window installation) that disrupt lead based paint in homes and child occupied facilities.   The ruling promotes education homewoners on  the dangers of lead based paint. It  also requires that  contractors use lead safe work practices on job sites where lead paint is present.

In short, the  EPA’s ruling will affect your window install in 5 ways.

1. All companies must hold the Certified Firm designation by the EPA.
2. Every worker on the job site must hold the  Certified Renovator Certificate from the EPA, or have been trained as a non-certified worker by someone who does.
3. Every homowner must receive a copy of the “Renovate Right” brochure  prior to the window install beginning.  Homeowners must sign a receipt of the pamphlet, and in some cases may choose to “opt out” of the lead testing.
4. If the home is built pre-1978 it must be tested for the presence of lead paint.
5. If lead based paint is present, the window installers must follow lead safe practices and lead dust containment throughout the project.

So now the government wants to regulate Lead paint removal, huh? I guess there just isn't enough work for them in the Gulf with the oil leak and all...right. Effective April 22, 2010 (Earth Day ironically enough) the EPA put into place very strict procedures that all renovators, including window replacement companies, must follow or be subject of fines of EXACTLY $37,500 per day! Hmmm, wonder what the meaning behind that number is? Oh well, I digress. Seems that the EPA wants to make sure that Window Replacement companies are held responsible if they circulate lead paint dust or particles into the homeowner's environment without cleaning it up properly. On the surface, this sounds like a great idea because Lead Paint has long been linked to developmental issues with children under the age of 6 and birth defects in pregnant women. But upon further review they have created a 3-headed monster that they will not be able to control. First, they cannot inspect companies effectively to hold negligent installers' feet to the flames. Second, they open the doors for home improvement companies to make this another profit stream when they overcharge unsuspecting or uneducated consumers with good 'ol price gauging. Finally, there is no provision if YOU, the homeowner decides to do this on their own. That's right you can tear your own home apart to your little old heart's content and no problem with the government at all. You can unknowingly expose your children and pregnant wife to the very thing that the rule was intended and designed to eliminate, They at least tried to try Jack Kevorkian for helping people assist in suicide. Here they say "Go right ahead and kill yourself, we don't mind at all". The basic premise of the rule is simple and has 3 components:
1. Communicate to home owners what you are going to be doing and have them sign off on it.
2. Eliminate all dust and debris from leaving the work area by containing it and using safe practices while working in the area.
3. Clean up afterward in such a fashion that there no mess that could be left over for any of the occupants to have to deal with.

Most companies are charging beetween $50 & $125 per window installed or even a fixed percentage of the total of the sale of up to 10%-25%. The current Opt-Out is going away very soon and all window replacements will be subject to this type of red tape, regardless of size or region of the country unless your house is built AFTER 1978. You can check out all of the details at the EPA's websitehttp://www.epa.gov/lead/. So when you get the estimate from your local contractor and it is more than you thought it was going to be, remember that there is still even more  that you never asked to HAVE TO PAY, but the EPA thinks you should pay for the changes that they think should be made. Perhaps they have a solution for th Gulf Oil issue, too...