Update on EPA’s Lead Paint in Commercial and Public Buildings

HHCU EPA logos

As a North Carolina Certified Lead-Based Paint Firm, A&K Painting received a letter from the North Carolina Department of Health and human Services, Division of Public Health, regarding new Federal changes to the EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) Rules.  The changes impact public and commercial buildings as previously reported in our blog and on our RRP Resource page – specifically renovations, repairs and painting of those types of buildings.

The letter identified that the EPA is seeking additional comments for determining whether renovation, repair and painting activities on public and commercial buildings “might also” create lead-based paint hazards.  The EPA has re-opened the comment period to allow for additional data and other information to be submitted by the public and other interested stakeholders.  The comment period runs through July 12, 2013.  The HHCU is encouraging everyone who may be impacted by EPA implementing such new requirements to submit comments.

Additionally, the EPA is holding a public meeting on June 26, 2013 regarding the expansion of the RRP Rules to include public and commercial buildings.

Read the HHCU letter

Review A&K Painting Company’s RRP Resource Information

Access the Associated General Contractors of America – Commercial Properties Coalition Comments to the EPA
A coalition letter signed by 22 trade organizations whose members are involved in almost every facet of commercial and multifamily property development, ownership, management, contracting, and building product supply — including the major national real estate organizations, along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business.  The Coalition letter questions the lack of Lead-Paint data for Public and Commercial Buildings and stresses unless the EPA demonstrates that hazards exist linked to renovation work that additional  rules are unwarranted  Source: AGC

EPA Opens Comment Period On Commercial RRP

epa-logo-gif

For all those involved in Commercial Real Estate, Facility Maintenance and Commercial Construction, the long awaited ‘other shoe’ has dropped.  The EPA’s intent to add private and public commercial buildings to the renovation, repair and painting program took another step forward last week.  See the EPA’s Proposed Rule Information.

Renovations of homes and child-occupied facilities built prior to 1978 must be performed by certified contractors using lead-safe work practices. EPA is currently in the process of determining whether renovation, repair, and painting activities on public and commercial buildings might also create lead-based paint hazards. For those activities that do create lead-based paint hazards, EPA intends to develop certification, training, and work practice requirements as directed by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

EPA has opened a comment period to allow for additional data and other information to be submitted by the public and interested stakeholders. This comment period runs through April 1, 2013. More information on this request for public comment, including instructions for providing your comments, can be found in the Federal Register notice.

In addition, EPA plans to hold a public meeting on renovations in and on public and commercial buildings on June 26, 2013. EPA will publish more details on this public meeting in the Federal Register in the spring of 2013.

A&K Painting Company will continue to monitor and report on the EPA’s actions for Commercial RRP.

A&K Painting Receives NC Renovation Firm Certification

Today we received our Renovation Firm Certification from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.  This certification allows us to complete RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) Lead Safe projects throughout North Carolina.

The State took over management of the EPA’s RRP Rules that mandate worker training and company Lead Safe Certification for projects in pre-1978 housing and child occupied facilities like schools and child care facilities.