RRP Rule
Renovate, Repair & Painting

All contractors who may disturb painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing & child-occupied facilities must become Lead Certified Renovators by April 22, 2010.

Training Schedule
- 2010 -

To Whom Does the RRP Rule Apply?

Contractors
Painters
Plumbers
Electricians
Wallpaperers
Carpenters
Drywallers
Maintenance Workers
Window Replacement Installers
Heating/Air Conditioning
Demolition
Handymen

The Rule applies to work performed in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, daycares, schools and rental property where more than 6 square feet per room or 20 square feet outside will be disturbed by someone who is being compensated for their work.

Where Does the RRP Rule Apply

Target Housing is a house or apartment (including mobile homes) built before January 1, 1978.

Child-Occupied Facility is a building or portion of a building constructed prior to 1978 visited by the same child 6 years of age or under on at least 2 different days within any week for at least 3 hours; the combined weekly visits last at least 6 hours, and combined annual visits total at least 60 hours. Such facilities include daycare centers, preschools and kindergarten classrooms.

What Does the RRP Rule Require

Individual Certification at least one RRP Certified Renovator is required at each job site. Certification involves taking a 1-day class from an EPA-accredited Training Provider
Firm Certification In addition to individual certification, each firm, agency, or non-profit must also become RRP Certified. To do so, firms or entities must submit an application and pay EPA a fee of ($300) which is good for 5 years.
EPA RRP Certified Firms must give clients a pamphlet called “Renovate Right” and get a signed receipt before beginning a job.

After April 22, 2010, ONLY EPA RRP Certified firms may work in target housing or child-occupied facilities where lead based paint will be affected by the work they perform.
On-the-Job Training – RRP Certified Renovators must train all non-certified people at the job site. Note: Contractors who do business with federally subsidized housing rehabilitation must have everyone classroom trained.
Paint Testing – The rule requires contractors to either test all paint they will disturb before beginning a job or assume that the paint is lead-based. The testing should be done using EPA-approved methods.
Use Lead-Safe Work Practices – The RRP rule requires that “Lead-Safe Work Practices” be used when disturbing 6 sq. ft. or more per room or 20 sq. ft. outside.
Cleaning Verification – At the end of each job, contractors are required to do a “cleaning verification” to make sure they cleaned up properly. They wipe a cleaned area with a white cloth and compare the cloth against a picture on a laminated card provided during training. If the cloth is lighter, than the picture on the card, the area is considered clean.

Facts: by the numbers

35 million homes have lead paint
8.4 renovation events happen each year
235,000 firms will need RRP Certification
$32,500 per day for violation of the rule, enforceable by any individual, not just Federal, State or local government employees.

For more information on the requirements, visit the EPA website.