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EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Requirements

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

HEPA vacuum means a vacuum cleaner which has been designed with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as the last filtration stage. A HEPA filter is a filter that is capable of capturing particles of 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. (Note that all Attix HEPA vacuums exceed these requirements, with individually certified HEPA filters that filter to 0.3 microns with 99.99% efficiency. Click HERE for more information.)

  • Work area surfaces and objects must be cleaned using a HEPA vacuum and/or wet cloths or mops (interiors).
  • Walls must be cleaned starting at the ceiling and working down to the floor by either vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum or wiping with a damp cloth.
  • Remaining surfaces and objects in the work area, including furniture and fixtures, must be thoroughly cleaned with a HEPA vacuum.
  • The HEPA vacuum must be equipped with a beater bar when vacuuming carpets and rugs. Contractors that do no comply with these regulations face fines up to $37,500. Violations occur if a contractor is not EPA certified; is not using the proper EPA approved lead abatement methods or equipment such as HEPA vacuums with with beater bar power heads for cleaning lead dust from floors and carpeting; are not capturing dust in bags or disposing of bags properly.
Further information about the EPA RRP ruling is available at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm

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Click HERE to see a selection of Attix HEPA filters, or if you need a HEPA filter to convert an existing Wap/Attix/Alto non-HEPA vacuum to HEPA certified

Click HERE for a selection of Bags for your Wap/Attix/Alto vacuum. It is recommended to always use bags when using a HEPA filter

Click HERE to see a selection of beater-bar nozzles that can go with Wap/Attix/Alto vacuums.

Click HERE to see how Wap/Alto/Attix HEPA vacuums exceed EPA RRP HEPA filtration standards, and why these vacuums are superior