Before 1978
Buildings built before 1978
Paint made before 1978 may contain lead, and old paint is what we scrape. Whether a federal rule applies depends on what the building is and who is in it.
We settle that in writing before the proposal, not on the scaffold.
What we ask first
The building's age, from your records or a walk-through
How each space is used, and by whom
Whether anyone lives in it
What your state or city adds to the federal rule
Three kinds of building
What changes with the building
| The question | Built 1978 or later | Before 1978, no regular children's program | Before 1978, children under six visit regularly |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is called | Built 1978 or laterA newer building | Before 1978, no regular children's programAn ordinary older building, unless someone lives in it | Before 1978, children under six visit regularlyA child-occupied facility |
| Examples | Built 1978 or laterA hall built after 1978 | Before 1978, no regular children's programA sanctuary, a fellowship hall, a parish office | Before 1978, children under six visit regularlyA day care, a preschool, a kindergarten class |
| The federal paint rule | Built 1978 or laterDoes not apply | Before 1978, no regular children's programMay not apply; a rectory or other residence may be covered | Before 1978, children under six visit regularlyCovers paid work that disturbs paint |
| Who may do the work | Built 1978 or laterAny contractor | Before 1978, no regular children's programAny contractor, subject to your state and city | Before 1978, children under six visit regularlyA firm certified by the EPA, using trained renovators |
| What we do on site | Built 1978 or laterStandard prep and cleanup | Before 1978, no regular children's programThe same steps | Before 1978, children under six visit regularlyContainment, wet scraping, a HEPA vacuum and a cleanup check |
On the day
What the work looks like in an older building
The same steps whether the rule applies or not.
- 01
Containment
Plastic sheeting and taped seams around the work, with the doors to other rooms closed.
- 02
Wet scraping
Loose paint is misted and scraped by hand; no dry sanding and no open flame.
- 03
A HEPA vacuum
Debris is picked up with a HEPA vacuum and sheeting is folded in, never shaken out.
- 04
A cleanup check
Surfaces are wiped and checked before the space is handed back.
Certification
The firm's certification and insurance
The EPA firm number and coverage dates are added by the owner and appear on every proposal.
EPA certification
EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm (Renovation, Repair and Painting rule)
Firm number added by the owner
Insurance
General liability and workers' compensation
Your insurance carrier
A certificate goes to your board with every proposal
Older buildings
Questions about age and children
Was our building built before 1978, and does that change how you work?
Paint in buildings built before 1978 may contain lead. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule covers paid work that disturbs paint in homes and in child-occupied facilities built before 1978, such as a day care, a preschool or a kindergarten class. A firm doing that work has to be certified by the EPA, and ours adds its firm number under Credentials. A church or hall with no program of that kind may fall outside the federal rule, and your state or city may have its own. We ask for the building's age before we write a proposal, and we tell you in writing which rules the work follows.
What counts as a child-occupied facility?
The EPA's definition is a building, or part of one, built before 1978 that the same child under six visits regularly: on at least two days in a week, at least three hours each day, at least six hours in the week and at least 60 hours in a year. A weekday preschool, a day care or a kindergarten class in your school wing usually meets it. A nursery used one morning a week usually does not. If you are not sure, tell us how the space is used and we will help you work it out before anyone picks up a scraper.
Is our building in a historic district, and do we need approval to repaint?
Many of the city's older neighborhoods are local historic districts, and some buildings are landmarks. Whether a repaint needs review depends on the district, the building and the change: the Historic District Landmarks Commission covers most of them and the Vieux Carré Commission covers the French Quarter. We look up the rule for your address and, when review is needed, prepare photographs and a color schedule for your board to submit. The decision is the commission's, not ours.
Tell us how old the building is
If you do not know, we will help you find out. The answer comes before the proposal.