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EPA Won’t Expand Lead Paint Rule

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided against expanding its Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) Rule to include dust wipe sampling and clearance testing requirements, the agency announced on July 15. The proposed expansion rule would have been a revision to the original LRRP rule that came into effect in 2008. Dealers, builders, and remodelers have attacked this proposal since it was introduced in May 2010. The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) led an especially vigorous campaign against the revision.

“This development is a major victory for NLBMDA, LBM dealers doing installed sales, and their remodeler customers,” said executive vice president Scott Lynch. “It will also save homeowners in pre-1978 homes from having to absorb even more unjustified costs associated with the lead rule.”

While the EPA has decided against promulgating dust wipe sampling and clearance testing requirements, the agency said it would revise other areas of the original rule. Some of the revisions include allowing paint chips to be sent to laboratories “certified” by the agency for lead testing instead of having to use a test kit. Also the EPA said it may propose minor changes to the training program accreditation application process and change minimal enforcement provisions for authorized state and tribal renovation programs.

While these changes may quiet some critics of the rule, the NLBMDA indicated that many dealers still feel the rule is too wide and too broad.

“The NLBMDA will continue to pursue efforts to reign in the expansion of the Lead Rule,” said Lynch.

The association is currently seeking restoration of an opt-out provision for customers when there are no children or pregnant women around. The association will also fight efforts to force the rule upon the renovation of commercial buildings.

On July 13, the NLBMDA commended legislators in the House of Representatives for voting to approve an amendment that prohibits the EPA from enforcing the LRRP rule until a reliable lead test is approved. The amendment was supported by the NLBMDA and was passed by the House Appropriations Committee as part of the 2012 budget for the EPA.

This article was originally posted on ProSales Online.

Tags: EPA, lead paint
Posted in Paints & Coatings | 2 Comments »

Senators Fight EPA Lead Paint Proposal

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

WASHINGTON – Ignored by one agency, a group of U.S. senators led by Oklahoma Republican Jim Inhofe has contacted a second agency about its concerns that a lead paint proposal could backfire and weaken protections for children and pregnant women.

Inhofe and the 10 other Republicans, including Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, have appealed to an agency within the Office of Management and Budget, which they believe received the lead paint proposal from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval.

At issue is the EPA’s proposed change to require “clearance testing” to prove the presence or absence of lead following a home renovation project.

Describing the clearance testing as a dramatic change to the existing program on lead paint, the senators expressed concerns that the testing requirement would push homeowners to either hire uncertified individuals for a renovation project or do it themselves.

“These outcomes run counter to the intent of the rule, which is to protect people from the potential dangers of lead dust,” they state in their letter.

The group also expressed concern that the EPA proposal not only violates congressional intent on separating renovation projections from abatement activity but also its own regulatory approach.

Questioning the EPA’s conclusion on the economic impact of its action, the senators also stated that none of the “next generation” test kits included in the EPA’s analysis of the rule has been approved.

Inhofe spokesman Matt Dempsey said the senators also are concerned that the EPA’s proposal could leave homeowners on the hook if the clearance test indicates the presence of lead after a renovation project is completed.

“They would have to have someone come out and remove the lead,” Dempsey said, adding that it could mean hiring yet another contractor.

The EPA, which earlier said it planned on responding to the senators’ previous letter on the lead paint matter, did not respond to questions Friday.

In its past responses to criticism over the way it has handled the lead paint issue, the agency has cited significant health risks posed by lead-based paint, especially for children living in pre- 1978 housing.

Jim Myers 202-484-1424

jim.myers@tulsaworld.com

Originally published by JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

Tags: government, lead paint
Posted in Paints & Coatings | No Comments »

Enforcement of Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of its members asking the agency to “aggressively and fairly enforce the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) rule.” In the letter to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, NARI executive vice president Mary Busey Harris states, “Now that the initial training deadline has passed, EPA must aggressively and consistently enforce the LRRP rule so families can have confidence that work on their homes is being done safely and professionally.”

Busey goes on to say that though 400,000 professionals have been trained in lead-safe work practices, “non-certified contractors are working on pre-1978 homes in violation of LRRP, and we are concerned that such illegal activity will continue unless EPA launches a tough enforcement campaign.”

Click here to view the full letter. —Nina Patel, senior editor, REMODELING.

This article originally posted on REMODELING Online.

Tags: law
Posted in Paints & Coatings | 1 Comment »

EPA Changes RRP Enforcement Deadline

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

The EPA today announced changes to the Renovation Repair and Painting Rule’s firm certification requirement. The EPA will not take enforcement action for violations of the rule until October 1, 2010.

The announcement also states that EPA won’t enforce against individual renovation workers if that person has applied to enroll in, or has enrolled in, by September 30, 2010, a certified renovator class. Renovators must complete the training by December 31, 2010.

Both remodeling industry associations — NAHB and NARI – which, along with other associations and organizations in the building industry, have been lobbying for months to have the rule changed applaud the action. “This is what we’ve been asking for since before April 22 [the original deadline] when we went to Congress and walked the halls,” says Dave Merrick, chair of the government affairs committee for NARI national and owner of Merrick Design and Build in Kensington, Md.

“This is really good news,” says Donna Shirey, chair of the NAHB Remodelers and owner of Shirey Contracting, Issaquah, Wash. “It allows contractors and companies to have more time to be certified. And they’re not putting companies in jeopardy because of the lack of trainers—which has been an issue. Some states have no trainers at all.”

However, remodelers need to observe caution. While the wording appears positive on the surface, attorney DS Berenson, whose Washington, D.C.-area firm Johanson Berenson serves many in the building industry, worries that this may lead to unnecessary risk exposure. “There’s a conudrum now. A contractor is still suppsed to test and do lead safe work practices but doesn’t have the registration to do that,” Berenson says. “Now he or she is libel for doing lead safe practices even though he or she is not licensed to do lead safe practices. It opens you up to liability exposure from the EPA, the homeowner and the 1-800-sue-your-lawyer.”

EPA’s announcement can be downloaded by clicking here. For more information on compliance with the RRP, click here.

Posted in Paints & Coatings | No Comments »

2010 Builders’ Show Products, Part 2: Green Products

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Among the many products on display at last week’s International Builders’ Show were a number of introductions that can contribute to a sustainably built home. Here is a sampling of 11 eco-friendly finds from the show floor.

For more new products from IBS, see our Builders’ Show Preview.

LevitonCFLDimmer

Leviton Mfg. Designed for use with a wide variety of dimmable CFL light bulbs, the Decora CFL Slide Dimmer optimizes the performance of dimmable CFL bulbs. Unlike standard dimmers that are not always compatible with dimmable CFLs, the CFL Slide Dimmer detects whether the bulb is an incandescent or a dimmable CFL, determines high- and low-end dimming capabilities, and adjusts the dimming range accordingly. The CFL Slide simmer helps eliminate problems dimming CFLs with standard dimmers, such as flickering or a small range of dimming. www.leviton.com. –Lauren Hunter

CertainTeed. EnerGen solar roofing features Uni-Solar thin-film laminates that install with no roof penetrations and lie flush with traditional shingles for a streamlined appearance. The shingles provide .5 kW per 100 square feet. Designed for installation by building and roofing pros, the system comes with in pre-engineered kits with all components. www.certainteed.com. –Katy Tomasulo

Dow. The company previewed its Powerhouse solar shingles, building-integrated photovoltaics that install flat against the roof deck in the same manner as an asphalt shingle. The shingles require no on-roof wiring and can be installed by builders and roofers; the electrical circuitry is integrated into each shingle, the company says, and the shingles link to each other via plug-style connectors and then require only minimum roof penetration to connect to the home. Though specific specs are not yet available, Powerhouse, which will be available in 2011, is estimated to provide about 40 percent to 80 percent of a typical home’s energy needs. www.dow.com. –K.T.

Sherwin-Williams. The company has enhanced its Harmony product with a formula that helps reduce odors in the air, similar to baking soda, even after a surface is painted, the maker says. The zero-VOC product now also sports better hide and more durability, the firm adds, and antimicrobial properties help it resist mildew. The latex paint is Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified and Greenguard Certified for Children and Schools. www.sherwinwilliams.com. –Victoria Markovitz

Delta. The Linden pull-out faucet offers consumers a choice of water-saving flow or traditional flow. When turned on, the unit operates at 1.5 gallons per minute for needs such as hand washing; a push button on the spout can be depressed for a faster flow for tasks that require a faster flow, such as pot filling. Linden features a transitional style, with clean lines and a flared wand. The company’s Diamond Seal technology reduces leak points and simplifies installation. www.deltafaucet.com. –K.T.

GE. Currently in testing, the company’s smart-grid-enabled appliances will communicate between the utility and the homeowner to ensure appliances are operating at the optimum time of day, lessening the load on the power grid and saving the homeowner money. For example, the refrigerator will hold the high-energy defrost cycle until off-peak hours; the water heater will operate in its most efficient mode during high-demand periods; and appliances will shift to power-saving modes until rates are lower. Accompanying this launch will be the introduction of a Home Energy Manager (shown), which will monitor energy use throughout the home. The 7-inch touchscreen display provides a graphical interface to view real-time and long-term energy consumption, as well as water consumption, solar energy generation (if applicable), weather forecasts, and more. www.ge.com. –K.T.

Broan-NuTone. The company’s recessed fan/lights now include a sensor that turns the fan on when it senses a quick rise in humidity then turns it off automatically. The Energy Star-rated unit looks like a traditional recessed light, but contains a concealed 70-cfm ventilation fan that operates at 1.5 sones. The auto shut-off feature is adjustable from five to 60 minutes or can be operated manually. The fan is UL listed for use over the tub or shower. www.broan.com. –K.T.

Georgia-Pacific. DryPly plywood subfloor has a water-repellant coating that absorbs up to 40% less water during the normal construction cycle than uncoated plywood, the maker says. Backed by a lifetime limited warranty, the product is also SFI certified. www.gp.com. –V.M.

Huber Engineered Woods. The company has refined the tape gun for its ZIP System of structural roof and wall sheathing, which feature a built-in air and moisture barrier to eliminate the need for felt and housewrap. The tape gun, which is used to seal panel seams, loads twice as fast as the original gun and is designed to be more durable on the jobsite. www.zipsystem.com. –K.T.

Amana_Tandem

Amana. The Tandem laundry pair is designed to offer increased capacity, high efficiency, and a stylish look at a more affordable price point, says the firm. The Energy Star-rated washer uses 73 percent less water and 71 percent less energy than conventional top loaders, according to the company, and it is CEE Tier 3-qualified. Both units feature sound dampeners for quiet operation and “Touch and Go” controls for simple programming. www.insideadvantage.com. –K.T.

EarthTronics. By harvesting energy from the tips of the turbine blades, rather than through a mechanical center gear, the Honeywell Wind Turbine from WindTronics starts producing energy at 2 mph and remains operational through 42 mph, the maker says, unlike traditional turbines that start generating energy at 7.5 mph and shut down at 29 mph. The unit can produce 2,000 kWh a year in Class 3 winds and 2,752 kWh a year in Class 4 winds while operating at a height of 33 feet. www.windtronics.com. –V.M.

Tags: ibs2010, new product
Posted in Appliances, Faucets, Home Technology, Paints & Coatings | 4 Comments »

2010 Builders’ Show Products, Part 1

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Hanley Wood product editors scoured the exhibit floor of the 2010 International Builders’ Show in search of the latest and most interesting introductions. Here is a sampling of 12 products on display at last week’s event.

For 35 more products from the show, see our Builders’ Show Preview.

Aquatic. Designed to appeal to a broader range of users with hydrotherapy and accessible bathing needs, the Ava Bath includes a range of unique features. Rather than a swing-open door typical of most accessible bathtubs, Ava’s automated door runs the full length of the tub, and raises and lowers completely for unprecedented ease of access. The roomy design functions like a traditional soaking tub, allowing for more complete immersion than a traditional bath with a bench, and a patent-pending quick-drain feature empties the 70-gallon tub in 30 seconds or less. Four Ava bath models include soaker, whirlpool, air bath and air/whirlpool designs in a 60-inch-wide tub, suitable for remodeling. www.aquaticbath.com. –Lauren Hunter

Eldorado Stone. Designed to make it easy to create and install outdoor stone features, Eldorado Outdoor comprises glass-fiber reinforced concrete building blocks that assemble on site in a variety of configurations for outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, seating walls, and more; the cabinet units are scratch-coated for no-prep installation of the company’s stone or brick profiles. The lightweight units do not require additional concrete footings and can be installed directly over existing solid flooring surfaces.
Cut-outs for grills, sinks, and other elements can be done on site. According to the firm, the product reduces installation time for an L-shaped island from 64 hours to eight hours. www.eldoradostone.com. –Katy Tomasulo

Generac. The company’s new CorePower system offers the convenience of an automatic standby generator and transfer switch at an affordable, $1,799 price point. The 7-kW model can power a range of household needs during an outage, which it responds to automatically. The unit features an all-weather composite enclosure; three of its four sides slide off for easy servicing. It runs on natural gas or propane. www.generac.com. –K.T.

Clopay. The garage door manufacturer will now offer fiberglass and steel entry doors. Numerous decorative window styles with matching sidelites, transoms, and leaded garage door windows are available. The entry doors are factory finished and pre-hung for easy installation. The fiberglass products include a polyurethane foam core for added insulation and strength, along with tempered, triple-glazed insulated glass. Steel offerings are insulated with polyurethane. Select doors qualify for the energy tax credit. www.clopay.com. –Victoria Markovitz

LifeTime Lumber. Made with fly ash recovered from power plants mixed with polyurethane, LifeTime Lumber decking is fire- and mold-resistant, impervious to termites and dry rot, and will not split or fade, according to the firm. The decking cuts and fastens like wood, and features a redwood-based wood-grain. The 2×6 deck boards have a joist span rating of 24 inches. Six colors are offered. www.lifetimelumber.com. –K.T.

TimberTech. Available in cedar or gray colors, ReliaBoard decking offers homeowners an alternative to wood decking that features the durability and low maintenance of composite at a lower price point. The boards feature a flat-grain surface and a square edge, and are available in 12-, 16-, or 20-foot lengths. The maker is offering a 25-year limited, one-time transferable warranty. www.timbertech.com. –L.H.

Behr. Ideal for drywall installers, Premium Select High Build Primer & Sealer is designed to help professionals save time, money, and materials during the drywall-finishing process. The high-viscosity primer goes on thick to fill and hide minor imperfections before applying color topcoat. The high-build properties minimize imperfections such as paper fuzz, minor sanding grooves, nicks, and pinholes, and ensures topcoats present a smooth and consistent sheen. Available through special order only. www.behrpro.com. –L.H.

Simpson Strong-Tie. The LSCZ connector provides a concealed connection between the stair stringer and the carrying header or rim joist, replacing additional framing and toe-nailing. The product is suitable for solid or notch stringers, the firm says, and is field-slopeable to all common stair stringer pitches. A ZMax coating provides corrosion protection. www.strong-tie.com. –K.T.

Verve Living Systems. The firm has added thermostat control to its wireless system of lighting and fan controls. The product’s self-powering, battery-free switches can be programmed at home by the homeowner for control of individual or groupings of lights and fans. By combining radio frequency with energy-harvesting technology, Verve eliminates the need for wiring between light fixtures and light switches, saving installers time and money. www.vervelivingsystems.com. –V.M.

Danfoss. Reflect electric floor heating installs under laminate and engineered wood without the need for grout or another substrate during installation. A Styrofoam backing gives the product an additional R-value. www.danfoss.com. –V.M.

Kohler. The company has introduced a new line of automatic standby home generators that focus on design as well as the performance of the products. Including in the launch are three new sizes–10-kW, 13.5-kW and 20-kW–that will replace existing residential models of similar kilowatt output. These new offerings, the company says, offer faster response time, quieter power, and a new composite shell that is corrosion-proof even in harsh elements such as salty coastal areas. It comes in the company’s cashmere color. www.kohler.com. –Nigel F. Maynard

Fusion15ga_FN65DA_3Qt Senco. This nailer looks like slightly like a weapon from a J.J. Abrams sci-fi flick, but we guarantee you it is not. The company has combined the flexibility of a cordless nailer with the power of a pneumatic to produce the Fusion15- and 18-gauge finish nailer line. It eliminates the drawbacks associated with traditional gas- and battery-powered nailers, including fuel cell replacement costs, tool weight, and ramp-up times. Fusion uses an 18-volt lithium-ion phosphate battery that can reach an 80 percent charge in 15 minutes and Reflex Shot technology for added power and to provide up to 500 drives between charges. www.senco.com. –N.M.

Tags: ibs2010, new product
Posted in Bath, Decking, Site & Landscaping, Doors, Home Technology, Paints & Coatings | 2 Comments »

HUD Offers $10.1 Million to Clean Up Lead in Low-Income Housing

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is offering $10.1 million in grants to help eliminate dangerous lead-based paint from lower-income homes and protect young children from lead poisoning.

HUD will award grants ranging from $50,000 to $875,000 in three programs to approximately 28 to 51 applicants. The applications are due in mid November. They can be downloaded at HUD’s Funds Available Web site. –Jean Dimeo

Tags: paint
Posted in Paints & Coatings | 1 Comment »

Behr Launches Paint Program for Builders

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

When most people think of Behr paint, they see homeowners heading to Home Depot to purchase a few gallons in order to spruce up their living spaces. But, Behr hopes to change that image, at least in the minds of builders, with its new Direct to Pro program.

The manufacturer met with Hanley Wood editors last week to publicize its new initiative. Not only does the program give professionals discounts for buying in bulk, but also allows builders in certain markets to have paint delivered for free directly to the jobsite or sent at no extra charge to their local Home Depot. Contractors can check here to see which services are available in their area.

In addition, large orders are guaranteed to be fulfilled within three days, and paints are factory tinted to ensure consistent color matching, the manufacturer told us.

Finally, Behr launched a new site specifically for pros. Check it out at behrpro.com. –Victoria Markovitz

Tags: paint
Posted in Paints & Coatings | No Comments »

Sherwin-Williams Adds iPhone App

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

sherwinwilliams_iphone2 In addition to Benjamin Moore’s iPhone application, a color matching technology I blogged about last week, Sherwin-Williams has announced a similar application, ColorSnap. iPhone users take a picture (or upload from their existing library) and then use the touchscreen to scroll to the color to be matched; the app will then provide the closest match to Sherwin-Williams’ 1,500-color palette. Favorites can be saved for future reference.

ColorSnap can be downloaded from www.swcolorsnap.com. –Katy Tomasulo

Tags: paint, technology
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Benjamin Moore iPhone App Brings Convenient Color Matching

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Ben Moore iPhone 1 Paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore has joined the iPhone revolution, unveiling “ben Color Capture,” an iPhone application that provides instant color matching from anywhere in the world. Users take a picture of any color inspiration—whether from a sofa in their living room, a leaf in the forest, or a centuries-old floor in Tuscany—and the app will instantly match the hue to one of Benjamin Moore’s more then 3,500 color options. A favorites tool allows for easy color coordination and comparison.

The app will be available for free download starting June 1 from the AppStore Web site. –Katy Tomasulo

Tags: paint, technology
Posted in Paints & Coatings | 4 Comments »

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