Valuable HEPA vacuum information from our partners at Nilfisk CFM!
EPA's Lead RRP HEPA Vacuum
Do you remodel or renovate homes built before 1978?
On October 1, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead RRP (40 CFR, part 745, Subpart E)
went into effect. The new rule requires contractors performing
renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint
in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 to be
certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead
contamination. Among these required work practices are the use of a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner, to minimize dust and thoroughly clean the work area.
According to the rule:
- 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 are to be cleaned by thoroughly vacuuming all remaining surfaces and objects in the work area, including furniture and fixtures, with a HEPA vacuum. The HEPA vacuum must be equipped with a beater bar when vacuuming carpets and rugs.
-
The
use of machines that remove lead-based paint through high speed
operation such as sanding, grinding, power planing, needle gun, abrasive
blasting, or sandblasting, is prohibited unless such machines are used
with HEPA exhaust control.
So, what does the EPA mean by a HEPA vacuum cleaner? In 40 CFR 745.83, the EPA states:
“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. The vacuum cleaner must be designed so that all the air drawn into the machine is expelled through the HEPA filter with none of the air leaking past it.”
While
the EPA does NOT currently approve or certify any manufacturers’
vacuums or HEPA filters, Nilfisk HEPA vacuum cleaners exceed the EPA’s
definition of a HEPA vacuum and are adequately equipped to safely
collect hazardous lead dust generated during renovations.
- Equipped with multi-stage filtration, including a tested and certified HEPA filter, Nilfisk HEPA vacuums safely capture 99.97% of debris, down to and including 0.3 microns.
- Nilfisk HEPA vacuums for lead abatement can be equipped with optional turbo and/or power nozzles (only available on certain models). These are floor tools equipped with a carpet beater bar to dislodge heavy lead particulate that may be embedded in the carpet.
- Nilfisk HEPA vacuums can be used in conjunction with vacuum-assisted power tools to collect hazardous lead debris at the source.
(Read More: Nilfisk cfm EPA Lead RRP full article )
We've got your VAC! That's right, Conservation Strategies carries a full line of Nilfisk HEPA vacuums and accessories! Click here to view the most popular HEPA vacuums for lead abatement; each one exceeds the requirements for safely collecting lead debris as outlined in the RRP.
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