Paint is the heart of the painting and coating industry, and the focus of this week’s examination. Today, we begin with an overview of paint’s components. The characteristics of a given paint are the result of the specific combination of four components: pigments, binders, liquids and additives.
Pigments are the materials that give paint its color. Pigments may derive from organic or inorganic sources. The chemical composition of the pigment directly affects the finished color of the paint. For example, most white paints get their brilliant color from titanium dioxide. The amount of pigment affects the gloss of the finished coating. More pigment creates a flat finish, while less pigment creates a glossy finish.
Binders help the paint adhere to a surface, which affects the finished coating’s longevity, durability and resistance to cracking. Binders are generally either oil-based or latex based.
Liquids are a medium for the other components. Two types of liquids are commonly found in a coating product, solvents and diluents. The solvents help the binder and the pigment remain in suspension, and may be either a volatile compound like paint thinner or a harmless substance such as water. Diluents fill out the volume of the paint.
Additives are the most diverse components of paint. The types of paint additives vary considerably from product to product, and each additive type supplements the qualities of the finish. Anti-mold and mildew qualities, improved hardness, splatter resistance and anti-foaming qualities are some of the common qualities that additives can impart to paint.
Coming up: More about pigments.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Encapsulation Product Characteristics
Encapsulation is a very cost-effective alternative to removing lead-based paints and other hazardous coating materials. To the uninitiated, the products used in encapsulation are indistinguishable from ordinary painting and coating products. A closer look at encapsulation products reveals their special characteristics.
Many encasement products on the market are divided between a primer-sealer product and a top coat product. The primer stabilizes and seals off the lead-based paint or other hazardous material, while the top coat adds additional desired qualities, including color. Generally, manufacturers recommend using their products as a matched set for the best results. For example, Safe Encasement Systems (SES) recommends using its encasement primer SE-110 MS with one of its top coat products.
Primer Characteristics
Primers for encasement applications, also known as penetrating sealers, are often milky in color when wet, but when dry generally form a clear layer over the treated surface. Primers often feature incredible low temperature flexibility, meaning that the coating can stretch in normal room temperature environments rather than cracking. This stretchiness helps maintain the integrity of the seal and prevents the release of lead-based paint and other hazardous materials.
Top Coat Characteristics
The top coat is designed to bite into the primer coat for excellent adhesion. In addition to delivering the color desired to the surface, the top coat often augments the protection provided by the primer with other desirable qualities, such as chemical-, fire-, and mold-resistance. Other top coat products provide protection against dust and airborne dirt.
Many encasement products on the market are divided between a primer-sealer product and a top coat product. The primer stabilizes and seals off the lead-based paint or other hazardous material, while the top coat adds additional desired qualities, including color. Generally, manufacturers recommend using their products as a matched set for the best results. For example, Safe Encasement Systems (SES) recommends using its encasement primer SE-110 MS with one of its top coat products.
Primer Characteristics
Primers for encasement applications, also known as penetrating sealers, are often milky in color when wet, but when dry generally form a clear layer over the treated surface. Primers often feature incredible low temperature flexibility, meaning that the coating can stretch in normal room temperature environments rather than cracking. This stretchiness helps maintain the integrity of the seal and prevents the release of lead-based paint and other hazardous materials.
Top Coat Characteristics
The top coat is designed to bite into the primer coat for excellent adhesion. In addition to delivering the color desired to the surface, the top coat often augments the protection provided by the primer with other desirable qualities, such as chemical-, fire-, and mold-resistance. Other top coat products provide protection against dust and airborne dirt.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Is My Building a Candidate for Encapsulation?
Encapsulation techniques can be a very cost-effective alternative to lead abatement techniques based on removal. However, not all structures will be good candidates for encapsulation. There are two primary factors that determine whether encapsulation techniques are appropriate for a given structure: the overall condition of the paint and the expected usage of the structure.
The condition of the painted surface plays a large role in determining the suitability of encapsulation. Examine the condition of the painted surfaces. Although the encapsulation process is able to smooth the appearance of peeling and chipped lead-based paint, there is a limit to how much encapsulation can re-adhere the paint to the surface.
Large, thick chips of paint are especially problematic for encapsulation. Since the technique relies on the base coat to soften these chips in preparation for follow up coats of product, more than one base coat may need to be applied before the old paint re-adheres to the surface. Very large chips of paint will require proper removal by a certified lead abatement professional before encapsulation can proceed.
The expected usage of the structure can rule out using encapsulation effectively. Although encapsulation products with specialized characteristics are available, there is a limit to their performance. Surfaces subject to significant friction or impact are not good candidates for encapsulation because friction and impact can penetrate the encapsulation layer and expose the lead-based paint contained underneath.
Before making a final decision about encapsulation, facility managers should consult with their painting contractor for more options.
The condition of the painted surface plays a large role in determining the suitability of encapsulation. Examine the condition of the painted surfaces. Although the encapsulation process is able to smooth the appearance of peeling and chipped lead-based paint, there is a limit to how much encapsulation can re-adhere the paint to the surface.
Large, thick chips of paint are especially problematic for encapsulation. Since the technique relies on the base coat to soften these chips in preparation for follow up coats of product, more than one base coat may need to be applied before the old paint re-adheres to the surface. Very large chips of paint will require proper removal by a certified lead abatement professional before encapsulation can proceed.
The expected usage of the structure can rule out using encapsulation effectively. Although encapsulation products with specialized characteristics are available, there is a limit to their performance. Surfaces subject to significant friction or impact are not good candidates for encapsulation because friction and impact can penetrate the encapsulation layer and expose the lead-based paint contained underneath.
Before making a final decision about encapsulation, facility managers should consult with their painting contractor for more options.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Encapsulation Step by Step
Encapsulation is a cost-effective way to seal off surfaces treated with lead-based paint. A side by side comparison of encapsulation and standard removal reveals the savings that the technique offers. One factor that strongly influences the potential savings of encapsulation is experience. A painting crew’s familiarity with the application process of encapsulation materials translates into a direct savings for the project.
Encapsulation products are not applied in the same way as a standard coating. With traditional paint, a crew spends considerable time preparing the substrate, the surface to which the paint is supposed to adhere. Most painting prep work involves sanding and scraping, which is absolutely not recommended for surfaces coated with lead paint.
Like a standard painting project, encapsulation begins with a cleaning of the project surface. However, the objective of encapsulation is to avoid releasing paint chips and lead-contaminated dust into the environment, so pre-cleaning a damaged lead-based paint surface requires a light touch. Once the surface has been cleaned, the crew is ready to spray on the prime coat.
Notice that the crew moves straight from cleaning to prime coat. Instead of removing flaking paint to expose the surface, as in a standard painting project, encapsulation products are sprayed or misted on the cleaned surface. The chemical action of the product softens the existing coating just enough so that the flaking paint can be “glued” to the surface by subsequent layers of the encapsulation product. These layers are carefully rolled on to the sprayed surface, so that the loose flakes can solidly re-adhere.
For contractors, knowing the application procedure for the product saves time for the work crew and saves money for the client. From a facility manager’s perspective, understanding the application process can help you decide if your facility is a good candidate for encapsulation. We will look at that subject tomorrow.
Encapsulation products are not applied in the same way as a standard coating. With traditional paint, a crew spends considerable time preparing the substrate, the surface to which the paint is supposed to adhere. Most painting prep work involves sanding and scraping, which is absolutely not recommended for surfaces coated with lead paint.
Like a standard painting project, encapsulation begins with a cleaning of the project surface. However, the objective of encapsulation is to avoid releasing paint chips and lead-contaminated dust into the environment, so pre-cleaning a damaged lead-based paint surface requires a light touch. Once the surface has been cleaned, the crew is ready to spray on the prime coat.
Notice that the crew moves straight from cleaning to prime coat. Instead of removing flaking paint to expose the surface, as in a standard painting project, encapsulation products are sprayed or misted on the cleaned surface. The chemical action of the product softens the existing coating just enough so that the flaking paint can be “glued” to the surface by subsequent layers of the encapsulation product. These layers are carefully rolled on to the sprayed surface, so that the loose flakes can solidly re-adhere.
For contractors, knowing the application procedure for the product saves time for the work crew and saves money for the client. From a facility manager’s perspective, understanding the application process can help you decide if your facility is a good candidate for encapsulation. We will look at that subject tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Encapsulation Savings
For facility managers, a properly executed encasement of surfaces with damaged lead-based paint can present a significant savings over removal. Today we are going to look a little more closely at these savings in the real world.
A military base is almost ideal for conducting head to head comparisons of painting and coating techniques, because often an installation has many identical or near identical structures. With the structural differences factored out, the real advantages of various techniques have a chance to shine.
In 2001, the Fort Ord Reuse Authority undertook an extensive renovation of the buildings and facilities on the base. As part of the project, some buildings were subjected to standard removal techniques for lead-based paint, while other buildings were encapsulated. Compared to the standard removal in a similar sized building, the savings granted by encapsulation were almost 25 percent. The savings remained fairly consistent across a range of encapsulation products.
Previous encapsulation experience strongly influenced the costs of encapsulation in the Fort Ord project. Encapsulation differs from standard painting in a couple of important ways. Painting contractors who were more familiar with the practices of encapsulation product application were able to perform the job more efficiently, resulting in greater savings.
Since encapsulation differs from standard painting, tomorrow we will take a step by step look at the encapsulation process.
A military base is almost ideal for conducting head to head comparisons of painting and coating techniques, because often an installation has many identical or near identical structures. With the structural differences factored out, the real advantages of various techniques have a chance to shine.
In 2001, the Fort Ord Reuse Authority undertook an extensive renovation of the buildings and facilities on the base. As part of the project, some buildings were subjected to standard removal techniques for lead-based paint, while other buildings were encapsulated. Compared to the standard removal in a similar sized building, the savings granted by encapsulation were almost 25 percent. The savings remained fairly consistent across a range of encapsulation products.
Previous encapsulation experience strongly influenced the costs of encapsulation in the Fort Ord project. Encapsulation differs from standard painting in a couple of important ways. Painting contractors who were more familiar with the practices of encapsulation product application were able to perform the job more efficiently, resulting in greater savings.
Since encapsulation differs from standard painting, tomorrow we will take a step by step look at the encapsulation process.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Encapsulation
Previously we looked the basic practices, tasks, certifications and fees associated with lead abatement in a painting and coating context. Today we are going to examine one of the strategies that can be used to deal with lead contaminated paint: encapsulation.
Encapsulation seals the lead-based paint beneath a layer of specially formulated paint. The lead contaminated painted surfaces are coated with the encapsulation material, which is applied to a manufacturer recommended thickness. Once dry, the encapsulation material prevents the lead-based paint from chipping and peeling, which in turn protects the facility users from exposure to lead.
Pros
- Cheaper than removal. Encapsulation does not require hazardous waste dump fees and extensive removal costs.
- Faster than removal. Encapsulation does not require the removal of the original lead-based paint and thus reduces the man-hours required to complete the project.
- Reduces chances of exposure. Since no paint is removed during the process, there is very little risk of accidental exposure to lead contaminants during the encapsulation process.
Cons
- Not recommended for all surfaces. Surfaces that are exposed to daily wear and friction are not good candidates for encapsulation. The friction may eventually burn through the encapsulation layer, which re-exposes the lead-based paint.
- Does not remove the lead-based paint. Encapsulation seals the problem for the present, but the lead-based paint remains and can still be an issue in future renovations.
Coming up, we will examine the costs of encapsulation.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Does My Building Have a Lead Problem?
This week we have been examining various aspects of lead abatement. One question that building managers and facility supervisors may have is how to determine if a building has a lead problem. Answering that question requires looking at two factors: the age of the building, and the condition of its paint.
AGE: The likelihood that your building has a lead problem increases with age. All buildings painted before 1978 are likely to contain lead based paint. Structures that were originally painted before the 1960s were often coated with extremely lead-rich paint.
DAMAGE: When lead paint becomes damaged, there is a chance for toxic exposure to lead. The damaged paint could create dust which can pose a lead exposure hazard. The paint chips can also be accidentally ingested.
If your building has one or both of these risk factors, you should consider further action.
What You Should Do: Contact a certified lead-based hazard inspector and have a paint inspection and risk assessment performed for your building. A certified inspector knows how to sample the paint properly so that the risks of exposure are minimized. They also test the paint to determine if it contains lead. Although over the counter paint tests are available, these DIY tests are usually too inaccurate to depend on in a facility or even a private home. If lead is present, you may have to contact a certified professional for a lead abatement plan.
Have a happy and safe weekend.
AGE: The likelihood that your building has a lead problem increases with age. All buildings painted before 1978 are likely to contain lead based paint. Structures that were originally painted before the 1960s were often coated with extremely lead-rich paint.
DAMAGE: When lead paint becomes damaged, there is a chance for toxic exposure to lead. The damaged paint could create dust which can pose a lead exposure hazard. The paint chips can also be accidentally ingested.
If your building has one or both of these risk factors, you should consider further action.
What You Should Do: Contact a certified lead-based hazard inspector and have a paint inspection and risk assessment performed for your building. A certified inspector knows how to sample the paint properly so that the risks of exposure are minimized. They also test the paint to determine if it contains lead. Although over the counter paint tests are available, these DIY tests are usually too inaccurate to depend on in a facility or even a private home. If lead is present, you may have to contact a certified professional for a lead abatement plan.
Have a happy and safe weekend.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Lead Abatement Fines and Fees
Previously we looked at lead abatement certification and the definitions of various lead abatement activities. Today, we will examine the fines and fees associated with lead-based hazards.
Generally, fines and fees go into a general fund which is used as community leaders see fit. Some organizations such as the Alliance for Healthy Homes advocate the use of general funds to pay for inspections and enforcement. This suggestion is modeled on a policy currently in use in California. In San Francisco, the fines levied against landlords and property managers who fail to follow standard practices for lead abatement are used to fund the inspection process.
Of course the best practice for professional contractors and property management officials is to follow local and national codes regarding the removal of lead-based hazards from commercial and residential buildings. In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) handed down a $112,000 fine against a Maine-based lead abatement company for violating regulations. Read the full story here.
Fines and criminal charges have also been levied against lead abatement and asbestos removal companies for fraudulently claiming hazardous material certification. In 2006, the presidents of ACS Environmental and Air Power Enterprises were fined a combined 2.5 million dollars for purchasing phony lead abatement and asbestos handling certificates for their employees. Read the full story here.
For painting and coating contractors and other related professionals, the lesson is clear: Get certified and follow the regulations. Doing so is good for business and will protect the health of your customers and the community.
Tomorrow: Does my building have a lead problem?
Generally, fines and fees go into a general fund which is used as community leaders see fit. Some organizations such as the Alliance for Healthy Homes advocate the use of general funds to pay for inspections and enforcement. This suggestion is modeled on a policy currently in use in California. In San Francisco, the fines levied against landlords and property managers who fail to follow standard practices for lead abatement are used to fund the inspection process.
Of course the best practice for professional contractors and property management officials is to follow local and national codes regarding the removal of lead-based hazards from commercial and residential buildings. In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) handed down a $112,000 fine against a Maine-based lead abatement company for violating regulations. Read the full story here.
Fines and criminal charges have also been levied against lead abatement and asbestos removal companies for fraudulently claiming hazardous material certification. In 2006, the presidents of ACS Environmental and Air Power Enterprises were fined a combined 2.5 million dollars for purchasing phony lead abatement and asbestos handling certificates for their employees. Read the full story here.
For painting and coating contractors and other related professionals, the lesson is clear: Get certified and follow the regulations. Doing so is good for business and will protect the health of your customers and the community.
Tomorrow: Does my building have a lead problem?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Lead Abatement Certification, Part II
Previously, we looked at the basics of lead abatement certification, with an emphasis on the process in the state of California. Today, we will examine the levels of certification in more detail with a list of the prerequisites for certification at each level and a list of definitions for lead abatement activities. This information is derived from the requirements given by the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch.
Inspector Certification requires the completion of 40 hours of a lead abatement assessment course, and one of the following combinations of education and experience: Bachelors degree and one year of lead abatement or related experience; Associates degree and two years of lead abatement or similar experience; or three years experience in lead abatement or a related field.
Project Designer Certification requires completion of 40 hours of a lead abatement construction supervision and project monitoring course, and a combination of education and experience similar to that required for instructor certification. However, project designer certification does not require work experience in lead abatement.
Project Monitor Certification requires the completion of 40 hours of a lead abatement construction supervision and project monitoring course, and one of the following combinations of education and experience: Bachelors degree and one year of lead abatement or related experience; Associates degree and one year of lead abatement or similar experience; two years experience as a certified lead supervisor; or three years experience in lead abatement or a related field.
Supervisor Certification requires the completion of 40 hours of a lead abatement construction supervision and project monitoring course, and one of the following combinations of experience: one year experience as a certified lead worker; or two years experience in lead abatement or a related field.
Worker Certification requires the completion of a 24 hour lead-related work course.
Abatement Planning is the design of a set of measures that will reduce or eliminate lead-based hazards in homes or commercial buildings. Abatement planning can be done by certified project designers, project monitors and supervisors.
Clearance Inspections ensure that proper abatement procedures are being followed on the job site. Clearance inspections may be performed by certified inspectors and project monitors.
Lead Hazard Evaluations determine whether or not a building has lead-based hazards, and if so, how much of a risk the lead-based products pose the residents or visitors of the building. Only a certified inspector can perform a lead hazard evaluation.
Tomorrow, we will look at the fines and fees associated with lead-based hazards and lead abatement.
Inspector Certification requires the completion of 40 hours of a lead abatement assessment course, and one of the following combinations of education and experience: Bachelors degree and one year of lead abatement or related experience; Associates degree and two years of lead abatement or similar experience; or three years experience in lead abatement or a related field.
Project Designer Certification requires completion of 40 hours of a lead abatement construction supervision and project monitoring course, and a combination of education and experience similar to that required for instructor certification. However, project designer certification does not require work experience in lead abatement.
Project Monitor Certification requires the completion of 40 hours of a lead abatement construction supervision and project monitoring course, and one of the following combinations of education and experience: Bachelors degree and one year of lead abatement or related experience; Associates degree and one year of lead abatement or similar experience; two years experience as a certified lead supervisor; or three years experience in lead abatement or a related field.
Supervisor Certification requires the completion of 40 hours of a lead abatement construction supervision and project monitoring course, and one of the following combinations of experience: one year experience as a certified lead worker; or two years experience in lead abatement or a related field.
Worker Certification requires the completion of a 24 hour lead-related work course.
Abatement Planning is the design of a set of measures that will reduce or eliminate lead-based hazards in homes or commercial buildings. Abatement planning can be done by certified project designers, project monitors and supervisors.
Clearance Inspections ensure that proper abatement procedures are being followed on the job site. Clearance inspections may be performed by certified inspectors and project monitors.
Lead Hazard Evaluations determine whether or not a building has lead-based hazards, and if so, how much of a risk the lead-based products pose the residents or visitors of the building. Only a certified inspector can perform a lead hazard evaluation.
Tomorrow, we will look at the fines and fees associated with lead-based hazards and lead abatement.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Lead Abatement Certification, Part I
Yesterday, we presented an outline of the work practices that contractors need to follow to meet EPA lead abatement requirements. Today, we look at the lead abatement certification that all contractors who perform renovation work on pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools will be required to have by 2010.
All training certification courses must be accredited by the EPA. Nationwide, accredited training programs are often overseen by each state. In California, the California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention branch of the California Department of Health Services is one source of an EPA accredited lead abatement training program.
Training and certification programs may be divided into levels of certification, which usually govern the lead abatement tasks that can be performed. In the state of California, Title 17 regulations recognize five different levels of certification:
§ Worker
§ Supervisor
§ Project Monitor
§ Project Designer
§ Inspector/Assessor
Professionals with worker or supervisor certification are qualified to perform lead abatement work. Project designers, monitors and supervisors can prepare lead abatement plans. Only inspectors can perform lead hazard evaluations and only inspectors and project monitors can perform clearance inspections.
Tomorrow, we will continue examining lead abatement certification with a look at the definitions of the various lead abatement activities, as well as the prerequisites for achieving certification for each of these activities.
All training certification courses must be accredited by the EPA. Nationwide, accredited training programs are often overseen by each state. In California, the California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention branch of the California Department of Health Services is one source of an EPA accredited lead abatement training program.
Training and certification programs may be divided into levels of certification, which usually govern the lead abatement tasks that can be performed. In the state of California, Title 17 regulations recognize five different levels of certification:
§ Worker
§ Supervisor
§ Project Monitor
§ Project Designer
§ Inspector/Assessor
Professionals with worker or supervisor certification are qualified to perform lead abatement work. Project designers, monitors and supervisors can prepare lead abatement plans. Only inspectors can perform lead hazard evaluations and only inspectors and project monitors can perform clearance inspections.
Tomorrow, we will continue examining lead abatement certification with a look at the definitions of the various lead abatement activities, as well as the prerequisites for achieving certification for each of these activities.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Lead Abatement: Practices for Contractors
By 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require all painting and coating contractors who perform renovation work on pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools to have EPA abatement certification and to follow work practices that will reduce the risk of lead contamination for everyone.
For painting contractors who are doing abatement work, the EPA’s list of suggested practices should be very familiar. Here is a short version of work practices to follow when working in homes built before 1978.
§ Run through your painting practices with the residents before starting the project. Let them know what you are doing and why. The EPA has a pamphlet, Renovate Right, which you should provide to the residents or the facility manager.
§ Contain the work area. Remove furniture and other belongings from the project space if possible. Seal everything in heavy plastic bags or sheeting. This includes floors, door openings and air vents.
§ Limit entry into the work area to trained workers only. Post signs to warn others away from the project space.
§ Reduce dust. Choose work methods that create as little dust as possible. Also avoid using open flame around lead-based paint.
§ Clean the work area on a daily basis. Bag up trash in heavy plastic bags, and HEPA vacuum the area.
§ Change out of work clothes and wash up before going home.
Following these practices will reduce the risk of lead exposure, and get the job done right. Coming up tomorrow: Lead Abatement Certification.
Adapted from the EPA’s lead safety brochure for contractors: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/contractor_brochure.pdf
For painting contractors who are doing abatement work, the EPA’s list of suggested practices should be very familiar. Here is a short version of work practices to follow when working in homes built before 1978.
§ Run through your painting practices with the residents before starting the project. Let them know what you are doing and why. The EPA has a pamphlet, Renovate Right, which you should provide to the residents or the facility manager.
§ Contain the work area. Remove furniture and other belongings from the project space if possible. Seal everything in heavy plastic bags or sheeting. This includes floors, door openings and air vents.
§ Limit entry into the work area to trained workers only. Post signs to warn others away from the project space.
§ Reduce dust. Choose work methods that create as little dust as possible. Also avoid using open flame around lead-based paint.
§ Clean the work area on a daily basis. Bag up trash in heavy plastic bags, and HEPA vacuum the area.
§ Change out of work clothes and wash up before going home.
Following these practices will reduce the risk of lead exposure, and get the job done right. Coming up tomorrow: Lead Abatement Certification.
Adapted from the EPA’s lead safety brochure for contractors: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/contractor_brochure.pdf
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