HISTORIC WINDOW LEAD SAFE STATUS REQUIREMENTS

The Historic Window Sash Retrofit and Lead Safe Operation requires the paint on the window frames, casings, sashes, and glaze to be in sound condition, and operate without any friction or direct impact. This process can repair and refinish the painted parts, as well as retrofit the window unit to eliminate friction, protect from impact, and encapsulate non-friction areas in the window unit.

Owner/Landlord Requirements

• Comply with applicable Rhode Island and Federal Lead Laws

• Complete Housing Resource Commission (HRC) Certified Lead Hazard Awareness Seminar

• Complete online database registry

• Manage lead hazards

• Immediately correct damaged, chipping or flaking paint

• Following lead safe work practices during repairs

• Follow RI Property Maintenance Codes

• The Rhode Island Property Maintenance Code requires a building part that was installed as operating must fully operate and be lead safe. For example, a sash cannot be nailed, screwed, or painted shut.

Site Clearance

Visual Inspection

Window Unit must pass visual inspection first. If any of the conditions identified below are present, the building  will not be considered lead safe

• Exterior

• No chipping, pealing, chalking, deteriorating paint.

• Everything painted with no signs of deterioration

• Including outbuildings (sheds, garage, barn, etc) or other buildings on the same plat and lot

• Bare soil within 5 feet of the foundation of painted structures needs mulch, stones, grass, pavement, cement for cover barrier of lead contaminated soil

• No visible paint chips on the ground

• Interior

• No chipping, peeling, flaking or chalking paint.

• Everything painted needs to be painted and intact

• Common hallways and areas to be lead safe for all units with access

• Basements can be locked, as long as not a common space

• Painted impact surfaces must be protected, including doors, windows, cabinets, etc

• Painted friction surfaces to be isolated with no rubbing, including doors, windows, cabinets built in drawers

Lead Analysis

• XRF (X-ray fluorescence) determines if lead paint is present inside the wood

• Dust samples taken where lead may be on the surface

• Windows operated 10 times then dust swipe

• Top of doors and windows

• Floors

MAKING A HISTORIC WINDOW UNIT FUNCTION LEAD SAFE

A Lead Safe Certificate for a window’s function can be obtained if certain conditions are met and verified by a certified Lead Inspector. This does not include any trim or other house parts required to be lead safe.

Window units must function as originally installed and operate lead safe. Parts with lead, even if they are stripped and/or encapsulated, cannot have friction with other parts, and impact must be eliminated.