Remodelers Cope With New Lead Paint Safety Rule

The dust has yet to settle on how remodelers will get the certification they will need to comply with the new EPA 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, which is scheduled to take effect April 2010.

According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), remodelers will be looking to the training providers who currently deliver EPA- and HUD-approved courses to obtain the certification they need to do the pre-renovation lead paint testing required under the new rule. Because this new certification demands considerably more paperwork and administration than previous ones, programs may not be immediately widely available.

Once certified, remodelers will be able to do the mandated pre-renovation testing on homes built prior to 1978. Some may elect to have a third-party Dust Sampling Technician come in after the renovations are completed to reassure their customers.

The Ad Council, working with the EPA, will kick off a public awareness program in January 2010, so customers may be asking their contractors about the new lead paint safety requirements.

To learn more about the rule, NARI recommends reading an article in the April issue of Qualified Remodeler (www.qualifiedremoldeler.com) and checking www.NARI.org/learning for updates. A free online Webinar is available on the NARI Web site.

Source: NARI

Fluke Digital Clamp Meters Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Fluke Corp. of Everett, Wash., announced a voluntary recall of Fluke Digital Clamp Meters. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Hazard: The meters can fail to give an appropriate voltage reading, resulting in the operator falsely believing the electrical power is off, posing a shock, electrocution, or thermal burn hazard.

Description: This recall involves Fluke Digital Clamp Meters with model and serial numbers listed below. An “A” may follow the model number.

Serial numbers that begin with “S” or are followed by “R” are not included in the recall. “Fluke” and the model number are printed on the front of the unit and the serial number on the back. The instrument body is yellow, red and black. The clamp meters measure 0 to 600 volts alternating current (VAC), 0 to 600 volts direct current
(VDC) and 0 to 400, 600 or 1000 amps alternating current.

Sold at: Industrial distributors, electrical wholesalers and some hardware stores nationwide from January 2008 through February 2009 for between $150 and $375.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled Digital Clamp Meters immediately and contact Fluke for a free replacement clamp meter.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fluke toll-free at (888) 983-5853 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.fluke.com/33Xrecall.