A clearance examination of abatement areas and other areas associated with other lead-hazard control activities, or building maintenance or modification activities in single-family detached dwellings, multifamily dwellings having similar units, common areas or exterior sites, and child-occupied facilities is performed to determine that the clearance area is adequately safe for reoccupancy.

It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to assure that all regulatory, contractual, and personnel requirements are met prior to conduct of a clearance examination. At a minimum, users of this standard shall be trained in its use and in safe practices for its conduct.

This practice is one of a set of standards developed for lead hazard management activities. The visual assessment procedures required in this standard are found in Practice E2255 and the record keeping requirements are found in Practice E2239.

Although this practice was primarily developed for dwellings and for other child-occupied facilities, this practice may be also applied to nonresidential buildings and related structures by agreement between the client and the individual conducting the clearance examination.

This practice may be used by owners and property managers, including owner-occupants, and others responsible for maintaining facilities. It may also be used by lead hazard management consultants, construction contractors, labor groups, real estate and financial professionals, insurance organizations, legislators, regulators, and legal professionals.

This standard does not address whether lead-hazard reduction activities or other building modification or maintenance work were done properly.

1.1 This practice covers visual assessment for the presence of deteriorated paint, surface dust, painted debris, and paint chips with environmental sampling of surface dust to determine whether a lead hazard exists at the time of sample collection, following lead-hazard reduction activities, or other building maintenance and modification activities.

1.2 This practice addresses clearance examination of single-family detached dwellings (including exterior structures, such as fences), multifamily dwellings having similar units, common areas or exterior sites, and child-occupied facilities.

1.3 This practice also addresses clearance examinations that may include soil sampling, for example when soil abatement has been performed.

1.4 This practice includes a procedure for determining whether regulatory requirements for lead clearance levels for dust and, where warranted, soil have been met, and, consequently whether a clearance area, passes or fails a clearance examination.

Note 1—This practice is based on that portion of “clearance” described in 40 CFR Part 745 for abatement, and in 24 CFR 35 for lead-hazard reduction activities other than abatement, except that composite dust sampling is not used.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.