I'm doing an RRP job stripping the exterior of a pre-1978 house.

Containment Requirements (40 CFR 745.85):

Exterior Containment Must:

• Ground cover: Extend 10 ft beyond paint disturbance in all directions (or to property line). Use impermeable poly (6-mil min) or equivalent. Weight edges.
• Vertical containment: Required if within 10 ft of property line, sidewalk, or occupied area. Use 6-mil poly on scaffolding/fencing, sealed to ground cover.
• Doors/windows: Within work area → close and seal with poly. Within 20 ft horizontally → close.
• Entry: Use airlock/flap system if vertical containment used.
• Signage: "Warning: Lead Work Area" at all entrances (per 745.85(c)).

Flat-Out Prohibited (745.85(a)(3), 745.86):

1. Open-flame burning/torching paint
2. Heat guns >1100°F (infrared paint strippers typically OK if <1100°F)
3. Power sanding/grinding/planing without HEPA shroud + HEPA vacuum attached
4. Uncontained hydroblasting/pressure washing (must capture all wastewater/debris)
5. Dry sweeping or compressed air cleaning
6. Exterior work in high winds (≥20 mph) without adequate containment
7. Leaving debris on ground cover overnight without securing

Critical: All waste = lead waste (bag/gooseneck/HEPA vac). Clean until no visible dust/debris. Clearance verification by certified renovator required before teardown (visual + verification wipe if required by state/local).

Check state/local rules — many (e.g., CA, NY, MA) exceed federal minimums.

For an RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) job on a pre-1978 home, EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR § 745.80–745.92) applies. Here’s what you need for containment and what’s prohibited:

Required Containment (Exterior):

• Barriers: Use plastic sheeting or other impermeable material to cover the ground and extend at least 10 feet from the work area (or to the property line if less). Secure edges to prevent wind displacement.
• Vertical Containment: If work is above ground level (e.g., second story), use vertical barriers (plastic sheeting or similar) to prevent dust/debris from drifting beyond the work zone. Height must be sufficient to contain falling debris.
• Entryways: Seal doors, windows, and vents within the work area with plastic sheeting to prevent dust infiltration into the home.
• Cleaning: HEPA-vacuum and wet-wipe all surfaces within the containment area daily and at job completion. Use disposable tools where possible.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Workers must wear disposable coveralls, gloves, eye protection, and N100-rated respirators when sanding, scraping, or disturbing paint.

Flat-Out Prohibited Practices:

• Open-flame burning or torching of paint (creates toxic fumes and vaporizes lead).
• Uncontained power sanding, grinding, or abrasive blasting without HEPA filtration (e.g., using a sander without a HEPA vacuum attachment).
• Dry scraping or sanding without wetting the surface or using HEPA-equipped tools to suppress dust.
• Using a standard household vacuum (non-HEPA) for cleanup — it aerosolizes lead dust.
• Allowing debris, chips, or dust to leave the containment zone — all waste must be bagged, sealed, and disposed of as hazardous waste per state/local rules.
• Eating, drinking, or smoking in the work area.

Note: If the job disturbs >6 sq ft of interior paint or >20 sq ft of exterior paint, you must be an EPA-certified RRP firm and use a certified renovator. For exterior-only work under 20 sq ft, containment is still required, but certification may not be federally mandated (check state/local rules — many states are stricter).

Bottom Line: Containment must fully isolate the work zone to prevent lead dust spread. Prohibited acts are those that generate uncontrolled dust or fumes. When in doubt, assume certification is required — fines for noncompliance can exceed $37,500 per violation per day.

Always consult your state’s EPA-authorized program (many have stricter rules than federal). If unsure, hire a certified RRP contractor. Lead poisoning is irreversible — don’t cut corners.