What is the best HEPA vacuum for RRP? LeadSMART did the research.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- Peter Lawton of LeadSMART talks about his experiences with various dust collection solutions for RRP work. In the video, he discusses the regulations and requirements for lead-based paint and compares the options. Festool's range of full unit HEPA certified dust extractors provide painters and remodelers with an answer that they can be confident meets or exceeds all of the EPA RRP guidelines for dust collection. While other manufacturer's have HEPA filters, Festool took it a step further to follow the letter of the law, which states that the dust extractor should not have any bypass leakage for the filter. Because, capturing dust is only good if all of the air passes through the filter. Festool's CT HEPA Dust Extractors have been independently laboratory tested and certified to have no bypass leakage, which means the entire dust extractor is "full unit" HEPA certified. Consider this when making a choice on which dust collection option you plan to employ.
Warning! Before you buy a Festool dust extractor!
I was shocked to see the following language in the Mini/Midi Instruction Manual: “Not suitable to vacuum hazardous or toxic substances or dusts e.g. asbestos. The filters will not be able to capture all particles and may exhaust them back into the environment.”
And in the CT 15 Instruction Manual it says: “Mobile dust extractor suitable for - Extracting non-hazardous dust, dirt, sand and chips..."
This is in direct contrast to their competitors in the HEPA vac arena such as: Dustless Technologies, Nikro, Pullman-Holt, etc. who are very bold that their units are suitable for vacuuming hazardous dust, like lead and asbestos.
Most strange, it's also in direct contrast to the language in the instruction manuals for the models of dust extractors that Festool offers to the worldwide market (which, as you may know, is a completely different lineup of dust extractors from the products available to us here in The States).
For example, in the instruction manual of the CTH units it says under the "Intended Use" section: “The mobile dust extractor is suitable for the absorption and suction of dust which is hazardous to health with limit values corresponding to dust class 'H' in accordance with EN 60335-2-69, including wood and paint dust. The mobile dust extractor is suitable for the absorption and suction of dust with carcinogenic and pathogenic particles, as well as asbestos dust.”
The instruction manual for the CTM models is less explicit about its suitability for hazardous dust, but does have language peppered throughout it acknowledging that the unit will possibly contain hazardous dust when you empty it: "WARNING! machine may contain hazardous dust. Only authorised qualified specialists with suitable protective equipment may perform maintenance, empty the container and change the filter." The USA models have no such warnings.
I've reached out to Peter Lawton (featured in this UA-cam video) directly to see if he was aware of this sketchy language.
=============
Peter's response:
"I find the Festool brand a solid product to use by professionals.
I am not in love with their mini's or what I call "tackle box" vacuums as I believe this should not be used in lead jobs.
I will say this, No one can guarantee their tool will work when the following conditions are present:
a) using certain tool heads incorrectly - such as grinding a clapboard with a 4" exposure using a 2 1/2" sanding head and allowing the pad holes to extend beyond the surface of 4" -- another words user failure not machine failure
b) when filter maintenance or replacement falls on the decision of the worker -- as we know, if these are not kept up daily, the machine will allow particulate transmissions due to filter overloads
c) when you use equipment to collect hazardous dust, it takes special considerations when cleaning them, storing them and transporting them -- a well known fact in the abatement and hazardous waste industries - Unfortunately, us contractors are not trained at this level -- if you clean you hand tools after a lead job to be comfortable with using them on a non lead job, you certainly can understand the complexity of cleaning a hepa certified vacuum to a condition where it does not transport micorgrams of this toxin.
All of these machines have the same concerns - NONE of them can guarantee their statements unless they add in such statements as Festool does to protect from careless or uneducated use. The others are just playing the risk to get the business. I laugh at the statements Dustless tools makes. I respect some of the other tools mentioned but feel they are just sitting ducks for a personal liability suit down the road. There was a unit that claimed it collected dust in a 360 degree which was great for remodelers. I spoke with them and when I asked them to produce the test results proving their containment down to HEPA performance, they changed their stance and said they were intended for job site dust caused by saws etc and not meant for hazardous materials.
Unbelievable - buyer beware.
The video you saw (the only one I made for them) was before the mini tool model you mention. What you probably are not aware of is this video was made as a result of a bet. I bet them their machines would not produce the results they were claiming and the old fashioned use of negative air machines would outperform them. The loser had to promote the winner's product -- I thought I would get international advertising for free. I guess the joke is on me.
However, I stand behind the accuracy of the jobsite condition, air sampling methods and lab results and the video relayed them 100% accurate. What was not shown was my statements of tasks such as selective demolitions, etc where their tools were not designed to be used. I stopped backing festool when their drywall sander was marketed to contractors leading them to believe that he/she was not exposed to silica dusts as their hepa vacuums were not equipped or designed to handle silica particulates - long story short, they retracted the statement, added warnings and came back to market with one model designed with a self cleaning "thump" which repeats frequently when in use specifically for silica
In short, You have to start with a certified HEPA and follow manufacturer's instructions to perfection. Use it and maintain it religiously - If you use HEPA certified, follow all protocols and if in doubt the exposure level is not below what I consider safe (25 ug/m3) then get medically cleared, fit tested and trained on proper respirator use. You only have the original lungs to use in this life.
I am encouraged and refreshed when I find a tradesman (as I was once for 33 years), and take the time to get educated on items. Far too many of our brothers and sisters will never find this important enough. This characteristic you have should serve you well in your career. My best wishes for your continued push to become great.
Stay Healthy
Wow really did your research.
Festool is OK, but a better quality portable vacuum used predominately in the abatement business (lead, asbestos, mold) is the Nilfisk GD930 HEPA vacuum. It can filter down to 0.3µ particulate size, which is important to me and my customers.
Have you tested any of the various other models out there that are not made in Germany and super super expensive.
I saw one by TCS and it had a amazing HEPA filtration system that suitable for leg remediation.
I was taught that abrasives are not to be used when removing lead paint.
Sanders, needle gun, heat gun- big no no's.
eu gostaria de saber o valor das maquinas?