OVERVIEW

This guide integrates preservation standards with public health protocols, equipping stakeholders with evidence-

based remediation methodologies to retain historic fabric towards attaining lead-safe certification

Purpose and Scope

The guide aims to:

• Support compliance with lead-safe housing laws

• Preserve the integrity of historic wood windows

• Educate on window types, parts, and operational systems

• Provide remediation techniques specific to each window component

Lead Hazards in Historic Windows

Historic windows pose unique risks due to friction(abrasion) and impact surfaces. Hazards include:

• Deteriorated paint (chipping, peeling, flaking and chalking)

• Abrasion from sash operation

• Impact damage on sills and jambs

Mitigation and Remediation Strategies

Remedies must ensure that no lead-based paint remains damaged, loose, or exposed. Common solutions include:

• Encapsulation – sealing intact lead paint surfaces

• Paint removal & refinishing – stripping to bare wood and repainting

• Enclosure – covering surfaces with non-lead materials

• Replacement – reproducing window parts in-kind

Window Types Covered

Includes styles from 1700s to present, such as:

• Single & Double Hung

• Casement, Awning, Hopper, Pivot

• Sliding and Fixed units

Each type includes diagrams identifying hazards and solutions per component (sash, sill, stool, jamb, stop,

etc.).

Systems and Hardware

Balance, stay, and jamb liner systems (e.g., weights, pulleys, springs, locks) are evaluated for lead hazard risks and

updated solutions.

Regulatory Compliance

Outlines:

• Federal and RI thresholds for lead dust (e.g., 5 µg/ft² on floors)

• Required inspection/testing protocols (e.g., XRF, dust wipes)

• Mitigation standards for landlords, including documentation and tenant notification

Window Lead Hazard Identification Form

The Window Lead Hazard Identification Form identifies the presence of lead-based paint, as well as its condition

and role in the function of the window unit. Based on findings, lead hazard remediation methods can be suggested to

achieve lead safe status.