ASTM E2255/E2255M-22 PDF

Full title and description

Designation: ASTM E2255/E2255M-22 — Standard Practice for Conducting Visual Assessments for Lead Hazards in Buildings. This practice provides standardized procedures for conducting visual inspections in buildings to identify the type and location of potential lead hazards associated with deteriorated leaded paint, lead in dust, and lead in soil.

Abstract

This standard describes a generic visual assessment procedure and defines specific additions or deletions for particular lead-hazard activities such as lead-hazard (risk) assessments, clearance examinations following lead-hazard reduction, and re-evaluation inspections. It emphasizes visual identification (condition of paint, dust accumulation, chewable surfaces, friction/impact surfaces) and recordkeeping; it does not itself prescribe dust or paint sampling/testing methods to confirm lead presence.

General information

• Status: Active / Published.
• Publication date: Current edition approved March 1, 2022; published May 2022 (some catalog listings show a January 3, 2022 entry).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 87.040 (Paints and varnishes); 91.040.30 (Residential buildings).
• Edition / version: E2255/E2255M-22 (2022 edition).
• Number of pages: 20 pages.

Scope

This practice covers procedures for conducting visual assessments in buildings to visually identify the type and location of potential lead hazards associated with deteriorated leaded paint, lead in dust, or lead in soil. It provides a generic visual assessment workflow and then specifies how that workflow is adapted for different assessment types (e.g., lead-hazard assessment, clearance examination, re-evaluation inspection, post-renovation/maintenance assessments). The standard is intended to be used alongside other ASTM practices when sampling or clearance testing is required; it does not replace analytical testing to confirm lead.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized generic visual assessment procedure for buildings (inspection areas, observation sequence, documentation).
• Definitions and identification of target surfaces: deteriorated paint, chewable surfaces, friction and impact surfaces, and other potential hazard locations.
• Specific procedure adjustments for assessment types: lead-hazard (risk) assessments, clearance examinations, re-evaluation inspections, and post-renovation checks.
• Recordkeeping, photographic documentation, and information to be reported as part of the assessment.
• References to related ASTM practices for sampling, clearance, and record preservation (used in conjunction with this visual practice).

Typical use and users

Used by environmental consultants, certified lead inspectors/assessors, public health departments, housing authorities, property managers, and contractors performing lead-hazard assessments, pre-renovation evaluations, or clearance inspections in residential and other child-occupied facilities. The practice is applied to identify visual evidence of hazards to determine where follow-up sampling, abatement, or interim controls are needed.

Related standards

This practice references and is commonly used together with other ASTM documents addressing lead in buildings, including Guide E2115 (Conducting Lead Hazard Assessments), Practices E2271/E2271M and E3074/E3074M (Clearance Examinations following Lead Hazard Reduction Activities), E2239 (Recordkeeping for Lead Hazard Activities), and related terminology standards (for example E1605).

Keywords

lead, lead hazards, visual assessment, lead-based paint, clearance examination, risk assessment, building inspection, paint deterioration, dust, soil.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E2255/E2255M-22 is a standard practice that provides step‑by‑step procedures for conducting visual assessments to locate and document potential lead hazards in buildings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers visual inspection methods to identify deteriorated leaded paint, dust accumulation on surfaces, vulnerable chewable, friction and impact surfaces, and other visual indicators that indicate the potential for lead exposure. It outlines a generic procedure and specifies modifications for particular assessment types (risk assessment, clearance, re-evaluation, post-renovation). It does not prescribe laboratory testing methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Certified lead inspectors/assessors, environmental and public health professionals, housing authorities, contractors involved in renovation/abatement projects, and property managers conducting pre- or post-work visual checks and documenting conditions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2022 edition (E2255/E2255M-22) is the current published edition. ASTM listings show the 2022 approval and publication (approved March 1, 2022; published May 2022; some catalogs list a January 3, 2022 entry). ASTM has initiated a revision work item to review/update the practice, but the 2022 edition remains the active standard until formally revised or superseded.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the family of ASTM practices and guides addressing lead in buildings under Committee D22 (Subcommittee D22.12). It is intended to be used alongside related ASTM standards for sampling, clearance, terminology, and recordkeeping (for example E2115, E2271/E2271M, E3074/E3074M, E2239).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Lead hazards, visual assessment, lead-based paint, clearance, risk assessment, buildings, dust, soil, recordkeeping.