Page 1 of 23

EPA Public and Commercial Building Contractor Survey Questionnaire

This is the telephone interview version that can be transformed to a Web version with the 

appropriate modifications to text and format. Note that the yellow highlighted words indicate 

those words where respondents will see definitions if they hover over the word with their 

mouse. The current thinking is that the survey will be mixed-mode with phone and web. We are 

expecting that cooperation is going to be a challenge with our target population. Based on our 

experience with establishment surveys, we believe that making calls will be necessary to 

improve our response rate. However, some respondents will prefer to respond over the web. 

Furthermore, the web versions will be easier to administer to larger firms where more than one 

person may be needed to respond to all the questions.

Hello, my name is _____________. I am calling from Abt SRBI, a research company based in New York City. We 

are conducting a study for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about renovation, repair, and painting work.

EPA is doing this study to learn about the kinds of work and work practices renovators are doing. You may have 

seen a letter EPA sent out earlier that explains this. 

Your company was selected at random to be included in an interview. Participation is voluntary, and your 

responses are completely anonymous. Your company name and your name are confidential and will never be 

revealed to the EPA. It would be helpful to me if you could answer two or three preliminary questions to see if you 

would qualify for the study.

OK [CONTINUE]

Refuse [TERMINATE – Possible return for refusal conversion attempt? ]

S1

Does your company, either directly or through subcontractors, do any renovation, repair or painting work in 

nonresidential buildings? By nonresidential buildings I mean anything other than private residences or 

apartments. So in addition to commercial, industrial, government, and agricultural buildings, these include motels, 

dorms, barracks, nursing homes, and hospitals. Does your company work in any of these types of buildings? 

1. Yes -> Continue to S2

2. No -> go to CLOSE

999. Refuse/can’t tell -> Skip to Q3

S2

And are you the person that can tell me about the approximate number of jobs your company did in the past year

and the work practices used during the renovation, repair or painting work?

1. Yes -> Skip to Q1

2. No -> Continue to S3

3. Did not do an such work in the past year -> go to CLOSE

999. Refuse/can’t tell -> Skip to Q3

S3

Who would be the best person in your organization/firm to answer these types of questions? 

Full Name: ______________

Role/Title in company: ___________________

Best Contact Number(s): _________________

Email Address: ------------------------------------------------
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Best Time to Reach: _____________________ 

S3a. Can you please connect me with [Insert Name from S3]?

1. Yes, connected -> Continue to S4

2. Not in now or Busy -> Schedule Callback

999. Refuse/DK -> Attempt callback during “Best Time to Reach” obtained in S3

S4

Hello, is this [INSERT NAME FROM S3] ? 

1. Yes -> Skip to S5

2. No -> Continue to S4a

S4a. I am trying to reach [Insert Name]. Can you please connect me with him/her]?

1. Yes, connected -> continue to S5

2. Not sure he/she is in now or Not in or Busy -> schedule callback

999. Refuse/DK -> 

S5

My name is _____________. I am calling from Abt SRBI, a research company based in New York City. We are 

conducting a study for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about renovation, repair, and painting work.

EPA is doing this study to learn about the kinds of work and work practices used during the renovation of 

nonresidential buildings

Your company was selected at random to be included in an interview. Participation is voluntary, and your 

responses are completely anonymous. Your company name and your name are confidential and will never be 

revealed to the EPA. 

. I understand that you can tell me about the approximate number of jobs your company did in the past year and 

the types of work practices used during the nonresidential renovation, repair or painting work performed by your 

company. By nonresidential buildings I mean anything other than private residences or apartments. So in addition 

to commercial, industrial, government, and agricultural buildings, nonresidential buildings include motels, dorms, 

barracks, nursing homes, and hospitals. You may have seen a letter EPA sent out earlier that explains this. 

Is that correct?

1. Yes [CONTINUE]

2. No [REPEAT SEARCH LOOP WITH S3]

3. Did not do any such work in the past year [NOTE OTHER RESPONDENT SAID YES AND ASK IF SURE 

THEN GO TO CLOSE]

999. Refuse/can’t tell [SKIP TO Q3]

INTRO

I have just a few questions to ask to see if your company qualifies for this study.

1. Respondent has time now [CONTINUE]

2. Respondent does not have time [schedule appointment for callback]
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Q1

In the past 12 months did your company do any jobs in nonresidential buildings where you or your firm’s 

employees disturbed painted surfaces? By disturbing painted surfaces, I mean any activity that can create paint 

dust or paint chips such as sanding or scraping a painted surface or using a power washer or other means to 

remove loose paint; cutting open a painted wall to make repairs or install new equipment; or removing a painted 

component such as trim or a window frame.

Did your company do any such jobs in the past 12 months?

1. Yes [CONTINUE]

2. No [SKIP TO Q2A]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q3]

999. Refuse [SKIP TO Q3]

Q2 

For those jobs where you or your firm’s employees disturbed painted surfaces, did you ever need to disturb more 

than 6 square feet of interior painted surfaces or 20 square feet of exterior painted surfaces?

1. Yes [SKIP TO Q3]

2. No [CONTINUE]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q3]

999. Refuse [SKIP TO Q3]

Q2A

In the past 12 months, did your company do any jobs in nonresidential buildings where your subcontractors 

disturbed painted surfaces?

1. Yes [CONTINUE]

2. No [SKIP TO Q3]

888. Don’t Know [SKIP TO Q3]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q3]

Q2B 

For those jobs where your subcontractors disturbed painted surfaces, did they ever need to disturb more than 6 

square feet of interior painted surfaces or 20 square feet of exterior painted surfaces?

1. Yes [SKIP TO Q3]

2. No [SKIP TO Q3]

888. Don’t Know [SKIP TO Q3]

999. Refuse [SKIP TO Q3]

Q3

Which ONE of the following best describes your business:

1. Painting Contractor

2. Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning Contractor

3. Electrical Contractor

4. Carpentry

5. Drywall/Insulation contractor
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6. Window/Door Replacement Contractor

7. General Contractor

8. Other Specialty Trade Contractor

[IF Q3=8 ASK Q3A, ALL ELSE GO TO Q3B]

Q3A

What type of Specialty Trade Contractor are you?

[ENTER TEXT] __________________________________

Q3B

During most of the year, about how many people are employed by your company. An approximate answer is OK. 

[INTERVIEWER: DO NOT ALLOW RANGES]

ENTER NUMBER: __ __ __ ___

888 Don’t know/not sure

999 Refused

Q3c

Does your company do work only in nonresidential buildings or do you also do work in residential buildings? By 

residential buildings I mean private residences and apartments.

1. Only Nonresidential

2. Both residential and nonresidential

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refuse

[IF Q2=1 ASK Q4, ALL ELSE GO TO CLOSE]

It appears that you are eligible for this study. The remaining questions will take about 30 minutes to answer but I’ll 

go as quickly as I can to see if we can finish sooner. I appreciate your helping us with this today. 

Q4

Everything I am asking about is only for projects in the past 12 months. When a job involved multiple buildings, 

count each building as a separate project. Is this clear about buildings and projects?

[CONTINUE]

If a single project involved more than one kind of work, include it separately in each work category I ask about. I 

want to know about how many of the projects involved disturbing painted surfaces. By disturbing painted 

surfaces, I mean any activity that can create paint dust or paint chips. For example, disturbing paint includes 

sanding or scraping a painted surface or using a power washer or other means to remove loose paint; cutting open 

a painted wall to make repairs or install new equipment; or removing a painted component such as trim or a 

window frame. 

Q4a During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved surface 

preparation for exterior painting?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4b]
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Q4a1

[IF Q4a=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4a >1: Approximately how many of these Q4a # projects involved 

....] disturbing more than 20 square feet of the old painted exterior surface by you or your employees – as opposed 

to subcontractors?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4b

During the past twelve months approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved the removal 

or replacement of painted exterior siding?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4c]

Q4b1

[IF Q4b=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4b >1: Approximately how many of these Q4b # projects involved

...] disturbing more than 20 square feet of the old painted exterior surface by you or your employees – as opposed 

to subcontractors?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4c

During the past twelve months approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved the removal, 

replacement, or addition of windows?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4d]

Q4c1

[IF Q4c=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4c >1: Approximately how many of these Q4c # projects involved 

....] the removal, replacement, or addition of windows by you or your employees – as opposed to subcontractors?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4d

During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved the 

removal, replacement, or addition of exterior doors?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4e]

Q4d1

[IF Q4d=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4d >1: Approximately how many of these Q4d # projects involved 

....] disturbing more than 20 square feet of a painted exterior surface or more than 6 square feet of any room’s

painted interior surface by you or your employees – as opposed to subcontractors?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4e

During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved the removal 

or replacement of other painted exterior building components?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4f]
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Q4e1

[IF Q4e=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4e >1: Approximately how many of these Q4e # projects involved 

....] disturbing more than 20 square feet of a painted exterior surface by you or your employees – as opposed to 

subcontractors?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4f

During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved demolishing 

part of a painted exterior wall?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4g]

Q4f1

[IF Q4f=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4f >1: Approximately how many of these Q4f # projects involved ....]

demolishing part of a painted exterior wall by you or your employees – as opposed to subcontractors?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4g

During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved surface 

preparation for interior painting? 

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4h]

Q4g1

[IF Q4g=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4g >1: Approximately how many of these Q4g # projects involved 

....] disturbing more than 6 square feet of a painted interior surface by you or your employees?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4h

During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved the removal 

or replacement of built in cabinets, shelves, or fixture components?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4i]

Q4h1

[IF Q4h=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4h >1: Approximately how many of these Q4h # projects involved 

....] disturbing more than 6 square feet of a painted interior surface by you or your employees?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4i

During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved the removal 

or replacement of other painted interior building components; for example trim?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4j]
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Q4i1

[IF Q4i=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4i >1: Approximately how many of these Q4i # projects involved ....] 

disturbing more than 6 square feet of a painted interior surface by you or your employees?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4j. 

During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved the cutting 

or making holes in painted interior walls or ceilings?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q4k]

Q4j1

[IF Q4j=1: Did this one project involve ....] [IF Q4j >1: Approximately how many of these Q4j # projects involved ....]

disturbing more than 6 square feet of a painted interior surface by you or your employees?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q4k. 

During the past twelve months, approximately how many projects in nonresidential buildings involved demolishing 

part of a painted interior wall?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ [IF 0 SKIP TO Q5 SELECT RULES]

Q4k1

[IF Q4k=1: For this one project ....] [IF Q4k >1: For approximately how many of these Q4k # projects ....] involved 

demolishing part of a painted interior wall by you or your employees?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________ ENTER “1” IF YES TO “THIS ONE PROJECT”

Q5 SELECT RULES

CATI RANDOMLY SELECTS ONE OF THE JOB TYPES Q4a-Q4k1 SERIES WHERE NUMBER OF PROJECTS >0

{Note that we might weight the probability of selection by the number of jobs, or apply some other weight to the 

probability of selection}

[(IF Q4a1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for exterior painting” is SELECTED) OR

(IF Q4g1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for interior painting” is SELECTED)

THEN ASK Q5.1]

Q5.1

[IF SELECTED Q4a1/Q4g1=1: Did the one project involving {selected job type} ...] [IF SELECTED Q4a1/Q4g1>1: How 

many of the Q4*1# projects involving {selected job type}...] done by you or your employees use/used

open flame or torch paint removal?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

[(IF Q4a1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for exterior painting” is SELECTED) OR

(IF Q4g1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for interior painting” is SELECTED)

THEN ASK Q5.2]
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Q5.2

heat gun paint removal at temperatures above 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit?

 

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

[(IF Q4a1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for exterior painting” is SELECTED) OR

(IF Q4g1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for interior painting” is SELECTED)

THEN ASK Q5.3]

Q5.3

abrasive blasting paint removal?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

[(IF Q4a1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for exterior painting” is SELECTED) OR

(IF Q4g1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for interior painting” is SELECTED)

THEN ASK Q5.4]

Q5.4

needle gun or needle scaler paint removal?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

Q5.5

[IF Q4*1=1: For the one project involving {selected job type}...] [IF Q4*1>1: For these next questions, please think 

about only the most recent project out of the {Q4*1#} projects involving {selected job type}...] that you said you or 

your employees did, was that ONE project

in a building that was likely constructed before or after 1978?

{INTERVIEWER – SUGGEST BEST GUESS IF RESPONDENT SAYS NOT SURE}

1. Before 1978 [SKIP TO Q5.6]

2. 1978 or later [IF Q4*1=1 SKIP TO Q5.6; IF Q4*1>1 CONTINUE]

888. Not Sure [IF Q4*1=1 SKIP TO Q5.6; IF Q4*1>1 CONTINUE]

Q5.5.1

To the best you can remember, were any of the other {Q4*1#} projects involving {selected job type} in buildings 

constructed before 1978?

1. Yes [CONTINUE]

2. No OR Not sure [SKIP TO Q5.6]

Q5.5.2

I would like you to instead think only about the most recent project that involved {selected job type} done in a 

building that was constructed BEFORE 1978 that you said you or your employees did. Can you recall that project?

1. Yes – [CONTINUE]

2. ELSE – [PROBE AND ASSIST IN GETTING R TO RECALL THE PROJECT THEN CONTINUE]

Q5.6

To the best of your knowledge, what was that building you recently worked on mainly used for?

[INTERVIEWER: CODE BELOW AS APPROPRIATE – DO NOT READ]
Page 9 of 23

1. Lodging, such as a hotel, motel, dorms, or other lodging

2. Hospital or inpatient health care facility

3. Office building

4. Education, School

5. Non-mall retail, food sales, food service

6. Strip mall or enclosed mall

7. Services (excluding food)

8. Outpatient health care

9. Public assembly, library

10. Public safety

11. Religious worship

12. Warehouse, storage

13. Industrial

14. Agricultural

15. Other

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q4a1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for exterior painting” is SELECTED, OR

IF Q4b1 is >0 AND “removal or replacement of painted exterior siding” is SELECTED, OR

IF Q4c1 is >0 AND “removal, replacement, or addition of windows” is SELECTED, OR

IF Q4d1 is >0 AND “removal, replacement, or addition of exterior doors” is SELECTED, OR

IF Q4e1 is >0 AND “removal or replacement of other painted exterior building components” is SELECTED, OR

IF Q4f1 is >0 AND “demolishing part of a painted exterior wall” is SELECTED

THEN ASK Q5.7.1]

Q5.7.1

Approximately how many stories was this building?

1. One

2. Two 

3. Three or more

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q4a1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for exterior painting” is SELECTED, OR

IF Q4g1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for interior painting” is SELECTED

THEN ASK Q5.7.2 through Q5.7.3b]

Q5.7.2

What was the size of the work crew that was responsible for the portion of the job that involved surface 

preparation?

ENTER NUMBER OF CREW MEMBERS _______

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q5.7.3

Approximately how many hours of work did the surface preparation portion of the job take to complete? 

ENTER Number _______

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused
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Q5.7.3a

Approximately what percent of the painted surfaces did you need to disturb by removing old paint or lightly 

sanding the surface to prepare it to accept the new coat during surface preparation?

ENTER PERCENT [NONE=0; All=100] _______%

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q5.7.3b

Approximately what percent of the painted surface did you need to remove all the layers of paint down to the bare 

substrate? 

ENTER PERCENT [NONE=0; All=100] _______%

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q4c1 is >0 AND “removal, replacement, or addition of windows” is SELECTED

THEN ASK Q5.7.4]

Q5.7.4

Approximately how many windows were removed, replaced, or added? 

ENTER Number _______

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q4d1 is >0 AND “removal, replacement, or addition of exterior doors” is SELECTED THEN ASK Q5.7.5]

Q5.7.5

Approximately how many exterior doors were removed, replaced, or added? 

ENTER Number _______

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q4g1 is >0 AND “surface preparation for interior painting” THEN ASK Q5.7.6a and Q5.7.6b]

Q5.7.6a

In how many different rooms were painted surfaces disturbed during surface preparation?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q5.7.6b

On approximately how many walls and ceilings combined were painted surfaces disturbed during the surface 

preparation for this job?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused
Page 11 of 23

[IF Q4h1 is >0 AND “removed or replaced built-in cabinets, shelves, or fixture components” THEN ASK Q5.7.7a and 

Q5.7.7b]

Q5.7.7a

In how many different rooms were painted built-in cabinets, shelves, or fixture components removed?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q5.7.7b

On approximately how many walls were painted built-in cabinets, shelves, or fixture components removed during 

this job?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q4i1 is >0 AND “removed or replaced other painted interior building components” IS SELECTED THEN ASK 

Q5.7.8a and Q5.7.8b]

Q5.7.8a

In how many different rooms were painted interior building components removed?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

Q5.7.8b

On approximately how many walls and ceilings combined were painted interior building components removed 

during this job?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

[IF Q4j1 is >0 AND “cutting or making holes in painted interior walls or ceilings” IS SELECTED THEN ASK Q5.7.9a and 

Q5.7.9b]

Q5.7.9a

In how many different rooms were openings cut in painted interior walls or ceilings?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

Q5.7.9b

Approximately how many painted walls and ceilings combined were cut open during this job?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

[IF Q4j1 is >0 AND “demolishing part of an interior wall” IS SELECTED THEN ASK Q5.7.10a and Q5.7.10b]

Q5.7.10a

In how many different rooms were painted walls demolished or partially demolished?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

Q5.7.10b
Page 12 of 23

Approximately how many walls and ceilings combined were demolished or partially demolished?

ENTER NUMBER [NONE=0] ________

Q5.8

Approximately how many days did the entire job take to complete? 

ENTER Number _______

888.Don’t know/not sure

999.Refused

Q5.9

Was the work performed during business hours, at other times of the day, or both? 

1. during business hours 

2. other times of the day 

3. both

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q5.10

Other than the renovation workers, did any other individuals use the space where the work was being performed 

during the period when the renovation was being done, such as during the daytime for renovations conducted on

nights or weekends?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6

Please tell me yes or no, which of the following other types of work did this same one project include.

[IF Q4a1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6b, Q6c, Q6d, Q6e, Q6f, Q6g, Q6h, Q6i, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4b1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6c, Q6d, Q6e, Q6f, Q6g, Q6h, Q6i, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4c1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6d, Q6e, Q6f, Q6g, Q6h, Q6i, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4d1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6c, Q6e, Q6f, Q6g, Q6h, Q6i, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4e1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6c, Q6d, Q6f, Q6g, Q6h, Q6i, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4f1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6c, Q6d, Q6e, Q6g, Q6h, Q6i, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4g1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6c, Q6d, Q6e, Q6f, Q6h, Q6i, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4h1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6c, Q6d, Q6e, Q6f, Q6g, Q6i, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4i1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6c, Q6d, Q6e, Q6f, Q6g, Q6h, Q6j, Q6k

IF Q4j1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6c, Q6d, Q6e, Q6f, Q6g, Q6h, Q6i, Q6k

IF Q4k1 IS SELECTED ASK Q6a, Q6b, Q6c, Q6d, Q6e, Q6f, Q6g, Q6h, Q6i, Q6j]

Q6a

Surface preparation for exterior painting that involved disturbing more than 20 square feet of a painted surface

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused
Page 13 of 23

Q6b

Removal or replacement of painted exterior siding that involved disturbing more than 20 square feet of a painted 

surface

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6c

Removal, replacement, or addition of windows

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6d

Removal, replacement, or addition of exterior doors that involved disturbing more than 6 square feet of a painted 

surface

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6e

Removal or replacement of other painted exterior building components that involved disturbing more than 20 

square feet of a painted surface

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6f

Demolishing part of a painted exterior wall

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6g

Surface preparation for interior painting that involved disturbing more than 6 square feet of a painted surface

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused
Page 14 of 23

Q6h

Removal or replacement of built-in cabinets, shelves, or fixture components that involved disturbing more than 6

square feet of a painted surface

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6i

Removal or replacement of other painted interior building components that involved disturbing more than 6

square feet of a painted surface

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6j

Cutting or making holes in painted interior walls or ceilings that involved disturbing more than 6 square feet of a 

painted surface

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q6k

Demolishing part of a painted interior wall

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q7

For all of my next questions we are still talking about that one most recent job involving [INSERT NAME OF 

SELECTED PROJECT TYPE]. Is that understood?

[CONTINUE]

Q7a

I want to assure you that all your answers are anonymous so your name or your company’s name will never be 

reported to EPA 

I would like you to tell me whether you used the following work practices during the project that involved [Insert 

Name of Selected Project] that we have been talking about.

Q8

This is about the project set-up. 

[CONTINUE]
Page 15 of 23

Q8a

Did you cover all doorways within the work area with plastic sheeting to prevent the spread of dust?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Not Applicable – No doorways in area

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF (interior job) Q4g1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4h1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4i1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4j1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4k1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED 

THEN SKIP TO Q8e

ELSE CONTINUE]

Q8b

Did you cover the ground outside the building below the area where paint was disturbed to catch dust and debris 

generated during the work?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q8c

Was scaffolding erected for this recent job?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q8d

Did you use any other type of space containment on the exterior of the building, such as hanging plastic sheeting

vertically, to prevent dust and debris generated during the work from spreading outside the work area?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF (exterior job) Q4a1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4b1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4e1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4f1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED 

THEN SKIP TO Q9

ELSE CONTINUE]

Q8e

Did you either remove all objects in the work area (such as furniture, equipment, furnishings, fixtures, or 

merchandise) or cover them with plastic sheeting?

1. Yes
Page 16 of 23

2. No

3. Not Applicable – no objects/furniture in area

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q8f

Did you cover the floor of the work area with plastic sheeting?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q8g

Did you take precautions to ensure that dust was not tracked outside the work area, such as wearing disposable 

shoe covers, using a tack pad, or vacuuming your clothes and tools before leaving the work area? 

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q9

Now let’s talk about clean-up of the work area. 

IF (exterior painting) Q4a1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED 

THEN SKIP TO Q10.

ELSE IF (other exterior job) Q4b1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4e1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4f1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED 

THEN SKIP TO Q12

ELSE CONTINUE]

Q9a

Were the floors in the work area all carpeted, all uncarpeted or partially carpeted and uncarpeted?

1. all carpeted

2. all uncarpeted 

3. partially carpeted and uncarpeted

888. Don’t know/not sure 

999. Refused 

Q9b

Did you vacuum the floors in the work area?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused
Page 17 of 23

Q9c

Did you vacuum other surfaces or objects in the work area, such as walls, windows, windowsills, tops of moldings, 

furniture, equipment, fixtures, or merchandise?

1. Yes

2. No 

888. Don’t know/not sure 

999. Refused 

[IF Q9b=1 OR Q9c=1 THEN ASK Q9D; ELSE SKIP TO Q9E]

Q9d

Did you vacuum using a HEPA vacuum? 

[INTERVIEWER: IF ASKED, HEPA VACUUM MEANS a machine designed by the manufacturer to be operated with a 

HEPA filter, not a shop vacuum with a HEPA filter in place of the original basic filter]

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q9e

Did you wipe all smooth surfaces with a damp cloth?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q9A=1 THEN SKIP TO Q9G. ELSE CONTINUE]

Q9f

Did you wet mop or use a wet mop system like Swiffer wet?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q9g

How many times was the work area cleaned before the job ended?

1. once 

2. twice 

3. more than twice (for example, once at the end of each day of the job)

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused
Page 18 of 23

Q9h

Did you place waste and debris in plastic bags and use plastic sheeting to wrap up and seal larger waste items 

before removing them from the work area? 

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q9i

Did you use a trash chute to remove waste from the building? 

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q91 = 1]

Q9j

What type of trash chute did you use? 

1. Nesting chute

2. Other rigid chute 

3. Fabric chute

4. Other __________________________

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q91 = 1] 

Q9k

Did you use a dust gaiter or other dust control equipment with the trash chute? 

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF (not painting) Q4b1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4c1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4d1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4e1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4f1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4h1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4i1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4j1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED OR

Q4k1 is >0 AND IS SELECTED

THEN SKIP TO Q12;

ELSE CONTINUE]

Q10

Now let’s talk about paint removal techniques used to prepare the surface for re-painting

[CONTINUE]

Q10a

Did you use open flame burning or torching?
Page 19 of 23

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q10b

Did you use a heat gun?

1. Yes

2. No [SKIP TO Q10c]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q10c]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q10c]

Q10b1

Did you operate the heat gun at temperatures above 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q10c

Did you use a needle gun or needle scaler?

1. Yes

2. No [SKIP TO Q10d]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q10d]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q10d]

Q10c1

Did you use a HEPA attachment with the needle gun or needle scaler?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q10d

Did you use power sanding or power grinding (other than needle gun or needle scaler)?

1. Yes

2. No [SKIP TO Q10e]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q10e]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q10e]

Q10d1

Did you use a HEPA attachment while power sanding or grinding?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused
Page 20 of 23

[IF Q4a SELECTED ASK Q10e ELSE SKIP TO Q10f]

Q10e

Did you use abrasive blasting?

1. Yes

2. No [SKIP TO Q10f]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q10f]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q10f]

Q10e1

Did you use a HEPA attachment while abrasive blasting?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q10f

Did you use hand scraping or hand sanding?

1. Yes

2. No [SKIP TO Q10g]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q10g]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q10g]

Q10f1

Did you wet the surfaces that were hand scraped or hand sanded?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

Q10g

Did you use chemical stripping?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused

[IF Q4a SELECTED ASK Q10h ELSE SKIP TO Q10i]

Q10h

Did you use power washing to remove loose paint, not just to clean the painted surface?

1. Yes

2. No 

888. Don’t know/not sure 

999. Refused 
Page 21 of 23

[IF Q4a SELECTED ASK Q10i ELSE SKIP TO Q10j]

Q10i

Did you use any other exterior paint removal techniques [other than open flame, torch, heat gun, needle gun, 

needle scaler, power sanding, power grinding, abrasive blasting, hand scraping, hand sanding, chemical stripping, 

or power washing]?

1. Yes

2. No [SKIP TO Q11]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q11]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q11]

Q10i1

Can you please describe the other techniques you used?

ENTER TEXT STRING:__________________________________

[IF Q4G SELECTED ASK Q10j ELSE SKIP TO Q11]

Q10J

Did you use any other interior paint removal techniques [other than open flame, torch, heat gun, needle gun, 

needle scaler, power sanding, power grinding, hand scraping, hand sanding, or chemical stripping]?

1. Yes

2. No [SKIP TO Q11]

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q11]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q11]

Q10j1

Can you please describe the other techniques you used?

ENTER TEXT STRING:__________________________________

[IF Q10a=1 AND Q10b THRU Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=1 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10b=1 AND Q10a AND Q10c THRU Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=2 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10c=1 AND Q10a AND Q10b AND Q10d THRU Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=3 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10d=1 AND Q10a THRU Q10c AND Q10e THRU Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=4 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10e=1 AND Q10a THRU Q10d AND Q10f THRU Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=5 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10f=1 AND Q10a THRU Q10e AND Q10g THRU Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=6 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10g=1 AND Q10a THRU Q10f AND Q10h THRU Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=7 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10h=1 AND Q10a THRU Q10g AND Q10i AND Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=8 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10i=1 AND Q10a THRU Q10h AND Q10j ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=9 AND SKIP TO Q12

IF Q10j=1 AND Q10a THRU Q10i ARE ALL >1 FILL Q11=10 AND SKIP TO Q12]
Page 22 of 23

Q11

You said you used the following techniques to remove paint in the most recent job [READ DISPLAYED LIST]:

DISPLAY IF Q10a= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 1. flame burning or torching

DISPLAY IF Q10b= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 2. heat gun

DISPLAY IF Q10c= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 3. needle gun or needle scaler

DISPLAY IF Q10d= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 4. sanding or power grinding

DISPLAY IF Q10e= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 5. abrasive blasting

DISPLAY IF Q10f= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 6. hand scraping or hand sanding

DISPLAY IF Q10g= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 7. chemical stripping

DISPLAY IF Q10h= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 8. power washing

DISPLAY IF Q10i= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 9. other [SHOW TEXT STRING]

DISPLAY IF Q10j= 1 ELSE LEAVE BLANK 10. other [SHOW TEXT STRING]

Which of these paint removal techniques was the primary technique used that removed the largest amount of old 

paint?

[ENTER NUMBER FROM ABOVE LIST OF DISPLAYED ITEMS]

___ [ALLOW RANGE 1-10, 888, 999]]

888. Don’t Know

999. Refused

Q12

During this recent job that we’ve been talking about, did you test any of the painted surfaces for lead-based paint 

prior to performing the work?

1. Yes

2. No [SKIP TO Q13]

3. Property owner had paint tested

888. Don’t know/not sure [SKIP TO Q13]

999. Refused [SKIP TO Q13]

Q12a

Did the test indicate that there was lead-based paint?

1. Yes

2. No

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refused
Page 23 of 23

Q13

We’re almost done. These are my last questions.

What ONE OR TWO factors usually influence the level of dust containment and cleaning you do for a given job in 

nonresidential buildings? 

[INTERVIEWER SELECT APPROPRIATE ANSWER AS REPORTED BY R]

1. What the customer wants

2. The amount of dust generated by the work 

3. How the building is used (hospital, restaurant, warehouse, factory, etc.)

4. The age of the building

5. Lead-based paint is known to be present 

6. The OSHA Lead in Construction Standard 

7. Local regulations for dust control

8. Building is occupied while being renovated

9. FOR EXTERIOR JOBS – The proximity to other buildings or properties

10. OTHER:__________________________________________________

11. None – Similar containment and cleaning practices are used for all jobs

88. Don’t know/not sure

99. Refuse

[IF Q3c =2 ASK Q14; ALL ELSE SKIP TO Q15]

Q14

I have one final question here about residential housing. Is your firm certified by either EPA or the state for 

performing lead-safe renovation, repair, and painting work in older residential housing?

1. Yes/Certification Pending

2. No

3. Does not do any residential housing work

888. Don’t know/not sure

999. Refuse

Q15

Finally, is there anything else you would like EPA to know about?

_____________________________________

CLOSE:

That’s all the questions I have. Thanks for your participation in this study.