Residential Continuous Radon Monitor

Transcription

1 Monthly Newsletter from your Friends at Team Engineering View this in your browser Residential Continuous Radon Monitor By Nancy Nichols, Vice President Radon exposure is the leading cause of non-smoking lung cancer. It leads to more than 21,000 deaths each year in the US. One in 15 American homes contains high levels of radon. Millions of Americans do not know that they are exposed to radon gas. We in the Granite State have higher radon levels and exposure potential, and correspondingly more incidents of lung cancer due to radon. According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), 1 in 3 NH homes has elevated radon levels. This is because radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in certain soil and rocks that are abundant in NH. Testing of radon-in-air is needed to know if your home has elevated levels, because radon is a colorless and odourless gas. Naturally occurring radon levels in air fluctuate due to conditions such as air pressure changes caused by weather fronts, snow on the ground, levels of radon in the water, groundwater levels, and use of the home (e.g. opening doors and windows, vacancy, frequency of showers). As such, the longer the air sample is taken, the more representative the air sample will be. There are generally three types of radon-in-air sampling methods, as follows: 1) short-term (1 to 7 day) passive detectors such as charcoal canisters and E-PERMs, 2) short-term electronic continuous radon monitors (CRM) and 3) long-term (1 month to 1 year) passive detectors (e.g., RSS1 ATD and Radtrack ATD). As part of a Home Inspection, the short-term passive detectors and electronic continuous monitors are viable options. Passive detectors are typically placed by the realtor or home inspector. These detectors provide an average level of radon for the duration that they are active. They are simple to activate and de-active (e.g., cap off or on). Due to their simplicity, there is no way to know if they have been tampered during the test, or whether windows and doors have been opened. The results are available after testing by a laboratory. The continuous radon monitor, on the other hand, can be provided with detectors to

2 measure temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. In addition to correlation with weather patterns, the measurements by these detectors could indicate if windows or doors were open or the sampler was moved. Also, since measurements are obtained continually, it is possible to know whether sampling was intermittent (i.e., sampler was turned off, then on). The result is provided in a graph, which shows radon fluctuations as well as an average for the sampling interval. The results are available at completion of the test. There is no need to deliver the monitoring device to the laboratory and wait for the laboratory to perform the radon analysis. A number of the continuous radon monitors can be programmed to start and stop. This also has its advantages. Often, the monitor is setup several days before a home inspection. It can be programmed to stop before the home inspection, when windows are frequently opened to freshen the air. Team Engineering offers both the charcoal canister passive detector and the continuous radon monitor. While the continuous radon monitor is somewhat costlier to set up and run, there can be greater confidence in its results. Ask us about the cost difference and decide for yourself whether continuous radon monitoring is your preferred radon sampling method. Commercial Plan of Repairs for Timber Decks at South End Woods Condos, Leominster, MA By Dan Martel, Senior Engineer Team Engineering recently performed a comprehensive review of the timber deck structures at the South End Woods residential condominium community on Richards Road, Leo Gagnon Way and Caffoni Drive in Leominster, MA. In 2016, Team Engineering performed a reserve study on the 42-unit property, prioritizing maintenance, repair, and capital improvement activities. The study concluded that an in-depth investigation on the decks was needed based on their condition and construction. The property owner, Geronimo Commercial Properties, agreed that the decks were important to the high quality of the community, and further engaged Team Engineering to conduct a detailed study on the decks to include repairs and improvements. Our inspection in the Spring of 2017 identified numerous deficiencies related to the Building Code, durability, and user safety. Our unique blend of structural engineering, construction, and condominium expertise allowed us to quickly identify, report on,

3 and prioritize repairs needed to correct the deficiencies. With a clear action plan in place, Geronimo performed the necessary improvements to provide deck structures that are now structurally sound, durable, and most importantly, safe for the residents. Client of the Month By Brian Hansen, Project Manager We have had the good fortune to work with the professionals at RJ Finlay & Co. at several of their properties here in NH and we have learned that they are not a typical New Hampshire real-estate development company. If you look closely you will

4 discover that RJ Finlay & Co. has a specialized staff that manages several verticals including: construction, real estate management, and even building materials. Their real estate portfolio spreads over at least four states. Many of those properties were properties that they had to rehabilitate before they were marketable properties. They got it done, time after time. In our experience, the professionals at RJ Finlay have revealed some excellent people and Kim Reagan and Greg Serpis are two professionals that have been especially pleasant to work with. Kim is a Real Estate professional and Greg is a project manager for the construction at their 160 River Road; Bedford, NH project. 160 South River Road is a low-rise commercial building that was recently renovated for Catholic Medical Center of Manchester, NH. The renovation of the building was comprehensively designed to fit the needs of a medical facility including interior and exterior modifications. We were hired to design several exterior roof structures to offer a welcoming and safe entry into the building. Working with Greg and his staff at RJ Finlay was always professional and efficient. Here at Team Engineering, it is in our DNA to cherish our relationships with our customers. It is rewarding to work with the professionals at RJ Finlay & Co. because they value hard work and customer service. Charitable Giving Manchester Historic Association Founded in 1896, the Manchester Historic Association is an independent, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization with the mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. The Association operates the Millyard Museum and the Research Center, both of which are open to the general public. The Association presents a variety of public programs including lectures, walking tours and concerts, and also school programs for students from third grade through college. Team Engineering has proudly donated $150 this month to Manchester Historic Association.

5 What's happening with Turbo Enjoying a fall hike in beautiful Peterborough, NH. Copyright 2017 Team Engineering, All rights reserved.