Connecticut Radon Measurement Training Program

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Connecticut Radon Measurement Training Program"

Hubert O’Connor’
5 years ago
Views:

1 Lesson 10 How can you reduce radon in a home? Brief overview of radon mitigation Mitigation: reducing radon in air or water Requires trained, registered radon mitigation specialist Typical radon mitigation system Slide 10 1 Refer clients to mitigation professionals The Department of Public Health maintains a list of qualified radon mitigation contractors at the Radon Program Website: radon_program.htm Slide 10 2 Training Program

sealing foundation openings Slide 10 3 Mitigation design EPA recommends methods that prevent radon from

2 Methods for reducing radon in air 1. Depressurization Suck air from below basement (slab) Radon does not enter home Radon exhausted away from home 2. Pressurization Blow air into the basement Push radon gas out Radon gas is diluted All methods involve sealing foundation openings Slide 10 3 Mitigation design EPA recommends methods that prevent radon from entering the home Rather than reduce amount already present Focus of this section is on most common type of radon mitigation system Subslab suction or subslab depressurization system Slide 10 4 Various foundations may require various methods Slide 10 5 Training Program

Basement and slab on grade options Most common method in Connecticut: Active subslab suction system Suction prevents radon from entering home Draws radon from below home Vents radon to pipe(s)

crushed rock below Vent fan draws up radon gas and releases it outside, above the roof eave Works best when air moves easily under slab Slide 10 7 Major requirements of an SSD system 1.

3 Basement and slab on grade options Most common method in Connecticut: Active subslab suction system Suction prevents radon from entering home Draws radon from below home Vents radon to pipe(s) Releases radon to air above home Slide 10 6 Active subslab suction or subslab depressurization (SSD) Reliable Effective in reducing high radon levels Suction pipes inserted through slab into soil or crushed rock below Vent fan draws up radon gas and releases it outside, above the roof eave Works best when air moves easily under slab Slide 10 7 Major requirements of an SSD system 1. All components should be clearly labeled Radon Reduction System. 2. If the system has an exhaust fan, the fan must be located outside or above the habitable space of the building. It may be located outside or in an unused attic. 3. Any exhaust fan must be located in a vertical run of the vent pipe. Slide 10 8 Training Program

Major requirements of an SSD system (cont.) 4. If there is an exhaust fan, there should be a visible or audible warning device to alert occupants if the system fan stops working. 5.

The vent pipe must end at least 10 feet from any window or opening into the house and at least 10 feet from any adjoining or adjacent buildings. 7.

4 Major requirements of an SSD system (cont.) 4. If there is an exhaust fan, there should be a visible or audible warning device to alert occupants if the system fan stops working. 5. The vent pipe must end at least 12 inches above the surface of the roof. 6. The vent pipe must end at least 10 feet from any window or opening into the house and at least 10 feet from any adjoining or adjacent buildings. 7. Ties or brackets must secure the vent pipes Every 6 feet in a horizontal run of pipe, and Every 8 feet in a vertical run of pipe Slide 10 9 Labeling The system must be clearly labeled as a radon reduction system The contractor s contact information must be attached to the system radon.com Slide Exhaust fan Exterior installation Slide Training Program

Exhaust fan Interior installation Usually more effective and last longer Fan must be

Visible gauge Manometer Does not measure radon Alerts residents if fan stops working Slide

above the surface of the roof It must also be at least 10 feet from windows and other

5 Exhaust fan Interior installation Usually more effective and last longer Fan must be installed in unused and unoccupied space Fan may not be installed in basement Slide Visible gauge Manometer Does not measure radon Alerts residents if fan stops working Slide Discharge point Exterior installation The discharge point must be at least 12 inches above the surface of the roof It must also be at least 10 feet from windows and other openings, if it not located at least 2 feet above such openings Slide Training Program

Exhaust point Interior installation The discharge point must end at least 12 inches above the surface of the roof It must also be at least 10 feet from windows and other openings, if it not at least

6 Exhaust point Interior installation The discharge point must end at least 12 inches above the surface of the roof It must also be at least 10 feet from windows and other openings, if it not at least 2 feet above such openings Slide Other depressurization methods Methods for slabon grade and basement foundations Subslab suction Drain tile suction Sump hole suction Block wall suction Methods for crawlspace foundation Submembrane suction Active depressurization Crawlspace ventilation Slide Pressurization methods Typically used in homes with dirt or stone foundations Locations where depressurization would be ineffective Types Home/room pressurization Heat recovery ventilation (HRV), or airto air heat exchange Slide Training Program

7 Questions? Slide Removing radon in water from private wells Point of entry systems Remove radon before water is distributed Treat all water in home Types Granular activated carbon (GAC) Aeration Point of use systems Ineffective in treating radon in water Slide Granular activated carbon (GAC) system Used to treat radon in water levels from 5,000 pci/l to below 10,000 pci/l Less expensive Filters water through carbon bed, which traps radon and radon decay products Tank may emit some radiation and may require shielding Filter must be changed each year Slide Training Program

Aeration system Used to treat radon levels 10,000 pci/l and above More expensive Mixes water with air and vents radon outdoors System does not become radioactive Requires

common system: subslab suction or subslab depressurization (SSD) Used in homes with basement or slab ongrade construction Major components of SSD system Labeled system

basement foundations Subslab suction Drain tile suction Sump hole suction Block wall suction Methods for dirt or stone foundations HRVs Room pressurization Methods for

8 Aeration system Used to treat radon levels 10,000 pci/l and above More expensive Mixes water with air and vents radon outdoors System does not become radioactive Requires yearly cleaning Slide Summary Mitigation must be done by qualified contractor Two major types of mitigation systems for air Depressurization Pressurization Most common system: subslab suction or subslab depressurization (SSD) Used in homes with basement or slab ongrade construction Major components of SSD system Labeled system and piping Visible or audible warning Vertical fan location Discharge point away from home openings to prevent re entry Slide Summary Methods for slab ongrade and basement foundations Subslab suction Drain tile suction Sump hole suction Block wall suction Methods for dirt or stone foundations HRVs Room pressurization Methods for crawlspace foundation Submembrane suction Active depressurization Crawlspace ventilation Methods for Water Granular activate charcoal Aeration Slide Training Program

How can you reduce radon in a home?

Lesson 10: How can you reduce radon in a home? Lesson overview This lesson provides a brief overview of radon mitigation. Lesson objectives By the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to: Describe