Have you recently built a new home? – Every home must be tested for radon.
Did you know? For all new homes, the National Building Code includes measures specifically designed to make radon mitigation systems quieter, more efficient and more effective. These measures include:
- Gravel sub-membrane layer
- Poly-membrane layer beneath the slab
- Properly located, capped and labeled rough-in or passive pipe
- Proper sealing
- Properly sealed sump pump
Every new home must be tested for radon levels once occupied.
Test your home using a long term test during the first heating season that you occupy your new home.
C-NRPP has a certification that is specific for new home construction, Controling Radon in New Canadian Homes (CRNCH) trains individuals who are designing or involved in the construction of new homes in Canada, on radon and how it enters the home; degree of risk and personal protection; understanding of the National Building Code and methods of radon installation which will exceed requirements of the code, this will include installation of three levels of radon systems in low-rise construction.
Three Levels of Radon Systems:
Extended Rough-in system: Is a completely plumbed rough-in where the piping extends fully through the envelop of the building and penetrates to the outside. It does not have a fan to actively move the air, however it is ready for a fan to be added once a radon measurement shows that activation is necessary.
Passive System: Is a completely plumbed rough-in where the piping extends fully through the envelop of the building, through the attic and penetrates to the outside, ideally above the highest roof line. The pipe extends vertically with all offsets made with 22 ½ degree fittings; and no horizontal runs. This system relies on convection air movement (thermal stack effect) from below the slab; It does not have a fan to actively move the air; is a non-powered radon mitigation measure, however it is ready for a fan to be added once a radon measurement shows that activation is necessary.
Active system: Similar to passive system in the fact that the system is already piped through the interior of the building, however relies on a fan to create negative pressure from below the slab relative to the dwelling and reduces concentration of gas under slab and exhausts gas into the atmosphere; also called an active depressurization system; sub slap depressurization or sub-membrane depressurization