Transcript IAEA

IAEA TC Project RER9127/04
Workshop – Sofia – 25-26 January 2016
Advice on measures to reduce radon levels in buildings
Building codes and standardization
in different countries
Trevor Boal
Radiation Protection Unit, NSRW
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency
Content
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Building codes
Examples of national approaches
Training of professionals
Examples of national approaches to training
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Radon in building codes
• Since the exposure to radon occurs indoors (homes, offices) the
involvement of building professionals is crucial.
• Provisions on protection of buildings from radon from soil should be
included in building code.
• Guides and/or standards containing the information and procedures
how to design and build preventive measures and corrective actions
should be developed.
• Radon can be considered also as indoor air quality issue (which is
becoming more and more important due to energy saving measures) 
not only new buildings but also renovation of buildings is important
from the point of protection against radon
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Radon in new buildings (building codes)
• IAEA et al BSS (2014), par. 5.20.d
“Including in building codes appropriate preventive
measures and corrective actions to prevent the ingress of
222Rn and to facilitate further actions wherever necessary.”
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Radon in building code – example – Norway
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Radon in building code – example – Ireland
All homes built since July 1st 1998 must be fitted with a
standby radon sump which can be activated at a later stage,
to reduce any high radon concentrations subsequently found.
For homes located in High Radon Areas, the installation of a
radon barrier as well as a standby radon sump is required.
Source: Radon Gas in Ireland - Joint Position Statement by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
and the Health Service Executive, 2010
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Radon in building code – example – Denmark
Source: Building Regulations, The Danish Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs, Danish Enterprise
and Construction Authority, Copenhagen 12. of December 2010
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Radon in building code – example – Denmark
Source: Building Regulations, The Danish Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs, Danish Enterprise
and Construction Authority, Copenhagen 12. of December 2010
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Radon in building code – example – Finland
The National Building Code of Finland contains technical
regulations and instructions, which are given by decree of the
Ministry of the Environment
• The regulations are binding
• The instructions are not binding but present acceptable
solutions
Radon in the building code
• • Part D2, Ventilation and indoor climate (2012)
• • Part B3, Foundations (2004)
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Radon in building code – example – Finland
Part D2, Ventilation and indoor climate (2012)
• Regulation: Building shall be designed and constructed
such that there is no gases, particles ... in indoor air that
would cause health detriment/risk
(very unofficial translation)
• Instruction: Radon reference value: 200 Bq/m3 (annual
average)
• Guideline value/recommendation for design and construction
• Radon included for the first time in 1987
• No large effect
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Radon in building code – example – Finland
Key change in 2004
Part B3, Foundations (2004)
• Regulation: In the design and construction work, radon
risks at the construction site shall be taken into account.
• Instructions: Written statement if radon prevention is not
applied. …
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Radon in building code – example – Finland
• Radon-technical design documents have been required
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more often since 2004 by the building authorities in
municipalities (depending on the area)
Authorities do not control the installation of radon
preventive measures (no resources)
Radon measurement is not required in the building code
Some local authorities require/recommend radon
measurement
In practice, if radon level > 200 Bq/m3, construction
companies mitigate the house as a part of warranty
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Radon in building code – example – Finland
New guideline for radon prevention in 2003
• Use of a strip of bitumen felt for sealing and installation of
radon piping (a network of perforated pipes beneath floor)
• Resulted from the national research project
• Co-operation of STUK, Universities and private companies
• Published by Building Information Ltd (Rakennustieto Oy)
• Replaced the first guide published in 1993 by the Ministry
of Environment
• Updated in 2012
by STUK and
Building Information Ltd
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Radon in building code – example – Italy
• Preventive measures are recommended in ALL the new buildings (and
for renovations involving the lowest floor)
• standard (=> less expensive) methods
• problems of area or site classification are avoided
• Main components of preventive measures
• a membrane to reduce passively radon ingress
• a passive ventilation system installed in the crawl space (if it is present) or
in the sub-soil (fan can be applied, if necessary, after construction)
• Scope: reduce the ingress of radon from soil and provision for post
construction systems to facilitate a further reduction of radon
concentration, if necessary
• The final goal is to reduce both the global burden and individual (high) risks
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Radon in building code – example – Czech Republic
Standards ensure a uniform procedure for the design
and execution of proven technologies
Examples of standards from the Czech Republic
ČSN 73 0601 Protection of buildings against radon from the soil, 1995, 2000, 2006
ČSN 73 0602 Protection of buildings against radon and gamma radiation from
building materials, 2000, 2006
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Radon in building code – example – Czech Republic
Objective
Definitions
All necessary definitions including physical quantities, radon
measurements, preventive and corrective measures must be
provided.
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Radon in building code – example – Czech Republic
Principles of radon countermeasures
Rules for selecting preventive measures in dependence on radon
risk of foundation soils and corrective actions with respect to
indoor radon level should be summarized here.
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Radon in building code – example – Czech Republic
Procedures for designing and executing radon
countermeasures
Detailed design procedures for all proven measures (radon-proof
insulation, sub-slab depressurization, air gap ventilation, indoor air
ventilation, etc.) are described here.
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Radon in building code – example – Czech Republic
Materials for radon countermeasures
Requirements for materials and components of radon preventive
and corrective measures (radon-proof insulation, sealants, pipes,
fans, etc.) are listed here.
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Radon in building code – example – Czech Republic
Inspection of radon countermeasures and
verification of effectiveness
Inspection methods applied during the execution of radon
countermeasures and methods of determining the effectiveness
are listed here.
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Radon in building code – example – Canada
• Health Canada collaborates with the Federal Provincial Territorial
Radiation Protection Committee (FPTRPC)
• The Minister recommends that:
• Remedial measures should be undertaken in a dwelling whenever the
average annual radon concentration exceeds 200 Bq/m³ in the normal
occupancy area.
• The higher the radon concentration, the sooner remedial measures should
be undertaken.
• When remedial action is taken, the radon level should be reduced to a
value as low as practicable.
• The construction of new dwellings should employ techniques that will
minimize radon entry and will facilitate post-construction radon removal,
should this subsequently prove necessary.
Source: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/radiation/radon/guidelines_lignes_directrice-eng.php
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Radon in building code – example – Canada
• National Building Code (NBC) addresses the design and construction of
new buildings, as well as substantial renovations to existing buildings.
• NBC requirements to address protection from radon in new construction
and renovations appear in Parts 5, 6, and 9 and their corresponding
appendices.
• The NBC includes measures to reduce radon in new buildings.
• With respect to radon protection in new construction and renovations,
NBC provisions appear in Parts 5, 6, and 9 and their corresponding
appendices, and include:
• requirements relating to the control of soil gas ingress (including
requirements relating to the installation of air and soil gas barrier
systems, rough-ins for future radon mitigation, and airtight sump pits to
prevent the entry of radon;)
• requirements that engineers and designers consider radon protection in
their designs (Parts 5 and 6)
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Radon in building code – example – USA
• The U.S. does not have official national building codes
developed through a federal or national process and
adopted uniformly nationwide.
• Instead, there are recognized organizations that develop
codes and standards that are adopted by state or local
(municipal or county) governments, who may also modify
model codes to meet their specific needs.
• The codes and standards gain their enforcement authority
through the state and local government adoption
processes. Because of this, there is little uniformity across
the country and states and local governments are able to
modify the codes they adopt.
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Radon in building code – example – USA
• Building Codes for Radon-Resistant New Construction
(RRNC)
• The most common residential codes that address radonresistant building techniques are:
• Appendix F of the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC): Radon
Control Methods
• ASTM E1465-08: Standard Practice for Radon Control Options for
the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• Section 49.2.5 of NFPA5000TM: Radon Control Methods : The
National Fire Protection Association’s Building Construction and
Safety Guide
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TRAINING OF PROFESSIONALS
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Training of building professionals
Training of remedial action professionals (remediators)
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From RADPAR report “Radon and Remediation : The RADPAR recommendations”: - project Radon
Prevention and Remediation (RADPAR) which has received funding from the European Commission
DG SANCO Second Public Health Programme -
• Training of an adequate number of remediators is necessary in order to
manage an elevated number of remedial actions in existing dwellings.
Countries should determine an approximate number of remedial actions
required per geographical unit/region and base an estimate of trained
remediation personnel on this assessment.
• Properly trained remediators should be available at local level.
• Radon topics should be included in training/curricula of all building
professionals (architects, builders, building inspectors, etc.) in order to
obtain the necessary spread capability of remedial action in the long
term and to ensure a basic knowledge on radon which is required for
the implementation of the national prevention strategy.
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Training of building professionals
Training courses for building professionals help to
develop practical skills.
Courses should be designed for: architects, designers,
building engineers, contractors, professionals from
construction companies and building industry,
personnel from building inspection authorities, planning
offices, etc.
Content, duration and frequency should depend on the
level of knowledge of the audience.
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Training of building professionals
Possible content of courses
Based on RADPAR recommendations -http://web.jrc.ec.europa.eu/radpar/documents.cfm)
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General information about radon (geology, mapping…)
Health effects
Legislation related to the radon issue
Basics of radon measurements
Radon in buildings (sources, entry routes…)
Information about construction habits
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Building types and foundation types
Building materials
Air-tightness of building shell
Building ventilation and indoor air quality
Heating systems
Training of building professionals
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Principles of preventive and corrective measures
Preventive measures
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Input information (radon risk of foundation soils)
Conception of prevention
Examples of integration into the design
Products and systems
Corrective actions
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Diagnostic measurements
Building survey
Adaptation and integration of corrective actions
Examples of corrective actions
Products and systems
Theoretical and practical exercises (visits, case studies)
Examination
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Exams
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RADPAR - project Radon Prevention and Remediation (RADPAR) which has received
funding from the European Commission DG SANCO Second Public Health Programme
• Courses could end with examination which could be considered
as an element for accreditation of building professional.
• Course organization should be approved by authorities: content,
duration, examination level.
• Accreditation, if properly used, is a key tool for quality
management of professional education and for ensuring that
graduates have the competencies that correspond to accepted
professional standards and to the needs of the population.
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Accreditation
• Accreditation, if properly used, is a key tool for quality
management of professional education and for ensuring
that graduates have the competencies that correspond to
accepted professional standards and to the needs of the
population.
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Certification
• Certificate of successful attendance of the training may
increase the interest of participants in attending the course
(people like certificates)
• Passing the exams after completing the accredited course
and receiving certificate is the best way how to prove
abilities to customers.
• Certificate if acknowledged by regulatory body or if required
for licence application can be valid only for limited time (e.g.
5 years) and then required to be renewed  pushing the
trainees to maintain their knowledge.
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Regulation
• Connected to accreditation of education
• Requirements on:
• who is providing the education
• syllabus - content of training courses (mainly of those
which require passing the exams at the end of the
training)
• prerequisites which are important for the training and
minimum education of trainees
• content of exams
• ratio of theory and practical examples in training courses
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EXAMPLES
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Title
• Text
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Ref. Kunte/LfU ROOMS 2013
Example – E-learning (UK)
• Radon Awareness - This on-line radon awareness course
has been developed using Building Research Establishment’s
(BRE) unique and extensive research based experience and
over 25 years of practical knowledge gained from projects in
the UK and around the World.
• BRE is an independent and impartial, research-based
consultancy, testing and training organisation, offering expertise
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Example – E-learning
Details :
• Reference is made to BRE's guidance publications and Good Building
Guides, with other materials and illustrations supplied by the Health
Protection England and other expert bodies.
• Important messages are provided in an easy to understand format, with
reference to the theory of how remedial measures work to ensure an
overall understanding of the subject is achieved. Remedial measures
are explained in a step-by-step format using diagrams and
photographs.
• On completion of the web based course there is an opportunity to take
an on-line assessment. Successful candidates will receive a certificate
of training.
• This course counts as 2 hours towards Continuing Professional
Development
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Example – E-learning
Event programme
• The course covers:
• Health risks from exposure to radon
• Measurement – explanation of the radon action level and target
level
• Radon sump systems
• Natural and mechanical floor void ventilation
• Positive pressure ventilation
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http://www.cce.umn.edu/Radon-Courses-for-Professionals/CourseInformation/index.html
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Training - Finland
• Training of personnel in mitigation companies is part of the
radon campaigns
• Rising the supply and demand simultaneously
• Lectures during a day
• After participating to the training course, the contact
information of the company can be added to the contact list
of radon remediation companies at web site of regulatory
body
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“Radon mitigation guide”
• First guide through the activities of Ministry of environment,
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health,
Helsinki University of Technology and STUK
• Funding of ministries has been important
• First radon mitigation studies in 1985–1986
• First guide: Sub-slab suction, 1996
• STUK’s mitigation guide (136 pp.)
• In Finnish: STUK-A252, 2012 (2nd edition)
• In Swedish: STUK-A237, 2009
• Intended for professionals and
also for do-it-yourself remediators
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Canada
• Canadian – National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) is a
certification program designed to establish guidelines for training
professionals in radon services.
• Training of Radon Mitigation Professional:
• Complete Entry Level Radon Measurement Course (pre-requisite)
• Complete Entry Level Radon Mitigation Course
- 3.5 day classroom course or 24hr Online course
• Pass a C-NRPP Entry Level Radon Mitigation Exam:
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Education of radon experts from the scratch
• It will take a long time to pass the correct information
through out the entire field of house construction
• Possible steps
• Research
• Personally interested professor in the field of house construction
• Literature review, masters/graduate/PhD theses
• Development of guide (remediation and prevention)
• Education of others
• Licensing
• International cooperation in parallel
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Thank you for your attention!
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RLA9064/010, 3 – 7 September 2012
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Subsidy, grant for corrective actions
• Czech Republic
• Sweden (L. Hubbard, IRPA, 2011)
• Radon grants could be given for corrective actions which are
needed in order to decrease the radon concentration in
private homes to (bellow) 200 Bq/m3
• The grant is 50% of the approved cost, up to a maximum of
15 000 SEK (≈ 1500 Euros)
• Applications for radon grants should be sent to the local
authority.
• A condition for receiving a radon grant is that the radon
source has been identified by professional, corrective action
is designed by professional and that the radon concentration
is measured after corrective action is finished
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