Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Environmental Protection
Agency
&EPA
EPAl625/R-921016
June 1994
ACTIVE
OUTDOOR
POSITIVE
PRESSURE
AIR
SOIL DEPRESSURIZATION
5Y STEM
POSITIVE
PRESSURE
POLYURETI-IANE SEALAN
GATIVE
PRE 55URE
NEGATIVE
PRESSU
EPA/625/R-92/016
June 1994
Prepared by
Kelly W. Leovic and A. 6. Craig
Printed on RecycledPaper
Notice
The U.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency (EPA) strivesto provide accurate,complete, and useful information.However, neitherEPA nor any personcontributing to the
preparationof this documentmakesany warranty,expressedor implied,with respectto the
usefulnessor effectivenessof any information, method, or processdisclosed in this
material.Nor doesEPA assumeany liability for, or for damagesarisingfrom, the useof
any information,method,or processin this document.Mention of firms, tradenames,or
commercialproductsin this documentdoesnot constituteendorsementor recommendation
for use.
ii
Contents
ii
Notice...............................................................................................................................................................
V
Figures..............................................................................................................................................................
V
Tables...............................................................................................................................................................
vi
Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................
Vii
Metric ConversionFactors............................................................................................................................
...
Vlll
Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................................
1
1. Introductionand Overview.......................................................................................................................
1
1.1 Purpose..............................................................................................................................................
1.2 Scope and Content ............................................................................................................................. 1
2
1.3 Radonand its Sources.......................................................................................................................
.2
1.3.1 Why is Radona Problem?.................................................................................................
3
1.3.2 How RadonEntersa Building ............................................................................................
5
1.3.3 How to Determineif RadonPreventionis Needed............................................................
6
1.4 RadonPreventionTechniques...........................................................................................................
6
1.4.1 Soil Depressurization..........................................................................................................
7
1.4.2 Building Pressurization.......................................................................................................
8
1.4.3 SealingRadonEntry Routes...............................................................................................
9
.................................................
1.5 Why RadonPreventionShouldbe Consideredin Building Design
11
2. TechnicalConstructionInformation.......................................................................................................
11
...............................................................................................
2.1 Active Soil Depressurization (ASD)
12
2.1.1 ASD Designand Installation............................................................................................
12
2.1.1.1 Aggregate............................................................................................................
13
................................................
.....................................................
2.1.1.2 SubslabWalls
13
2.1.1.3 RadonSuctionPits .............................................................................................
16
2.1.1.4 RadonVent Pipe.................................................................................................
19
.........................................................................................................
2.1.1.5 SuctionFan
20
2.1.1.6 SealingMajor RadonEntry Routes....................................................................
20
2.1.2 Operationand Maintenance..............................................................................................
22
2.1.2.1 BeforeOccupancy..............................................................................................
22
2.1.2.2 Weekly................................................................................................................
22
2.1.2.3 Annually .............................................................................................................
22
.............................................................................
2.1.3 Additional Instructionsfor Basements
22
2.1.4 Additional Instructionsfor Crawl Spaces.........................................................................
.24
2.1.5 ASD Cost Estimates.........................................................................................................
24
.......................................................................
2.1.6 Summaryof Guidelinesfor ASD Systems
.. .
III
Contents (continued)
24
2.2 Building Pressurizationand Dilution .............................................................................................
24
2.2.1 DesignRecommendations
for HVAC Systems...............................................................
26
2.2.2 Standardsfor Ventilation .................................................................................................
26
2.2.3 Guidelinesfor Installationand Operation........................................................................
26
2.2.4 Maintenance.....................................................................................................................
27
2.2.5 Summaryof Building PressurizationGuidelines.............................................................
27
2.3 SealingRadonEntry Routes...........................................................................................................
28
2.3.1 RecommendedSealants...................................................................................................
28
2.3.2 SealingConcreteSlabs.....................................................................................................
28
2.3.2.1 SlabJoints..........................................................................................................
28
2.3.2.2 SlabPenetrationsand Openings........................................................................
29
2.3.2.3 CrackPrevention................................................................................................
29
2.3.2.4 SubslabMembranes...........................................................................................
29
2.3.3 SealingBelow-GradeWalls.............................................................................................
29
2.3.3.1 Wall Types.........................................................................................................
30
2.3.3.2 Coatingsfor Below-GradeWalls ......................................................................
31
2.3.4 SealingCrawl Spaces.......................................................................................................
31
..........................................................................
2.3.5 Summaryof SealingRecommendations
31
2.4 Guidelinesfor MeasuringRadonLevels........................................................................................
33
CaseStudy........................................................................................................................
AppendixA:
35
AppendixB:
References........................................................................................................................
37
................................................................................
and
Contacts
Regional
Offices
AppendixC:
EPA
38
Addendum.....................................................................................................................................................
38
IncreasingPressureField Extensionby Modifying SubslabWalls ...............................................
38
ImprovedSuctionPits ....................................................................................................................
iv
Figures
l-l
l-2
l-3
1-4a
I-4b
l-5
l-6
2
Radondecaychart. ...........................................................................................................................
3
Examplesof negativepressuresourcesin a typical building. .........................................................
4
Typical radonentry routesin slab-on-gradeconstruction................................................................
Typical radonentry routesin concreteblock basementwalls. ........................................................ 4
5
Typical radonentry routesin pouredconcretebasementwalls. ......................................................
5
Typical crawl spacefoundationentry routes....................................................................................
7
Subslabdepressurizationtheory.......................................................................................................
2-l
2-2a
2-2b
2-3a
2-3b
2-3~
2-3d
2-4a
2-4b
2-5
2-6
2-7
.2-8
2-9
2-10
2-11
2-12
2-13
12
Typical subslabdepressurizationsystem.......................................................................................
14
....................................................................................................
Interior footing/foundationwall.
14
Thickenedslabfooting. ..................................................................................................................
15
Outsidewalls and postload bearing...............................................................................................
16
Interior walls betweenroomsand outsidewalls load bearing.......................................................
17
Hall and outsidewalls load bearing...............................................................................................
18
All interior walls load bearing........................................................................................................
18
Section1 (correspondsto Figures2-3aand b). ..............................................................................
19
Section1 (correspondsto Figure 2-3~andd). ...............................................................................
20
Radonsuctionpit. ...........................................................................................................................
21
Sealingpipe penetrationsthroughroof. .........................................................................................
23
Submembrane
depressurizationin crawl space..............................................................................
25
Building positivepressurizationwith HVAC system....................................................................
26
Exampleof building depressurizationwith HVAC system..........................................................
Everyother interior wall block is turnedon its sideto allow soil gasto passthrough.................39
39
Interior CMU wall..........................................................................................................................
40
...........................................................................................................
Revisedsubslabsuctionpit.
40
Smallersubslabsuctionpit.............................................................................................................
Tables
2-l
2-2
24
EstimatedCostsfor PrimaryASD Components............................................................................
27
......................
Examplesof OutdoorAir Requirementsfor Ventilation in CommercialFacilities
A-l
Abstract
It is typically easierand much lessexpensiveto designand constructa new building
with radon-resistantand/or easy-to-mitigatefeatures,than to add thesefeaturesafter the
building is completedandoccupied.Therefore,whenbuilding in an areawith thepotential
for elevatedradon levels, architectsand engineersshould use a combinationof radon
preventionconstructiontechniques.To determineif your building site is located in a
radon-pronearea,consultyour EPA RegionalOffice or stateor local radiationoffice.
We recommendthe following threeradonpreventiontechniquesfor constructionof
schoolsand other large buildingsin radon-proneareas:(1) install an activesoil depressurization (ASD) system,(2) pressurizethe building using the heating,ventilating,and airconditioning(HVAC) system, and (3) sealmajor radon entry routes.Specificguidelines
on how to incorporatetheseradon preventionfeaturesin the designand constructionof
schoolsand other largebuildings are detailedin this manual.
Chapter 1 of this manual is a generalintroduction for those who needbackground
informationon the indoor radon problemand the techniquescurrently being studiedand
applied for radon prevention.The level of detail is aimed at developingthe readers
understandingof underlyingprinciplesand might best be usedby school officials or by
architectsand engineerswho needa basicintroduction.
Chapter 2 of this manual provides comprehensiveinformation, instructions,and
guidelines about the topics and constructiontechniquesdiscussedin Chapter 1. The
sectionsin Chapter2 contain much more technicaldetail and may be best usedby the
architects,engineers,and buildersresponsiblefor the specificconstruction details.
vi
YieldsMetric
Times
liters (L)
liter per second(L/s)
meter(m)
liters (L)
watts (WI
centimeters(cm)
pas&s (Pa)
micrometers(pm)
becquerelsper cubic meter(Bq/m)
pa=aB (Pa)
squaremeter(m*)
28.3
0.47
0.305
3.79
746
2.54
248.9
25.4
37
6894.8
0.093
vii
Acknowledgments
The information containedin this technicaldocumentis basedlargely on research
conductedby the Air and Energy EngineeringResearchLaboratory (AEERL) of the
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencys (EPAs) Office of Researchand Development.
W.A. Turner of the H.L. Turner Group and T. Brennan of CamrodenAssociates
preparedthe initial draft of the documentin 1991undercontractnumberOD2009NCSA.
ScottR. Spiezleof SpiezleArchitecturalGrouppreparedthefiguresundercontractnumber
68-DO-0097. Technical writing serviceswere provided by the Kelton Group under
contractnumber2D0682NASA.
Drafts of this documenthavebeenreviewedby a large numberof individualsin the
governmentand in the privateand academicsectors.Commentsfrom thesereviewersin
additionto thosefrom the individualslistedabovehavehelpedsignificantlyto improvethe
completeness,accuracy,and clarity of the document.The following reviewersoffered
input: William Angel1of MidwestUniversitiesRadonConsortium; Timothy M. Dyessand
D. Bruce Henschelof EPAs AEERL; DeaneE. Evansof AJA/ACSA Joint Council on
ArchitecturalResearch;KennethGadsbyof PrincetonUniversity; Patrick Holmesof the
Kentucky Division of CommunitySafety:NormanGrant of Quoin Architectsand Engineers:GeneFisher,JedHarrison,DaveMurane,DavePrice, and Brian Ligman of EPAs
Office of RadiationPrograms;Clifford Phillips of Fairfax County Pubic Schools;Steve
Sandersof Auburn University;DaveSaumof INFILTEC; Arthur E. Wheelerof Wheeler
EngineeringCo.; LarraineKohler of EPA Region2; Bill Bellangerof EPA Region3; Steve
Chambersof EPA Region7; Phil Nyberg of EPA Region8; Michael Bandrowskiof EPA
Region 9; Kevin Teichmanof EPAs Office of Technology Transfer and Regulatory
Support; Ruth Robenolt of EPAs Office of Communications;Jerry L. Clement of
EducationalFacilities in Houston,TX; and ThomasE. Toricelli of T.E. Toricelli AIA
Architects.
..
VIII
Chapter 1
Introduction and Overview
1.1
Purpose
1.3
Radon is a colorless,odorless,radioactivegasproduced
by the radioactivedecayof radium-226,an elementfound in
varying concentrationsin manysoils andbedrock.Figure 1-l
showsthe seriesof elementsthatbegin with uranium-238and
eventuallydecayto lead-210.Of all theelementsandisotopes
in the decaychain,radon is the only gas.Becauseradon is a
gas,it caneasilymovethroughsmallspacesbetweenparticles
of soil and thusentera building. Radoncanentera building as
a component of the soil gas and reach levels many times
higher thanoutdoor levels.
Lead
19.4
Figure l-l.
l-7
vention techniquesduring building design and construction entry. Sourcesof negativepressurein a typical building are
will reduce the chance that a building will have a radon shownin Figure 1-2.
problemand also reducethe cost of reducingradon levels,if
Other Ways Radon Enters a Building
needed.
Radonalso can enter buildings when there are no pres1.32
How Radon Enters a Building
sure differences.This type of radon movement is called
The most commonway for radon to enter a building is diffusion-driventransport.Diffusion is the samemechanism
from the soil gas through pressure-driventransport.Radon that causesa drop of food coloring placedin a glassof water
can also enter a building through diffusion, well water, and to spreadthrough the entire glass.Diffusion-driventransport
constructionmaterials.Thesemodesof radonentry arebriefly is rarely the causeof elevatedradon levels in existingbuildexplainedbelow.
ings. It is also highly unlikely that diffusion contributessignificantly to elevatedradon levels in schoolsand other large
Pressure-Driven Transport
buildings.
Radoncanentera building throughpressure-driventransAnother way radon can enter a building is through well
port only if all of the following four conditionsexist:
water. In certain areas of the country, well water that is
supplied directly to a building and that is in contact with
1) a sourceof radium to produceradon
radium-bearingformations can be a source of radon in a
2) a pathway from the sourceto the building
building. At this writing, the only known healthrisk associatedwith exposureto radonin water is the airborneradonthat
3) an openingin the building to permit radonto enterthe is releasedfrom the water when it is used.A generalrule for
building
housesis that 10,000 pCi/L of radon in water contributes
4) a driving force to moveradon from the sourceinto the approximately1 pCi/L to airborneradon levels.It is unlikely
that municipalwater suppliedfrom a surfacereservoirwould
building throughthe opening
containelevatedlevelsof radonand,thus,buildingsusingthis
Pressure-driventransportis the mostcommonway radon sourceof water should not needto conduct radon testingof
enters a building. Pressure-driventransport occurs when a the water.
lower indoor air pressuredraws air from the soil or bedrock
Radon can also emanatefrom building materials.Howinto thebuilding. This transporthappensin many schoolsand
other large buildingsbecausethesebuildings usuallyoperate ever, this has rarely been found to be the causeof elevated
at an inside air pressurelower than that of the surrounding levelsin existingschoolsandotherlargebuildings.The extent
soil. Negative pressure inside buildings is due in part to of the use of radium-contaminatedbuilding materialsis unbuilding shell effects.For example,indoor/outdoortempem- known but is generallybelievedto be very small.
turedifferences,wind, and air leaksin the shellof thebuilding
Becausepressure-driventransport is by far the most
can contribute to negative pressuresin the building. The commonway radon entersa building. this manualdots not
designand operationof mechanicalventilation systemsthat addressthe other ways that radoncan enter a building.
depressurizethe building can also greatly influence radon
Roof Exhaust Fan
Positive Pressure
@=
Figure 1-2.
Negative Pressure
Floor Joist
Floor Joints/Cracks
Concrete Floor Slab
11 Perimeter
Poured
Positive Pressure
= Negative Pressure
Plumbing Pipe
\lT
CL-.,.. L-.ic.*
Wall Joints/Cracks
Floor Joints/Cracks
Concrete Floor Slab
0+
= Positive Pressure
@ = Negative Pressure
Flgure l-4a.
Joints/Cracks
Figure Mb.
11 Perimeter
= Negative Pressure
_ ,.
Wall Penetration
Floor Penetration
Plumbing Penetration
4,
I.
Earth Floor
z Positive Pressure
0
Figure i-5.
1.3.3
= Negative Pressure
1.4
1.4. I
Soil Depressurization
DepressurizationFan
HigherAir Pressure
Figure l-6.
Subslab depressurkatlon
= Positive Pressure
I NegativePressure
theory.
Eliminateall majorbarriersto extensionof the subslab ings can easily overcomea passivesystem.Also, the large
number of radon suction pits and vent pipes neededfor
low pressurezone,suchas interior subslabwalls.
systemsto be effectivein a largebuilding would make
. Install radon suction pit(s) beneath the slab in the passive
installationmoreexpensivethan an ASD system.Therefore,
aggregate(one radon suction pit for each area sepa- in radon-proneareaswe recommendyou do not usepassive
ratedby subslabwalls).
soil depressurizationsystems.We do recommend,as a mini. Install a vent stackfrom the radon suctionpit(s) under mum,that the designfeaturesfor an ASD systembe roughedin for later activationif needed.
the slab to the roof.
. Install a suctionfan on the vent stack.(The fan should ASD Costs
be operatedcontinuously,and the systemshould be
Severalfactorsaffectthe costof an activesoil depressurequipped with a warning device to indicate loss of ization system.Incrementalinstallation costs for a system
negativepressurethroughfan failure or other causes.) designedinto a new largebuilding rangefrom aslow as$0.10
per ft2 of earth contact area to more than $0.75 per ft2,
.
Sealall major slaband foundationpenetrations.
dependingon the availability of aggregateand sealingcosts
Rough-in for an ASD System
(3,4,5,6,7,8). If aggregateis aheadypart of the design,the
costswill be at the low end. Incorporationof the aggregate
A rough-in for an ASD systemis the sameas an ASD and vapor retarderis consideredgood architecturalpractice
systemexcept there is no fan. For new constructionwhere and is required by code in most areas of the U.S., and,
radonlevelsareelevatedevenmarginally,the installationof a thereforewould not be considereda radon-preventioncost.
rough-in systemis a prudentinvestmentandis recommended.
For comparison,a recent EEA survey showedthat the
If a building is found to havea radonproblem,thena rough-in
can easily be convertedinto an ASD systemby installing a averagecostfor installingASD in an existingschoolis about
fan.
$0.50per ft* (9). Thesecostscould rangefrom about$0.10up
to $3.00 per ft* of earth contactfloor area dependingon the
Passive Soil Depressurization
structureand subslabmaterials.
Architectsand engineersmayask,Is it possibleto install 1.4.2
Building Pressurization
a soil depressurizationsystemthat works passively(that is,
Building pressurizationinvolvesbringing in moreair to
without a fan)? Although researchhas shown that passive
systemsare sometimeseffective in home construction,they the building than is exhausted,causing a slightly positive
are not recommendedfor use in schools and other large pressureinside the building relative to the subslabarea.The
buildings.Many competingnegativepressuresin largebuild- positivepressurein thebuilding causesair to flow from inside
thebuilding to the outdoorsthroughopeningsin the substruc.
Limitations of Sealing
Many constructionmaterialsare effectiveair and water
barriersand also retard the transferof radon-containingsoil
gas.In practicehowever,the difficulties that arisewhenusing
sealingand physical barrier techniquesas the only meansof
control are virtually insurmountable.Physical barriers have
proven to be frequently damagedduring installation; more
over, failure to seal a single opening can negatethe entire
effort, especiallywhen radonconcentrationsare high. Nevertheless,you should seal major radon entry routes: not only
will sealingretardradontransferbut sealingwill alsoincrease
the effectivenessof ASD and building pressurization.
Building depressurizationcausedby the I-WAC system (or other fans) exhaustingmore air than is supplied.
Chapter 2
Technical Construction Information
As outlined in Chapter 1, there are three practical and Principles of Operation
cost-effectiveapproachesto preventingelevatedradonlevels
An ASD systempreventsradonentry by creatinga negain new buildings.
tive-pressurezone beneaththe slab. If the negative-pressure
. Active Soil Depressurization(Section2.1)
zone is extendedthroughoutthe entire subslabarea,air will
flow from the building into the soil, effectively sealingslab
. Building Pressurization(Section2.2)
andfoundationcracksandholes,andthuspreventingtheentry
of radon-containingsoil gas.Figure 2-l illustratesa typical
.
SealingRadonEntry Routes(Section2.3)
ASD system.
EPA recommendsusing all three of thesemethodsto
To createthis negative-pressure
zone,a radon suctionpit
ensureeffectiveandreliable radon control.
is installedin the aggregateunderthe slab.This subslabpit is
The following three sectionspresentdetailed technical then connectedto a vent pipe that runs from the pit to the
information for implementingthe aboveapproaches.These outdoors.A suctionfan is connectedto the pipe outsideof the
sectionsmight best be used by the architectsand engineers building to producethe negative-pressurezone beneaththe
who aredevelopingthe specificationsand constructiondraw- slab,hencethe systemis active. A lower air pressurein a
ingsfor thebuilding,andby thecontractorwho is building the building relativeto the surroundingsoil is what drawsradonstructure.Guidelinesfor conductingradon measurementsin containingsoil gasinto a building. The ASD systemreverses
schools and other large buildings are briefly discussedin thepressuredifference-and thusthe airflow directionat the
Section2.4.
slab - causing the subslabpressureto be lower than the
indoor pressure.This air pressuredifferential keepsradon2.1
Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) containing
soil gasfrom enteringthe building.
This sectiondescribeshow to design,install, and mainThis manual describesthe design and installation of a
kti an ASD system.The discussionpertainsto slab-on-grade
complete
ASD system.A soil depressurizationsystemcould
substructuressincemost new schoolsand other large buildalso
be
roughed-in
and activatedwith a fan later,if needed.
ings are constructedslab-on-grade.Guidelinesfor basement
For
new
construction,
where radon levelsmay be evenmarsubstructuresare similar to slab-on-gradebuildings, except
that basementwalls add anotherpotential radon entry point ginally elevated,the installation of a rough-in systemis a
that mustbe sealed.The applicationof ASD to basementsis prudent investmentand is recommended.If the completed
briefly coveredin Section2.1.3. Radon control in buildings building hasa radonproblem,thentheroughed-insoil depreswith crawl spacesubstructuresis addressedin Section2.1.4. surizationsystemcan easily be madeactive at a low cost by
addinga fan.
In mostpartsof the U.S., designandconstructionof new
Architectsandengineersmayask,Is it possibleto inskdl
buildingswith ASD systemsis relativelyeasyandcosteffeca
soil
depressurizationsystemthat works passively(that is,
tive. Incorporating an ASD system into a new building is
without
a fan)? Although researchhas shown that passive
highly recommendedin radon-proneareas,since effective
operationof an ASD systemis dependenton building design systemsare sometimeseffectivein home construction,they
factors.Although it is possibleto addan ASD systemafterthe are not recommendedfor use in schools and other large
building is complete,the cost and effectivenessof the system buildings.Many competingnegativepressuresin largebuildwill be directly influencedby building designparametersthat ings can easily overcomea passivesystem.Also, the large
can be easilycontrolledduring building designandconstruc- number of radon suction pits and vent pipes needed for
tion. Certain parameters,such as aggregateselection and passivesystemsto beeffectivein a largebuilding would make
subslabwalls, cannotbe practically modified in an existing installationmore expensivethan an ASD system.Therefore,
in radon-proneareaswe recommendyou do not usepassive
building.
soil depressurizationsystems.We do recommend,as a minimum, that the designfeaturesfor an ASD systemshould be
roughed-mfor later activationif needed.
11
Positive Pressure
@ = Negative
Pressure
Figure 2-l.
2.1.1
4)
5)
f-2
2.1 .l .l Aggregate
Figure2-l illustrateshow the creationandextensionof a
negativepressurefield beneaththe slab will causeair to flow
from the building into the subslabarea. This direction of
airflow will prevententry of soil gas into the building. The
radon-containingsoil gas is drawn up the vent pipe and
exhaustedoutdoorswhereit will be quickly diluted to ambient
levels.
PolyWethane
Sealant ,
Slab-on-Grade
.f &._
Aggregate (ASTM
Size #5 or
Equivalent)
7--
Figure 2-2a.
Interior footing/foundation
Compacted Soil
Slab-on-Grade
Aggregate (ASTM
Size #5 or
Equivalent)
Compacted Soil
Figure 2-2b.
systemsin existingbuildings becauseof the easeof installation. However,new constructionprovides the designerwith
the flexibility for selectingthe mostconvenientand effective
location for the radon suction pit and vent stack. When the
slabis pouredovertheradonsuctionpit asshownin Figure25, be sure to follow appropriate structural guidelines for
reinforcedconcrete.
Location of Radon Suction Pits
Figure 2.3a.
2-4a
Figure 2.3b.
Interior walls between rooms and outside walls load bearlng. Not to scale.
passive
2.1.1.4
Specifications
For new constructionof schoolsand other large buildings,EPA recommends6-in. diametersolid PVC pipe. Other
sizesare available;4-in. pipe is normally used for drainage
systemsand plumbing stacksand is easyto route vertically.
However,if you arenot planningon sealingexpansionjoints,
we recommend you use vertical piping at least 6 in. in
diameter,This sizepipe is necessarysincegreaterairflow will
be neededto producethe samelevel of subslabsuctionand
pressurefield extensionas a systemwith sealedexpansion
joints.
Building Codes
PVC radon vent pipes are typically used in existing
buildingsbecauseof their easeof handlingandcost;however,
building codesin someareasof the countrymight preventthe
use of PVC piping in some sectionsof buildings. For example, specialrestrictionssometimesapply to pipe used in
firewall penetrationsand plenums above dropped ceilings.
16
Figure 2-3~.
Labeling of SystemComponents
Piping installation
Attention to detail while installing the verticalriserswill
help ensurethe proper operationand long life of the system.
Startingat the floor slab,sealany openingsbetweenthe pipe
andthe floor slab with a high adhesivesealant(polyurethane
is currentlypreferred).Also, sealall pipingjoints. An illustration of sealingpipe penetrationsthroughthe roof is shownin
Figure 2-6. Additional details on sealantsand sealing are
providedin Section2.3.
It is importantthat all horizontalpipe runs are pitcheda
minimum of l/8 in. per ft so that accumulatingcondensation
17
r--------------
I
I
I
I
I
i
I
I
I
I
~
L-e,,
II
I
1 1
* .
i
F-1
I >; I
kLw*
Jl -----e-w
.- -__------_--~~--
I
I
I
I
I
-f
1
----
n-x--
:
3
T
I
-------------------------
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
y!T
gzyt!ki
Encased (Typ.)
S&slab
Footing
Similar
1
I
I
I
I
I
I
L----------_-_-----------___,--____-____----------------------------
Figure 2-3d.
Ceiling
1 Slab-on-Grade
Figure 2-4a.
ii3l
/
Roof Exhaust Fan
Ceiling
ASTM Size #5
Aggregate or
Equivalent
/
Figure 2-4b.
Radon Suctinn
Pitt
A suctionfan can be installedduring building construction or the piping can be terminatedand cappedat roof level
and the fan installedlater. As discussedpreviously,passive
systems(without a fan) are not recommendedfor radon
control in schoolsandother largebuildings.ASD systemfans
shouldbe operatedcontinuously;otherwiseelevatedlevelsof
radonmay accumulate.The costof operatingthe fan contimrously is comparableto the costof operatingany otherexhaust
fan in the building (suchasa restroomexhaustfan).
Warning Device
ASD systemdesignersshouldinclude a devicethat warns
building ownersand occupantsif the systemis not operating
properly. A preferredwarning systemhas an electronicpressuresensingdevicethatactivatesa warning light or an audible
alarm whena systempressuredrop occurs.Thesearereadily
availablefrom severalsuppliers.We adviseinstallinga device
that warns of a pressurechangerather than one that deter19
8 x 8 x 8 Concrete Block
- 8 x 8 x 8 Concrete Block
r-
Figure 2-5.
Top of Stack
5 from Any Air intake
4 or 6 PVC Pipe
Polyurethane Sealant Applied Behind
Turnuo
and
on
of
Dm
I._ -.-N
Band
--.--r
----.. Too
--r
-. the
b--kf
- EDPM Boot
Slip Sheet
(if required)-
Figure 2-6.
21
2.1.2.2 Weekly
Check the pressuregauge(s)in the radon ventpipes and
the system alarm to ensurethat the fan is mainkining adequatenegativepressureto depressurizethe subslabarea.
2.1.2.3 Annually
Inspect the fan for bearing failure or signs of other
abnormaloperation,andrepair or replaceif required.
To me<asure
PFE, it is necessaryto drill about 10 small
holes(approximatelyl/4 to l/2 in. diameter)throughthe slab
at variousdistancesand directionsfrom the suction pit. Be
sureto carefully determinethe locationsof all subslabutility
linesbeforedrilling throughthe slab.Then,with the ASD fan
off, meaSurethe subslabpressurein eachof the holes.This
should be done using a sensitive device such as a
micromanometer;however,somethingas simpleas a chemical smokestick couldbe usedto determineif air flows into the
slab.Thesemeasurementsshould then be repeatedwith the
ASD fan turnedon. Oncethe PFEtestsarecomplete,theholes
shouldbe carefully sealedwith concretepatchingmaterial.
2.1.3
Additional instructions
Basements
for
2.7.4
Additional
Spaces
Instructions
for Craw!
and vent stack are used to pull radon from under the membrane and exhaustit outside the building. Active SMD has
been widely applied in houses;limited experienceindicates
that it is also effectivein schools(16). This approachmay be
expensivein large crawl spacesdue to the need for large
amountsof polyethylene sheeting;however, becausebuildings often usepolyethylenesheetingas a vaporretarder,the
sheetingwould not necessarilybe consideredan additional
mitigation cost.
To install a SMD system,placewide polyethylenesheets
(with at least 1 ft overlapsbetweenthe sheets)directly on the
earth. Be sure to remove any large rocks, broken concrete
blocks,or otherobstructionsbeforeplacement.After the sheet
is placed, we recommendthat you seal the seamsin the
polyethylenein the vicinity of the suction point to increase
systemeffectiveness.Use the specialsealantsrecommended
by the manufacturersof the sheetingfor gluing polyethylene
together.Where the soil surface is exceptionallyhard and
smoothor thecrawl spaceis very large,usea radonsuctionpit
or perforatedpiping manifoldedunderthesheetingto improve
the pressurefield extension.In large crawl spaceswith many
support piers it might be more difficult to install SMD. If
many supportpiers exist, or if the radon suctionpoint hasto
be locatedcloseto supportpiers,sealthe polyethylenesheeting to the piers.
The polyethylene sheeting can also be sealed to the
foundationwalls to reduceair leaks;however,this additional
sealinghasproved to be unnecessaryin someexistingbuild-
Permeable Material or
Perforated Pipe Network
Figure 2-7.
Submembrane depressurizaiion
E Positive Pressure
P Negative Pressure
In crawl space.
23
2.1.5
Building Pressurization
Dilution
and
Table 2-1.
ASD Feature
Material Cost
Comments
Minimal
Suction fan
Firebreaks
24
Exhaust Fan
u,wuw~mauaes
necycleo Air 80,000 CFM
CFM
E Positive Pressure
= Negative Pressure
Figure 2-8.
25
Exhaust Fan
Infiltration
10,000 CFM
-m
Infiltration
10,000 CFM
/
@= Positive Pressure
Q=
Figure 2-9.
2.2.2
Negative Pressure
2.2.3
and
2.2.4
Maintenance
26
Table 2-2.
Examples of Outdoor Air Requirements for Ventilation in Commercial Facilities (Source: ASHRAE Standard 62-1989)
Type of Facility
Estimated Occupancy,
Persons per 1000 ft2 of floor
Lobbies
Conference Rooms
Assembly Rooms
Dormitory Sleeping Areas
Office Spaces
Reception Areas
Smoking Lounges
Barber Shops
Beauty Shops
Supermarkets
Ballrooms & Discos
Transportation Waiting Rooms
School Classrooms
School Laboratories
School Auditoriums
Hospital Patient Rooms
Operating Rooms
Correctional Cells
Area
30
50
120
20
7
60
70
25
25
8
100
100
50
30
150
10
20
20
15
20
15
15
20
15
60
15
25
15
25
15
15
20
15
25
30
20
Annually
. Replaceair filters at leasttwice a year if high quality,
medium efficiency pleated air filters are used and
more frequentlyif non-pleatedor disposablelow efficiencyfilters areused.
. Check the HVAC systemand exhaustfans to determine if they arebeingoperatedasdesigned.Excessive
exhaustwithout adequatemakeupair will depresstuize
the building, rendering building pressurizationineffective.
. Inspect the HVAC systemcomponentsand controls
for failure or signsof faulty operation(suchas lossof
dampercontrol) that would restrict the supply of outdoor air. Note: two states,California and Maine, currently requireannualinspectionsfor correctoperation
of the ventilation systemsin schools;other statesare
consideringsimilar requirements.
. If an ASD systemis also installed, inspect the dischargelocationof the ASD ventpipe to ensurethat an
air intake has not been located nearby, or building
usagechangehasnot placedthe exhaustnearoperable
windows.
A well-balancedair distributionsystem
Adequatemakeupair
2.3.1
Recommended
Sealants
Sump Holes
Polymer-modifiedasphalt:polymer-modifiedasphalt
is anothercold-appliedliquid waterproofmgsystem.
As with thesystemmentionedabove,the quality of the
installationdependson the applicator,andit is difficult
to achievean evencoatingon a vertical surface.High
gradepolymer-modifiedasphaltis superiorto coal tar
modified polyurethanein elasticity, crack-spanning
ability, and resealability, but inferior in its resistance
to chemicals(5).
30
2.3.4
2.3.5
Summary of Sealing
Recommendations
32
Appendix A
Case Study
Application of Radon Prevention Design Features to a
Johnson City Rehabilitation Hospital Building
Background
Information
Results
Upon completionof the building, radonlevelsweremeasuredin half of the building using open-facedcharcoalcanisters.The I-IVAC and the ASD systemswere off for this first
set of measurements.
Radonlevelsrangedfrom lessthan 0.5
pCi/L (lowest detectablelevel with the open-facedcanisters
used)to 53 pCi/L. The highestlevelswere in the bathrooms,
particularly thoseattachedto the patient rooms.The patient
room with the highest bathroom radon level had a radon
readingof 10pCi/L. This wasthe highestradonlevelfoundin
any non-bathroomareain the buihling.
Table A-l.
cost ($)
0
2583
1275
1510
$5368
Conclusions
34
Appendix B
References
ing, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
Inc., Atlanta, 1989.
1. U.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,and U.S. Public
Health Service.A Citizens Guide to Radon(Second
Edition), May 1992.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
36
Appendix C
EPA Regional Offices and Contacts
Region 1
Region 6
Region 2
(NJ, NY)
26 FederalPlaza
New York, NY 10278
Attention: RadiationProgramManager
(212) 2644418
Region 8
Region 3
Region 9
Region 5
Region 10
37
Addendum
This addendum to the technical guidance manual, Radon Prevention in the Design andConstruction of Schoolsand
Other Large Buildings, is included in this printing of the
manual in order to make available new technology which has
been developed and field-verified since the manual was initially printed. In the future, the entire manual will be revised
and all new technology, including this addendum, will be
incorporated into the body of the manual.
CMUs turned on their sides.In the school where this was first
demonstrated,the contractor made the change to all interior
walls at no extra cost. Basedon these resuits, we recommend
that blocks be turned on all interior walls in buildings in which
ASD is installed except toilet walls serving as pipe chases.
These should not be turned and should be sealedfrom any
open contact with the subslabaggregate.
38
Figure 2-10.
Every other lnterlor wall block Is turned on Its side to allow soll gas to pass through.
CMU Wall
4 Concrete Slab on
10 mil Vapor Barrier
.
,
\U
u/Y./
,v
I
h I
Ik/,
Figure 2-11.
Footing
11/2x18 Ga.TypeB
Gab. Mtl. Deck
I
6 - #4 Rebar x 8 0 Long
E.W. Centered Over Pit
6 Suction Pipe
Figure 2-12.
Poured Concrete
Base
Rigid
Direction
Steel Plate
wee;;0
Metal
Decking
Cylinder
Figure 2-13.
Pipe (8 Pit)
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PRINTING
OFFICE:
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