scope:

This standard of practice specifies minimum requirements for methods that mitigate risks to occupants posed by the presence of radon gas and chemical vapors or gas in existing homes. This standard of practice is applicable to existing low-rise residential structures often classified as single-family structures and individual dwellings within a shared structure that contain no more than four attached dwelling units on a contiguous foundation.

Limitations

Source materials

This standard does not address practices associated with characterization, possession, handling, containment, generation, or disposal of radioactive or chemically contaminated materials.

Mitigation methods

This standard of practice addresses nearly all methods that reduce occupant exposure to radon or chemical vapors and gas in indoor air. However, it does not specify requirements related to removal or encapsulation of radioactive or chemical sources.

This standard does not specify requirements for practices related to:

a) removal of radon gas or chemicals from water or outdoor air;

b) biological or chemical methods that seek to neutralize toxicity of contaminated soil; and

c) soil vapor extraction (SVE), including contaminant capture and disposal methods.

Informative advisory-Active soil gas depressurization (ASD) methods prescribed in this standard mitigate occupant risk by preventing soil gas entry into occupied spaces. These designs need only address soil gas volumes that would otherwise intrude into a building. SVE designs that extract volatile organic compounds (VOC) mass from the soil are not designed to mitigate the current risk to occupants unless also demonstrating functional performance as required in Section 9 (Post-mitigation).

Combustible gas

This standard of practice does not address all practices that may be needed for mitigation of potentially combustible soil gases.

Jurisdictional compliance

This standard of practice does not contain all code or other requirements of the jurisdictions where the mitigation system is installed. Adherence to this standard does not guarantee or supersede compliance with the applicable codes or regulations of any federal, provincial, state, or local authority having jurisdiction.

Safety

This standard of practice is not intended to address all safety concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate health and safety practices, and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use of this standard.

Design and warranties

This standard of practice is not a complete design manual. Compliance with its provisions will not guarantee reduction of indoor radon or soil gas to any specific concentration.