Current through September 18, 2024
2.4.1
Purpose and Scope
A. Testing protocols for radon in air are
designed:
1. To identify structures in which
the potential exists for elevated radon concentrations;
2. When elevated concentrations are found, to
specify follow-up testing procedures to determine the level of occupant
exposure; and
3. When elevated
concentrations are verified using follow-up testing procedures, to initiate
appropriate remediation activities.
2.4.2
Buildings Requiring Radon
Testing
All public and high priority buildings, as defined in
§2.3.1 of this Part, must be tested for radon or radon progeny by a
certified radon inspector according to the procedures, schedules and protocols
contained in this section.
2.4.3
Initial Testing of Public and High Priority Buildings
A. It is the responsibility of the owner of a
public or high priority building or buildings to:
1. Submit a radon testing schedule to the
Department, identifying each building and the dates of initial short-term radon
testing scheduled for each building. Testing schedules shall be designed to
ensure that child occupied buildings are completed first.
2. Complete all initial short-term testing
within three (3) years after the effective date of this Part.
3. Report all short-term test results to the
Department within thirty (30) days of receipt of results.
4. Retest any area which has initial
short-term test results of 4 pCi/L (0.02 WL) or greater, using follow-up
testing requirements as described in §2.4.9 of this Part.
2.4.4
Periodic
Retesting of Public and High Priority Buildings
Ten (10) percent of the first floor and below ground areas
of the building must be retested three (3) years after the initial testing and
every three (3) years thereafter. A different ten (10) percent of the first
floor and below ground areas of the building must be tested every three (3)
years. However, whenever a short-term test result in a room or other area of a
building is 4 pCi/L (0.02 WL) or higher, that area must be included in
subsequent periodic retesting.
2.4.5
Acceptable Radon Testing
Methods
Only those testing methods (devices) which have been
determined to be acceptable by the EPA under the National Radon Measurement
Proficiency Program and by the Department shall be acceptable for determining
compliance with these regulations.
2.4.6
Placement of Testing
Devices
A. Testing device locations
are to be determined after an analysis of the building.
B. The location of all short-term and
follow-up testing shall be noted on a floor plan of the building.
C. Each habitable room on ground level and
below, with the exception of rest rooms, closets, or shower areas, shall be
tested in the initial test.
D. In
rooms greater than two thousand (2,000) square feet, at least one (1) test
shall be taken for each two thousand (2,000) square feet, or portion thereof,
of habitable floor space.
E.
Duplicate tests shall be taken in ten percent (10%) of the testing device
locations.
F. For each twenty (20)
devices, one (1) additional testing device shall be opened, immediately
resealed for the remainder of the exposure period, and processed with the other
exposed testing devices to be utilized as a field blank.
G. Testing devices must remain undisturbed
during the test period or the reading shall be declared invalid and a new test
shall be taken.
H. Testing devices
must be placed as follows:
1. Between two and
six (2 and 6) feet above the floor;
2. A minimum of one and one-half (1.5) feet
from any wall;
3. Away from room
corners, windows, drafts, direct sunlight, and any device that emits heat or
moisture;
4. In areas of normal air
supply;
5. Where the device shall
not be blocked or covered during the testing period.
2.4.7
Ventilation
Requirements
A. The HVAC system shall
be operated, for the entire testing period, in the normal heating, cooling, or
ventilation cycle required for the building and the time of year.
B. The operation of the HVAC system during
the testing period shall be documented.
2.4.8
Short-term Testing
Requirements
A. For short-term testing:
1. The building to be tested shall be left
closed at least twelve (12) hours prior to and during the entire testing
period. Routine entrances and exits are allowed.
2. The testing devices shall be left in place
for a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours.
B. Short-term tests shall not be conducted
when severe storms, high winds, heavy rainfalls, or rapid barometric changes
are predicted.
C. Short-term tests
in any public and high priority buildings, as defined in §2.3.1 of this
Part, shall be conducted during the months of October through March excluding
weekends and holidays.
2.4.9
Follow-up Testing
Requirements
A. Short-term test
results greater than or equal to 4 pCi/L (0.02 WL) but less than 20 pCi/L (0.1
WL) require the following steps to be taken:
1. Begin follow-up testing within three (3)
months after receiving the short-term results.
2. Expose the testing device for a minimum of
one hundred and twenty (120) days and no more than one (1) year.
B. Short-term test results greater
than or equal to 20 pCi/L (0.1 WL) but less than 100pCi/L (0.5 WL) require the
following steps to be taken:
1. Begin
follow-up testing within twenty (20) calendar days after receiving the
short-term results.
2. Expose the
testing device for a minimum of thirty (30) days but no longer than ninety (90)
days.
C. Short-term test
results greater than 100 pCi/L (0.5 WL) require the following steps to be
taken:
1. Begin follow-up testing within ten
(10) calendar days after receiving the short-term results.
2. Expose the testing device for a minimum of
ten (10) days but no longer than forty-five (45) days.
3. After the testing period is complete,
increase the amount of ventilation to the room until test results are
available. If levels are found to be above normal, continue the increased
ventilation until permanent steps are taken to reduce the level.
D. During follow-up testing,
windows and doors shall be operated as usual for the building and the time of
year.
E. Follow-up testing in
school buildings must be conducted during the occupied portion of the school
year, but may include both weekends and holidays, other than summer
vacation.
