Radon-resistant residential new construction. Report for March-June 1988

The manual provides builders and potential new house buyers with a broader selection and explanation of techniques that are expected to be effective in reducing the potential for elevated radon levels in the house. In addition, legislators, regulators, and residential code writers may choose to evaluate these radon-resistant construction technologies for potential application to or modification of existing regulations or codes applicable to residential construction. Three approaches to resolving the radon problem in the construction of new houses are to: (1) prevent radon entry by using barrier methods, (2) reduce the radon entry driving forces, and (3) divert the radon from the house through sub-slab ventilation. Radon entry routes of concern in new construction are the same as those that have previously been identified for existing houses. Figures provided in the report depict the major radon entry routes for simple basement, slab-on-grade, and crawl-space houses. expensive control measures may be justified if they serve multiple purposes, such as combining radon control with water control or eliminating the need for constantly operating a mechanical control system through a high initial cost