0

Radon


The Building Regulations (section C2) require that, “precautions shall be taken to avoid danger to health and safety caused by substances found on or in the ground to be covered by the building”.

One such substance is the radioactive gas, radon.

A magnifying glass showing radon gas in a damaged wall.

Radon in Buildings

What is radon?

Radon is a heavy, radioactive gas that is produced as a decay product of Uranium238, a metal that occurs naturally in certain types of soil and rock. Normally levels of radon in the air are not high enough to cause a significant risk to human health. However high levels of radon can build up when houses and other buildings are constructed in areas where the underlying geology contains Uranium238 (typically, but not exclusively granite and limestone areas).

The UK Government’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) advises an “Action Level” of 200 Bq/m3 in domestic properties. In commercial properties, the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 require action to protect employees if the average radon gas concentration exceeds 400 Bq/m3. If the level of radon in a building is close to or above these levels, action should be taken to reduce the levels of radon. Radon measurement is normally carried out using small, passive detectors that are left in a building for a period of time before being sent to a laboratory for analysis. These detectors can be purchased from the Health Protection Agency (http://www.ukradon.org/)

Radon Protection and Mitigation

There are a number of measures available for minimising or reducing levels of radon build-up in buildings. These are discussed on the following pages:

A cavity drainage membrane over a concrete block, showing radon protection. Application
Radon Protection (Above Ground)

The BRE guidance document, BR211 describes two levels of radon protection: basic radon protection and full radon protection. 

Read more
A basement, showing vents to protect against radon gas. Application
Radon Protection (Basements)

In radon-risk areas basements can be found to contain particularly high concentrations of radon.  This is because radon gas is heavier than air and will therefore have a tendency to accumulate at the lowest level of a building.

Read more
Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane

Oldroyd Xs is a tough polypropylene cavity drainage membrane embossed with an ‘X’ pattern of grooves. These grooves allow moisture to move behind the membrane and allow for shrinkage movement when screeds are laid on top. The most common application for Oldroyd Xs is to lay it on top of damp concrete floors or newly laid floor slabs. A wide…

Read more

Get it Done

Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane (2m x 20m Roll) Low-profile cavity drainage membrane with damp-proofing and radon control applications — 2m x 20m
£182.98
Oldroyd Xv20 Cavity Drainage Membrane (2m x 15m Roll) High flow-capacity 2m x 15m cavity drainage membrane with 20 mm stud profile.
£285.29
Drybase Liquid-Applied DPM (1L – Black) Drybase Liquid-Applied Damp-Proofing Membrane is a paintable damp-proof membrane. Available in black or white and in 1 and 5 Litre formats.
£21.99
£{* exTotalPrice *} £{* totalPrice *}
All Articles
Advice
Case Studies
News
Case Study
Domestic Property Basement Renovation Part 1 – Drybase Tanking System

With Tibby Singh and YDC Basements, Safeguard waterproofed a basement at an end of terrace home in Leeds using Drybase Tanking System.

Read more
Drybase TS PLUS News Card Image News
Out Now: Drybase TS-PLUS

A durable and easy to apply layer for domestic and commercial applications on concrete and brick surfaces.

Read more
Case Study
1940s Concrete Pillbox, West Sussex — High-Performance Waterproofing with Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream

Built in Summer 1940, the Type 26 pillbox is a 6 ft by 6 ft cube just big enough to house 4 soldiers and their guns. The 1 m thick concrete walls were built to withstand a direct hit from a naval warship. 98 tons of concrete went into creating the pillbox. In the 1980s, the whole exterior was covered…

Read more
Different stages of Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream soaking in the wall. Advice
Masonry Sealants

Water is one of the main causes of structural damages to buildings. Moisture ingress caused by climatic influences, groundwater or condensation can lead to cracks and frost damage, as well as algae, fungus and moss growth. Over the years, salt and lime efflorescence can occur and severely disfigure masonry. In addition penetrating rain can introduce dirt into masonry and result…

Read more
New NOPE! Products Card (cropped) News
Out Now: New NOPE! Range

Fix fleas as well as other crawling and flying insects with new NOPE! Flea Killer Powder and NOPE! Insect Killer Smoke Bombs.

Read more
A flea on a fingertip Advice
How to Get Rid of Fleas

Most people worry about their pets when you mention fleas.  But a flea infestation is notoriously difficult to shift and can harm everyone in the home.  Find out how to get rid of fleas with this handy reference guide.

Read more
Case Study
Domestic Bungalow, Swindon - Cleaning and Preventing Mould

When Emerald Damp Specialists stepped inside a severely damp bungalow in Swindon, they knew they had to help. Along with 70 other companies and over 150 volunteers who donated their time and expertise, Emerald Damp Specialists resolved the extreme damp and mould problems at the property free-of-charge. For this project, ensuring that a valued member of the community had a…

Read more
Advice
Traumatic Damp

Penetrating damp, rising damp and damp caused by condensation are well recognised and documented within the building industry. The government guidance on damp and mould brought another form of dampness to light - one that is well-known but not often thought about in its own category. This new term for dampness caused by a leak or environmental flooding is 'traumatic…

Read more
Join our newsletter

Subscribe to get information about products and offers.