RADON AND BC BUILDING CODE

Prepared by Mo Bayat

March 2015

Change from 2012 to 2014

protection of radon

infiltration into habitable

space of only residential

buildings was the focus of

the code requirements

(poly, overlap, seal around

penetration …..)

1992, 1998 & 2006 BCBC

In both Canada & US, radon

industry and activists including EPA,

Health Canada, provincial Health

Ministries and Lung Associations

through further research, testing,

mapping, public awareness and

education changed the code

requirements.

First time BCBC mandated

radon-ready rough-in

installation for preparation

of subfloor

depressurization system

between air barrier and the

ground for all residential

occupancy.

BCBC 2012 9.13.4.3

Exempts other occupancies if

intended to be occupied on

average for less than 4 hours

within 24 hours period .

BCBC 9.13.4.2(3)

Floor-on-ground shall provide a rough-in

subfloor depressurization consisting of

a) a gas permeable layer with inlet and

an outlet, or (performance)

b) 4” clean granular material and a pipe

(prescriptive)

BCBC 9.13.4.3

Configurations for radon

rough-in opening

Construction Site

radon rough-in opening

Construction Site

radon pipe & rough-in

Table C-3 BCBC

City of Kelowna

BC Lung Association

Canadian Home Builders Association

(CHBA)

Local radon industry (designers,

mitigators …)

Health Canada & IHA, EPA ………..

presented a proposed change to

building safety and policy branch

Partnership in 2013:

Risk management

Sensitivity to increase cost of

construction

Proposal:

Extend the pipe (radon ready)

through the roof

Balanced approach:

Develop passive depressurization

Reduce the radon between 40%

to 50% just by chimney effect

without installing a fan in pipe

Benefit of extension

Rationale

Risk of caped pipe:

mechanical damage

Connection can be mistaken as

sewer pipe

2014 Amendment for Radon

Radon vent pipe:

Minimum 100mm in diameter,

To terminate minimum:

a) 1.0m above any air inlet, door or

openable window.

b) 2.0m above a roof that supports an

occupancy.

c) Shielded from weather & frost

d) 1.8m from a property line.

Label “RADON VENT PIPE” at every 1.2m

and at every change in direction.

2014 Amendment for Radon

Thank you

Any Questions?