All new construction must include a vapor barier and drain tile under
the foundation and slab.  If radon tests determine the radon level is
too high then remediation is installed, which connects to the drain
tile and, if I understand correctly, simply vents the air from the
drain tile to the outside.

Most houses in the US fall below the limit, so it isn't normal to see
radon sump.  Due to the vapor barrier and how drains are installed it
usually isn't a problem even in areas where the soil levels are quite
high.

We just did a radon test of the house we're selling (buy it!
http://ubasics.com/house/ ) and you can see the test results here:
www.ubasics.com/house/radon.pdf

Shows that the EPA guidelines require less than 4 picocuries per
liter.  I'm interested to know if the regulations are tighter where
you're at, or if the natural levels are higher, or if the home
construction methods simply allow more radiation to seep and collect.

-Adam

On 9/26/06, Joe McCauley <joe.mccauley@tcd.ie> wrote:
> Are Radon sumps not part of building regulations/code everywhere then? Here
> in Ireland as far as I'm aware all new construction must have a radon
> barrier & radon sump. In high risk areas these must be retrofitted in some
> cases if I'm not mistaken.
>
> These regulations are, like all regulations, sometimes over applied. I had
> my home extended a couple of years back & had to have a radon barrier & sump
> fitted. I ended up with a large room, one half of which had the radon
> protection fitted & the other half (>100 years old) had none. Guess I'll be
> fine if I stay in the new half......
>
>
> Joe
>
> >
> > Many things we have not mentioned, air exchangers, radon gass
> > venting, etc.
> >
>
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
> View/change your membership options at
> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
>
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist