11. Operations & Maintenance - Radon Safe Property

Implement radon control measures

Rationale: Radon is a carcinogen found in soil and rock that can seep into lower levels of buildings through cracks in the foundation. With the World Health Organization reporting that radon is responsible for 15% of lung cancer cases globally, testing, monitoring and controlling radon gas effectively limits occupant exposure, ultimately reducing lung cancer risk.

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Radon Testing or Monitoring - (Full Credit):

To achieve full credit, demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

1. Test or monitor for radon according to the following sections in the Fitwel Radon Testing or Monitoring Requirements:

• frequency
• qualifying devices
• required locations
• methods
• metrics. 

The Fitwel Radon Testing or Monitoring Requirements can be found here.

Option 2 - No Applicable Testing Locations - (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with the below requirement:

1. Confirm that the project meets one of the following:
   – the project is entirely located on or above the third floor and does not include any interior spaces located at or below grade (e.g., commercial interior projects with no regularly occupied spaces below the third floor).
   – the project is constructed with raised-pier foundations with open air between the lowest floor and the ground (i.e. no solid perimeter walls), all mechanical equipment is elevated off the ground, and the project includes no interior spaces with floors or walls in contact with the ground.

   Note that parking garages, basements, storage areas, utility tunnels, and crawlspaces are not exempt from testing, as these spaces can contribute to radon accumulation and radon may be distributed more broadly through shared HVAC systems.

    

Option 3 - Radon Control Measures - (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating compliance with all of the following requirements:

1. For projects where the recommended limits for radon levels are not met, establish and implement a radon mitigation and remediation plan that includes a minimum of one of the following interventions:

• active soil depressurization or soil suction
• home or room pressurization, which uses a fan to blow air into the spaces with elevated radon levels
• installation of a heat recovery ventilator or an air-to-air heat exchanger
• natural ventilation of spaces with elevated radon levels
• sealing openings in surfaces between the indoors and the soil.

Compliance Documentation

Design Pathway 

Option 1: 

• Upload the draft testing or monitoring protocol detailing the following:
  • qualifying devices that will be used
  • locations where the testing or monitoring will be conducted
  • testing or monitoring method that will be used
  • the radon metrics that will be met
• Upload an annotated plan showing all required floors that will be tested or monitored
• Checkbox to certify that radon levels will be evaluated within the first year after occupancy and at the selected frequency listed

Option 2: 

• Checkbox to certify that the project meets one of the following:
  • the project is entirely located on or above the third floor and does not include any interior spaces located at or below grade (e.g., commercial interior projects with no regularly occupied spaces below the third floor).
  • the project is constructed with raised-pier foundations with open air between the lowest floor and the ground (i.e. no solid perimeter walls), all mechanical equipment is elevated off the ground, and the project includes no interior spaces with floors or walls in contact with the ground.
• Upload an annotated plan or design drawing showing that the project will have no applicable testing locations.

Option 3: 

• Upload the draft radon mitigation and remediation plan

Built Pathway 

Option 1: 

• Upload the implemented testing or monitoring protocol detailing the following:
  • qualifying devices that will be used
  • locations where the testing or monitoring will be conducted
  • testing or monitoring method that will be used
  • the radon metrics that will be met
• Upload an annotated plan showing all required floors that are tested or monitored
• Checkbox to certify that radon levels are evaluated within the first year after occupancy and at the selected frequency below

Option 2: 

• Checkbox to certify that the project meets one of the following:
  • the project is entirely located on or above the third floor and does not include any interior spaces located at or below grade (e.g., commercial interior projects with no regularly occupied spaces below the third floor).
  • the project is constructed with raised-pier foundations with open air between the lowest floor and the ground (i.e. no solid perimeter walls), all mechanical equipment is elevated off the ground, and the project includes no interior spaces with floors or walls in contact with the ground.
• Upload an annotated plan or design drawing showing that the project has no applicable testing locations.

Option 3: 

• Upload the implemented radon mitigation and remediation plan