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; testing, monitoring and controlling radon gas effectively limits occupant exposure 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):

Demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

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 v3 Radon Testing and Monitoring Protocol can be found at: https://www.fitwel.org/resources/fitwel-v3. 

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

Demonstrate compliance with the following requirement:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Confirm that the project does not include any of the following spaces:
   • interior spaces located at or below grade
   • interior spaces with floors or walls that contact the ground

Option 3 - Radon Control Measures (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating compliance with the following requirement:    

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

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 (LR+, LR)

Option 1: 

• Requirement 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 below:      
    • biennially for projects located in a zone where predicted radon levels are ≥ 2 pCi/L  
    • every 5 years for projects located in a zone where predicted radon levels are below 2 pCi/L.    

Option 2:

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the project will not include the following spaces:
    • interior spaces located at or below grade
    • interior spaces with floors or walls that contact the ground.    
  • Upload an annotated plan or design drawing showing that the project will not include the listed spaces.        

Option 3:

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload the draft radon mitigation and remediation plan.

Built Pathway (LR+, LR)

Option 1: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload the implemented testing or monitoring protocol detailing the following:
    • qualifying devices that are used
    • locations where the testing or monitoring is conducted
    • testing or monitoring method used
    • the radon metrics that are 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:     
    • biennially for projects located in a zone where predicted radon levels are ≥ 2 pCi/L 
    • every 5 years for projects located in a zone where predicted radon levels are below 2 pCi/L.    

Option 2:

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the project does not include the following spaces:
    • interior spaces located at or below grade
    • interior spaces with floors or walls that contact the ground   
  • Upload an annotated plan showing that the project does not include the listed spaces.        

Option 3:

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload the implemented radon mitigation and remediation plan.