Radon test without AC

[Mark Nahrgang]

I've inspected a number of homes recently that didn't have air conditioning. None have wanted to do a radon test, but it got me to thinking. I don't recall this being addressed in my certification training...

What is the protocol for testing radon in an occupied home that doesn't have Air Conditioning in the summer? It doesn't seem reasonable to ask the occupants to bake for the benefit of the test, nor does it seem reasonable to test with the windows open. Anyone run into this, and know what the protocol is?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

I've inspected a number of homes recently that didn't have air conditioning. None have wanted to do a radon test, but it got me to thinking. I don't recall this being addressed in my certification training...

What is the protocol for testing radon in an occupied home that doesn't have Air Conditioning in the summer? It doesn't seem reasonable to ask the occupants to bake for the benefit of the test, nor does it seem reasonable to test with the windows open. Anyone run into this, and know what the protocol is?

Without closed house conditions the 48 hour test is meaningless.

[William Thacker]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

What is the protocol for testing radon in an occupied home that doesn't have Air Conditioning in the summer? It doesn't seem reasonable to ask the occupants to bake for the benefit of the test, nor does it seem reasonable to test with the windows open. Anyone run into this, and know what the protocol is?

No different than a house with CAC or even window rattlers. Open windows will invalidate any short term test result.

or

The sellers escrow enough to cover mitigation and test when the old folks have moved out. (It seems to always be older people that do not have AC)

[Mark Nahrgang]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Without closed house conditions the 48 hour test is meaningless.

Agreed... I think I mentioned that.

So the protocol is the same as always...either closed house conditions are maintained or the test isn't taken.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

Agreed... I think I mentioned that.

So the protocol is the same as always...either closed house conditions are maintained or the test isn't taken.

I don't see anyway around it unless you want to provide window A/C.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I use kits from AirChek. They say that in addition to closed house conditions, the temperature inside must be between 60 and 80 (I think that's the range).

[Peter C. Russell]

Test in the basement, if there is one.

[Joseph Tribuzio]

Originally Posted by prussell

Test in the basement, if there is one.

Of course - that is where testing should occur first, and any other habitable room above a crawlspace or on a slab should be tested.

As far as open windows- no way can it be a minimum 48. That's only when ideal closed building conditions have been followed.

If the client can have an extension of a week and a few days then you could possibly test like that - i think it also must be in 4 hour intervals ( if using CRMS)

Some of the rules may change.

I say that a homes radon levels should be tested before listing it. By an un-biased third party of course.

[Jeffrey Molloy]

When all else fail and we must test I normally find a suitable room to test in and isolate that room for the 48 hours. Its not perfect but if its high there, a reasonable assumption is that it would be even higher if closed house conditions were met for the same period. Conversely, if the result comes back very low there is no guarantee that the home would test low as a whole.

I almost always test in basements with 2 simultaneous devices and do a screening on the first floor with a single device. This gives a better picture.

As for testing before a sale you might want to read my blog on this issue:
http://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/...Results-/75130

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

I've inspected a number of homes recently that didn't have air conditioning. None have wanted to do a radon test, but it got me to thinking. I don't recall this being addressed in my certification training...

What is the protocol for testing radon in an occupied home that doesn't have Air Conditioning in the summer? It doesn't seem reasonable to ask the occupants to bake for the benefit of the test, nor does it seem reasonable to test with the windows open. Anyone run into this, and know what the protocol is?

Mark,

All wall/ceiling openings must remain CLOSED for the entire testing period.

If the Sellers don't want to bake for the benefit of the test, then simply recommend that the Buyers request a that contingency be placed in their contract stating "Pending Radon Results". This basically allows the Buyers to test Radon levels (after purchasing the home) and tells the Sellers that if the Radon numbers are too high (4.0 pCi/L or above), that they agree to help with the cost of mitigating.

[David A. Andersen]

Not following protocol ONLY means that 4.0 pCi/L is no longer the "Action Level".
In case some of you don't know, <4.0 pCi/L is NOT "SAFE".
It is the level that has been determined which we can all reach in the lower 48 states with mitigation.

EPA states <4.0 pCi/L is not "safe".
"Any amount (of unecessissary radiation) is too much".

Put it in a basement as Peter said, or in a closet (closed).

The test is published as "forever changing".
In your test report, simply report the coditions of the test and the results.
You could still have a 20 pCi/l result with the windows opened.
You still need for it to be fixed.

You just can't say it needs fixing at 4.01 pCi/L.
It may be actually higher or lower, you can't tell.

If it is .30 pCi/L, just report it and advise further testing in cooler weather.

[Billy Boerner]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Mark,

All wall/ceiling openings must remain CLOSED for the entire testing period.

If the Sellers don't want to bake for the benefit of the test, then simply recommend that the Buyers request a that contingency be placed in their contract stating "Pending Radon Results". This basically allows the Buyers to test Radon levels (after purchasing the home) and tells the Sellers that if the Radon numbers are too high (4.0 pCi/L or above), that they agree to help with the cost of mitigating.

Or better yet refer them to the local bed and breakfast

[Darren Spencer]

You shouldn't be doing any testing without proper training.

[Mark Nahrgang]

Originally Posted by dspencer1

You shouldn't be doing any testing without proper training.

Wow, thanks for that insight Darren... Don't know what we would do without sound advice like that.

[Billy Boerner]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

Wow, thanks for that insight Darren... Don't know what we would do without sound advice like that.

lol Mark... I was waiting to see your comment on that one.