Last week (4th to 10th November) was UK Radon Awareness Week, which focused on the dangers of exposure to radon gas and the link to lung cancer in non-smokers. As well as raising awareness for the public, it was also an important reminder for developers to make sure the radon protection requirements are up to date for plots or sites not yet under construction.
On 1st December 2022, the UKHSA published a new indicative map for the whole of the UK. Following that we published an article about these changes and the new legislation, which included updates the National House Building Council (NHBC) had made to their Standards and Building Regulations. The article can be found here:
New Radon Gas Data has Implications for Landowners, Developers & Homeowners
Since then, we have been working closely with existing and new clients to help them understand the changes and implications for their developments. However, we are still finding sites where the original radon assessment has not been reviewed in the light of the new data. This can have implications including delays and additional costs due to redesign of protection measures, or liability where the warranty provider and/or Local Authority finds that the assessment is superseded, and the radon protection is insufficient.
There are a number of possible outcomes from a risk assessment using the updated mapping:
- No change to your site requirements.
- UKHSA mapping indicates an increase in the radon risk but a site specific report confirms no changes to your site.
- A requirement for radon protection measures where there wasn’t one previously (but you may need gas protection measures already due to elevated carbon dioxide/methane).
- An increase in the radon protection measures requirements from basic to full protection (but floor slab design may already incorporate ventilation measures such as a beam and block floor with ventilated sub-floor void).
Subsequent to the UKHSA updated mapping, the BRE document BR211 ‘Guidance on protective measures for new buildings (including supplementary advice for extensions, conversions and refurbishment projects)’ was also updated (2023 edition). This report reinforces the importance of independent verification of the installed radon protection system, which GRM can assist with.
It is important to involve the verifier early in the process, and not leave verification to the last minute (or omit it entirely) and then face issues with discharging conditions either with the Local Authority or warranty provider due to a lack of installation evidence or inspection.
GRM are one of the founding members of the British Verification Council (BVC) and offer independent inspections and verification to ensure compliance with the regulations.
If you have any concerns about whether the radon assessment for your site has changed, then please do not hesitate to contact us. Please use your main point of contact at GRM or for new enquiries email richard.upton@grm-uk.com or call 01283 551249.
Details of the NHBC changes can be found here: https://www.nhbc.co.uk/builders/products-and-services/techzone/technical-updates/radon-protection-requirements
The new maps are available to view here: https://www.ukradon.org/information/ukmaps
