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COST AND EFFECTIVENESS OF RADON RESISTANT FEATURES IN NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Citation:
Craig, A., K. Leovic, AND D. Saum. COST AND EFFECTIVENESS OF RADON RESISTANT FEATURES IN NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/D-91/207.
Description:
The paper describes initial results of a study of several schools with radon resistant features that were recently constructed in the northeastern U. S. hese designs generally are based on experience with radon mitigation in existing houses and schools and radon- resistant new construction. he study was limited to slab-on-grade schools where the most common radon resistant school design is active subslab depressurization (ASD). he additional construction costs for eight schools built with ASD ranged from $3 to $11/sq m of slab area. he radon contractors who designed these systems have tended to overdesign the radon reduction systems in the absence of specific written guidance to follow to lessen potential liability in the event of system failure. esign features include detailed sealing of all slab cracks, multiple exhaust stacks, and extensive subslab piping. ecent EPA research on radon mitigation suggests that simpler ASD systems may provide sufficient radon resistance in new buildings at lower costs. omponents of a specification for radon resistant school construction are discussed, based on comments from radon system designers. nother school being studied was built with a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) pressurization radon control system, and considerations for this type of system are examined.