ASTM E2121-03

Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The purpose of the methods, systems, and designs described in this practice is to reduce radiation exposures for occupants of residential buildings caused by radon and its progeny. The goal of mitigation is to maintain reduced radon concentrations in occupiable areas of buildings at levels as low as reasonably achievable. This practice includes sections on reducing radiation exposure caused by radon and its progeny for workers who install and repair radon mitigation systems. The goal for workers is to reduce exposures to radon and its progeny to levels as low as reasonably achievable.
The methods, systems, designs, and materials described here have been shown to have a high probability of success in mitigating radon in attached and detached residential buildings, three stories or less in height (see EPA, “Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached Houses, Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active Soil Depressurization Systems”). Application of these methods does not, however, guarantee reduction of radon levels below any specific level, since performance will vary with site conditions, construction characteristics, weather, and building operation.
When applying this practice, contractors also shall conform to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, and laws pertaining to residential building construction, remodeling, and improvement.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings three stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use by trained, certified or licenced, or both, or otherwise qualified individuals.
1.2 These methods are based on radon mitigation techniques that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More detailed information is contained in references cited throughout this practice.
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofitting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation systems.
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to currently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings, including buildings converted or being converted to residential use, as well as, residential buildings changed or being changed by addition(s), or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction activities performed on new dwellings, while under construction, before occupancy, and for up to one year after occupancy, are covered by Guide E1465.
1.5 This practice also is intended as a model set of practices, which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdictions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation performed in accordance with this practice is considered ordinary repair.
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the following categories of contractor activity: general practices, building investigation, systems design, systems installation, materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and documentation.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for specific safety hazards.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Feb-2003
• ICS: 91.120.99 - Other standards related to protection of and in buildings
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2121-02a - Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM E2121-08 - Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7297-21 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Residential Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E2435-05(2020) - Standard Guide for Application of Engineering Controls to Facilitate Use or Redevelopment of Chemical-Affected Properties
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E2121–03
Standard Practice for
Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise
1
Residential Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2121; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
three stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for
by trained, certified or licenced, or both, or otherwise qualified
specific safety hazards.
individuals.
1.2 Thesemethodsarebasedonradonmitigationtechniques
2. Referenced Documents
that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide
2.1 ASTM Standards:
range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan
2
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More
E 779 Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by
detailedinformationiscontainedinreferencescitedthroughout
2
Fan Pressurization
this practice.
E 1465 Guide for Radon Control Options for the Design
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation
2
and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings
contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a
E 1745 Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders
high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofit-
Used in ContactWith Soil or Granular Fill Under Concrete
ting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation
3
Slabs
systems.
E 1998 Guide for Assessing Depressurization-Induced
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to cur-
Backdrafting and Spillage fromVented CombustionAppli-
rently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings,
3
ances
including buildings converted or being converted to residential
2.2 Government Publications:
use, as well as, residential buildings changed or being changed
EPA “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon (Second Edition),” EPA
by addition(s), or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction
4
402-K92-001, May 1992
activities performed on new dwellings, while under construc-
EPA “Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction,” EPA 402-
tion, before occupancy, and for up to one year after occupancy,
4
K92-003, August, 1992
are covered by Guide E 1465.
EPA “Home Buyers and Sellers Guide,” EPA 402–K-
1.5 Thispracticealsoisintendedasamodelsetofpractices,
4
00–008, July 2000
which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdic-
EPA “Handbook, Sub-Slab Depressurization for Low-
tions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor
Permeability Fill Material,” EPA/625/6-91/029, July
certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation per-
4
1991
formed in accordance with this practice is considered ordinary
EPA “Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached
repair.
Houses, Technical Guidance (Second Edition),” EPA/
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the
4
625/5–87/019, Revised January, 1988
following categories of contractor activity: general practices,
EPA “Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached
building investigation, systems design, systems installation,
Houses, Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active
materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and
Soil Depressurization Systems,” EPA/625/R-93-011, Oc-
documentation.
4
tober, 1993
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor-
2
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 onAir Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
3
Leakage and Ventilation Performance. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.12.
4
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2003. Published February 2003. Originally Available from the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency, 1200 Pennsylvania
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E 2121–02a. Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E2121–03
EPA “Radon Mitigation Standards,” EPA 402-R-93-078, activities or is an employee of one who contracts to perform or
2
April, 1994 performs radon reduction activities, with the expectation that
EPA “National Emission Standard for Asbestos,” 40 CFR
...