ASTM E2121-09

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 licensed, 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: 31-Oct-2009
• 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 E2121-08 - Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM E2121-11 - Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2435-05(2020) - Standard Guide for Application of Engineering Controls to Facilitate Use or Redevelopment of Chemical-Affected Properties
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D7297-21 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Residential Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009

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:E2121–09
Standard Practice for
Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise
1
Residential Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2121; 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 (´) 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 licensed, 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More
E1465 Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design
detailedinformationiscontainedinreferencescitedthroughout
and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings
this practice.
E1745 SpecificationforPlasticWaterVaporRetardersUsed
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation
in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a
2.2 Government Publications:
high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofit-
EPA “Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization
ting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation
3
Act,” regulation 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E.
systems.
EPA “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon (Second Edition),” EPA
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to cur-
3
402-K92-001, May 1992.
rently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings,
EPA “Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction,” EPA 402-
including buildings converted or being converted to residential
3
K92-003, August 1992.
use, as well as residential buildings changed or being changed
EPA “Handbook, Sub-Slab Depressurization for Low-
by addition(s) or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction
Permeability Fill Material,” EPA/625/6-91/029, July
activities performed on new dwellings, while under construc-
3
1991.
tion, before occupancy, and for up to one year after occupancy,
EPA “Home Buyers and Sellers Guide,” EPA 402–K-
are covered by Guide E1465.
3
00–008, July 2000.
1.5 Thispracticealsoisintendedasamodelsetofpractices,
EPA “National Emission Standard for Asbestos,” 40 CFR
which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdic-
3
61, Subpart M.
tions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor
EPA “ Radon Mitigation Standards,” EPA 402-R-93-078,
certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation per-
3
April 1994.
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
3
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
documentation.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor- contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 onAir Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Leakage and Ventilation Performance.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ariel
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E2121 – 08. DOI: Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, http://
10.1520/E2121-09. www.epa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2121–09
Soil Depressurization Systems,” EPA/625/R-93-0
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E2121–08 Designation: E2121 – 09
Standard Practice for
Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise
1
Residential Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2121; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings three
storiesorlessinheight.Thispracticeisintendedforusebytrained,certifiedorlicensed,orboth,orotherwisequalifiedindividuals.
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,
tofulfillobjectivesoftheirspecificradoncontractorcertificationorlicensureprograms.Radonmitigationperformedinaccordance
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E1465 Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings
E1745 Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
2.2 Government Publications:
3
EPA “Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act,” regulation 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E.
3
EPA “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon (Second Edition),” EPA 402-K92-001, May 1992.
3
EPA “Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction,” EPA 402-K92-003, August 1992.
3
EPA “Handbook, Sub-Slab Depressurization for Low-Permeability Fill Material,” EPA/625/6-91/029, July 1991.
3
EPA “Home Buyers and Sellers Guide,” EPA 402–K-00–008, July 2000.
3
EPA “National Emission Standard for Asbestos,” 40 CFR 61, Subpart M.
3
EPA “ Radon Mitigation Standards,” EPA 402-R-93-078, April 1994.
EPA“Radon ReductionTechniques for Existing Detached Houses,Technical Guidance (Second Edition),” EPA/625/5–87/019,
3
revised January 1988.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air Leakage
and Ventilation Performance.
Current edition approved June 15, 2008. Published August 2008. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E2121–03. DOI:
10.1520/E2121-08.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E2121 – 08. DOI:
10.1520/E2121-09.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency
...