MAH_2019

Protocol for Conducting Measurements of ANSI/AARST MAH 2019 Radon and Radon Decay Products in Homes 3 2.5 Summary of Testing Procedures Note—Testing begins with Short-Term testing under closed building conditions to quickly identify if a radon hazard is present. No less than two measurement data points are sought for mitigation decisions. 2.5.1 Test options Testing is to be conducted in accordance with procedures required in either: a) Table 5.2 — Time-sensitive testing protocol where a single testing event is used to quickly determine if mitigation is necessary. This protocol is for situations where mitigation decisions are needed relatively quickly, such as within several days or weeks; or b) Table 5.3 — Extended testing protocol where an initial short-term test is followed by confirmatory short-term or long-term testing as needed. This protocol is for situations where an extended time period for making a mitigation decision is available, such as within several weeks or months, for repeated or longer tests. Additional requirements and procedures are provided in Section 5.4 for testing individual dwellings within a shared building and Section 7.3 for post- mitigation testing. 3.0 CHOOSING A TEST LOCATION 3.1 Choosing a Floor or Level of a Home 3.1.1 Time-sensitive testing protocol A test is to be conducted in the lowest level that could be occupied when quick results are needed. If the lowest level is not finished but could serve as a work area, playroom or additional bedroom at some time in the future, a test is to be conducted in this level of the home. 3.1.2 Extended testing protocol When there are no immediate time constraints, a test is to be conducted in the lowest level of the home that is occupied. If the lowest level serves as a work area, playroom or an additional bedroom, a test is to be conducted in this level of the home. Informative Advisory —Tests conducted in areas above a basement can fail to characterize a radon hazard if heating systems are not active during the test. For this situation, it is best to test when the heating systems are active or in the lowest level that could be occupied. 3.1.3 Additional test locations recommended Informative Advisory —Additional test locations are encouraged. Additional test locations are specifically recommended for: a) Large homes, where the footprint on the level of the home being tested is over 2,000 square feet (189 m 2 ); b) Each area of the home served by a different heating and cooling system; and c) Each unique foundation area. This recommendation includes split-level foundations or where slab-on-grade rooms attach to basement or crawl space areas. One test location may not be representative of radon concentrations in other areas of the home. 3.2 Choosing a Room Note—It is best to choose test locations where people are more likely to spend time, such as a finished or occupied room when this choice exists. When this choice does not exist, preferred choices are areas not currently used or finished but that could serve as a work area, playroom or an additional bedroom at some time in the future.