Keep soil gases out of the house
Detail the house to keep unhealthful gases safely at bay.
Preventing soil gases such as methane, petroleum products, pesticides, moisture, and radonColorless, odorless, short-lived radioactive gas that can seep into homes and result in lung cancer risk. Radon and its decay products emit cancer-causing alpha, beta, and gamma particles. from entering the structure requires a two-step strategy. Make the foundation as tight as reasonably possible, and make it easy to vent the layer of soil beneath the building by depressurizing it. These steps also help keep water out of the foundation. It is easier and less expensive to install a vent from the area beneath the slab during construction rather than after the house is finished.
Green points
LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify.
: In high-risk radon areas, it is a prerequisite to design and build the house with radon-resistant techniques (EQ 9). An extra point for using these techniques for houses in moderate risk areas.
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions.
/ICC-700: Radon control is mandatory for buildings in high risk zones with 15 points for an active system and 10 points for a passive system; 10 points for a passive system in moderate risk areas (902.3).
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
