ANSI RMS-LB

Description / Abstract: This standard specifies practices, minimum requirements and general guidance for mitigation of radon in existing Schools and Large Buildings.

This standard addresses a wide range of Schools and Large Buildings including, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof for: Business occupancies (Group B⁶) including for offices, educational and training facilities, professional services or service-type transactions; and Educational occupancies (Group E) including for religious and educational purposes through the 12th grade and day care facilities.

This standard addresses practices that are applicable to multi-use buildings or structures that are divided into any combination of occupancies including educational, commercial or residential⁷ occupancies.

The scope includes High-rise buildings with an occupied floor located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level.

The scope does not intend to exclude: Assembly occupancies (Group A) including for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; Factory occupancies (Group F) including for fabrication or manufacturing, repair or processing; Highhazard occupancies (Group H); Institutional occupancies (Group I) including for where people are cared for or live in a supervised environment be it under restraint or security, detained in a penal institution, or for medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing, custodial care or for child care facility purposes; and, Mercantile occupancies (Group M) including for the sale of merchandise, goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and accessible to the public.

This standard addresses practices that are applicable to structures or a portion thereof be they rented, leased or owned including co-op owned buildings.

The techniques addressed in this standard provide whole building consideration yet also apply when implemented to portions of a building or individual occupied spaces.

This standard is intended to provide:

a) minimum requirements and uniform standards that emphasize safety, system quality and effectiveness in the design and installation of mitigation systems for existing Schools and Large Buildings; and

b) a means to evaluate mitigation systems in Schools and Large Buildings.

Significance of use: This document is intended to assist in the installation of mitigation systems by radon mitigation professionals, and to assist in the inspection of mitigation systems by citizens, property owners, residence/facility managers, residents, consultants, regulators, state radiation control programs and anyone concerned with efforts to reduce indoor radon concentrations in schools and large buildings.

Limitations

Design and warranties

This standard is not intended to be used as a design manual, and compliance with its provisions will not guarantee reduction of indoor radon to any specific concentration.

Mitigation of other soil gasses (e.g., chemical vapors)

When applying radon mitigation techniques herein for other hazardous soil gasses such as for chemical vapor intrusion into buildings, applicable requirements are found in ANSI/AARST SGM-SF Soil Gas Mitigation for Existing Homes with special attention to Section 11 (Additional Requirements), Section 12 (Documentation Required) and Annex B (Health and Safety).

Safety

This standard is not intended to address all of the safety concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Code compliance

This standard does not contain all code or other requirements of the jurisdictions where the radon mitigation system is being installed. Although the provisions in this standard have been reviewed for potential conflicts with other regulatory requirements, adherence to this standard does not guarantee or supersede compliance with the applicable codes or regulations of any federal, state or local agency with jurisdiction.

Less common sources of radon gas

This standard does not address all mitigation techniques such as may be needed for airborne radon that results from radon in water, building materials or other less common sources of radon gas.

APPLICABILITY

Adoption and use

These standards of practice can be adopted as requirements for contractual relationships or adopted as recommendations or requirements of an authority or jurisdiction. To the extent the minimum requirements of this document exceed local, state or federal requirements for the locale in which the mitigation is conducted, then this document’s minimum requirements shall be followed.

Mandatory Provisions

The term “shall” indicates those provisions herein that are considered mandatory, while terms such as “should” or “recommended” indicate provisions considered helpful or good practice, but which are not mandatory

Prior Systems

This standard shall not apply to radon mitigation systems installed in schools and large buildings prior to its effective date, except when a previously installed system is altered. This standard shall apply to only the aspects of the system that are altered, and the Contractor shall recommend to the Client in writing that the noncompliance items be upgraded or altered to meet current standards. A written estimate of the cost for the proposed upgrade(s) should also be provided. For the purposes of this standard, altering a radon mitigation system does not include activities such as replacing worn out equipment while leaving the remainder of the system unchanged.

⁶ As point of reference, see the International Building Code (IBC) (as published by the International Code Council).

⁷ For residential dwellings, see ANSI/AARST RMS-MF "Radon Mitigation Standards for Multifamily Buildings".