Democracy Spraffa

7 - Corporate Policy on the Management of Radon

Renfrewshire Council · 23 April 2026
Back to Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board — 23 April 2026 and its agenda

Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.

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HS/02/10/477 
PUBLIC 
To:  Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board 
On:  23 April 2026 
Report by: Director of Finance and Resources 
Heading: Corporate Policy on the Management of Radon 
1. Summary
1.1 The policy attached to this report ensures that we meet our legal obligations in
line with the requirements of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and
provide a safe and supportive living and working environment. 
1.2 The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and
Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (as amended) places duties on the Council to
ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health of our employees and
others that could be impacted by acts or omissions.   
1.3 Following approval from Members, Officers will follow an engagement plan to
work with Housing and other Services to implement the Policy.   
2 Recommendations 
2.1 Members are asked to approve the Corporate Policy on the Management of
Radon. 
3. Policy Background. 
3.1 This Corporate Policy on the management of radon has been developed in
response to a reclassification by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and
the British Geological Survey (BGS). Using an updated statistical modelling
approach, these bodies have identified certain areas of Renfrewshire as having
a higher potential for radon occurrence due to local ground conditions. This
reclassification does not reflect any change in the underlying geology, or the
actual levels of radon being emitted.

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HS/02/10/477 
PUBLIC 
3.2 As a result of this reclassification, the Council has implemented a programme
of radon monitoring across selected Council homes, operational buildings,
schools and nurseries within the affected areas of Renfrewshire. This
programme will provide evidence-based data on actual radon levels and inform
any necessary actions to reduce exposure where required. 
3.3 The Policy establishes a clear governance framework for the management of
radon risks, defines roles and responsibilities and ensures effective
maintenance of control measures. 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Implications of the Report
1. Financial - There may be minor cost implications associated with implementing
radon protection measures in both new-build and existing properties located
within radon-affected areas. 
2. People & Organisational Development - This policy supports the Council’s
commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of employees by managing
their exposure to radon. 
3. Community/Council Planning – This policy supports the Place and Green
objectives contained within the Council plan. 
4. Legal - The Council will continue to comply with current health and safety
legislation and best practice. 
5. Property/Assets - There is a potential risk of minor impacts to our property
assets associated with the requirement to implement radon protection
measures across both new-build developments and existing buildings situated
within radon-affected areas. 
6. Information Technology - Not applicable. 
7. Equality & Human Rights 
The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in
relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on
equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have
been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report as it
is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the
recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored,
and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 
8. Health & Safety - This policy strengthens the Council’s governance
responsibilities by demonstrating its commitment to maintaining robust and
effective health and safety radon management across its property assets.

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HS/02/10/477 
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9. Procurement – Not applicable 
10. Risk – This policy supports the Council’s overarching governance framework
by aligning with the effective management of radon risk across the Council’s
property assets
11. Privacy Impact - Not applicable.
12. Climate Risk – Robust health and safety practices strengthen the Council’s
governance responsibilities by supporting effective radon environmental
controls across its property assets.
13. Children’s Rights – Not applicable
14. Cosla Policy Position - Not applicable.
___________________________________________________________________
List of Background Papers: Corporate Policy on the Management of Radon 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Author:  Steven Fanning, Strategic Health, and Safety Manager

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Issue Number: HS/##/## 
Issue Date: ##/2026 
Review Date: ##/20## 
This document is
available in alternative
formats on request. 
Renfrewshire Council
Corporate Policy on the
Management of Radon in
Council Homes and
Workplaces

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1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3
2 Radon properties............................................................................................................ 3
3 Health implications ........................................................................................................ 3
4 Radon Thresholds .......................................................................................................... 4
5 Legal duties ................................................................................................................... 4
6 Internal responsibilities .................................................................................................. 5
7 Information and training ................................................................................................. 6
8 Management of radon..................................................................................................... 7
8.1 Risk Assessment .................................................................................................... 7
8.2 Radon monitoring ................................................................................................... 7
8.3 Record keeping ....................................................................................................... 8
9 Radon protection measures ............................................................................................ 8
9.1 New buildings ......................................................................................................... 9
9.2 Existing buildings .................................................................................................... 9
10 Review of policy and procedures ..................................................................................... 9
10.1 Regular review ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
10.2 Review as a result of legislative changes ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
10.3 Review as a result of incidents, complaints or corrective action . Error! Bookmark not
defined. 
APPENDIX 1 – Building Radon Checklist ................................................................................ 10
APPENDIX 2 Generic risk matrix and action protocol ............................................................. 13
APPENDIX 3 – Recording maintenance visits and the operational state of radon remedial   
measures ............................................................................................................................ 17

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1 Introduction
This document sets out the Council’s policy for managing risk associated with
exposure to radon by employees and persons using Council buildings. Long
term exposure to radon may increase the risk of developing lung cancer,
especially for smokers.
This policy has been developed in line with the general principles outlined in the
Council’s Health and Safety Policy and should be used in conjunction with
relevant legislation, Health and Safety Executive (HSE)/UK Health Security
Agency (UKHSA) guidance, and other recognised procedures relating to the
presence of radon in buildings.
Where Services occupy premises that are not owned/managed by the Council,
they should ensure that the presence of radon is managed by a system
comparable to that described in this document
2 Radon properties
Radon is a naturally occurring colourless, odourless radioactive gas. It is formed
by the radioactive decay of small amounts of uranium and radium that are
naturally present in rocks and soils. As a gas, it can seep out through cracks and
fissures in the subsoil and will either be released to the atmosphere or can
accumulate in the spaces beneath and within buildings.
Areas of the UK where UKHSA/British Geological Survey estimate that 1% or
more of homes will have a radon level above 200 Becquerels/m³ (Bq/m³) are
designated ‘radon affected’ areas. An interactive map showing these areas (as
1km grid squares) is freely available online:
(www.ukradon.org/information/ukmaps).
The vast majority of Renfrewshire is currently mapped as Class 1 (not radon
affected). However, some small areas are shown as radon affected areas –
these go up to Class 6, where >30% of properties are estimated to have radon
>200 Bq/m3.
The Council implemented a programme of testing for radon in Council properties
in these areas during 2025 and will continue to monitor those properties on a
scheduled basis.
3 Health implications
Most of the radon gas breathed in is immediately exhaled and presents little
radiological hazard. However, the decay products of radon are radioactive solids.
These particles attach to atmospheric dust and water droplets which, when
breathed in, can become lodged in the lungs and airways.
Some decay products of radon emit harmful radiation called alpha particles,
which can cause cellular damage within the lungs.
The largest exposure arises in domestic settings (due to the amount of time
generally spent at home) but significant exposures can also occur in the
workplace. Studies have shown that the risk from radon exposure at 100 Bq/m3

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over 30 years increases the risk of lung cancer by 5-31%1. The absolute risk is
estimated as 25 times greater for smokers than non-smokers2. UKSHA reports
that the dose-response relationship appears linear, and that there is no evidence
of a ‘safe’ concentration below which there is no risk.
4 Radon Thresholds
The workplace action level specified in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017
(IRR 2017) is 300 Bq/m³ as an annual average. Where this is exceeded,
employers are legally required to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
and take prompt action to restrict employee and public exposure to below the
relevant annual dose limit (e.g. an effective dose of 1mSv per year for members
of the public)3. 
The residential action level (set out in the UK National Radon Action Plan, 2018)
is 200Bq/m3 as an annual average. A target level of 100 Bq/m3 has also been set
as the ideal outcome following remedial action in existing homes and inclusion of
protective measures in new homes.
The UKHSA recommends that the domestic target level is also applied to
schools and buildings with public occupancy exceeding 2000 hours per year. In
domestic settings, UKHSA recommends that action to reduce radon exposure is
taken where the target level is exceeded (even if below the action level)
particularly where there are smokers in the household.
The Council will therefore adopt a ‘threshold level’ of 100 Bq/m3 in all our
properties (including workplaces and homes) as the point at which we will
consider whether remedial action to reduce radon exposure is appropriate.
5 Legal duties
The Council recognises its responsibilities as an employer and landlord and aims
to reduce exposure to radon to the lowest level that is reasonably practical, and in
all cases below the specified action levels, by:
• Identifying and testing for radon in Council buildings in radon affected areas.
• Having clear procedures in place for the management of radon in affected
buildings.
• Developing and maintaining records of radon levels in Council buildings.
• Providing suitable information, training and advice to employees and other
persons likely to be exposed to radon in Council buildings.
• Consulting, where necessary, with the Council’s Radiation Protection Adviser
(RPA), HSE, UKHSA and specialist consultants. 
1https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7ea84aed915d74e6225a5d/RCE-  
2 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/radon-and-health 
3 Schedule 3 Part 1(5) of The Ionising Radiation Regulations (2017)

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• Ensuring that any remedial measures put in place to reduce the level of radon
in a property are monitored and maintained effectively; and
• Reviewing its policy and procedures relating to radon as required.
6 Internal responsibilities
General health and safety responsibilities are detailed in the Corporate Health,
Safety and Policy. Specific responsibilities in relation to radon are detailed below.
The Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure must ensure that sufficient
resource is made available to:
• Provide competent advice on radon risk.
• Conduct radon risk assessments and monitoring where required.
• Provide competent information, instruction and training to staff, and
• Ensure the effective implementation of radon control measures throughout the
Council estate.
Specific tasks include:
• The Environmental Health & Community Safety Manager from Climate,
Public Protection & Roads has been appointed for the co-ordination of radon
protection within Renfrewshire Council. This officer will be the main liaison
between both internal Council Services and external bodies.
• Identifying Council buildings that require risk assessment (including testing)
using the BGS/UKSHA’s definitive ‘radon potential’ dataset. This licensed
dataset from BGS is available to the Council via the Public Sector Geospatial
Agreement (PSGA).
• Identifying Council workplaces with basements that are occupied for more
than 50 hours per year, and ensuring they are monitored whether in radon
affected areas or not, in line with UKHSA advice
• Ensuring radon risk assessments are completed for Council properties in
radon affected areas, and that subsequent recommendations are
implemented.
Although it is the responsibility of the Director of Environment, Housing and
Infrastructure, for the tasks above, effective radon management will require input
from other Council services and directorates, and appropriate cross-service staff
collaboration/delegation will be expected.
The Head of Housing, the Head of Facilities and Property Services and the Head
of Climate, Public Protection & Roads will be responsible for ensuring that:
• Contract and engineering works are undertaken in accordance with best
practice and in a manner that eliminates, reduces or controls identified radon
risks.

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• a database of Renfrewshire Council properties in radon affected areas is
maintained (in line with current UKHSA/BGS radon datasets).
• all new Council buildings in radon affected areas are designed with the
appropriate level of radon protection.
• where radon protection is required, a suitable contractor(s) is identified with
the appropriate training and expertise to design and carry out remedial works.
• a programme of regular, recorded inspections and testing is maintained to
demonstrate that radon protection works are undertaken to the required
standard and that any control measures in Council buildings are performing
satisfactorily, and 
• radon is included in risk assessments for all Renfrewshire Council controlled
workplaces and homes in radon affected areas.
Responsible Persons (RP) in premises that have radon shall:
• maintain all on-site records pertaining to radon control measures, including risk
assessments, test results and inspection reports
• ensure that any protection measures provided to control/reduce radon ingress
to the building are properly maintained and regularly monitored to ensure
effectiveness (e.g. mechanical ventilation using fans).
• Ensure that all control measures (including restricted occupation/access) are
followed
• Communicate with local staff
(Note: The procedure for a PPP school may differ from that described above and
you should seek clarification from the PPP Projects Officer in the first instance).
The Strategic Health and Safety Manager shall be responsible for ensuring that
the Health and Safety team monitor the performance of the Council’s radon
policy and the effectiveness of its arrangements.
7 Information and training
The Council will provide sufficient information and training to ensure that
employees in radon affected premises, understand the potential health risks
posed by radon in the workplace, and the importance of any management and
control measures provided.
Information shall be provided by briefing sessions, toolbox talks, articles in staff
newsletters and on the Council intranet, and cascading of information within the 
All employees (e.g. building maintenance personnel, contractors and others)
who may work in radon affected buildings shall be given information regarding
the safe operation of any engineering controls such as switches, radon
membranes/barriers, ventilation systems, sump controls, fans, vents etc) that are
in place to reduce radon ingress.

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8 Management of radon
8.1 Risk Assessment
Council buildings have been initially assessed to identify the potential for the
presence of radon gas. This assessment will be based on the UKHSA/BGS
radon probability dataset (25m grid) which will negate the need to order detailed
site-specific reports from BGS.
Council premises located in radon affected areas (i.e. Class 2 – Class 6 Areas)
will, as part of the risk assessment, be monitored for radon gas levels (see
‘Building Radon Checklist’ in Appendix 1). The results of the test will determine
what actions will arise. Appendix 2 gives more detail on reassessment and
actions.
For Council housing, all tenants of houses and ground-floor flats in radon
affected areas have been offered a test kit. It is acknowledged that testing in
homes will require the tenant’s voluntary participation, and such testing will not
be mandatory. The tenants and homeowners have been given information to
support this activity. The Head of Housing Services will be responsible for
maintaining a list of which properties have been tested, and for ensuring that
new tenants in radon affected areas are offered a radon test kit when they move
in.
8.2 Radon monitoring
The radon level within buildings can be extremely variable and will be dependent
on a number of factors including:
• the underlying geology;
• details of how the building is constructed; and
• how the building is heated and ventilated.
Monitoring is carried out using passive detectors which are left in place for a
period of at least 3 months to reflect typical occupancy. This longer-term
monitoring ensures any short-term fluctuations are evened out, and an annual
average concentration is then calculated based on this monitoring period.
Radon monitoring will be carried out in Council properties at suitable intervals for
the level of risk, based upon, for example, published geological information,
radon map data and/or the results of previous monitoring in the vicinity.
Council premises (without basements) located in non-radon affected areas will
not be routinely tested for radon. This position will be reviewed if there is a
further change by UKHSA/British Geological Surveys and specific properties
may be tested if required following any risk assessment. Council buildings with
basement/subterranean areas that are occupied >50 hours/year will be identified
and monitored in line with UKHSA guidance, whether they are in a radon
affected area or not.

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In premises where the level of radon is found to be below the threshold level (as
specified by the Council) re-testing for radon will be carried out at specified
intervals, based on an assessment of the risk (see Appendix 2). Re-tests may
also be necessary following any significant changes to a building’s use or
performance (for example if the basement begins to be used more frequently or
there are energy efficiency upgrades which require below ground construction).
Managing the re-test process will be the responsibility of the relevant service.
When remedial measures are installed to reduce radon levels, the property will
be immediately re-tested to confirm that the measures are functioning correctly
and effectively. Regular checks of such measures require to be undertaken by
the building’s duty holder (which may be quarterly or annual depending on the
type of mitigation measures applied).
8.3 Record Keeping
The maintenance of records relating to radon at Council properties will be the
responsibility of the Head of Housing, the Head of Facilities and Property
Services and the Head of Climate, Public Protection & Roads. It is anticipated
that information relating to radon will be included in the Council’s property asset
management systems (for example CAMIS, Apex). 
Records shall include:
• Property name, UPRN or Council identifier.
• Details of the property’s radon monitoring results.
• Records of risk assessments.
• The monitoring strategy for the property and any deviations from this.
• The design and function of any radon related remedial measures undertaken
at the property, along with records of installation and any regular
maintenance/inspection, and
• Any requirements for controlled or restricted access/occupation.
9 Radon protection measures
Any buildings which have been identified as exceeding the Council’s radon
‘threshold level’ may require appropriate controls to safeguard employees, tenants
and/or other occupants of the building in accordance with Appendix 2. 
The Building Research Establishment guidance document BR 211 (‘Guidance on
protective measures for new buildings (including supplementary advice for
extensions, conversions and refurbishment projects)’) provides guidance on the
design of practical, cost-effective radon protection measures. The most suitable
mitigation measure (or combination of measures) will be dependent on several
factors including radon levels, as well as the building design.

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9.1 New buildings
It is better to prevent radon from entering a building than to try to remove it once
present. All new Council buildings in radon affected areas will be designed and
built in accordance with mandatory standard 3.2 set out in Schedule 5 to the
Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 such that “…. there will not be a threat to
the health of people in or around the building due to the emission and
containment of radon gas”.
9.2 Existing buildings
Where monitoring shows the radon level to be above the Council’s adopted
‘threshold level’ of 100 Bq/m3, further risk assessment will be carried out. This
will include property-specific considerations, as well as cost/benefit analysis to
determine whether further action is warranted.
Where remedial measures are considered necessary, they will be designed and
implemented as soon as is reasonably practicable. Any such measures will be
appropriate to the level of radon detected, the type of building affected and the
occupancy rate. Following the introduction of remedial measures, the property
will be re-tested as set out in Appendix 2.
In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary to introduce access
restrictions on a temporary basis until it is shown that radon levels have been
reduced to an acceptable level.  Once mitigation measures have been installed,
details of the system and any associated test/inspection results should be
recorded as set out in Section 8.3. A template checklist for recording inspection
visits is included in Appendix 3. 
10 Review of the policy 
The Corporate Health and Safety Team will monitor this policy for its
effectiveness.  This policy and accompanying documentation contained within
will be reviewed and, where necessary, revised on a three-yearly cycle unless an
earlier revision is prompted by significant changes in legislation, procedures,
best practice or organisational learning.  Any changes or amendments to this
policy will be done in consultation with The Environmental Health & Community
Safety Manager from Climate, Public Protection & Roads and the recognised
trade unions.

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APPENDIX 1 – Building Radon Checklist
Building details
Building Address: Name/description/UPRN/use  
Section 1 
a) Is the building in a radon affected area? 
• Refer to BGS/UKHSA ‘radon potential dataset’
(licensed and available on ArcGIS Online under
the PSGA)
Yes  No 
b) Does the building have a basement which
constitutes a workplace and is occupied for >50
hours per year and/or is the building benched
into a slope?
Yes  No 
Note 
If both answers in Section 1 are ‘No’, the building is considered to be at low risk
from radon, and the checklist is complete. 
The checklist should be reviewed at increments of 10 years
Proceed to Section 4 
If either answer is ‘Yes’, continue to Section 2 
Section 2
a) Has the building been tested for the presence of
radon gas? If Yes, provide the date(s) of
previous testing, and the result (in Bq/m3) 
(Results/test certificates can be appended to
this file) 
If No, proceed to Section 3 
Yes  No 
b) If tested, are the number of locations per
building considered sufficient to represent the
regularly occupied ground floor and basement
levels?
Yes  No

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c) Were the most recent measured levels below
the relevant action level (e.g. the Council’s
‘threshold level’ of 100 Bq/m3
Yes  No 
Note 
If the answers to questions a, b and c in Section 2 are all ‘Yes’ then the building
checklist is complete. The checklist should be reviewed at increments of 10 years. 
Proceed to Section 4 
Otherwise, continue to Section 3 
Section 3 - Outcome
Review the available property data and select the action(s) required 
a) Does the building need to be tested for radon? 
If yes, advise the relevant service to commission a
test. 
Yes  No 
b) Does a risk assessment need to be carried out? 
e.g. if radon levels above the Council’s ‘threshold
level of 100 Bq/m3 have been recorded, discuss
occupation rates/use profile/building design with
the relevant service to obtain site-specific
information. 
If yes, record further details here 
Yes No
c) Do radon protection measures need to be
reviewed or installed? 
Yes No
Comments/Observations/Notes/Actions Date
Section 4  - Assessors Details
Risk
assessor
Name 
Signature

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Position  Date 
Next
review
date 
A copy of this checklist should be made available to the building manager/head of
centre and also held in the Councils asset management system

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APPENDIX 2 Generic risk matrix and action protocol 
Following monitoring and verification of radon levels within a building, the table below sets out the proposed course of action. The
proposed action levels apply to all building types (residential, schools and other workplaces – see Note 1) 
Measured radon
level (Bq/m³)   Action 
< 100   • No remedial action required  
• Re-test at 10-year intervals and/or after any significant refurbishment or change of use 
100 - 200    • Take initial practical steps e.g. check existing ventilation and seal obvious entry points (for
example, floor cracks, pipe runs) and/or
• Carry out building-specific risk assessment (likely to be applicable for occupational
settings rather than residential) and where relevant
• Re-test (paid for by Council). 
If re-test result falls within the same range: 
• Consider and/or implement tailored mitigation strategy within 6 months (see Note 2). This
may include engineered methods (see Note 3). 
• Advise tenants/employees of other ways they can reduce their risk (e.g. stop smoking) if
not reasonably achievable to meet target level of 100 Bq/m3 
• Re-test at 5-year intervals and/or after any significant refurbishment or change of use. 
200 -
1000    
• Develop and/or implement tailored mitigation strategy within 3 months (see Note 2) This
may include short-term practical steps (e.g. increasing ventilation and sealing entry
points) and longer term engineered methods (see Note 3).

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• For workplaces only, also: 
- At >300 Bqm-3, report to HSE as required by IRR 2017 (see Note 4) and
- Consider restricting access to specific areas, based on site-specific risk assessment.
This should take into account factors including radon level, the building design and the
pattern and duration of occupation – seek advice from UKHSA / HSE / NHS
GG&C as required (see Note 5) 
• Re-test after remediation (free of charge from UKHSA) 
• Re-test annually for 2 years and at suitable intervals thereafter and/or after any significant
refurbishment or change of use 
> 1000 
> 1000 
Residential 
Workplaces 
• For residential: 
- Consult with the UKHSA/NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s Public Health Protection Unit
re. short-term intervention/advice to tenants 
- Develop and/or implement tailored mitigation strategy within 6 weeks (see
Note 2) This is likely to include engineered methods (see Note 3). 
- Re-test once remedial works complete (free of charge from UKHSA) 
• For workplaces: 
- Report to HSE as required by IRR 2017 (see Note 4) 
- Consult with HSE / UKSHA / NHS GG&C and consider any requirement to 
□ impose immediate restrictions on access to affected area, based upon site specific
risk assessment (see Note 5) 
□ inform and advise employees and any others likely to be exposed

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• Develop and implement tailored mitigation strategy within 6 weeks (see Note 2). This is
likely to include engineered methods (see Note 3). 
• Re-test once remedial works are complete (free of charge from UKHSA) 
• Re-test annually for 3 years and at suitable intervals thereafter, and/or after any significant
refurbishment or change of use 
Notes 
1) UKHSA recommends the adoption of the residential target (100 Bq/m3) and action levels (200Bq/m3) for schools and non-domestic
buildings with public occupancy exceeding 2000 hours per year.   
2) When setting timescales for implementing mitigation measures, we may need to allow time for any required statutory approvals
(e.g. building warrants) and also consultation/agreement with private owners in mixed-tenure blocks. Mitigation measures will
be identified subject to cost-benefit analysis. 
3) A tailored mitigation strategy may need to be developed for each individual building. There are practical and relatively
inexpensive measures that can be adopted, but the most effective solution in each case will depend upon a number of independent
factors including the initial radon level and the characteristics of the building being remediated (e.g. floor type, heating and
ventilation).  
Examples of different types of mitigation, their relative effectiveness and suitability in different situations are discussed in HPA’s
2011 publication “An Analysis of radon remediation methods”. Appendix B of that document describes each method listed below. It
is anticipated that advice will need to be sought from specialist consultants to develop detailed designs for specific buildings. 
Active sump = A sump under a solid floor or impermeable membrane with a fan sucking or blowing from the sump 
Passive sump = A sump under a solid floor or impermeable membrane with no fan 
Positive ventilation = A fan, usually in the loft space, blowing into the living space 
Natural sub-floor ventilation = Clearing airbricks or replacing them with modern vents and/or increasing their number

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Active sub-floor ventilation = A fan beneath the floor which sucks or blows 
Passive ventilation = Trickle vents in windows or windows that open on a lockable catch. Best done on lower floors to minimise
the ‘stack effect’ and to be kept permanently open. 
Sealing floors = Sealing cracks and gaps in floors (unsuitable for timber floors). Usually done in combination with other methods 
Sealing loft hatch = Reduces upward flow of air and thereby reduces the negative pressure in the house. Usually done
in combination with other methods. 
In general, active sumps can be expected to result in up to a 6-fold reduction in radon levels. Other methods such as passive
sumps, positive ventilation, natural and active sub-floor ventilation are less effective, offering a typical 2-fold reduction. Passive
ventilation and sealing are generally the least effective, offering a less than 2-fold reduction in levels. 
4) The Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 
5) Where restrictions on entry are implemented to control occupational exposure, in extreme cases also consider carrying out
personal monitoring of any persons required to enter the affected area

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APPENDIX 3 – Recording maintenance visits and the operational state of
radon remedial measures
Where mechanical equipment has been installed to reduce the level of radon within
a building, a programme of regular checks/inspections should be included in the
design specification and implemented as part of the property’s routine maintenance
programme
Guidance notes:
• Mechanical measures to reduce radon gas (e.g. fans fitted to sumps) should
operate continuously, and should not be switched off for any reason other
than repair or maintenance
• Lights attached to fused spur outlets should be illuminated at all times. This
indicates that the power is on, NOT that a fan is working so additional checks
need to made to confirm that the fan is running.
• Air bricks identified as forming part of the ventilation system must always be
clear and in good condition
• Radon vent stacks should be checked to prevent damage/incorrect use. Look
for
o Inappropriate connection of wastewater to the vent stack
o Removal of rain caps to the vent stack
o Vent stack being capped off during re-roofing
o Vent stack damage due to vandalism.
• Any concerns about the correct operation of the systems should be raised
with the relevant service (e.g. Housing, Facilities and Property Services)
A template checklist is included below 
Active Radon Remedial Measures Check
Building name 
Address/UPRN/Description 
Date
Are radon
reduction
measures in
order (/ X)
Defect Action taken Owner

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