Here at PropertECO, we are the leading radon testing and mitigation company for reducing radon gas in Northampton. Radon can not be seen, smelt or touched but is responsible for over 1,100 deaths from lung cancer which is only behind smoking.
From the radon map, there are high concentration levels of radon in Radon, however, the only true way to know if you have radon at the property is to purchase a radon test kit or special radon detectors online.
There are two types of detectors that can be purchased. There is the 10 day radon detector which is normally used by someone who is looking to sell or purchase a property and needs quick results. The 3 month radon test kit provides more accurate readings, which is what we would always recommend.
The detectors should be placed both in the living room or the bedroom of the property, which means one should be on the ground and one of the first floor.
The reason for doing this is that these are normally the areas where you spend the most time in. If it is a commercial building then the detectors should be placed in other areas of the property.
The unit used for measuring radon is called Becquerels. The average for households in the UK is 20 Bq/m3 and the target level approved by UK Health Security Agency (formerly PHE) is 100 Bq/m3. If the radon levels are below the target level then it is not a cause for concern.
However, if you have had radon testing carried out at the property and the readings show that it is over the target level then remediation works will need to be carried out to reduce this.
It is important for radon testing in Northampton to take place in the workplace as the health and safety legislation introduced in IRR17 (Ionising Radiation Regulations). Testing radon in the workplace needs to be carried out if the premises is located in an affected area.
Radon gas testing will also be required by the property owner if the premises has a basement. If you would like further information about protecting your employees from radon gas then please get in touch with PropertECO by contacting us online.
Once the results from the testing have been received, then this is where PropertECO will ask the property owner that a radon specialist should carry out a survey at the property. The specialist will determine what type of radon mitigation needs to be used to reduce the concertation levels below the target level.
The two remediation systems used are radon sumps and positive pressure systems. A radon sump is installed on the outside of the property and the pipework is installed beneath the property as this is where the radon is most prominent. The radon is collected from the pipework and the fan will then ensure the gas is safely pumped away from the property.
A positive pressure system is a form of radon reduction that works with the installation of a fan system. The positive pressure system uses the cleaning air from outside of the property and then dispersing the air throughout the property.
There are health risks that you may or may not be aware of associated with radon gas. Even if you can not smell, see or touch radon gas can have a major impact on your health.
Radon is the second leading cause of cancer and this is due to the direct impact of radon gas in their home or workplace. With Northampton being one of the areas where radon is more likely to be found then make sure you have a radon gas test carried out.
As we have already explained, the only true way to know if your property is in a radon affected area is to purchase a radon test kit online via our Radon Shop. If you are purchasing a property in the Northampton area then a 10 day radon detector would be the best option. If you are not constricted on time then a 3 month radon test kit will be more beneficial as it provides more accurate test results.
If you would like more information from a radon expert then you can get in touch using the form down below or 0800 046 6193.