We’re delighted to be exhibiting at this year’s Education Estates conference, being held in Manchester on 18-19th October 2022.
This year marks the event’s 10th anniversary, which is run in partnership with the Department of Education and aims to bring together those involved in the funding, design, build, maintenance and management of schools, colleges and universities.
propertECO’s Head of Radon Projects, Rebecca Coates said “Having worked with over 70 schools so far in 2022, the education sector is a growing market for us and attending Education Estates gives us the ideal opportunity to connect with school leaders and estate managers. Many schools are still unaware of the need to consider radon in their risk assessments, or often what radon even is. This event will enable us to share accurate information that will ultimately increase compliance and decrease the health risks associated with long term exposure to radon both for pupils and staff.”
Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking, and is responsible for over 1100 deaths in the UK each year. It is formed naturally in the ground and can seep into buildings unnoticed as it has no taste, smell or colour. Certain parts of the country are at greater risk of radon due to the underlying geology, but any building of any size, age, use or location can be affected.
Under workplace health and safety legislation, all schools must carry out a radon risk assessment. If the school is located in a designated radon ‘affected area’, or if it has a basement, then radon testing is required to measure the hazard. Testing is carried out over a three month period using small passive monitors that are placed throughout the building. The detectors are then analysed in a laboratory and a results report issued.
If elevated radon concentrations are found, steps must be taken to reduce the exposure that staff and students receive. This can be achieved via the installation of a specialist radon mitigation system such as a retrofit sump or a positive input ventilation system.
