Radon Piping Recommendations

What is the code requirement for radon piping

We are often asked, “what is the code requirement for radon piping”. The answer is that there is no code requirement in Missoula for how to run radon piping.

The EPA recommends that if a fan is used it is placed above the living space so that, if there is a leak in the pipe anywhere it doesn’t pump radon into the house. If you imagine a system with the fan in the basement and a leak in the pipe somewhere on the main floor area, then the fan would be pushing radon contaminated air into the living space. So the fan should be above (or outside) the living space so that if there are any leaks in the pipe inside the house, air is sucked into it rather than pushed out of it.

The pipe outlet to the outside can be through the roof, a wall, or a gable end. The EPA recommends that it be at least ten feet from any open-able window or door.

We recommend going out through the roof and we also recommend adding a condensate bypass to the pipe at the fan location.

The picture on the left is one example of how to do this. With this arrangement, any condensation that forms inside the pipe (and there will be some) can flow straight down through the condensate drain and not through the fan motor. Without the by-pass the fan will likely not last very long.

In this picture the fan is placed outside the home. If possible, we recommend placing the fan and condensate bypass in the attic and running the pipe out through the roof. Either way will work but in the situation pictured at left the pipe will be visible running up the outside of the building.

This image came from the following web-site

http://www.radonaway.com/images/newsletter-summer05.pdf

And just for good measure, here is the EPA’s website about radon http://www.epa.gov/radon/

There is also lots of good information on the Radon Away website. CLICK HERE to visit the site and please feel free to contact us with any questions.

CONTACT US – Energetechs, Inc., – ph.