§ 240.310. Testing protocols.
(a) Radon testing protocols. The certified individual shall ensure that the requirements in this section are completed. For testing that is required to be reported to the Department under § 240.303 (relating to reporting of information), radon testing shall be performed in accordance with all of the following testing protocols:
(1) Placement of testing devices. Testing devices shall be placed as follows:
(i) At least 3 feet from exterior doors, windows or ventilation ducts.
(ii) Out of the direct flow of air.
(iii) At least 1 foot from ceilings and exterior walls.
(iv) At least 20 inches but not more than 6 feet from the floor.
(v) At least 4 inches from other objects horizontally or vertically above the detector.
(vi) At least 4 feet from heat sources including fireplaces, furnaces and direct sunlight.
(vii) At least 7 feet from sump pits.
(viii) Where the device will remain undisturbed during the test period.
(2) Improper placement of testing devices. Testing devices may not be placed in the following locations:
(i) Bathrooms.
(ii) Kitchens.
(iii) Within 10 feet of washer/dryer unit.
(iv) Spa rooms or other areas of high humidity.
(v) Closets.
(vi) Cupboards.
(vii) Sump pits.
(viii) Crawlspaces or nooks within the foundation.
(3) Short-term tests. Short-term tests shall be taken in the lowest livable level of each structural zone that contacts the soil.
(4) Conditions of testing. Testing shall be conducted under the following conditions:
(i) Testing devices must remain undisturbed during the testing period.
(ii) A short-term test must range in duration from 48 hours to 90 days.
(iii) Short-term tests must be conducted under closed-building conditions.
(iv) Closed-building conditions must begin at least 12 hours prior to the beginning of the test period for tests lasting less than 96 hours.
(v) Closed-building conditions consist of all of the following criteria:
(A) All windows must be closed.
(B) All external doors must be closed except for normal entry and exit. Structural openings due to disrepair or structural defects shall be repaired to correct their condition prior to initiation of testing.
(C) Normal operation of permanently installed HVAC systems must continue during closed-building conditions.
(D) Fireplaces, wood stoves and coal stoves may not be operated unless they are normal sources of heat for the building.
(E) Air conditioning systems that recycle interior air may be operated during closed-building conditions.
(F) Whole-house fans may not be operated during the test period. Portable window fans shall be removed from windows or sealed in place. Window air conditioning units may only be operated in a recirculation mode. If the building contains an air handling system, the air handling system may not be set for continuous operation unless the air handling equipment is specifically used for radon control and is labeled accordingly.
(G) In buildings with permanently installed radon mitigation systems, the mitigation system must be functioning during the test period. If the system is not functioning, the client must be notified immediately.
(H) Operation of fans, portable dehumidifiers, portable humidifiers, portable air filters and window air conditioners may not create a direct flow of air on the radon testing device.
(vi) All closed-building conditions shall be inspected and documented at the time of placement and retrieval of the detectors.
(vii) Short-term tests of fewer than 96 hours may not be conducted during unusually severe storms or periods of high winds of 30 miles per hour or greater. Local weather forecasts shall be checked and documented prior to placing short-term test devices when the test period is less than 96 hours.
(viii) Instructions describing closed-building conditions required in this section shall be provided to the persons who control the building.
(ix) Only co-located duplicate tests may be averaged.
(5) Minimum requirements for short-term testing.
(i) Simultaneous testing using short-term passive devices.
(A) Simultaneous testing must comprise at least two short-term indoor radon tests conducted simultaneously with identical test devices.
(B) Simultaneous testing devices shall be:
(I) Co-located and the near edges spaced 4 to 5 inches apart.
(II) Exposed for the same test period.
(C) Both tests and the average of the simultaneous tests shall be reported to the client, except as indicated in subclause (II):
(I) If the RPD is greater than 67% for simultaneous test results that are both between 2.0 and 3.9 pCi/L, the tests shall be reported to the client and the cause investigated, documented and corrected.
(II) If the RPD is greater than 36% for simultaneous test results that are both equal to or greater than 4.0 pCi/L, the tests may not be reported to the client, and the cause shall be investigated, documented and corrected.
(D) If one test is equal to or greater than 4.0 pCi/L and one test is less than 4.0 pCi/L, and the higher test is more than twice the amount of the lower test, the tests may not be reported to the client.
(ii) CRM testing.
(A) A CRM must have the capability to integrate and record a new result at least hourly.
(B) The minimum test period is 48 hours, with 44 contiguous hours of usable data to produce a valid average. The first 4 hours of data from a CRM may be discarded.
(C) The contiguous results shall be averaged to produce a result that is reported to the client.
(D) A copy of the hourly printout shall be provided to the client as part of the test results.
(6) Real estate testing. Real estate testing shall be conducted using all of the following anti-tampering procedures:
(i) Anti-tampering devices shall be employed to indicate if a test device was moved during the testing period.
(ii) The buyer, seller, occupant, real estate professional or other individual in control of the property shall sign a Conditions for Short-Term Radon Testing Agreement, which must contain the information in Appendix B (relating to non-interference agreement for real estate radon testing).
(iii) If the Conditions for Short-Term Radon Testing Agreement cannot be signed by the buyer, seller, occupant, real estate professional or other individual in control of the property, the reason shall be documented on the completed agreement.
(iv) A Radon Testing in Progress Notice shall be posted and in a conspicuous indoor location. The notice shall be posted upon initiation of a radon test and include all of the following statements:
(A) ‘‘Radon Testing in Progress.’’
(B) ‘‘Keep all windows closed.’’
(C) ‘‘Keep all exterior doors closed, except for normal entry and exit.’’
(D) ‘‘Do not move or touch the radon testing device.’’
(7) Multifamily building tests. Multifamily building tests shall be performed in accordance with ANSI/AARST MAMF-2017, ‘‘Protocol for Conducting Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements in Multifamily Buildings,’’ or its equivalent as determined by the Department.
(8) Multifamily building mitigation. Multifamily building mitigation shall be performed in accordance with ANSI/AARST RMS-MF 2014, “Radon Mitigation Standards for Multifamily Buildings,” or its equivalent as determined by the Department.
(9) School and commercial building tests. School and commercial building tests shall be performed in accordance with Radon Measurement in Schools (EPA 402-R-92-014) or its equivalent as determined by the Department.
(10) New construction and buildings under renovation. This paragraph provides the testing requirements for new construction and buildings under renovation. A newly constructed building or existing building under renovation may not be tested for radon or radon progeny unless all of the following items have been installed:
(i) Insulation.
(ii) Exterior doors with associated hardware.
(iii) Windows.
(iv) Fireplaces and fireplace dampers, if they are or will be installed.
(v) Heating, air conditioning and plumbing appliances.
(vi) Ceilings.
(vii) Interior trim and coverings for the exterior walls.
(viii) Exterior siding, weatherproofing and caulking.
(ix) Interior and exterior structural components.
(x) Interior or exterior work that may adversely affect the test validity.
(11) Postmitigation testing.
(i) Testing conducted while temporary radon reduction systems are in use may not be used as the postmitigation test.
(ii) The mitigation system must be operated continuously during the entire test period. If the system is not functioning, the client must be notified immediately.
(iii) The postmitigation test may not be performed sooner than 24 hours or later than 30 days following the completion and activation of the mitigation system or an alteration to an existing system unless unforeseen circumstances prohibit the testing being performed within this timeframe, such as the owner or occupier refusing or ignoring requests to complete the postmitigation test.
(iv) Postmitigation testing shall be conducted in accordance with this subsection.
(b) Result Report Form.
(1) A tester shall have a Department-approved Result Report Form. Testers shall provide the client with a completed Result Report Form within 10 business days from the completion of the test or the receipt of the test results from the laboratory. The Result Report Form must contain all of the following as available:
(i) Each test result in pCi/L and rounded to one decimal place. Standard mathematical rules for rounding shall be followed.
(ii) Notification of an invalid radon test with an explanation and without a test result given.
(iii) The average of co-located test device results as well as the individual results.
(iv) The exact start and stop dates and times of the test period.
(v) The complete street address of the test location, including, when applicable, the apartment, suite or building number.
(vi) The test device used and its manufacturer, model and serial number.
(vii) The complete name, street address and telephone number of the tester.
(viii) The name and Department certification number of each tester placing and retrieving each testing device.
(ix) The name and certification number of the laboratory analyzing the testing device, if applicable.
(x) A statement whether a mitigation system was observed in the building during placement or retrieval of the testing device, including whether the mitigation system was operating.
(xi) A statement describing if tampering, interference or deviations from the required test conditions was observed.
(xii) A description of the condition (open, closed or not applicable) of permanent vents that allow outdoor air into the building, such as crawlspace vents or combustion air supply to combustive appliances.
(xiii) A description of unusually severe storms or periods of high winds during the test period.
(xiv) The location within the building of each testing device.
(xv) The Pennsylvania ‘‘Notice to Clients’’ statement as indicated in § 240.302 (relating to required client information).
(xvi) If using a CRM, a copy of the device printout.
(xvii) If using a CRM or electret reader, the calibration expiration date.
(xviii) If using a CRM or electret reader, the device serial number.
(xix) The following radon health risk information:
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General strongly recommend taking further action when the home’s radon test results are 4.0 pCi/L or greater. The National average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L. The higher the home’s radon level the greater the health risk to you and your family. Reducing your radon levels can be done easily, effectively and fairly inexpensively. Even homes with very high radon levels can be reduced below 4.0 pCi/L. For further information about reducing elevated radon levels, please refer to the ‘‘Pennsylvania Consumers Guide to Radon Reduction.’’
(2) A laboratory shall use a Department-approved Result Report Form. Laboratories shall provide the client with a completed Result Report Form within 10 business days after completion of test analysis. The Result Report Form must contain all of the following as available:
(i) Each test result in pCi/L and rounded to one decimal place. Standard mathematical rules for rounding shall be followed.
(ii) Notification of invalid radon tests with an explanation and without a test result given.
(iii) The average of co-located testing devices as well as the individual results.
(iv) The exact start and stop dates and times of the test period.
(v) The complete street address of the test location, including, when applicable, the apartment, suite or building number, as available.
(vi) The test device used and its manufacturer, model and serial numbers.
(vii) The name and certification number of the laboratory analyzing the testing device.
(viii) The location within the building of each test device, as available.
(ix) The Pennsylvania ‘‘Notice to Clients’’ statement as indicated in § 240.302.
(x) If using a CRM, a copy of the device printout.
(xi) The calibration expiration date of the electret reader or continuous monitor.
(xii) The following radon health risk information:
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General strongly recommend taking further action when the home’s radon test results are 4.0 pCi/L or greater. The national average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L. The higher the home’s radon level the greater the health risk to you and your family. Reducing your radon levels can be done easily, effectively and fairly inexpensively. Even homes with very high radon levels can be reduced below 4.0 pCi/L. For further information about reducing elevated radon levels, please refer to the ‘‘Pennsylvania Consumers Guide to Radon Reduction.’’
Authority The provisions of this § 240.310 issued under sections 12 and 13 of the Radon Certification Act (63 P.S. § § 2012 and 2013); section 302 of the Radiation Protection Act (35 P.S. § 7110.302); and section 1920-A of the Administrative Code (71 P.S. § 510.20).
Source The provisions of this § 240.310 adopted October 26, 2018, effective January 24, 2019, 48 Pa.B. 6791.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 240.303 (relating to reporting of information).
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