New BRE guidance on Radon

December 3, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

BRACKNELL, CO, U.K. (Dec. 3, 2007) – IHS BRE Press, an IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS) company, has recently published the 2007 edition of Radon: guidance on protective measures for new buildings which incorporates newly released maps of radon-affected areas in England and Wales.

Radon is a natural radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell, hear or feel it. It comes from minute amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils. Exposure to particularly high levels of radon may increase the risk of developing lung cancer. While it is recognised that the air inside every building contains radon, some of those built in certain defined areas of the UK might have unacceptably high concentrations unless precautions are taken.

The new edition, written by Chris Scivyer of BRE Building Technology Group, gives practical advice on reducing the risk of exposure to radon in new buildings – domestic and non-domestic – plus new guidance for extensions, conversions and refurbishment projects. It also provides, for the first time, guidelines on protective measures for suspended timber ground floors. Clearly illustrated with diagrams and photographs, it aims to help architects, designers, builders and installers to specify and install successful measures that reduce the risk of radon exposure.

Radon: guidance on protective measures for new buildings contains updated risk assessment maps prepared by the Health Protection Agency and British Geological Survey for England and Wales. The new maps indicate where radon protective measures should be installed and the level of protection needed in the affected areas.  The maps also show for the first time, transport networks and towns for clearer reference.

The 2007 edition was launched at the National Radon Forum on 26 November 2007. It replaces earlier guidance published in 1999 and supports Building Regulations Approved Document L.

Radon: guidance on protective measures for new buildings, 2007 edition
Chris Scivyer
IHS BRE Press, Bracknell, November 2007
ISBN 978-1-84806-013-5 (Ref. BR211) over 50 full colour diagrams and maps, 54 pages, £25.00

For more information, please visit http://www.ihsbrepress.com/.

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Note to editors: Review copies of Radon: guidance on protective measures for new buildings are available in pdf format, or as printed books. Cover images are also available on request.

About the Author
Chris Scivyer is a Chartered Builder who has worked for the UK Building Research Establishment for almost 30 years. Since 1986 Chris has been primarily involved in BRE’s programme of research into radon, with responsibility for developing practical and cost effective protective measures for new buildings. This work has involved extensive field trials, including radon measurement in some 500+ houses on more than 50 newbuild sites. Field trials include observational studies of building in progress and he extensively liaises with construction industry representatives at all levels. Chris assisted the Department of the Environment in drafting interim guidance on protective measures for new dwellings in 1988, and was the lead author of the 1991 and 1999 editions of BRE Report BR211 Radon: guidance on protective measures for new dwellings which supports UK Building Regulations.

About IHS BRE Press
IHS BRE Press, an IHS company, is the exclusive publisher of BRE publications providing key information for the construction industry.

About IHS
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is a leading global source of critical information and insight for customers in a broad range of industries. Our customer product and service solutions span four major areas of information: energy, product lifecycle management, environmental and security.  By focusing on our customers first, we deliver data and expertise that enable innovative and successful decision-making.  Customers range from governments and multinational companies to smaller companies and technical professionals in more than 180 countries. IHS has been in business since 1959 and employs more than 3,000 people in 35 locations around the world.  

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