Gas regs set to change

Gas protection systems specialist Visqueen Building Products is alerting the construction industry to proposed changes to Part C of the Building Regulations, due to come into force in 2004.
Part C relates to site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture. The proposed changes mean that it could become a contractor's, architect's or developer's responsibility to check for radon contamination, whether or not the building is for habitation, and to provide a solution.
"The new proposals have been through a public consultation process and if all the proposals for revising Part C of the Building Regs for England and Wales are accepted, radon protection will need to be assessed for all construction, subject to building control. This includes new housing, some extensions, change of use to residential accommodation and non-domestic developments," said Gerry McGarry, Visqueen's sales and marketing director.
"Radon is responsible for half the total radiation exposure of a typical person in the UK, with current estimates suggesting that it is responsible for 2,500 lung cancer deaths per year - that's about 5% of all lung cancers," he explained.
When radon is in the atmosphere, its concentration is relatively low and, therefore, not dangerous, but if allowed to enter buildings and accumulate in enclosed spaces, its concentration can be raised to a point where it can present a cancer risk.
Radon can enter a building through gaps, cracks and voids in the ground floor construction; at the junction with a wall; through cracks in cavity walls or cracks in underground walls to basements.
Asked if the changes would add extra costs to construction projects, McGarry replied:
"If a site is in an affected area and depending on whether it needs 'full' or 'basic' radon protection, there will be additional work that will incur an extra cost. However, it has been estimated that clients could benefit by between £210,000 and £280,000 per year if radon protection measures are incorporated into new construction work, rather than dealt with later as a retro-fit."
There are two methods of radon protection - passive and active.
"Passive protection is achieved by providing a good quality and well-sealed radon-proof barrier at ground level. This corresponds to the basic level of protection. Active protection involves natural or mechanical under-floor ventilation or, a radon sump with an associated powered extraction system that, in conjunction with a radon-proof barrier across the ground floor construction, provides the basis for full radon protection," explained McGarry.