Submission on the National Radon Control Strategy

Transcription

1 Submission on the National Radon Control Strategy The Government has established an inter-agency group to develop a National Radon Control Strategy for Ireland. The aim of this strategy is to reduce the number of cases of lung cancer caused by radon.

2 Radon prevention in new buildings RPII research has shown that home owner s awareness of what radon preventive measures (radon barrier, standby sump, etc) are present in their home and their understanding of those measures are poor. 1. What do you think can be done to improve home owner s awareness and understanding of radon preventive measures? SCSI recommends that RPII and other stakeholders engage in a targeted media campaign focusing on the health risks and benefits of early detection of radon. This should be followed up by public awareness campaigns. Research has also shown that home owner s compliance with Technical Guidance Document C s recommendation to test new homes for radon is low. 2. What do you think can be done to encourage home owners to test their new homes after they are occupied? Further campaigns by bodies such as RPII, HSE and other stakeholders should be considered stressing the health risks to the family of radon and the unobtrusive nature of detection using the RPII alpha track detectors should be undertaken. Anecdotal evidence indicates that building professionals understanding of radon preventive measures can be poor. 3. How do you think understanding of the requirements for radon prevention and the purpose of the standby sump as set out in Technical Document Guidance C (TGDC) could be improved amongst builders, architects and engineers? Industry stakeholders including construction professional institutes, third level colleges, and employer representative organisations should be encouraged to include explanatory guidance documents, CPD and formal training in the area of radon prevention and

3 remediation. Publications like Homebond and BRE publications provide excellent further explanatory guidelines in this area. 4. What (if any) particular practical difficulties do builders encounter in implementing the TGDC radon prevention recommendation? In the opinion of the Society there should not be any particular difficulties in complying with requirements of TGDC regarding radon prevention. There are however serious deficiencies in the resourcing and implementation of the Building control and Building Regulations system regarding oversight and supervision of such works. Radon specific training should be provided for designers, supervisors and operatives who install the radon sumps and barriers. 5. What additional support, guidance, enforcement, etc do you think is required to ensure that radon barriers and the standby radon sump are installed correctly? The installation of standby radon sumps and barriers should be supervised and preferably signed off by a competent trained person certified by a competent such as a Chartered Building Surveyor, with appropriate training in this area. This should be underpinned by appropriate training for all involved in design, supervision, certification and installation process.

4 Radon remediation RPII research has shown that only 25% of homeowners, whose homes have been found to have high radon levels, actually go on to remediate. Research has also shown that one of the factors contributing to this low remediation rate is uncertainty in finding a reliable contractor when high radon levels are found. 6. What measures do you think would encourage homeowners with high radon levels to take action to reduce high levels of radon in their homes? Targeted grant/tax relief for remediation should be considered along the lines of septic tank/onsite system remediation. 7. What measures would you like to see in place to ensure that home owners and employers can access reputable radon remediation service and have confidence in the quality of such services? Consideration should be given to setting up a register of approved installers and remediators to be administered by an independent competent authority 8. Are there practical measures that you think could be introduced to support the competence of those offering radon remediation services? SCSI would support a rigorous training programme for remediation contractors. This would involve prequalification of participants who have a construction craft or professional background. Such participants should undertake a dedicated training course in radon prevention and remediation. Participants should be assessed on the basis of their knowledge and competence in this area by written examination and assessment of a portfolio of evidence in relation to a range of remediations carried out.

5 9. The inclusion of a standby sump in new buildings is intended to make remediation easier and cheaper when high radon levels are found in a new building. What in your opinion of the effectiveness of this provision? Standby sumps can be very effective to provide a relatively cheap retrofit option and should be retained as a minimum requirement.

6 The role of Local Authorities Local Authorities provide a wide range of services, information and advice to local communities and businesses. 10. How do you think Local Authorities or other public bodies could play a greater role in raising awareness of the radon problem among homeowners, employers and landlords? Local Authorities are ideally placed to provide guidance and assistance to homeowners through the Planning and Building Control system by informing applicants and other interested parties with supporting information to ensure proper design, installations and oversight. Local Authority housing stock should be inspected and tested for radon, particularly in high radon risk areas. 11. How do you think Local Authorities or other public bodies could play a greater role in providing advice and guidance to homeowners, employers and landlords regarding radon measurement and remediation? Public bodies like Health Boards, RPII, HSA, and Local authorities should actively communicate with all stakeholders in relation to the radon health risks and should consider preparing an action plan to ensure a more comprehensive measurement and remediation regime.. Other 12. Is there anything else that you would like to add? The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland is actively involved in encouraging and providing on-going CPD in relation to Building Regulations and remediation in areas such as radon.

7 The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland Dating back to 1895, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland is the independent professional body for Chartered Surveyors working and practicing in Ireland. Working in partnership with RICS, the pre-eminent Chartered professional body for the construction, land and property sectors around the world, the Society and RICS act in the public interest: setting and maintaining the highest standards of competence and integrity among the profession; and providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues for business, society and governments worldwide. Advancing standards in construction, land and property, the Chartered Surveyor professional qualification is the world s leading qualification when it comes to professional standards. In a world where more and more people, governments, banks and commercial organisations demand greater certainty of professional standards and ethics, attaining the Chartered Surveyor qualification is the recognised mark of property professionalism. Members of the profession are typically employed in the construction, land and property markets through private practice, in central and local government, in state agencies, in academic institutions, in business organisations and in non-governmental organisations. Members services are diverse and can include offering strategic advice on the economics, valuation, law, technology, finance and management in all aspects of the construction, land and property industry. All aspects of the profession, from education through to qualification and the continuing maintenance of the highest professional standards are regulated and overseen through the partnership of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and RICS, in the public interest. This valuable partnership with RICS enables access to a worldwide network of research, experience and advice.