180 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 11, § 009

Current through September 17, 2024

Section 180-11-009 - MITIGATION SYSTEM INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

Radon mitigation systems must meet the following installation requirements:

009.01RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE. Radon mitigation specialists are responsible for all radon mitigation systems installed by their firm or its subcontractors to ensure compliance with the requirements of 180 NAC 11.

009.02SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES. All installations of radon mitigation systems in single-family residences must be conducted according to the requirements described in American National Standards Institute - American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists Soil Gas Mitigation Standards for Existing Homes (SGM-SF 2017) incorporated herein by this reference.

009.03MULTIFAMILY, SCHOOL, COMMERCIAL, AND MIXED-USE BUILDINGS. All installations of radon mitigation systems in multifamily, school, commercial, and mixed-use buildings must be conducted according to the requirements described in American National Standards Institute - American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists Soil Gas Mitigation Standards for existing Multifamily, School, Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings (SGM-MFLB 2023) incorporated herein by this reference. Mitigation Specialists supervising the installation of radon mitigation systems in multifamily, school, commercial, and mixed-use buildings must have completed a training course from an approved training provider for radon mitigation in multifamily, school, commercial, and mixed-use buildings.

009.04SCHOOLS AND LARGE BUILDINGS. All installations of radon mitigation systems in schools and large buildings must be conducted according to the requirements described in American National Standards Institute - American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists Radon Mitigation Standards for Schools and Large Buildings (RMS-LB 2018) incorporated herein by this reference. Mitigation Specialists supervising the installation of radon mitigation systems in schools or non-residential buildings larger than 2,000 square feet must have completed a training course from an approved training provider for radon mitigation in schools and large buildings.

009.05EXCEPTIONS. The following are exceptions to the requirements described in American National Standards Institute - American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists Soil Gas Mitigation Standards for Existing Homes (SGM-SF 2017), and American National Standards Institute - American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists Soil Gas Mitigation Standards for existing Multifamily, School, Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings (SGM-MFLB 2023):

(A)INFORMATION PACKAGE. For single family residences, where references to the required information package allow for the informational package to be otherwise provided to the Client, it must instead be securely attached to the system in a visible location or installed in the livable space, as prescribed.

(B)ACTIVE NOTIFICATION MONITORS. No active notification monitors are required.

(C)INSULATION. No insulation for duct piping or fans is required.

009.06CONVERSION OF A PASSIVE RADON MITIGATION SYSTEM TO AN ACTIVE RADON MITIGATION SYSTEM. In order to convert a passive radon mitigation system to an active radon mitigation system, a person must:

(A) By the 15th day of each month, submit a report of all conversions completed during the previous month. This data is to be entered in the Department's online reporting system. Mitigation reports must include all of the information requested in the required fields on the online reporting form;

(B) By the 15th day of each month, submit to the Department the mitigation fee per installation for all of the conversions completed during the previous month in accordance with 180 NAC 11 014.03;

(C) Label each radon mitigation system in accordance with 180 NAC 11 009.05(A), 009.05(D), and in accordance with Section 10.1 Radon Documentation Essential Information from American National Standards Institute - American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists Soil Gas Mitigation Standards for Existing Homes (SGM-SF 2017);

(D) Follow electrical requirements in accordance with 180 NAC 11 009.07;

(E) Install a system monitor in accordance with the following requirements:

(i) All active mitigations systems must include a mechanism to monitor system performance and warn of system failure. The mechanism must be simple to read or interpret and be located where it is easily seen or heard by building occupants and protected from damage or destruction; and

(ii) Mechanical radon mitigation system monitors, such as manometer type pressure gauges, must be clearly marked to indicate the range or zone of pressure readings that existed when the system was initially activated; and

(F) Install each radon vent fan in accordance with the following requirements:

(i) Fans used in radon mitigation systems must be designed specifically for radon removal applications and must be designed or otherwise sealed to reduce the potential for leakage of soil gas from the fan housing;

(ii) Fans must be sized to provide the pressure difference and air flow characteristics necessary to achieve the radon reduction goals established for the specific mitigation project;

(iii) Fans must not be installed:

(1) Below grade;

(2) In the conditioned (heated or cooled) space of a building; or

(3) In any basement, crawlspace, or other interior location directly beneath the conditioned spaces of a building;

(iv) Acceptable locations for fans include attics not suitable for occupancy (including attics over living spaces and garages) and garages that are not beneath conditioned spaces;

(v) Fans must be installed vertically plumb and level with the outlet pointing up to avoid condensation buildup in the fan housing. Fans must be installed in vertical runs of the vent pipe;

(vi) Fans must be mounted and secured in a manner that minimizes transfer of vibration to the structural framing of the building; and

(vii) To facilitate maintenance and future replacement, fans must be installed in the vent pipe using removable couplings or flexible connections that can be tightly secured to both the fan and the vent pipe.

009.07ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS. All electrical work must comply with current Electrical Code as adopted by the State Electrical Division. The following requirements apply to all installations that require the use of electricity.

009.07(A)RATING. If the rated electricity requirements of a radon mitigation system fan exceed 50% of the circuit capacity into which it will be connected, or if the total connected load on the circuit, including the radon vent fan, exceeds 80% of the circuit's rated capacity, a separate, dedicated circuit must be installed to power the fan.

009.07(B)CIRCUIT BREAKER. The circuit breakers controlling the circuits on which the radon vent fan operates must be labeled "Radon Reduction System."

009.07(C)FANS WITH PLUGGED CORDS. Fans with plugged cords must be installed in accordance with the following requirements:

(i) All electrical wiring and electrical components must:

(1) Be labeled "Radon Fan" every 10 feet, if they are 10 feet or longer.

(2) If longer than 6 feet, be fastened to a permanent building component at least every 3 feet with cable staples, cable ties, cable clips, or other fasteners that adequately secure the material.

(3) Be firmly secured in place and supported by the building structure such that they are not damaged by normal building use.

(4) Not be fastened to other electrical wiring, conduit, or plumbing components.

(ii) Exposed wiring and live parts operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against electrical shock from accidental contact by means of enclosure or by elevation of 8 feet or more above the floor. Converter boxes must only be secured to non-combustible building material.

(iii) Plugged receptacle outlet connections located within habitable space or garages shall be provided a safety cover that inhibits accidental disconnection. Upon completion of installation and maintenance services, safety covers shall be locked or clasped. This safety cover shall be labeled "Radon Fan- Do Not Unplug". For outlet connections not located within habitable space or garages, the outlet shall be labeled "Radon Fan- Do Not Unplug".

(iv) No plugged disconnects are permitted outdoors.

(v) Any plugged cord used to supply power to a 110-volt radon vent fan must be no longer than six feet in total length.

(vi) No plugged flexible cord may penetrate a wall or be concealed within a wall.

009.08NOTIFICATION TO DEPARTMENT. Before installing a radon mitigation system, radon mitigation businesses must submit to the Department via email at DHHS.HealthHazardsIndoorAir@nebraska.gov, a notification of each upcoming installation, including business name, installation site address, date, and time of scheduled installation. Within 24 hours of installing a radon mitigation system, radon mitigation businesses must submit to the Department via email at DHHS.HealthHazardsIndoorAir@nebraska.gov, a copy of the system design.

009.09LIMITATIONS. The following limitations apply to this Act.

009.09(A)DISCREPANCIES. Where discrepancies exist between provisions of 180 NAC 11 and local codes or regulations, such as local plumbing, heating and cooling or electrical codes, the stricter code will apply unless there is an adverse impact on the radon reduction function for which the system was originally designed, as determined by the Department. Where conflicts exist between the provisions of this chapter and the documents referenced in this chapter the specific provision of this chapter governs.

009.09(B)PRIOR INSTALLATION. The requirements specified in this chapter will not apply to radon mitigation systems installed prior to April 6, 2003. If a mitigation specialist finds that a radon mitigation system does not comply with current standards, the specialist must recommend in writing to the client that the system be upgraded or altered to meet current standards. The licensee must obtain prior approval from the client before implementing any of the licensee's written recommendations.

180 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 11, § 009

Amended effective 9/20/2023