Radon Information for Schools, Public Buildings & Child Care Centers
The Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for Radon Control require radon testing in all public and high priority buildings. Public buildings are defined as any building owned, managed, leased, furnished or occupied by a state or municipal agency or commission. High priority buildings are defined as any public, private, and/or parochial school (grades pre-K-12) and/or child care facility. The requirements include:
- All tests must be performed by a Rhode Island Certified Radon Measurement Business.
- Initial short-term radon testing in all habitable rooms at ground level and below, excepting rest rooms, showers, and closets.
- Testing must be performed from October through March, excluding weekends and holidays, under closed building conditions.
- Placement of measurement devices between 2 and 6 feet above the floor, a minimum of 1 ½ feet from any wall, away from room corners, windows, drafts, direct sunlight, and any device that emits heat and/or moisture.
- Measurement devices shall not be tampered with during testing.
- A minimum of one test device is required per 2,000 square feet of habitable floor space, and duplicate measurements must be taken in 10% of measurement device locations.
- Re-testing is required in 10% of the areas initially tested every three years.
- Additional testing is required in all areas where results equal or exceed the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
- Radon mitigation must be conducted for all areas that have average annual radon levels equal to or greater than 4.0 pCi/L, as determined by follow-up testing.
- Results must be submitted to the Radon Control Program.
Contact us for assistance in interpreting radon test results and explaining the above regulatory requirements. Any variance from the regulations must be requested in writing and approved by the Radon Control Program.
Rhode Island Department of Health