1. Presented by: Jessica Karns
Radon testing of Multifamily and Nursing facilities: The Challenges facing the Radon Professional and Environmental Professional
Presented by: Jessica Karns

2. Guidance for Testing Multi Family Nursing/Rehab Facilities
HUD- MAP/TAP Programs
HUD LEAN Program
Guidance – MAMF 2017
Guidance-MALB-2014
Update March 2017
Updated 2014
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

3. Qualified Measurement Professional
Who is qualified to perform testing under MAMF-2017 and MALB -2014?
Certification from the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).
If required by state, holding a valid state license with appropriate amendments as determined by the state radon program.
Each State has own requirements that may supersede the HUD guidance
UPDATE: A Qualified Measurement Professional shall be physically onsite during activities for placement and retrieval of devices and shall be immediately available to directly instruct and oversee and control activities of any other individuals placing or retrieving devices.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

4. Testing in Multi family Buildings
Published in March 2017
Must follow for HUD MAP TAP Loan Structures
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

5. Initial property Interactions
The professional must inform the client of closed building conditions and identify facilitating staff responsibilities.
Before Testing Begins
Building information needed:
Occupancy – Vacant or occupied
Diagrams – Floor plans, Site plans and unit list from onsite contact (Rent Roll)
HVAC Info – Type
Onsite Contact Information
Verify number of buildings and number of stories per building
Escorts and Keys –Plan Ahead
Test Plan for the day of deployment
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

6. Preparing a Testing Plan
Using Site Plans and unit list for testing
Must Include:
Each ground contact apartment dwelling and other occupied units such as those used for office space.
room or area that has floors and or side walls in contact with the ground or over occupiable basements, crawl spaces, utility tunnels and parking garages. (3.0 pg.3)
Unoccupied Ground Contact Rooms
non residential ground contact rooms or areas that are occupiable with little or no modification. (storage rooms etc..)
Unoccupied rooms that serve as pathways for radon entry
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

7. Noticing The 2017 International Radon Symposium™
Designed to ensure closed building conditions are maintained both during testing event as well as 12 hour prior.
Closed house conditions include:
All windows and doors closed – Including stairwell and breezeway doors
Normal HVAC operation
Window air conditioning units either turned off or set on recirculate mode
Whole building fans or air movement systems are turned off
UPDATE: Direct all facility administrators to distribute and post notices of radon testing for all occupants in the building no less than 24 hours prior to testing.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

8. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

9. Where to Test
Ground Contact Testing – At a minimum 25% of ground floor unit in each building must be tested as well as 10% of at least 1 (whichever greater) of every upper floor.
Other Ground Contact Locations – Also conduct measurements in non-residential ground contact rooms or areas occupied more than 3 hours a day or if the following conditions can be applied:
Are occupiable with little or no modification
Have air communication with occupiable areas.
UPDATE: Jan 29, 2016, If only testing 25% of ground floor and 1 unit has elevated radon levels you must either retest 100% of ground floor or mitigate 100% of ground floor units.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

10. Testing in a Nursing or Rehab facility
Must follow the HUD LEAN Guidelines
Falls under the MALB-2014 Guidance of Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements of Schools and Large Buildings.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

11. Initial Client Interactions
The professional must inform the client of closed building conditions and identify facilitating staff responsibilities.
Before Testing Begins
Information needed:
Occupancy – Vacant or occupied
Diagrams – Floor plans or unit list from onsite contact
Special Wings in facility – Alzheimer's, Assisted Living Etc.
HVAC Info – Type
Onsite Contact Information
Expectation of escort and keys prior to testing event
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

12. Preparing a Testing Plan
Using Diagram and testing
Testing must include:
All frequently occupied in all frequently occupied rooms in contact with the ground.
This means each room or area that has floors and or side walls in contact with the ground or over occupiable basements, crawl spaces, utility tunnels and parking garages. (3.0 pg.5)
Unoccupied Ground Contact Rooms.
Conduct Measurements in unoccupied ground contact rooms or areas that are occupiable with little or no modification. (storage rooms etc..)
Unoccupied rooms that serve as pathways for radon entry
Identify all pathways of air communication between untested and occupied areas.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

13. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

14. Noticing
Designed to ensure closed building conditions are maintained both during testing event as well as 12 hour prior.
Notices – Use pictures avoid red lettering.
Closed house conditions include:
All windows and doors closed – Including stairwell and breezeway doors
Normal HVAC operation
Window air conditioning units either turned off or set on recirculate mode
Whole building fans or air movement systems are turned off
UPDATE: Direct all facility administrators to distribute and post notices of radon testing for all occupants in the building no less than 2 weeks prior to testing.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

15. Where to Test
Ground Contact Testing – At a minimum 25% of ground floor unit in each building must be tested as well as 10% of at least 1 (whichever greater) of every upper floor.
Other Ground Contact Locations – Also conduct measurements in non-residential ground contact rooms or areas occupied more than 3 hours a day or if the following conditions can be applied:
Are occupiable with little or no modification
Have air communication with occupiable areas.
UPDATE: If only testing 25% of ground floor and 1 unit has elevated radon levels you must either retest 100% of ground floor or mitigate 100% of ground floor units.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

16. Staff Meeting
The staff can ensure your testing event will be successful.
Important to have a short staff meeting to go over devices and expectations of the testing event.
Show devices and MSD Sheet.
MSD Sheet – Material Safety Data Sheet – Necessary in case of improper contact with device.
Discuss compliant conditions for successful testing.
This will save you more headaches!
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

17. Detector Deployment Period
SHORT TERM TESTING
UPDATE: Test all areas during the same time period.
For short term testing – Detectors must be placed from 3-90 days under closed building conditions.
Must collect at least 72 hours of data.
LONG TERM TESTING
Testing events that are from 91 days to 360 days – No need for closed building conditions.
Heating Season: Tests conducted when outdoor temperatures are less than 65 degrees for no less than half the test duration.
Cooling Season: Test conducted when outside day temperature exceed 83 degrees.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

18. Common reasons Testing Companies do not get rehired
Incomplete test results
Applying the wrong standard to the project
Not recognizing state variations and laws- Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey etc.
Poor inadequate documentation
Incorrect recommendations
Poor communication –Before, during or after testing event
Late Documentation
Poorly written and non compliant paperwork/report
Price
Confidentiality – Results/reasons for testing

19. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™
HUD MULTIFAMILY –MAMF 2017
HUD LEAN-MALB 2014
Type of Project
Multifamily Buildings
Nursing Homes and Skilled Rehabilitation Facilities
Protocol to Follow
MAMF-2017 Protocol for Conducting Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements in Multifamily Buildings
MALB-2014 Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Schools and Large Buildings
Noticing Period
Min 24 hours
2 weeks
GF Requirements
HUD Exception: 25% of GF, but if one unit has elevated levels all GF units must be tested or mitigated. Unless state requires 100% GF.
Non Residential GF
All rooms occupied for a combined total of more than three hours a day. Rooms that are non-occupied that can serve as a radon pathway.
All frequently occupied rooms with ground contact. Un occupied rooms that have ground contact must be tested.
Guidance for Elevated Levels
Fix the building when occupants may be exposed to concentrations that meet or exceed EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
Mitigation Exception
n/a
When multiple test locations in close proximity to each other indicate elevated concentrations recommendation to mitigate based on initial test is permitted.
Testing Duration
Min 48 hours
Min 72 hours
Clearance Testing
100% GF of building
At a minimum conduct testing in all test locations where elevated levels were found during initial testing.
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

20. Thank you! www.azsolutions.com Jessica Karns | A-Z Solutions, Inc.
Sales Manager/HUD Compliance Officer
The 2017 International Radon Symposium™