Current building regulations advise that any development or proposal on, or near, land affected by gas emissions, must be adequately protected against the ingress of harmful gases such as radon, CO2, Methane and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds).
As demand for housing continues to increase, so does the pressure to develop on brownfield and other potentially dangerous land.
Ground gas protection membranes protect buildings from harmful ground gases. RTC offers a complete ground gas protection solution and as we are also qualified waterproofing specialists, this can be designed to incorporate below ground waterproofing where there is a basement, retaining wall or lift pit, for example, which needs a combination of ground gas protection and waterproofing.
The thought of harmful, invisible, gases entering any property is a horrifying one.
Risks from gases and radon are a serious health risk. If you are converting a basement, adding an extension, or building a completely new housing development, the potential risks of ground gases should be considered.
In many regions across the UK, radon gas isn’t an issue, but, in some areas, it can pose a serious danger. Ground gas membranes, along with other mitigation measures, if correctly installed, will effectively prevent ground gases from entering a property.
New build properties can be protected from ground gases like radon and carbon dioxide if the right type of ground gas membrane is installed. Through independent verification, (which is a requirement of the British Standard), RTC can provide you with total peace of mind that the installation has been carried out correctly. Read on to learn more about ground gases and the causes and prevention methods that can be put in place.
Read on to learn more about ground gases and the causes and prevention methods that can be put in place.
Where are ground gases?
Ground gas is a term that refers to gases found in a range of locations across the UK, either because of the nature of the ground, (radon is found in granite for example) or because the land being built on was previously contaminated by its original use (brownfield sites, old mine workings or landfill sites for example). Radon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane are all dangerous and pose severe health risks that could cause deadly suffocation and even cancer.
Can ground gases be dangerous?
Ground gases produce a radioactive dust in the air which we breathe. When radon is inhaled, it lines the inside of our lungs, emitting a harmful radiation that can lead to lung cancer. Researchers conclude that radon in homes causes approximately 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the European Union each year; about 1,000 of which are in the United Kingdom. Here are some more facts:
- Radon increases your risk of lung cancer
- The higher the radon, the longer the exposure, the greater the risk
- Radon causes over 1,100 deaths from lung cancer each year in the UK
- Half of these deaths occur among the quarter of the population who are current smokers
Why choose RTC?
The installation of ground gas membranes should always be carried out by trained operatives.
Here at RTC, our staff have received specialist training to ensure each job is completed to the highest standard.
If installed incorrectly, or damaged during the construction process, the ground gas protection membrane is rendered ineffective and will fail to provide adequate protection against the ingress of ground gas or vapors.
The relevant guidance for the installation of ground gas protection membranes is usually BS 8485 +A1:2019, ‘Code Of Practice For The Design Of Protective Measures For Methane And Carbon Dioxide Ground Gases For New Buildings’. RTC can install a range of ground gas protection membranes in accordance with this and other standards.
For any queries on external waterproofing solutions, or to book a survey, please contact us.
Our staff will work closely with you from survey stage, right through to the successful completion of the contract.
