0

Radon Protection

Above Ground

The BRE guidance document, BR211 describes two levels of radon protection: basic radon protection and full radon protection.

An Oldroyd Xs installation for radon protection.

Above Ground Radon Protection

The level of protection required is shown on the maps that accompany BR211. Plots located in light grey areas require basic radon protection and plots located in dark grey areas require full radon protection. However it is sometimes possible to adopt a lower level of radon protection than that indicated by the map if a BR211 radon report for the plot is purchased from the British Geological Survey here.

Basic Radon Protection

Basic radon protection can be achieved by installing a damp-proof membrane that is also capable of resisting radon across the ground floor of the building. Oldroyd Xs is an ideal membrane for this purpose as it is tough enough to withstand damage on site and can easily be folded round details such as door-frames.

When using Oldroyd Xs to protect against radon, all joints should be double-sealed as shown below:

Schematic of a floor double sealed with tape.

Full Radon Protection

Full radon protection acknowledges the fact that it is not reasonable to expect basic radon protection (above) to be installed perfectly, so the possibility will always remain for radon to pass through minor imperfections in the membrane system (e.g. where seals have not been perfectly formed). In order to get around this problem, full radon protection requires the addition of “active protection” in the form of a ventilated sump or floor void below the radon-proof membrane. This ensures that a high proportion of radon is expelled from the building before it comes into contact with the radon-proof membrane.

A concrete square with a membrane on top.

A simple and effective method of achieving full radon protection is to use a studded membrane such as Oldroyd Xv Black or Oldroyd Xv 20. This provides a radon-proof barrier whilst also forming a void that can be ventilated.

Get it Done

Oldroyd Xs slimline membrane section
Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane (2m x 20m Roll)Low-profile cavity drainage membrane with damp-proofing and radon control applications — 2m x 20m
£182.98
Xv 7mm black cavity drainage membrane square
Oldroyd Xv Black Cavity Drainage Membrane (2m x 20m Roll)Studded black or clear polypropylene cavity drainage membranes.
£189.98
Oldroyd Xv20 20mm cavity drainage membrane square
Oldroyd Xv20 Cavity Drainage Membrane (2m x 15m Roll)High flow-capacity 2m x 15m cavity drainage membrane with 20 mm stud profile.
£285.29
£658.25
All Articles
Advice
Case Studies
News
Advice
Housing Health Check for Tenants

Simon Trenerry from the Safeguard Technical Team shares his expert insight on everything you need to know about the Renters Rights Bill.

Read more
Clothes Moths or Carpet Beetles article hero image Advice
Clothes Moths or Carpet Beetles?

You've found holes in your clothes. Is it clothes moths or carpet beetles? Read on to find out how to reliably tell the difference.

Read more
NOPE! brown rat image Advice
How to Get Rid of Rodents: Black Rats, Brown Rats & Mice

Brown Rats, Black Rats & House Mice are invading UK homes. Use this guide to detect, prevent and remove rodents from your home.

Read more
NOPE Slug Killer Disc Pellets Product Info Card Image News
Out Now: NOPE! Slug Killer Disc Pellets

Defend flowers, fruit and veg in your organic garden with new NOPE! Slug Killer Disc Pellets.

Read more
NOPE Rat Killer Grain Bait and Bait Station Product Info Card Image News
Out Now: NOPE! Rat Killer Grain Bait & Rodent Bait Station Range

Our highly effective rodent control system pairs super-strength brodifacoum grain sachets with a lockable and tamper-resistant bait station.

Read more
YDC and Safeguard Working Together - Leeds Basement 2 Case Study
Domestic Property Basement Renovation Part 1 – Drybase Tanking System

With Tibby Singh and YDC Basements, Safeguard waterproofed a basement at an end of terrace home in Leeds using Drybase Tanking System.

Read more
Ferring Pillbox Brush Application Case Study
1940s Concrete Pillbox, West Sussex — High-Performance Waterproofing with Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream

Built in Summer 1940, the Type 26 pillbox is a 6 ft by 6 ft cube just big enough to house 4 soldiers and their guns. The 1 m thick concrete walls were built to withstand a direct hit from a naval warship. 98 tons of concrete went into creating the pillbox. In the 1980s, the whole exterior was covered…

Read more
Swindon House Featured Image Case Study
Domestic Bungalow, Swindon - Cleaning and Preventing Mould

When Emerald Damp Specialists stepped inside a severely damp bungalow in Swindon, they knew they had to help. Along with 70 other companies and over 150 volunteers who donated their time and expertise, Emerald Damp Specialists resolved the extreme damp and mould problems at the property free-of-charge. For this project, ensuring that a valued member of the community had a…

Read more
Join our newsletter

Subscribe to get information about products and offers.