- Condition
- FH 1.19: Radon Exceeds Acceptable Levels
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 1.19
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
- Radon levels in a home shall not exceed 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3).
- Warranty
- One-Year – Workmanship & Materials Two-Year – Ontario Building Code Health and Safety Violations Seven-Year – Major Structural Defect • A complete list of “CONDITIONS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY” is on p.15 of the Guidelines.
- Action
- Where long-term test results indicate that radon levels in a home exceed 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3) and are the result of a Building Code violation or a defect in work or materials supplied by the builder, repairs shall be made.
- Remarks
- Radon is an invisible, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas commonly found in soil. Differences in air pressure between the interior of the home and the surrounding soil can draw air and gases, including radon, from the soil into the home through below-grade openings such as cracks in foundation walls and floor slabs; construction joints; gaps around service pipes, support posts, floor drains, sumps; or cavities within masonry walls and hollow metal columns. According to Health Canada, long-term exposure to high levels of radon has been associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. When radon is trapped in enclosed spaces, it can accumulate to harmful concentration levels. Health Canada recommends that indoor radon levels not exceed 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3). Soil gas control requirements are outlined in the Building Code and detailed in its Supplementary Standard SB-9, “Requirements for Soil Gas Control.” A warranty claim for radon shall include the results of a long-term test (91 days or more). Tests shall be conducted in the lowest level of the home. Testing shall be completed using an approved do-it-yourself radon test kit or by hiring a certified radon mitigation professional. For a list of approved devices and certified professionals, please see Health Canada’s national initiative “Take Action on Radon.” Radon is an environmentally harmful substance and, depending on the radon levels within the home, it may qualify as an emergency situation. For information about the warranty process for emergency situations, please visit Tarion’s website. For additional information about radon, please visit Health Canada’s website. Notes Words in italics are defined in the “TERMINOLOGY” section on page 19. This article was added to the CPG on May 24, 2024, and reflects Tarion’s process, which has been in effect since 2013.
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