Radon testing might be on your radar when buying a home, but what about the retail store you own or the office where your employees work? Radon can accumulate in commercial buildings just as it does in residential properties. And with your employees, customers, students, or tenants spending hours indoors, understanding potential exposure is an important part of business management.
Fortunately, testing for radon in commercial buildings is straightforward with the right expertise. Here's what property owners and managers should know about the risks, testing requirements, and mitigation options available for commercial operations.
What Is Radon, and How Does It Enter Commercial Buildings?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from uranium found in rocks and soil. As uranium slowly decays, it releases radon gas that can migrate through the ground and into the air. Because this process happens naturally, radon can be found in the soil beneath virtually any building, regardless of its location, age, or condition.
So, how does radon end up inside a commercial space, or any building for that matter? Small openings in the foundation, cracks in concrete floors, and gaps around plumbing or utility lines can all give radon an entry point. Once inside, it can build up, especially in basements and ground-level spaces.
Because radon has no color, smell, or taste, elevated concentrations can go unnoticed for years. And according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it's the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Offices, schools, retail stores, and other commercial properties can all be affected, making testing the only reliable way to determine whether radon is present.
Why Should Commercial Property Owners Care About Radon?
Whether you own a single storefront or manage multiple commercial properties, you have plenty to keep track of. And while radon might not be top of mind, knowing whether your building has elevated levels can help you protect the health and safety of those who frequent your establishment.
Workplace health and safety
Employees may spend 40 hours or more each week in the same building. Over time, exposure to elevated radon levels can increase their risk of lung cancer. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes radon as a workplace radiation hazard, which makes testing essential to your employees' health and safety.
Tenant and customer risks
Your employees aren't the only people to consider. Commercial tenants and their employees may spend years occupying the same space, while students and childcare attendees can spend several hours a day in buildings with elevated radon levels. For property owners, that means a potential radon problem could affect far more than those on your payroll.
Some states even require radon testing in schools and childcare facilities. Knowing your building's radon levels can help you protect the people who depend on your property for a safe place to work, learn, or receive services.
Liability concerns
If elevated radon levels are found in your building, leaving them unaddressed could put your operation at risk of complaints or potential legal claims. This is especially concerning if employees or tenants experience prolonged exposure.
While liability depends on the circumstances, testing and addressing elevated radon levels can help you stay ahead of these potential issues. It also shows you're taking the health and safety of your building's occupants seriously.
Commercial real estate transaction hurdles
If you plan to sell, lease, or refinance your commercial property down the road, radon could come up during the process. Buyers and lenders may request testing or mitigation before moving forward, which can create delays or unexpected expenses. Addressing radon concerns early and keeping records of completed work can help protect your investment and make future transactions smoother.
What makes radon testing in commercial buildings different?
Every commercial property is unique, and factors such as layout, construction, and space usage affect how radon enters and accumulates. That means there are a few additional factors to consider when testing a commercial building compared to a single-family home.
Multiple HVAC zones: Large buildings often have separate heating and cooling systems for different areas. As a result, radon levels can vary between areas, making it important to test across different HVAC zones.
Large building footprints: One radon test might not tell the whole story in a large office, warehouse, or school. Testing several areas helps give a more complete picture of radon levels throughout the property.
Lower-level and underground spaces: Basements, parking garages, and lower-level storage rooms can provide additional pathways for radon entry, particularly where foundations meet the surrounding soil.
Complex foundations: Buildings with multiple concrete slabs, additions, crawlspaces, or openings around utility lines may have several places where radon can enter.
For these reasons, it's worth working with qualified professionals like The Radon Guys, who understand the unique needs of larger buildings. Our team follows established national radon testing standards for school, multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use properties.
How does commercial radon testing and mitigation work?
If you're ready to check your building for radon, The Radon Guys can help you understand your options and develop a plan for addressing elevated radon levels. Here's what you can expect from the process.
Step 1: We'll test your building for radon
The first step is finding out how much radon is present in your building. Testing devices are placed throughout the property to measure radon levels, with the number and placement depending on the property's size, layout, and construction. Once testing is complete, the results will help us determine whether mitigation is necessary for your commercial space.
As a note, the EPA recommends taking action when radon levels reach 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Although mitigation is also worth considering for levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
Step 2: We'll assess your property and develop a mitigation plan
If testing reveals high radon levels, we'll take a closer look at your building to determine the best way to address them. This includes evaluating the foundation, potential radon entry points, and other features that could influence the design of your mitigation system.
From there, we'll develop a plan tailored to your property, taking into account its size, construction, and day-to-day operations.
Step 3: We'll install your commercial radon mitigation system
Once we've developed a plan for your property, our team will install the recommended mitigation system. For many large buildings, this involves placing pipes and fans that draw radon gas from beneath the foundation and vent it safely outdoors before it can enter the building.
Depending on your property's size and construction, we may need multiple collection points. We'll determine the appropriate setup based on your building's needs and install the system with minimal disruption to your operations.
Step 4: We'll verify the results
Once the mitigation system is installed, we'll perform follow-up testing to confirm that radon levels have decreased. We use independent third-party testing to verify the results, providing you with an objective assessment of the system's performance.
We also recommend periodic testing to make sure radon levels remain low over time.
Why choose The Radon Guys for commercial radon mitigation?
When you're responsible for a commercial property, you want to know that any radon concerns are being handled by people who understand your business's needs. With over 15 years of experience in radon mitigation in commercial buildings, construction, and real estate, our NRPP-certified team knows what to look for and how to develop solutions that work for larger, more complex properties.
We've worked with offices, schools, libraries, and other commercial properties throughout Middle Tennessee, providing large-building radon mitigation services tailored to each space. We'll walk you through our recommendations, answer your questions, and work with you to find an effective solution that fits your property and budget. We also offer free, no-obligation estimates, so you can understand your options before making a decision.
Schedule your commercial radon assessment
Your employees, tenants, and customers deserve healthy indoor air. Whether you're managing an existing building or planning a new commercial development, we're here to help you understand your radon risks and find a practical solution.
Contact The Radon Guys today to discuss your property and schedule a free commercial radon mitigation estimate.
