SOIL GAS VENTING SYSTEM - IPEX
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SOIL GAS
VENTING
SYSTEM
P E A C E O F M I N D F R O M T H E G R O U N D U P T M
• Reducing indoor soil gas concentrations and health risks
associated with radon gas
• Complete system of gas collection and vent pipes, fittings,
solvent cement and venting accessories
• Tested for the application for improved performance and safety
• Unique product features, markings and warning labels for
ease of identification
1
RadonX™ The First Engineered PVC Soil Gas Venting System
RadonXTM Soil Gas Venting, is specifically designed, tested and labeled to address the need
for collecting and venting radon gas from a dwelling. Focusing on low-rise construction, the
RadonX product offering consists of gas collection and vent pipes, fittings, solvent cement and
termination accessories manufactured to strict quality, performance and dimensional standards.
NOTICE:
RadonXTM is a PVC piping system to be used in soil gas depressurization systems to reduce indoor radon
concentrations. RadonX does not treat or cure cancer. Once the building is occupied, continued radon
concentration measurements shall be performed. Consult the C-NRPP, National Radon Proficiency
Program at c-nrpp.ca for details as to frequency and guidelines to follow. RadonX Installation and
Technical Guide contains many critical aspects of radon gas venting, technical data on products as
well as safety precautions. Please refer to RadonX Installation and Technical Guide to ensure successful,
code-compliant and safe installations. The installation guide is available at www.ipexna.com
2
Peace of Mind from the
Ground Up
TM
What is Radon?
Radon is a colourless, odourless gas that occurs naturally from the
Rn Rn
Rn Rn
decay of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in all soil and Rn
Rn
rock. As radon breaks down, it forms radioactive particles that could
Rn
get lodged into our lungs as we breathe. The energy released by radon
particles could damage lung cells creating lung cancer. Not everyone Rn
Rn
Rn Rn
Rn
exposed to radon gas will develop lung cancer, and the time between Rn Rn
Rn
exposure and the onset of the disease could take many years. This is
Rn
why radon gas is known as a silent killer.
Did You Know?
Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer for non-smokers
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. More than 3,000 people die
from radon-induced lung cancer every year in Canada*.
* canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/radon/take-action-on-radon.html
3
Radon gas can accumulate to dangerous levels inside a home and become a risk to
human health. It can enter the building through openings in contact with soil such as cracks
in foundation walls, floor slabs and gaps around service pipes and floor sumps etc.
Similar to other gases, it can diffuse through porous materials including
concrete walls and slabs.
Does Radon
gas exist in all
houses?
Almost all houses in Canada have some amount
of radon gas. However, radon concentrations
vary from province to province and from house Rn
to house as many factors affect the final indoor Rn
levels. Soil type characteristics, construction
type, foundation condition, and the use of
exhaust fans, appliances and windows that
affect the pressure difference between the soil
and the house are the most critical factors. Rn
Presently there are no guidelines which address Rn
building site characterization for radon risk.
This is due to the fact that the level of radon
in a completed home or building cannot be Rn
Rn
predicted prior to construction. Therefore, the
only way to know for sure is via testing after Rn
Rn
construction. Radon concentrations can vary
significantly from hour to hour and day to
day, therefore long-term measurements are If the measured radon concentrations exceed
recommended while determining radon levels. the Canadian guideline level, Health Canada
Radon test kits can be purchased online or be strongly recommends that homeowners take
found at many hardware and building supply action to reduce the levels. More information
stores across Canada. on radon gas, health risks and indoor testing
can be found at Health Canada’s website*.
* canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/radon.html
4
How can indoor Radon gas
levels be reduced?
The most common and effective radon reduction method is called sub-slab depressurization.
This involves installing a pipe through the foundation floor slab that draws the radon gas from
below the home and releases it into the outdoors where it is quickly diluted.
New construction:
In new construction, there are three installation methods of soil gas vent piping:
1. Level-1 type. Radon rough-in
The capped rough-in stub (Level-1)
is not a complete radon reduction
system. It only allows the future
addition of a full passive or active
piping system if the home tests
high for radon after occupancy.
2. Level-2 type. Full passive stack
Indoor radon levels can be reduced by installing
a full passive vent stack (Level-2) that consists of:
1 a perforated pipe below the foundation floor
that collects radon gas; and
2
2 a full vent stack that runs upwards throughout
the inside of the building releasing the gas outside
above the roof.
In the majority of cases, the combination of 1 and
2 is sufficient to lower radon levels to acceptable
limits within the house. It is more practical and
economical to install a passive stack during
construction of a new home. In order to reduce
the health risks of radon gas, IPEX recommends
that all new low-rise residential homes should be
constructed to have a full passive stack for soil 1
gas venting.
5
3. Level-3 type. Active stack
If required, or desired, further reduction can be achieved by installing a radon fan to the vent
stack converting the depressurization system into an active one (Level-3). Radon fans operate
continuously throughout the year.
OR
Many municipalities are being proactive in requiring a full vent stack to reduce radon levels in
homes and have dedicated radon programs for new construction. As a minimum, it is critical to
install the sub-slab pipe and radon rough-in stub (Level-1) as per the National Building Code
2015 requirements in the event that future radon mitigation is required.
Existing construction:
In existing buildings, it is not practical to install
a sub-slab pipe and/or a full vertical stack.
Therefore, the majority of retrofit applications
for soil gas venting are completed with a radon
fan where the piping system is terminated
on a side wall. These installations are critical
as there are too many factors affecting the
overall efficiency such as the number of suction
points, the location of those in the basement,
sealing of the cut openings and code approved
terminations. IPEX recommends that all retrofit
applications for existing homes be carried out by
a professional who is certified under the Canadian
National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP).
Please visit c-nrpp.ca for more information.
6
RadonX™ Soil Gas Venting
IPEX is proud to offer RadonXTM, the first PVC
piping solution that is specifically designed,
tested and labeled to address the need for
collecting and venting soil gas from the sub-
slab area to help reduce indoor radon levels.
Focusing on low-rise construction, RadonX is
designed to maximize system integrity including
compatible gas collection (perforated) and vent
(non-perforated) pipes, fittings, solvent cement
and accessories. The physical dimensions and
tolerances of RadonX pipe and fittings comply
with CSA B181.2 and Section 9.13 Soil Gas Ingress
of the 2015 National Building Code of Canada.
Description RadonXTM pipe and fittings
Nominal Size 4” – 100mm
Wall thickness Schedule 40
Did You Know?
RadonX Soil Gas Venting helps reduce humidity
and Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) levels
in basements.
Research* shows that soil gas depressurization
systems can lower humidity levels and VOCs
that originate from contaminated soils and
groundwater and enter basements through
cracks and openings similar to radon gas.
* Exploratory Study of Basement Moisture During
Operation of ASD Radon Control Systems , 2007
Assessment of Mitigation Systems on Vapor Intrusion:
Temporal Trends, Attenuation Factors, and Contaminant
Migration Routes under Mitigated And Non-mitigated
Conditions, 2015
7
Meeting Standards Description Standards RadonX™
While there is no dedicated CSA B181.2;
Tolerances and dimensions
ASTM D2665
piping standard (at this
All material and testing CSA B181.2;
time) for the application of requirements ASTM D2665
soil gas venting, RadonX™ is Gas venting system performance
tested to and complies with tests
the following recognized -Gas leakage ULC S636
-Pull-out
standards. -Torque
-Combustibility
Solvent cement ASTM D2564
CGSB/CAN 149.11;
Product markings
CGSB/CAN 149.12
Not like any
other piping
systems found
in low-rise
construction
Up until now, soil gas venting systems
have been often mistaken for Drain, Waste
and Vent (DWV), Flue Gas Venting (FGV)
and Electrical conduit used in residential
construction. After occupancy, the lack of
proper labeling have resulted in unwanted
incidents where Level-1 radon stubs have
been used for plumbing/toilet rough-ins
in basement renovation projects! With
RadonX’s unique product features and
markings, soil gas venting systems now
can be easily identified by contractors,
inspectors and home-owners.
8
A. Fitting warning labels
are not only for ease of
A. identification but encourage
installers to use proper joining
methods.
B. Pipe warning labels
B. meet CAN/CGSB 149.11 and
CAN/CGSB 149.12 guidelines.
C. Yellow print-lines
are printed on both sides of
the pipe (180 degrees apart)
that includes the material
type, its intended application
C. (below or above ground use)
and conforming standards.
D. RadonX soil gas venting
and collection pipes
are grey in colour featuring
D. interior and exterior layers and
white in the centre layer.
E. Ultra low VOC PVC
solvent cement
is yellow in colour and includes
an optical brightener as an
E. additive that is visible under
UV light for identification of
the proper cement for the
application.
F. Unique perforation
features 6-row hole-drilling
pattern.
F.
99
Tested for the
Application,
Performance
and Safety
RadonX™ Soil Gas Venting has gone through various material and performance tests to ensure
product quality. Additional material and system type field tests have been conducted by third
party testing facilities for improved performance and safety in soil gas venting.
1. Improved Airflow with RadonX Gas Collection Pipe
RadonX perforated pipe is specifically designed to collect soil gas in the sub-slab area. To be
used in below ground installations only, the smooth interior surface and the unique perforation
pattern of RadonX gas collection pipe enables improved air movement in the sub-slab area.
This results in higher airflow rates in the vent stack. The 6-row hole-drilling pattern creates a
total perforation area of approximately 100cm2 per meter of pipe. Increased perforation and
clean-cut circular holes reduce the risk the of clogging during installation and over its service life.
The rigid Schedule40 construction meets the minimum CSA requirement for pipe stiffness of
1700 kPa, which helps it to resist soil loads and other external stresses.
Print-line along the pipe Hole diameter 15mm
0°
48°
96°
144°
Print-line along the pipe 100mm hole spacing
10The performance of RadonXTM gas collection pipe
has been validated by third party testing. The one-
story test house plus a basement, as shown below
was used to install active and passive piping stacks.
Through extensive research efforts, the unique
perforation pattern of RadonX gas collection pipe
has been compared to alternative pipes used in the
sub-slab area.
Photo credits: IPEX Phase 3 Client Report A1-015995-01 Phase 3a
Based on the test results, regardless of depressurization system type being active or passive,
RadonX gas collection pipe buried within the gravel layer resulted in the highest airflow in the
vent stack and the largest depressurization in the sub-slab area. This implies that more soil
gas can be removed from below ground with the RadonX piping system.
Perforated
Sub-slab No Non-perforated
BDS DR35 RadonX™ gas
Depressurization Parameter sub-slab Open-Ended
sewer pipe collection pipe
Tests*: pipe Schedule 40 pipe
(CSA B182.1)
Nominal Pipe Size - 4” -100mm 4” -100mm 4” -100mm
Total Open Area (cm /m)
2
- - 32 100
Active depressurization system Average Airflow (cfm) 79.49 80.18 94.96 98.40
(Radon fan – high speed) Average Delta P (Pa) -11.58 -11.96 -14.07 -15.08
Active depressurization system Average Airflow (cfm) 7.82 16.91 17.56 20.48
(Radon fan – low speed) Average Delta P (Pa) -0.59 -0.51 -1.29 -1.15
Passive depressurization system Average Airflow (cfm) 2.9 4.0 - 5.5
(No Radon fan) Average Delta P (Pa) 0.6 0.7 - 0.1
In addition, the initial radon levels were noted to exceed 260 Bq/m3 ** in this test
house. Installing a passive RadonX soil gas venting system lowered radon levels to 18
Bq/m3 during the one month testing period, which is well below the Health Canada’s
acceptable indoors level of radon gas (200 Bq/m3) current at the time of testing.
* These test results are for reference and comparison reasons only as changes made to piping configurations
could result in different airflow and pressure values.
** The concentration of radon in the air is measured in units of Becquerel’s per cubic meter (Bq/m3).
112. Leak-Free
Joints
Advanced PVC formulation
The strong solvent welded joints
of RadonX pipe and fittings are
tested for gas leakage, torque
and pull-out tests from the flue
gas venting standard, ULC S636.
The advanced PVC formulation
of RadonX also passes the
combustibility test of ULC S636.
3. Negligible Risk of Radon Gas Diffusion:
Radon diffusion through pipe material can demonstrate how likely radon gas can diffuse through
the wall of the pipe and into the buildings. This could be even more critical in basements where
radon enriched gas is trapped in capped rough-in pipe stubs installed for longer durations
(Level-1). The likelihood of this occurring would depend on radon diffusion coefficient and thickness
of the pipe material. The radon diffusion coefficient D (m2/s) is a material property that would
vary in every PVC formulation. The higher the radon diffusion coefficient, the more radon that
would diffuse into the surroundings. Radon resistance* is a more accurate way of evaluating the
effectiveness of a material in reducing or preventing radon entry, especially for materials of varying
thicknesses. Based on the test results performed by a third party testing facility, for Schedule40
thickness, the 4” RadonX pipe material has a radon resistance value of 6.46x109 (s/m). This is
substantially (2 orders of magnitude) higher than that of the 6 mil polyethylene vapour membrane.
The RadonX PVC pipe compound is considered suitable for venting soil gas containing radon
with negligible risk of radon diffusing through the wall of the piping system.
Polyethylene RadonX PVC
Description
membrane pipe material
Radon diffusion coefficient - D (m2/s) 8.05x10-12 6.02 x 10-12
Radon resistance -RRn (s/m) 1.9x107 6.46 x 109
* Defined by Jiranek and Svoboda, 2017
12Termination Options
All RadonX soil gas vent stacks must terminate Termination
Description
outdoors. Full passive stacks (Level-2) are routed Options Allowed
vertically through the roof. In fan operated Level-3 Level 2 - Full Passive Vertical
Roof
Stack (without a fan)
type installations, the RadonX vent pipe can also be
routed through a side wall as an alternative option. Level 3 - Active Soil
Gas Depressurization System Sidewall or Roof
(with a fan)
1. Roof Termination
Unlike DWV Systems, the majority of soil gas vent stacks are not connected to any drainage
systems and ongoing maintenance after installation on passive vent stacks is very rare.
Therefore, it is critical to protect the piping stack from debris, small animals and rain as any
blockages could significantly lower the performance of the vent stack. In active systems, these
could damage radon fans. Tight caps or mesh type covers used as a cover on top of radon vent
stacks are not recommended as they could restrict airflow, thus defeating the venting purpose.
Also, these could freeze over in the winter due to condensation and enable snow build up.
The patent-pending rain cap
developed by IPEX is a perfect
solution to protect the vent stack
from unwanted debris, rodents
and rain while maintaining
excellent airflow. The rain cap is
attached to the vertical RadonX
vent stack that penetrates the
roof, whether it is a passive or
an active system.
• 4” molded PVC rain cap with socket features three vent screens for improved air
movement. The extended caps on each opening protect the stack from rain.
• Cap is mechanically fastened, allowing for quick removal and easy cleaning if required.
• Integral pipe stops prevent the cap from sitting flush to the pipe, ensuring proper spacing
is allowed for air flow.
13Evaluated Performance
The RadonXTM rain cap was tested at a third party testing facility to ensure product performance.
Based on the test results, the RadonX rain cap demonstrates higher airflow in vent stacks compared
to the standard mesh type of termination using the same piping configurations.
Standard mesh type New RadonX
Description
termination Rain Cap
Active
Depressurization
System field tests
Measured airflow in the stack (cfm)
i) high fan speed 94.63 98.04
ii) low fan speed 19.38 23.48
Photo credits: IPEX Phase 3 Client Report A1-015995-01 Phase 3b
In addition, the RadonX rain cap was installed onto a passive stack and was tested
throughout the entire month of a Canadian winter (in 2020) to measure airflow. For that
specific installation, the system maintained its functionality and the radon levels were
reduced from 264 Bq/m3 to 17.9 Bq/m3 with an airflow value of 10.5 cfm. More significantly, the
openings were not blocked due to condensation and ice build-up.
Did You Know?
In Canada, a typical 4” open vent stack receives an average of
6-10 liters of rainwater per year. Installing a RadonX
rain cap will help prevent this from happening.
142. Sidewall Termination
In Canada, the majority of active soil depressurization
systems (Level 3), whether it is for new construction or
retrofit, are terminated on the sidewall of the house.
Sidewall terminations can be achieved by installing a 45°
elbow and a 4” friction fit vent screen. Round faceplates
are the perfect accessory for single wall penetrations. The
faceplates include a self-sealing foam back to help cover
unsightly bore holes created during the pipe installation.
All RadonXTM pipe and
fittings are supplied grey
in colour; but can easily be
painted to blend in with
the exterior of the house.
15RadonX™
Installation
and Training
RadonX technical manual and installation methods
guide can be obtained by contacting IPEX or may be
viewed online on the RadonX Soil Gas Venting product
page found at www.ipexna.com SOIL GAS VENTING SYSTEM
FOR LOW-RISE CONSTRUCTION
Peace of Mind from the Ground Up
TM
RadonX installation training is available. Contact IPEX
for more details. IPEX recommends that installers attend
formal training on RadonX to ensure proper installation
methods are utilized at all times.
Continuing radon concentration measurements shall
be performed once the building is occupied. Consult
the C-NRPP, National Radon Proficiency Program at
c-nrpp.ca for details as to frequency and guidelines to TECHNICAL MANUAL AND
INSTALLATION METHODS GUIDE
follow. Always refer to the latest edition of acceptable
indoor radon gas levels in local building codes or
Health Canada Guidelines.
16Features
and Benefits
of Installing
RadonX™
• Reducing indoor soil gas concentrations and health risks associated with radon gas
• Low maintenance solution for soil gas, humidity and VOC reduction in low-rise construction
• Complete piping system meeting standards and relevant building codes
• Compatibility of all RadonX pipes, fittings, accessories and solvent cement
• Products tested for soil gas venting application
• Greater airflow in the sub-slab area with perforated gas collection pipe
• A protective rain cap
• Ease of identification with unique product features, markings and bilingual warning labels
• Ultra low VOC PVC solvent cement
• Availability of cutting and beveling tools to ensure proper joint installation
• Installation training and literature support
RadonX pipe, fittings and cement are tested as a piping system and must be installed as such.
Different manufacturers have different materials, tolerances, joining systems and/or cements. Do NOT mix pipe,
fittings, solvents or joining methods from different manufacturers. Do NOT use other IPEX products that are not
listed in the brochure. This can result in unsafe conditions and will void the warranty of the affected system.
17Peace
of Mind
from the
Ground
UpTM
18PRODUCT SELECTION CHART - RADONX
Dimension Product Dimension Product
inches mm Code inches mm Code
Soil Gas Vent Pipe (Plain End x 10 ft) SGV Cap
4 100 181004 4 100 286414
Soil Gas Collection Pipe – Perforated (Plain End x 10 ft) SGV Rain Cap
4 100 181008 4 100 286715
SGV Tee-Wye H x H x H PE Termination Vent Screen
4 100 286084 4 100 196052
Friction fit inside fitting hub at
termination to prevent debris &
rodents from entering vent.
SGV 90° Elbow H x H Faceplate – Round (w/ self sealing foam back)
4 100 286124 4 100 197055
SGV 45° Elbow H x H Deburring Tool (DEB 4)
4 100 286244 1-1/2 - 4 40 - 100 196246
To ensure quality solvent weld
connections, deburr all pipe ends
prior to cementing.
SGV 22-1/2° Elbow H x H
4 100 286254
Volume Product
imperial metric Code
SGV Coupling H x H SGV PVC Cement (Eco - Ultra Low Voc) Yellow
4 100 286354 quart 946ml 286041
19SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
IPEX Inc.
Toll free: (866) 473-9462
i p ex n a .co m
About the IPEX Group of Companies
As leading suppliers of thermoplastic piping systems, the IPEX
Group of Companies provides our customers with some of the
world’s largest and most comprehensive product lines. All IPEX
products are backed by more than 50 years of experience. With
state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and distribution centers
across North America, we have earned a reputation for product
innovation, quality, end-user focus and performance.
Markets served by IPEX group products are:
• Electrical systems
• Telecommunications and utility piping systems
• Industrial process piping systems
• Municipal pressure and gravity piping systems
• Plumbing and mechanical piping systems
• Electrofusion systems for gas and water
• Industrial, plumbing & mechanical, and electrical cements
• Irrigation systems
• PVC, CPVC, PP, PVDF, PE, and ABS pipe and fittings
RadonXTM Soil Gas Venting pipe, fittings and venting accessories are
manufactured by IPEX Inc. and/or IPEX USA LLC and RadonX piping system
is distributed in Canada by IPEX Inc., Mississauga, Ontario.
RadonXTM and Peace of Mind from the Ground UpTM are trademarks
used under license.
LITERATURE & WEBSITE DISCLAIMER
The information contained here within is based on current information
and product design at the time of publication and is subject to change
without notification. IPEX does not guarantee or warranty the accuracy,
suitability for particular applications, or results to be obtained therefrom.
Always consult a licensed piping-design engineering firm for engineering
recommendations during the design and installation of a project.
BRMERXIP210208C
© 2021 IPEX MS0031C
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