Tempo:
radon concentrations during construction. Because mitigating high radon concentrations after construction could be expensive, taking measures during construction can increase safety and reduce the cost of future mitigation. The basement can be protected against radon if an air barrier connecting the basement slab to the walls is installed to keep radon from entering the living space. A roughed-in, capped pipe extending under the floor slab should also be provided, as it could be used to ventilate the space below a basement floor later, if radon were to become a problem. Unheated crawl spaces do not need to be protected against the ingress of radon because required ventilation can prevent radon accumulation. Rough-ins for a future radon extraction system are not needed for heated crawl spaces if they do not have a concrete floor slab and if they remain accessible. This way, a person could easily install a connection to the sub-air barrier space to be used for the radon extraction system. The building owner can easily test the house for radon. The test equipment is relatively inexpensive, and test kits can be ordered over the Internet. If test results indicate an annual average concentration exceeding 200 Bq/m3, it may be necessary to complete the subfloor depressurization system to reduce radon concentration. This requires that the roughed-in pipe be uncapped and connected to a ventilation system exhausting to the outside. The building should be retested for radon once the depressurization system has been completed and activated. For further information on how to measure and remediate existing houses, refer to Health Canada’s publications Guide for Radon Measurements in Residential Dwellings (Homes) and Reducing Radon Levels in Existing Homes: A Canadian Guide for Professional Contractors.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGS Once adopted by the provinces and territories, changes to NBC Part 9 will require that building envelopes, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and service-water heating systems meet or exceed minimum energy efficiency performance requirements. Where adopted, the new provisions will have an impact on the design and construction of houses, so builders should stay alert for building code amendments in their areas.
MATERIAL COMPATIBILITY Many types of building materials are used in a house. Experience has shown that materials such as sealants and metals can adversely affect an adjacent material at times, resulting in premature degradation. Many sealant products are suited to a wide range of applications, and there is no simple and universal product labelling system. Improper selection can lead to problems such as paint failure or damage to window frame finishes. Connecting different metals can cause galvanic corrosion, leading to premature failure. Premature failure can also result from job site-imposed conditions or deadlines. For example, in the rush to apply paint in unheated conditions, a painter might ignore the temperature range recommended by the product manufacturer, resulting in a costly recall.
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY Care should be taken during construction to avoid injuries, and the following require attention:
Site work—Chainsaws and other mechanical equipment must be used with care, and appropriate safety equipment should be worn.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGS Once adopted by the provinces and territories, changes to NBC Part 9 will require that building envelopes, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and service-water heating systems meet or exceed minimum energy efficiency performance requirements. Where adopted, the new provisions will have an impact on the design and construction of houses, so builders should stay alert for building code amendments in their areas.
MATERIAL COMPATIBILITY Many types of building materials are used in a house. Experience has shown that materials such as sealants and metals can adversely affect an adjacent material at times, resulting in premature degradation. Many sealant products are suited to a wide range of applications, and there is no simple and universal product labelling system. Improper selection can lead to problems such as paint failure or damage to window frame finishes. Connecting different metals can cause galvanic corrosion, leading to premature failure. Premature failure can also result from job site-imposed conditions or deadlines. For example, in the rush to apply paint in unheated conditions, a painter might ignore the temperature range recommended by the product manufacturer, resulting in a costly recall.
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY Care should be taken during construction to avoid injuries, and the following require attention:
Site work—Chainsaws and other mechanical equipment must be used with care, and appropriate safety equipment should be worn.
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