For many in education, summer term means a countdown to the school holidays. But for facilities and maintenance teams, it’s essential planning and preparation time ahead of the new academic year. Health and safety and risk assessment checklists can be lengthy, and among the many essential checks, radon testing often flies under the radar.
Why radon testing in schools matters
During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools were required to make sure their indoor air was as clean as possible. Digital air quality monitors hung in every classroom and children sat in coats, shivering as winter air blew in from windows and doors that were required to be left open.
Like the virus, radon is invisible, odourless, and quickly builds up inside poorly-ventilated buildings. Over time, exposure to high levels can pose serious health risks, including an increased chance of lung cancer. Some experts believe it’s particularly important to conduct radon testing in schools, to minimise potential harm to children from long-term exposure as they grow.
Radon testing in schools: five essential steps
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Check if your school is in a radon-affected area
Radon is radioactive. It’s produced naturally by uranium decay in soil and bedrock and seeps into buildings through cracks in their foundations, floors, and walls. High concentrations are more common in certain areas of the UK, particularly the south-west, Wales, and parts of the Midlands due to geological makeup, but it exists everywhere.
Use the UK Health Security Agency’s radon map to check your school’s postcode. If it’s in an affected area, testing is highly recommended and may be legally required depending on the concentration levels.
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Check your legal responsibilities
Employers, including school leadership teams and multi-academy trusts, are required to protect staff and pupils from radon exposure under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Following testing, if levels exceed 300 Bq/m³ (becquerels per cubic metre), schools are required to take remedial action under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17).
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Use radon testing kits from an accredited provider
By law, radon testing in schools and workplaces must be carried out using detectors validated by the UKHSA. Testing involves placing such detectors in classrooms, staff rooms, and other frequently used spaces. They’re then left in situ for a minimum 3-month period, before being returned for laboratory analysis and subsequent reporting.
It’s important to note that although short-term test kits and digital monitors are available, they should not be used for risk assessment purposes, as they aren’t UKHSA-validated. Guidelines stipulate that only long-term passive detectors, such as Radtrak³®, should be deployed in schools.
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Schedule radon testing for the autumn term
In the UK, radon testing in schools can be carried out at any time of year. However, consideration of seasons should be made wherever possible, ie. a measurement taken over the summer holiday may differ from one taken during the winter months. Between October to April, most windows and doors are kept closed, meaning indoor radon levels will most likely rise. However, planning and procurement should begin now, in the summer term. Contact us to secure your order with time to spare while stocks are high – our Radtrak³® detectors can be stored for up to 18 months before use and are available at a discount for bulk orders. If you’re not sure how many detectors you’ll need, use our free online calculator to find out.
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Spread the word: tell parents and staff
Radon testing is important for everyone. Clear communication, for example through your newsletter, is a great way to increase radon awareness and let everyone know what those little black boxes are for. Staff and parents will appreciate that the school is being proactive about keeping indoor air cleaner and maintaining a safer learning environment.
Schools are frantically busy places at the best of times. Prepare for radon testing now, and help your school to avoid term time disruption and maximise compliance with health and safety regulations. With early planning and the right support, you can be confident of heading into September with the safest possible environment for learning.
- Order your school’s Radtrak³® detectors online here
- Need to order in bulk? Discounts apply. Contact us for a quotation
- Need a IRR17 compliant digital radon monitor? Discover SPIRIT® here
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