FOR ARCHITECTS & BUILDERS - RRNC

Update
The rules (#2008-P148 & #98-P) before the Manufactured Housing Board passed on 3 September 2008 with some modifications and will now go before the AG before taking effect. These rules will affect only the manufacturing process of modular homes, not the foundation or other “on-site” work.

On 24 April 2008 Maine Governor John Baldacci signed bill LD2257 mandates a new building and energy code for Maine effective 1 January, 2010. The new code will include the ASTM E 1465 Standard Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings. A copy is available at astm.org

Also the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Licensing and Registration, Manufactured Housing Board is proposing new rules # 2008-P148 and # 98-P which in brief will require modular homes installed in Maine to be designed to accommodate a radon mitigation system. More information is available here. Scroll down to 02_385 Manufactured Housing Board Ch. 110 and Ch. 380. A public hearing on this is scheduled for August 6, 2008 at 11 a.m. at 122 Northern Ave. in Gardner, Maine.

Interestingly there is no mention of radon in water in either of the above. Any time a new home is constructed with a drilled well for a water source I would think it prudent to incorporate the readiness measures for the vent piping of a radon in water system as well.
Here is another web site with valuable information on radon in water, radon in water abatement systems, and radon in air. Special thanks to well known radon expert Bill Broadhead for his extensive contributions in the field of radon mitigation and for the information in his web site.

This page will be updated with the latest developments as they become available.