VISQUEEN RADON MEMBRANE SYSTEM TECHNICAL DATA & INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
CONTENTS 1.0 Visqueen Radon Membrane System 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Product Description 2.0 Installation Procedures 3.0 Storage & Handling 4.0 Useful References 5.0 Technical Advice 6.0 Contact Details 7.0 Typical Details 7.1 In Situ Concrete Floor Slab (UK Only) 7.2 Ground Bearing Slab (Ireland only) 7.3 Suspended Concrete Slab 7.4 Raft Foundation 7.5 Pipe Sleeve / Top Hat Section 7.6 Steel Stanchion Penetration Detail 7.7 Movement Joint Detail 7.8 Internal Wall 7.9 Ground Bearing Slab provision for movement 7.10 Internal Wall provision for movement 7.11 Floor Slab Corner Detail
1.0 Visqueen Radon Membrane System 1.1 Introduction Visqueen Radon Membrane is a membrane suitable for use in the protection of buildings from the ingress of Radon gas. Visqueen Radon Membrane will act as an effective passive radon membrane in most typical applications when installed in accordance with our instructions. Visqueen Radon Membrane also acts as a Damp Proof Membrane. For effective protection the Visqueen Radon Membrane system should be used. The system comprises: Visqueen Radon Membrane Visqueen Double Sided Jointing Tape Visqueen Girth Jointing Tape Visqueen Top Hat Units Visqueen Polythene DPC Visqueen Radon Sump Units Visqueen Self Adhesive Membrane 1.2 Product Description Visqueen Radon Membrane is an unreinforced polyethylene membrane. Dimensions Thickness Width Length Colour Roll Weight 300mu 4m 25m Red 27.6kg Technical Performance Elongation at Break (BS 2782: Part 3: 320A) 550% Tear Resistance (MOAT 27 :1983 5.4.1) 119N Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate 0.33 g/m 2 /day (BS 3177) Radon Permeability (k) 10-12 m 2 /s 8 Radon Transmittance (P) 10-9 m/s 26
2.0 Installation Procedures Refer to attached details RAD-001 to RAD-011. For UK installations Visqueen Radon Membrane and ancillary components must be installed in accordance with the recommendations of Building Research Establishment REPORTS BR No: 211 Radon : guidance on protective measures for new dwellings and BR No 212 Construction of new buildings on gas contaminated land. In Ireland Visqueen Radon Membrane must be installed in accordance with the recommendations of IS 325: Part 2 1995 and clause 11 of BS CP 102 1973 Code of Practice for protection of buildings against water from the ground. Further guidance in relation to radon is contained in Technical Guidance Document C of Building Regulations 1997 which should be read in conjunction with the DOE Publication Radon in Buildings. Visqueen Radon Membrane can be used in most common floor constructions. It is installed in a similar way to damp proof membranes, but with a much greater attention to workmanship and detailing in order to achieve effective sealing at all locations. Visqueen Radon Membrane is not intended for use where there is the risk of hydrostatic pressure. The product should be installed on a blinded or smooth surface allowing adequate overlap for jointing between the sheets and avoiding bridging (i.e. areas of unsupported membrane). In order to provide a continuous barrier the membrane must be joined to the Damp Proof Course. 2.1 Jointing Procedures After the Visqueen Radon Membrane has been unrolled, Visqueen Double Sided Tape should be applied approximately 50mm from the edge. The next width of Visqueen Radon Membrane should then be overlapped. For an effective radon proof system all laps must be a minimum of 150mm. The joint should be secured with Visqueen Girth Jointing Tape, a single sided tape which provides added security against any potential leakage path. Ensure that the membrane is clean, dust free and dry at the time of jointing. When the weather is cold Visqueen Double Sided Jointing Tape and Visqueen Girth Jointing Tape should be kept in a warm, dry place until needed. Installation is not recommended below 5 o C. 2.2 Punctures The integrity of the Visqueen Radon Membrane sheet must be maintained during installation. Visqueen Radon Membranes are resistant to puncturing and tearing, however where tears or punctures in the sheet occur these should be covered with another part of the sheet and have an overlap of at least 150mm and the laps sealed with Visqueen Double Sided Tape and secured with Visqueen Girth Jointing Tape. 2.3 Service Pipe Penetrations Visqueen Top Hat Units should be used to form airtight seals around service entry points Visqueen Top Hat Units are available in various sizes, the most common being 110mm diameter. The base of the pre-formed top hat unit should be sealed to Visqueen Radon Membrane using Visqueen Double Sided Tape and Visqueen Girth Jointing Tape. The unit should be fastened to the service pipe using a combination of the Visqueen Radon Membrane Jointing Tape system and a jubilee clip to provide fastness. Where significant ground movement is expected or where ground movement cannot be predicted, special Top Hat Units are available from Visqueen Building Products. 2.4 Continuity through walls The membrane must be continuous with a cavity tray formed across the cavity using Visqueen Polyethylene DPC as a minimum. All laps must be sealed using Visqueen DPC Double Sided Jointing Tape.
2.5 Sumps for use in full protection areas Where sub floor depressurisation is required, then a Visqueen Radon Sump should be used. This is a prefabricated plastic sump, which should be located as close to the centre of the building as possible. All pipe work connecting to the sump should be fully sealed using the Visqueen Radon Membrane Jointing System. A venting pipe should be connected to the sump, which needs to leave the building. Until such time as a fan is installed, the pipe should be capped. Note: a sump is only installed as a fallback measure and does not provide any radon removal until a fan is installed or is connected to a passive stack system. 2.6 Covering A screed or other protective layer should cover Visqueen Radon Membrane as soon as possible after installation. Care should be taken to ensure that the membrane is not punctured, stretched or displaced when applying the screed or concrete. A minimum thickness of 50mm screed is recommended. When reinforced concrete is to be laid over the barrier the wire reinforcements must be prevented from contacting the barrier. It is recommended that the barrier be covered with screed before positioning the reinforcement. 2.7 Continuity at Corners Special care must be taken when installing at corners to ensure continuity at corners. To help achieve this special preformed wall / slab corner units are available from Visqueen Building Products. Where a fold is required to accommodate predicted ground movement it is recommended that a separate piece of membrane is cut and folded, then fitted into the corner to overlay the adjoining membrane by a minimum of 150mm ensuring that no gaps remain. Special preformed wall / slab corner units which help to accommodate ground movement are also available from Visqueen Building Products. 2.8 Internal Walls Visqueen Radon Membrane must be continuous with Visqueen Polythene DPC used below internal walls. All laps must be a minimum of 150mm and fully sealed. 2.9 Sealing to Columns Sealing to steel or concrete structural columns should be undertaken using Visqueen Gas Resistant Self Adhesive Membrane. Ensure that the surface to be treated is free from loose particles, dry and frost free. Installation should be in accordance with BS Code of Practice 102 and BS 8102. All surfaces should be sealed using Visqueen Tanking Primer Solution and allowed to dry thoroughly. All laps to Visqueen Radon Membrane must be a minimum of 150mm. In applications where ground movement cannot be predicted special additional detailing measures will be required when sealing columns. 2.10 Provision for Settlement It is important to minimise differential movement between walls and concrete slabs. In the UK where differential movement is expected the guidelines of BR 211 should be adopted. In Ireland Building Regulations recognises three scenarios: Situation 1: Visqueen Radon Membrane can be installed as per Detail RAD-002 if there will not be relative or differential movement throughout the life of the building. Situation 2: Visqueen Radon Membrane may be installed with an upstand if the relative or differential settlement during the life of the building will not be greater than 20% of the height of the upstand.
Situation 3: Where relative or differential settlement cannot be predicted with certainty during the entire lifecycle of the building, then Visqueen Radon Membrane should be installed with folds. The folds in the membrane must be continuous throughout and laps sealed. To assist installation the folds in the membrane should be held in place using Visqueen Girth Jointing Tape. Special Top Hat Units and Special Wall / Slab Corner Units are available to assist in detailing Service Pipe Penetrations and Corner applications respectively. 3.0 Storage and Handling Visqueen Radon Membrane is classified as non-hazardous when used in accordance with the relevant Code of Practice (CP 102 1973). The product is chemically inert and is not affected by acids and alkalis that may be present in the sub-soils. The material is not recommended for uses where it will be exposed to long periods of outdoor weathering. However weathering will not occur when the membrane is installed in accordance with CP102 1973. Care should be taken to avoid accidental damage when handling Visqueen Radon Membrane on site. 4.0 Useful References 4.1 Useful References -UK The Building Regulations Approved Document Part C 1992 CP 102 : 1973 Code of practice for the protection of buildings against water from the ground. BS 8102 : 1990 Code of practice for the protection of structures against water from the ground. BS 8215: 1991 Code of practice for the design and installation of Damp Proof Courses in Masonry construction. BS 8000 : Part 4:1989 Workmanship on Building Sites. Code of practice for waterproofing. Building Research Establishment BRE No: 211 Radon : guidance on protective measures for new dwellings 4.2 Useful References Ireland The Building Regulations 1997 Iapsed (as amended) A1 Loading C3 Dangerous substances C4 Resistance to weather and ground moisture D2 Materials and workmanship 5.0 Technical Advice For advice on detailing or installation call the Visqueen Building Products Technical Help Line 01993 779911. 6.0 Technical Advice Visqueen Building Products South Wales: Maerdy Industrial Estate, Rhymney, Tredegar, NP22 5PY tel: 01685 840672 fax: 01685 842580 Witney: Zedcor Business Park, Bridge Street, Witney, OX8 6LJ, tel: 01993 776346 fax: 01993 776233 Email: enquiries@visqueenbuilding.co.uk The information given in this brochure is based on data and knowledge correct at the time of printing. Statements made in this brochure are of a general nature and are not intended to apply to any use or application outside any referred to in the literature. As conditions of usage and installation are beyond our control we do not warrant performance obtained but strongly recommend that our installation guidelines and the relevant Codes of Practice are adhered to. Please contact us if you are in any doubt as to the suitability of application.
INDEX OF TECHNICAL DETAILS 1. In Situ Concrete Floor Slab (UK Only) 2. Ground Bearing Slab (Ireland only) 3. Suspended Concrete Slab 4. Raft Foundation 5. Pipe Sleeve / Top Hat Section 6. Steel Stanchion Penetration Detail 7. Movement Joint Detail 8. Internal Wall 9. Ground Bearing Slab provision for movement 10. Internal Wall provision for movement 11. Floor Slab Corner Detail