Radon-Resistant New Construction: Ensure Safety and Compliance in Colorado
Expert Radon Services Builders & GC's can Truly trust
Radon Resistant New Construction Soil Gas Control Systems
Building Radon Safety Into you project From Day One
New construction radon mitigation — known as RRNC (Radon‑Resistant New Construction) — is the process of integrating radon‑control features into a home during the building phase. These systems are designed to prevent radon entry before the home is occupied, making them one of the most effective and cost‑efficient radon solutions available.
RRNC is recommended by the EPA, ANSI/AARST standards, and widely adopted across Colorado due to the state’s consistently high radon potential.
Why RRNC Matters in Colorado
Colorado’s geology produces some of the highest radon levels in the country. Installing radon‑resistant features during construction:
- Reduces long‑term radon exposure
- Prevents costly retrofits later
- Ensures compliance with modern building expectations
- Increases home value and buyer confidence
- Creates a safer indoor environment from day one
RRNC is not just a “nice to have” — in Colorado, it’s a best practice.
Core Components of an RRNC System
A proper RRNC installation includes several engineered features built into the buildings foundation and venting system.
1. Proper Underground Collection System
This is the foundation of all effective RRNC systems. It includes:
- A layer of gas‑permeable aggregate beneath the slab
- A soil‑gas collection point (or multiple points for large homes)
- A soil gas collection mat to gather radon from beneath the home
- A sealed vapor barrier to prevent soil gas intrusion
- A top of slab seal for all control and perimeter joints as well as all penetrations
This system ensures radon can be efficiently drawn from beneath the slab if activation becomes necessary.
2. Passive Radon Vent System
A passive system uses natural stack effect to move radon from the collection point up through the home and out the roof.
A complete passive system includes:
- Sealed PVC vent pipe routed from the slab to above the roofline
- Proper pipe sizing and routing to maintain airflow
- Airtight sealing around all penetrations
- Labeling per ANSI/AARST standards
Passive systems are required in many new builds and serve as the backbone for future activation.
3. Passive‑to‑Active Conversion (Activation Service)
If post‑construction testing shows elevated radon levels, the passive system can be activated by adding a radon‑rated fan.
Activation includes:
- Installing a radon fan in the attic or exterior
- Adding a monitoring device or manometer
- Verifying proper suction at the collection point
- Ensuring the system meets ANSI/AARST mitigation standards
Activation transforms the system into a full active sub‑slab depressurization system, providing reliable long‑term radon reduction.
Post‑Construction Radon Testing Requirements
Even with RRNC installed, post‑mitigation testing is mandatory to confirm the system is performing correctly.
Testing must be done:
- Only after the home meets closed‑building conditions
- After HVAC systems are operational
- After all exterior doors and windows are installed
- After the home is ready for occupancy
This ensures accurate radon readings and verifies whether activation is needed.
RRNC for Multi‑Family Residential Projects
Multi‑family buildings require additional engineering considerations due to:
- Larger slab areas
- Multiple soil‑gas entry points
- Shared walls and mechanical systems
- Complex airflow patterns
- Varying occupancy levels
Sage Brush Radon provides:
- RRNC design for multi‑unit structures - complete design drawings for each specific project
- Multiple collection points and vent stacks
- Coordination with builders and mechanical contractors
- Compliance with ANSI/AARST CC‑1000 and MD‑RRNC standards
- Post‑construction testing for each required unit
Proper RRNC in multi‑family buildings protects residents and ensures long‑term compliance.
What This Means for Builders, General Contractors, Owners
Choosing Sage Brush Radon for RRNC ensures:
- Proper system design from the ground up
- Compliance with Colorado radon expectations
- Seamless coordination with builders and contractors
- Future‑ready systems that can be activated if needed
- Verified radon safety before occupancy
- Long‑term protection for families and investments
RRNC is the most cost‑effective way to control radon — and the smartest approach for Colorado homes.
HUD & FHFA Compliance
Sage Brush Radon fully adheres to all HUD, FHFA, and federally funded housing requirements for radon‑resistant new construction, activation services, and post‑construction testing. Our RRNC installations, multi‑family systems, and passive‑to‑active conversions are designed and documented to meet all applicable federal, state, and ANSI/AARST radon standards.
Whether your project is single‑family, multi‑family, affordable housing, or federally assisted construction, we ensure full radon compliance from foundation to final testing.
Core Mitigation Strategies We Use
Every home is different, so Sage Brush Radon designs systems based on diagnostic data, not guesswork. Below are the primary mitigation methods used in Colorado homes.
1. Sub‑Slab Depressurization (SSD)
Most common and most effective method for slab‑on‑grade and basement homes
This system creates a vacuum beneath the concrete slab, pulling radon from the soil and venting it safely outside.
SSD includes:
- Drilling a suction point through the slab
- Installing a sealed PVC vent system
- Adding a radon‑rated fan to create negative pressure
- Routing the vent above the roofline
- Sealing accessible slab openings
This method is the gold standard for radon reduction and is effective in the vast majority of Colorado homes.
2. Sub‑Membrane Depressurization (SMD)
Used for crawlspaces
A durable, sealed vapor barrier is installed over the soil, and a fan‑driven vent system pulls radon from beneath the membrane.
SMD is essential when:
- The home has exposed dirt crawlspaces
- The crawlspace is vented or unconditioned
- Soil gas intrusion is significant
This method dramatically reduces radon entry from open soil areas.
3. Sump Pit Depressurization
If a home has a sump pit, it can be integrated into the mitigation system by:
- Sealing the sump lid
- Connecting the pit to the vent system
- Using the pit as a primary suction point
This approach is highly effective because sump pits often act as major radon entry points.
4. Combination Systems
Some homes require a hybrid approach, such as:
- SSD + SMD
- SSD + block‑wall depressurization
- Multiple suction points
- Enhanced diagnostics for complex foundations
Sage Brush Radon designs systems based on measurement data, not one‑size‑fits‑all solutions.
What to Expect During Installation
A typical mitigation installation includes:
- Diagnostic pressure testing
- Identifying optimal suction points
- Core drilling through slab or foundation
- Installing sealed PVC venting
- Mounting a radon‑rated fan (roof or attic)
- Routing the vent above the roofline
- Sealing accessible entry points
- System labeling and code compliance
- Post‑mitigation radon testing
What Makes a Good Mitigation System
A properly engineered system should:
- Reduce radon levels below 4.0 pCi/L (EPA action level)
- Ideally bring levels below 2.0 pCi/L, if possible
- Run continuously and efficiently
- Have a clearly readable manometer or monitoring device
- Be installed according to ANSI/AARST standards
- Be designed specifically for the home’s foundation type
Sage Brush Radon follows all Colorado licensing requirements under HB21‑1195, including NRPP certification, DORA licensing, and adherence to national radon standards.
Why Professional Mitigation Matters
DIY sealing or patching concrete does not solve radon problems. Radon mitigation requires:
- Pressure diagnostics
- Proper fan sizing
- Correct vent routing
- Sealed suction points
- Compliance with Colorado radon regulations
A poorly designed system can fail to reduce radon — or even make levels worse.
What This Means for You
Choosing Sage Brush Radon means:
- A system engineered specifically for your home
- Compliance with Colorado radon laws and standards
- Long‑term protection for your family
- Increased home value and buyer confidence
- A quiet, efficient, low‑maintenance system
- Peace of mind backed by certified professionals
Your Partner in a Smooth Project Completion
Whether you’re:
- A builder/ general contractor needing fast and efficient testing or mitigation
- An owner wanting assurance before moving into your new investment
- A project manager managing deadlines and client expectations
Sage Brush Radon provides the expertise, communication, and reliability needed to keep your project moving forward without added stress or lengthy timelines
If you have questions about your specific situation, reach out as early as possible. We’re here to help you understand the process, evaluate your options, and ensure radon is handled correctly from start to finish.
Radon Professional Requirements within Colorado
Before hiring any radon company in Colorado, always verify that the installer, technician, measurement professional, or mitigation specialist is fully certified and licensed. Colorado regulates radon professionals under House Bill 21‑1195 (HB21‑1195), passed in June 2021, which created the state’s licensing framework for radon measurement and mitigation professionals.
Under this law, radon professionals must:
- Hold an active NRPP or NRSB certification
- Register and maintain a DORA radon license
- Follow ANSI/AARST standards for all measurement and mitigation work
These certifications and licenses are public records and can be searched at any time. For your safety and peace of mind, use the links below to verify NRPP certifications and DORA licenses before contracting any radon services.
Because so much is at stake — your client’s health, the safety of their family, and the security of their investment — radon testing and mitigation should be treated as a high‑priority item during any Colorado real‑estate transaction.
Colorado Requirements for Radon Professionals
Colorado regulates radon measurement and mitigation professionals under House Bill 21‑1195 (HB21‑1195). Under this law, radon professionals must:
- Hold an active NRPP or NRSB certification
- Maintain a DORA radon license
- Follow ANSI/AARST standards for all testing and measurement work
These credentials are public and can be verified at any time. Always confirm a professional’s certification before scheduling radon testing.
Informational Radon Links
IRC Appendix AF
RRNC Single Family/ Duplex/ Town Home Standards
RRNC Single Family/ Duplex/ Town Home Standards
RRNC Single Family/ Duplex/ Town Home Standards
RRNC Single Family/ Duplex/ Town Home Standards
RRNC Single Family/ Duplex/ Town Home Standards
CC-1000 Multi-Family/ Commercial Standards
RRNC Single Family/ Duplex/ Town Home Standards
CC-1000 Multi-Family/ Commercial Standards
NRPP Certification Verification
NRPP Certification Verification
CC-1000 Multi-Family/ Commercial Standards
Common FAQ's
NRPP Certification Verification
DORA License Verification
DORA License Verification
NRPP Certification Verification
DORA License Verification
Sage Brush Radon
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