SCHOMBURG Problems Solved.
EFFECTIVE RADON PROTECTION Protection that starts beneath the surface.
schomburg.com
Contents
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01
WHAT IS RADON?
4
01.1
Radon distribution in Germany
5
01.2
Radon indoors
6-7
02
RADON PREVENTION SYSTEMS
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02.1
Tested radon-proof products
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02.2
Radon prevention system for new builds
10 - 11
02.3
Radon Prevention System – Refurbishment
12 - 13
Radon Prevention System – The Soil Remediation System
14 - 15
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Radon distribution in Germany Precautionary zones and exposure limits Radon is found throughout Germany, although there are certain areas that are particularly affected. Since the beginning of 2021, these regions have been designated as ‘precautionary areas’ by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection. Parts of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Thuringia and Saxony are particularly affected.
The implementation of precautionary measures in the other federal states increases protection and improves safety. This map shows, in broad terms, the ‘subsurface radon concentration’ at a depth of one metre in Germany. A specific radon occurrence can only be determined by taking an explicit measurement.
WHAT IS RADON? THE INVISIBLE DANGER Radon is invisible, odourless and a threat to our health. But what exactly is radon, why is it so dangerous, where is it found and, above all, how can you protect yourself from it? Radon is a dangerous radioactive gas – in Germany, it is one of the main causes of lung cancer. This naturally occurring noble gas is found in the ground and seeps to the surface through cracks and crevices. It is formed when uranium and thorium in the soil decay into polonium, bismuth and lead. These decay products cause pathological changes in the lungs.
However, it is also essential to take precautions for yourself and your family in your own home.
Radon is hardly a problem in the open air. It becomes dangerous in enclosed spaces such as cellars or ground-floor flats.
There, the decay products "irradiate" the lung cells with dangerous radioactive radiation and, in the worst-case scenario, cause lung cancer.
There, radon levels rise rapidly and become a potential hazard. Radon is found throughout Germany, although there are areas with particularly high levels. In these areas, building owners and employers must take special measures. 4
Why is radon so dangerous? Exposure often goes unnoticed – the noble gas is odourless and tasteless. Radon is inhaled along with indoor air and decays in the lungs.
Do you live in a high-risk area? You can find the radon risk areas in Germany here. Bq/m³ = becquerels per cubic metre Source: Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS)
Further information on the Radiation Protection Act and the Radiation Protection Ordinance can be found on the website of the BfS – Federal Office for Radiation Protection.
RADON IN INDOOR SPACES LEGAL BASIS In principle, the Radiation Protection Act, which is based on an EU directive, governs the management of radon. The specific requirements are set out in the Radiation Protection Ordinance. Radon is particularly dangerous indoors because this radioactive noble gas rises from the ground and enters the building through cracks, joints or pipe penetrations – especially in basements, ground-floor levels and on sloping sites. Clay and natural stone floors offer little protection, and even sealed floor slabs can develop leaks over time..
300 Becquerel/m³. However, the WHO recommends a maximum of 100 Becquerel/m³, as even lower levels increase the health risk. Radon levels can be measured using radon dosimeters: passive devices are available from around 30–50 euros, whilst active measuring devices are more expensive but more accurate and store the data digitally.
In the absence of ventilation, radon concentrations rise continuously. As the absorbed dose is the decisive factor, the legal limit is set at an annual average of
As the annual average is the key factor, active dosimeters are particularly recommended.
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Private buildings In the case of new-builds in radon-prone areas, developers must ensure that radon cannot enter the building. Architects and planners have a duty to support them in this and to provide the appropriate solutions.
Commercial buildings In areas designated as requiring preventive measures, employers must regularly monitor radon concentrations – regardless of whether the building is old or new. The annual average concentration must not exceed 300 becquerels.
Where the project involves the refurbishment of an existing building, there are no legal requirements. However, nobody wants to recklessly put their own health and that of their housemates at risk.
It is certainly advisable to take structural measures to protect the health of employees as effectively as possible.
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Products AQUAFIN®-RB400
Rapid mineral-based building waterproofing • Flexible polymer-modified thick coating (FPD) • Mineral-based sealing slurry (MDS) • Bitumen-free • Rapid, reactive through-drying • Improved crack-bridging properties even at low temperatures (−5 °C) • Very low emissions – EMICODE® EC 1PLUS
COMBIDIC-2K-PREMIUM Reactive two-component bituminous thick coating (PMBC)
RADON PREVENTION SYSTEMS FOR NEW BUILDS AND REFURBISHMENTS Efficient system solutions such as those from SCHOMBURG provide reliability in both new-build and refurbishment projects. They do so for the long term. Radon can be reliably and permanently removed from buildings. The simplest way is to ventilate regularly. However, this has its drawbacks. For the sake of your health, you have to be very disciplined about ventilating time and again – and at the same time, you end up ruining your home’s energy efficiency.
There are also sophisticated technical solutions, such as active extraction systems or ‘radon wells’, which can also reduce concentrations. The simplest approach is still to take appropriate preventative measures to ensure that radon does not enter a building in the first place.
• Waterproofing of structural elements in contact with the ground, such as basement walls and floor slabs • For water exposure classes DIN 18533 W1.1-E, W1.2-E, W2.1-E, W3-E, W4-E • Seamless and joint-free structural waterproofing that bridges cracks
KSK-Abdichtungsbahn KSK-Abdichtungsbahn Cold-applied self-adhesive bituminous membrane • Waterproofing of wall surfaces and floor slabs in contact with the ground in accordance with DIN 18533-2 • For water exposure classes DIN 18533 W1.1-E, W1.2-E and W4-E • As a waterproofing layer beneath screeds in accordance with DIN 18534-2, water exposure classes W0I to W2-I
ASODUR-SG2 Specialised epoxy resin primer / oil and vapour barrier
The Heinze Download Manager also offers you an extensive selection of suitable tender documents.
• Special primer for oily, but previously cleaned, concrete substrates • Low-solvent, moisture-tolerant, two-component epoxy resin • Excellent adhesion to damp concrete substrates
Radon prevention systems | New building
Radon prevention systems
Products
External waterproofing of wall and floor junctions in new-build properties
ASOCRET-M30 Waterproof multi-purpose mortar up to 30 mm • High stability • Fast-setting • Sulphate-resistant • Water-repellent
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ADF® -Rohrmanschette Epoxy resin barrier primer for damp substrates, thixotropic
• Tear-resistant • Highly elastic • Water-impermeable • Compatible with bitumen
AQUAFIN®-RB400
Reactive two-component bituminous thick coating • Fast-curing and can be loaded early • Highly wear- and abrasion-resistant against pneumatic, solid rubber and Vulkolan tyres • Permeable to vapour • Resistant to chloride and CO²
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Substrate (concrete/masonry)
Mineral-based coving, e.g. ASOCRET-M30
Pipe penetration - ADF-Rohrmanschette
Surface waterproofing - AQUAFIN®-RB400 / COMBIDIC-2K-Premium
COMBIDIC ®-2K-Premium
Reactive two-component bituminous thick coating • Seamless and joint-free • Flexible and crack-bridging • Fibre-reinforced • Radon-proof
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Further information on the products and the soil remediation system can be found online.
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Radon prevention systems | Refurbishment
AQUAFIN® -i380 Injection cream for retrofitting horizontal water barriers
Internal waterproofing of walls and floors during refurbishment
• Vapour-permeable • Ready to use • Tested and certified in accordance with WTA guidelines up to 95% moisture penetration • Water-repellent • Solvent-free
ESCO® -FLUAT Solution for treating salts that are harmful to buildings
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• Solvent-free • Moisture-tolerant and vapour-impermeable • Adheres very well to damp substrates • Watertight against negative water pressure up to 3 bar
ASOCRET-M30
Waterproof multi-purpose mortar up to 30 mm • High stability • Fast-setting • Sulphate-resistant • Water-repellent
Reactive two-component bituminous thick coating
Retrofitted horizontal barrier - AQUAFIN®-i380
Substrate preparation - ESCO®-FLUAT
Area equalisation - ASOCRET-M30
Sealing the wall surfaces - AQUAFIN®-RB400
Splatter - THERMOPAL -SP
Restoration plaster - THERMOPAL®-ULTRA-white
Coating of the base plate - ASODUR-SG2 or AQUAFIN®-RB400
• Fast-curing and can bear loads at an early stage • Highly resistant to wear and abrasion caused by air, solid rubber and Vulkolan tyres • Permeable to vapour • Resistant to chloride and CO²
THERMOPAL®-SP
WTA Restoration Spray Mortar
®
• Mineral-based ready-mixed dry mortar • WTA-certified • Vapour-permeable • Low coverage
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Radon prevention systems | The soil remediation system
The soil remediation system The THERMOPAL® floor renovation system enables quick and straightforward renovation of moisture-damaged and cracked substrates with low load-bearing capacity.
ASO® -RSG
Crac prevention fabric for the repair of critical and cracked surfaces • Crack-bridging • Stabilising • High tear resistance • Easy to apply
ASODUR® -SG3-thix
Epoxy resin barrier primer for damp substrates, thixotropic • Solvent-free • Moisture-tolerant and vapour-impermeable • Adheres very well to damp substrates • Watertight against water pressure up to 3 bar
ASOCRET-HFF
Mineral-based industrial flooring for areas subject to heavy mechanical wear
• fast-curing and can be loaded early • highly wear- and abrasion-resistant against air, solid rubber and Vulkolan tyres • permeable to vapour • resistant to chloride and CO2
RD-SK 50
Self-adhesive edge insulation strip
Floor surfaces with cracks, limited load-bearing capacity and dampness present a particular challenge during refurbishment, requiring targeted measures. The THERMOPAL® floor renovation system offers an effective solution to this problem, as it both stabilises the subfloor and protects against moisture rising from the subfloor.
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ASO®-RSG Crack prevention fabric
ASODUR-SG3-thix + Quartz sand spreading Epoxy resin barrier primer for damp substrates
ASOCRET-HFF Cementitious industrial flooring for mechanically exposed areas
• With adhesive backing • 5 mm thick • Effective protection against sound transmission • Prevents clamping and sound bridges
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Further information on the products and the soil remediation system can be found online. 15
The SCHOMBURG Group develops, produces and distributes building product systems for the areas of: • Building waterproofing/repair • Tile/natural stone/screed laying • Floor protection/coating systems SCHOMBURG has been recognised in the market for over 85 years nationally and internationally for its development expertise. Building product systems that are produced inhouse are highly prized around the world.
SCHOMBURG GmbH & Co. KG Aquafinstr. 2–8 D-32760 Detmold (Germany) Telephone +49-5231-953-00 Fax +49-5231-953-333 www.schomburg.com
26/26 NT/IsW/JoZ
To meet the demanding requirements of an ever-changing market, we continuously invest in the research and development of new and already existing products. This guarantees an ever increasing product quality to the satisfaction of our customers.
Changes reserved. The valid issue of the corresponding technical bulletin legally applies.
Experts value the quality and the efficiency of building product systems, the services and therefore the core competence of the group of companies.