AARST_Radon_Reporter_Q42025

18 | DECEMBER 2025 International Code Council Committee Approves Changes to Radon Appendix: FOUR OUT OF FOUR At Committee Action Hearings in Orlando in May and Cleveland in October, the 11-member International Residential Code – Building (IRC-B) committee considered radon-related proposals. It approved the following changes: 1. To remove the EPA radon zone map and Zone 1 county list from the appendix, because restricting localities as to when or how they may require compliance with the appendix conflicts with local authority. Appendices address what to require, not where to require it. The IRC-B committee supported this change. IRC-B also deleted “in jurisdictions where radon-resistant construction is required“ from the sentence beginning “This appendix contains requirements for new construction,” clarifying that the appendix applies wherever radon control is included. 2. To allow compliance with ANSI/AARST RRNC Rough-in of Radon Control Components in New Construction of 1 & 2 Family Dwellings and Townhouses as an alternative to the appendix’s radon control protocol. The committee approved this proposal because the standard provides an option for radon control, recognizing that the standard’s requirements exceed current appendix requirements. 3. To require the installation of a minimum of 4.5’ perforated pipe on each side of the tee fitting below the slab or vapor barrier . The proposal for 5’ pipe was amended under the theory that an inexact half-cut of a 10’ pipe would cause a code violation for the shorter piece. 4. To require that the radon pipe in the attic be located in an unobstructed cylindrical space having a height of not less than 36 inches (91 cm) and a diameter of not less than 21 inches (53 cm)” to reserve adequate space for future installation of a radon fan and eliminate the abandonment of existing vent pipes at the time of system activation. The next step in the ICC code development process is the Public Comment Hearings in April in 2026. Since it is unlikely that comments objecting to these changes will be submitted, these changes shall be published in the 2028 International Residential Code’s Radon Appendix BE. Thanks to IEA’s partners in this effort - American Lung Association, Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Center for Healthy Housing - and especially to Laura Armul, Josh Kerber (pictured below), Dawn Oggier, and Kim Steves for participating in the long slog of ICC’s in-person hearing process in 2025. POLICY