Adapted from the presentation http://aarst-nrpp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Mon_2_Kerber_Working_with_BIAs_9-19-16.pdf with permission of the presenter, Joshua Kerber
In a presentation at the 2016 International Radon Symposium held in San Diego, California, September 18-21, Joshua Kerber of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Indoor Air Unit, made a presentation on working with local building industry associations in promoting and developing radon resistant new construction (RRNC). The presentation included Minnesota’s history of the efforts, features of RRNC and RRNC educational efforts.
History
The program began an education outreach directed toward builders in the early 2000s with one-on-one training and offering continuing education units (CEUs). By 2004, with increased awareness raised by media coverage, RRNC began to be included voluntarily by some builders. The MDH also began meeting the state code officials, advisory committees and builders. During 2005, more media coverage and voluntary use of RRNC by builders was occurring. Data were needed to indicate the need for this in Minnesota and a data gathering effort was begun. In time, the legislative representative from Olmsted County, who had become familiar with RRNC, proposed a statue for RRNC requirements. The bill passed in 2007, with an effective date of June 1, 2009. This required all new permits for single family houses to have RRNC. Other requirements and specifications were included in the bill. Various changes in statues have occurred in subsequent years and as of February 14, 2015, application of the law applies to all residential buildings (1-4 units, single family housing, apartments, multi-family dwellings and mixed use). Progress in RRNC directives were achieved through working with local and state builder associations, local and state real estate associations, and local and state code officials. Essential to the success of working with associations and others was understanding the building business, price points and products, and developing familiarity with radon and RRNC.
Education Efforts
RRNC is included in the training for all code officials in Minnesota and the MDH offers free one-hour continuing education for builders. Classes are offered through local associations and directly to builders. Continuing education including the topic of RRNC is also offered to real estate agents. The demand for real estate classes is high. The training is free and offers 1.5 hours of CEU. Forty-eight classes have been held with 1197 attendees during 2016.
For more information on RRNC features, or this presentation, contact:
Joshua J. Kerber, MS
Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
telephone 651-201-5613
joshua.kerber@state.mn.us
United States