Where not to place a radon detector
Health Canada wants the occupied zone of the lowest lived-in level: a room where someone stays more than four hours a day. Bedroom, living room, family room, playroom. Not the bathroom, the kitchen, the laundry, the closet, the crawl space, the sump or a foundation corner. Those places do not represent the air you breathe.
Height: 0.8 to 2 m from the floor, at least 50 cm from the ceiling and 20 cm from objects, about 40 cm from an interior wall. Away from supply vents, doors, fans, windows, the fireplace, direct sun and electrical devices. A detector on the fridge or behind the television does not serve the guide.
The room, not a trophy location
Test the basement only if it is occupied more than four hours, or if it will be after renovations. Where to place it. The garage.
Reference points: Health Canada, what you need to know about radon and the 200 Bq/m³ guideline. The two-year timeline between 200 and 600, and one year above 600, comes from Health Canada’s guide for radon measurements in homes.
The 4-day test gives a first reading. The 91-day test covers the three-month minimum Health Canada asks for. Both are $59 before tax: shipping, return and the laboratory are included, taxes extra. The PDF report is sent within 2 business days after the laboratory receives the detector.
Above 200 Bq/m³, mitigation is confirmed with a quote. Gaz Radon is C-NRPP certified for measurement and mitigation.
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