Radon Experts ProTen Services Look Back at 20 Years of Radon Gas Remediation

April 20, 2009 - PRLog -- ProTen’s experience in the field is well-documented in the firm’s company newsletters, Protimes. The topic is regularly discussed in the quarterly newsletter, including early reports that the firm’s Exeter branch was receiving a steady stream of enquiries. A selection of these articles can be found by visiting http://www.protenservices.co.uk/pdf/name/36/Protimes_Radon_Articles.pdf.

Protim (as the firm was then known) cemented their position as the leading contractors in the field in 1991, when then Managing Director, Richard Malpass, gave a seminar on the subject to 200 Environmental Health Officers at their annual conference. The same year, Richard also addressed delegates at a top level conference in Westminster organised by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), calling upon the Government to take urgent action to ensure that people in homes affected by radon are protected.

Protim Services were pioneers of radon sump systems in the UK, which create sub-floor depressurisation and allow the gas from the soil to be collected in an area beneath the property and vented off to a safe location before it can enter the building.

In 1992, Protimes reported that independent tests had been carried out to prove the effectiveness of Protim Services’ radon remediation systems, and that these results included reductions in radon levels from 1400 bq/m3 to 78 bq/m3 and 1200 bq/m3 to 45 bq/m3. These results impressed reporters from ‘Which’ magazine, who were compiling a report on radon at the time.

By 1994, Protim Services’ reputation for providing effective radon remediation solutions had gone not only national, but international. Sump systems had been installed throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire when the Irish Government approached Protim for help.

There were deep concerns regarding high levels of radon in twenty schools on the West Coast of Ireland, and having failed in their own attempts to reduce the problem, Protim were called in. Individually designed systems were installed in each of the schools, which ranged from single classroom country schools to large three-storey buildings in towns.

Protim were also commissioned to carry out work in the former East Germany. This included the manufacturing plant of the famed Trabant motor car near Dresden and several homes in Saxonia.

A particularly impressive system was installed for a family in the town of Schneeburg, whose property had been found to contain 40,000 bq/m3. Three radon sumps were installed beneath the property, and later tests revealed the radon concentration had fallen to below 100 bq/m3. The German authorities were so staggered that they commissioned two independent radiation testing laboratories to verify the results, which naturally they were able to do.

In more recent years, ProTen Services have continued to excel in the field of radon gas management.

As well as designing and installing remediation systems for buildings with high levels of radon, ProTen are also qualified to install radon protection during the construction of new buildings.

In 2008, ProTen Services were chosen by Californian-based Land Science Technologies to be the sole UK applicator of their unique gas barrier system, Geo-Seal. Suitable for providing protection against radon, in addition to contaminant gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, Geo-Seal is a triple-layer barrier that includes a spray-applied core layer. The spray application allows for a seamless barrier to be laid, where there are no joints through which any ground gasses can leak.

When it was declared by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) that basements and cellars are at particular risk from radon gas, ProTen’s vast experience in both radon mitigation and basement waterproofing enabled the firm to develop a combined system to protect the property and its occupants from this dual threat.

The patented Aquis Double Defence (ADD Waterproofing) system combines waterproofing and radon management techniques to ensure that any basement can be protected from the ingress of moisture and radon, without the risk of elevating radon levels elsewhere in the property.

ProTen Services are committed to maintaining high standards across the industry, and current Managing Director, Martin Freeman, has been a key member of The Radon Council since its inception in 1990. The Radon Council is the industry regulatory body, in which ProTen Services play an active part promoting the Council and its standards.

During the past 18 months, ProTen have been increasing awareness of radon through a series of technical seminars to professionals. Over 500 architects, engineers, surveyors, local authority personnel and members of trade bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building and British Institute of Facilities’ Managers have attended the seminar entitled “Radon Gas: Risks, Regulations and Remediation”.

No other company in the UK comes close to matching the experience and wealth of knowledge that ProTen Services’ specialist surveyors and technicians have in the field of radon gas.

For advice regarding radon tests, radon mitigation or radon barriers, contact the radon Pro’s; ProTen Services.

# # #

About ProTen Services: Formerly known as Protim Services, ProTen Services Ltd offers a wide range of property preservation and environmental services including damp proofing, timber treatment, basement waterproofing, radon testing & remediation, cavity wall tie replacement, and air quality management.

ProTen Services deal with both domestic and commercial clients, and operate across England & Wales from a network of regional branches.

As specialist subcontractors, ProTen Services' experienced team of staff includes fully-qualified surveyors and technicians, who have earnt the firm an excellent reputation for quality workmanship and customer service.