Risks associated with soil gases have been recognised within underground structures and mining for over a century, but guidance on soil gases with respect to construction of buildings has been provided only over the last decade. Soil gases may arise from a number of sources, and include radioactive radon, toxic hydrogen sulphide, asphyxiant carbon dioxide and flammable methane or petroleum vapours.
The actual risks to buildings and occupants are usually extremely low, but the perceived risks on many sites are significant, often resulting in protracted delays and/or the installation of over-designed protective measures. ESI has a track record of providing cost effective solutions to perceived soil gas risks, with expertise of soil gas monitoring, qualitative and quantitative risk assessment, design of gas protection details, and supervision and validation of installation to satisfy the requirements of project stakeholders and the regulatory authorities.
Please contact ESI by telephone or email for more information on our soil gas monitoring and risk assessment service.