How does Radon prevention protect the building?

4 min read
A
Alain Perrin
Marketing, Lasso Technik AG · Basel
Last checked: October 1, 2026

The most important things first

Radon is a natural gas and according to WHO the second leading cause of cancer after tobacco. In the building, protection mainly comes from a combination of tight construction, cleanly sealed penetrations, and an appropriate backflow preventer. For new and existing buildings, the SUPSI document lists concrete measures that can be complemented by the Stop Silent SL13 backflow preventer.

At Lasso Technik AG we do not see the topic as theory but as part of a functioning protection concept in construction. Especially where pipes, floor drains or duct shafts create weak points, the combination of construction sealing and technical backflow protection is decisive.

Why is Radon protection in buildings so important?

Radon is a natural gas and one of the main causes of lung cancer in non-smokers. The text refers to the WHO statement that radon is the second leading cause of cancer after tobacco. This is exactly why construction professionals must know the risks and protective measures.

What measures does SUPSI name for new construction and renovation?

Use caseMeasureGoal
Prevention of new buildingsRadon-tight floor slab and precise sealing of floor penetrationsEnsure long-term protection of the building
Prevention of new buildingsSeal conduits as well when the floor slab is radon-tightClose entry paths via installations
Radon remediationReduce ingress of radon-containing air and seal conduits and floor drainsReduce radon in existing buildings
Radon remediationInstall Stop Silent SL13 retrofitting in pipesProvide additional protection without structural measures
Measures by use case

Contrary to the assumption that Radon protection is only an issue for new buildings, the text also mentions a retrofitting solution for existing buildings. The Stop Silent SL13 backflow preventer can be installed in pipes without structural work. In practice, this is often the crucial difference between a theoretical recommendation and a feasible remediation.

How do floor drains become weak points?

According to the SUPSI excerpt, floor drains can be entry paths for radon if the pipes contain contaminated air and the siphon is dry. Therefore, it is recommended to install a backflow valve that seals gas-tight even without water. The Stop Silent SL13 is described in the text as such a valve.

  • Floor drains can become entry paths for radon when the siphon is dry and the pipe air is contaminated.
  • A gas-tight backflow valve protects even when no water is present.
  • The Stop Silent SL13 is explicitly named in the document as the suitable solution.
Nr. 2Rang der Krebsursache nach dem Tabak laut WHO
1000 bq/m3Mess-Limite, ab der eine Sanierung obligatorisch wird
SL13Bezeichnung der empfohlenen Rückstauklappe für den Schutz

SUPSI / BAG / WHO im vorliegenden Text

What to watch for in implementation

The text makes clear that not only sealing itself counts but also transitions: penetrations, duct shafts and floor drains. If you leave these points open, you create new entry paths for radon-laden air. For planning, the interaction of construction sealing and gas-tight backflow valve is central.

What should construction professionals and owners know now?

The text is clearly aimed at construction professionals, but the implication also affects owners: those who ignore measurement values or overlook weak points at floor drains and pipes risk unnecessary burdens in the building. For implementation, the article points to SUPSI, BAG, Suva and other information sources on the topic of Radon.

Frequently asked questions

When is remediation required for Radon?
The text states that building remediation becomes mandatory once the measurement limit of 1000 bq/m3 is exceeded. Those who reach this value should not postpone the situation but have the structural weak points checked specifically. The measures concern sealing, floor drains and conduit shafts.
Can Stop Silent SL13 be installed retroactively?
Yes, this is precisely what the text emphasizes for radon remediation. The backflow preventer can be installed retroactively in pipes without requiring structural measures. This is especially helpful when a building is already in use.
What role does a dry siphon play in floor drains?
A dry siphon can make floor drains entry paths for radon if the pipes contain contaminated air. Therefore, it is not enough to think only about water; the valve must also seal gas-tight. The text recommends a backflow valve like Stop Silent SL13.
Does radon protection apply only to new buildings?
No, the text explicitly also deals with retrofitting existing buildings. In addition to a radon-tight floor slab in new builds, for existing buildings the focus is on sealing penetrations and floor drains as well as retrofittable solutions, making protection feasible in existing structures.

Effective radon protection in buildings therefore requires more than a single solution; it requires a coordinated approach. This is exactly where the Stop Silent SL13 backflow preventer, in conjunction with the measures from the SUPSI document, comes into play. Those who take radon seriously plan sealing and backflow protection together.

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