Published September 18, 2026
Research question
What records let a manufactured-home operator administer radon testing responsibly, and what conclusions remain outside an administrative file?
Bottom line
Radon cannot be seen or smelled. EPA says testing is the only way to know a home's radon level, recommends fixing a home at 4 picocuries per liter or higher, and says action below that level may still reduce risk. Those statements support a disciplined testing and referral process; they do not make office staff environmental diagnosticians.
A useful record connects the exact home, test device, placement, test period, closed-building conditions when applicable, laboratory or monitor report, result, communications, mitigation referral, and follow-up test. It preserves the original report rather than copying only a number into a spreadsheet. It also distinguishes a screening result from a mitigation design, health assessment, real-estate disclosure conclusion, or legal determination.
Manufactured housing needs careful identity control. A community address, space number, home serial number, and occupant name can diverge. The test must be tied to the correct dwelling and tested level. A result from the office, clubhouse, neighboring home, prior home on the pad, or county map cannot be substituted.
Evidence boundary
EPA's general guidance applies to homes of different ages and construction types. EPA also warns that its Map of Radon Zones predicts geographic potential and should not decide whether an individual home needs testing. State radon programs may impose certification, reporting, disclosure, or transaction requirements that differ. Device instructions and the test provider's protocol control how a particular test is deployed.
Therefore the administrative question is not “Is this home safe?” It is “Can we show which approved method was used, under what conditions, what result was issued, who received it, and what accountable next step followed?” A virtual assistant can maintain that chain. A qualified tester, mitigator, health professional, attorney, or regulator supplies judgments within their scope.
Home and test identity
Create a home record with community, street address, space identifier, manufacturer, model, serial number when available, installation year, foundation description if documented, lowest occupied level, HVAC configuration, and ownership or maintenance responsibility. Mark every uncertain field as unknown rather than inferring it from similar homes.
For each test, record a unique test ID, device type and model, device or kit serial number, provider and certification information where relevant, laboratory, order date, placement location, height and room description, start and stop timestamps, test duration, occupant instructions, condition checks, retrieval method, chain-of-custody reference, laboratory receipt, result units, report date, and original report link. Preserve photos only under an approved privacy policy.
The result field should store the issued value and units exactly. Do not round a value across a decision threshold, convert units without retaining the original, or replace an amended report. Store amendments as later versions with an explanation and keep the superseded report.
Reproducible workflow
- Confirm the home identifier, purpose of the test, responsible party, applicable state program, and approved provider or device.
- Save the current device instructions and provider protocol. Record their revision or access date.
- Schedule placement and retrieval with clear occupant communications, access authorization, and reasonable accommodation support.
- At placement, capture the device identity, exact room and level, timestamps, and required condition confirmation. Do not pre-fill results or certify conditions not observed.
- Track the active test as deployed, interrupted, missing, retrieved, shipped, received, complete, invalid, or cancelled. These statuses are not interchangeable.
- Preserve the laboratory or monitor report. Reconcile its device, address, timestamps, and units against the deployment record.
- Route the result according to the approved policy. An elevated result should trigger timely qualified review, not an improvised repair order.
- If mitigation occurs, maintain a separate project file for proposal, scope, permits if any, installer credentials, completion evidence, operating instructions, warranty, and follow-up testing.
- Close the administrative task only when communications and required next steps are documented. Schedule any retest from an authoritative instruction or qualified recommendation.
Conditions and exceptions
Short-term tests can be sensitive to placement, timing, weather, ventilation, HVAC operation, device interference, and closed-building conditions. Staff should capture declared deviations without deciding on their technical effect. A window found open, device moved, power interruption, delayed retrieval, missing seal, or laboratory rejection belongs in an exception log and goes to the testing professional.
Access failure is not a completed test. Record notice, delivery method, attempted time, contact outcome, reason if voluntarily provided, safety or urgency escalation, and authorized next step. Avoid blaming residents or exposing medical information. If language, disability, or technology creates a communication barrier, use the property's approved accommodation process.