ASTM_F_2659_-_10_2015.pdf

Designation:F265910(Reapproved 2015)Standard Guide forPreliminary Evaluation of Comparative Moisture Conditionof Concrete,Gypsum Cement and Other Floor Slabs andScreeds Using a Non-Destructive Electronic Moisture Meter1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2659;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide focuses on obtaining the comparative mois-ture condition within the upper 1.0 in.(25.4 mm)stratum inconcrete,gypsum,anhydrite floor slabs and screeds for fieldtests.Due to the wide variation of material mixtures andadditives used in floor slabs and screeds,this methodology maynot be appropriate for all applications.See 1.2 through 1.8 andSection 11.Where appropriate or when specified use furthertesting as outlined in Test Methods F1869,F2170 or F2420before installing a resilient floor covering.1.2 This guide is intended for use to determine if there aremoisture-related conditions existing on,or in,the floor slabsthat could adversely impact the successful application andperformance of resilient flooring products.1.3 This guide may be used to aid in the diagnosis offailures of installed resilient flooring.1.4 This guide is intended to be used in conjunction withmeter manufacturers operation instructions and interpretivedata where available.1.5 Where possible,or when results need to be quantifieduse this standard guide to determine where additional testingsuch as Test Methods F1869,F2170,or F2420 as specified tocharacterize the floor slab and the test area environment formoisture,humidity and temperature conditions.1.6 This guide may not be suitable for areas that havesurface applied moisture migration systems,curing compoundsor coatings that cannot be removed or cleaned off sufficiently toallow the moisture to move upwards through the slab.For afloor slab of 6 in.(150 mm)plus thickness,low porosity slabs,slabs with no vapor retarder installed,and slabs where theabove surface environmental conditions can have a greater thannormal influence on the moisture reduction gradient of the floorslab or screed,consider Test Method F2170(below surface insitu rh method)as a more suitable test method under thesecircumstances.1.7 This guide is not intended to provide quantitative resultsas a basis for acceptance of a floor for installation of moisturesensitive flooring finishes systems.Test Methods F1869,F2170,or F2420 provide quantitative information for deter-mining if moisture levels are within specific limits.Resultsfrom this guide do not provide vital information when evalu-ating thick slabs,slabs without effective vapor retarders di-rectly under the slab,lightweight aggregate concrete floors,andslabs with curing compound or sealers on the surface.1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific warningsare given in Section 7.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D4259 Practice for Abrading ConcreteF1869 Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor EmissionRate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous CalciumChlorideF2170 Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity inConcrete Floor Slabs Using in situ ProbesF2420 Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity on1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F06 on Resilient FloorCoverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on Practices.Current edition approved May 1,2015.Published July 2015.Originally approvedin 2010.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F2659-10.DOI:10.1520/F2659-10R15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 the Surface of Concrete Floor Slabs Using RelativeHumidity Probe Measurement and Insulated Hood(With-drawn 2014)3NOTE1Also see Related Documents section at the end of thisstandard.3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 dew point,ndew point temperature is the tempera-ture at which condensation begins.It is the temperature atwhich air must be cooled in order to reach saturation(assumingair pressure and moisture content are constant).3.1.2 moisture content(MC),nmoisture content testsindicate the moi