ASTM F2170-02

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:F2170–02
Standard Test Method for
Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs
Using in situ Probes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2170; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope placed. Procedure A for hardened concrete involves drilling a
cylindrical hole in concrete with a rotary hammerdrill, then
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination
placing a hollow sleeve to line the hole. Procedure B is an
of percent relative humidity in concrete slabs for field or
alternative procedure for fresh concrete, which involves form-
laboratory tests.
ing a cylindrical hole in concrete by placing a hollow cylin-
1.2 The values given in parentheses are for information
drical tube in the formwork, then placing and consolidating
only.
concrete around the tube. The liner or tube permits measure-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ment of RH at a specific, well-defined depth in the concrete.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 Methods of probe calibration and factors affecting
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
equilibration are described in Section 8.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
Specific warnings are given in Section 7, 10.3.2, and 10.4.4.
5.1 Moisture permeating from concrete floor slabs affects
2. Referenced Documents the performance of flooring systems such as resilient and
textile floor coverings and coatings. Manufacturers of such
2.1 ASTM Standards:
systems generally require moisture testing to be performed
C511 Specification for Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and
2 before installation on concrete. Internal relative humidity
Water Storage Tanks
testing is one such method.
E 104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
3 5.2 Excessive moisture permeating from floor slabs after
by Means of Aqueous Solutions
installation can cause floor covering system failures such as
F 710 Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive
4 debonding and deterioration of finish flooring and coatings and
Resilient Flooring
microbial growth.
3. Terminology 5.3 Moisture test results indicate the moisture condition of
the slab only at the time of the test.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 relative humidity, n—ratio of the amount of water
6. Apparatus
vaporactuallyintheaircomparedtotheamountofwatervapor
6.1 Humidity Probe and Digital Meter, with relative humid-
required for saturation at that particular temperature and
ity and temperature sensors in cylindrical probe, with external
pressure, expressed as a percentage.
diameter less than approximately 0.75 in. (20 mm), and
3.1.2 service temperature and relative humidity, n—average
accuracy 62-3 % from 0 to 100 % relative humidity. Obtain
ambient air temperature and relative humidity that typically
probes from a manufacturer with a NIST-traceable calibration
will be found in a building’s occupied spaces during normal
certificatestatingtherangeofcalibrationandtheaccuracyover
use.
that range. Probes shall be calibrated at 95 % relative humidity
4. Summary of Test Method or higher, in addition to lower relative humidity levels.
4.1 This test method comprises two procedures for forming
NOTE 1—Calibration by end-users using saturated salt solutions in
holes in concrete into which a relative humidity probe is
accordance with Practice E 104 is not recommended due to the technical
difficulties of maintaining sufficiently accurate reference standards.
Checking with salt solutions is an acceptable method of assessing probe
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF06onResilient
performance.
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on
Practices. 6.2 Hole Liners,plasticornon-corrodingmetaltubes,inside
Current edition approved July 10, 2002. Published September 2002.
diameternotmorethan0.04in.(1mm)greaterthantheprobe’s
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
external diameter, of sufficient length to seal the hole to the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
desired depth.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.04.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2170–02
NOTE 2—Liners with projecting circumferential fins at the bottom end
8.2 Check probe calibration within 30 days before use by
are desirable to provide a seal near the bottom of the hole.
either of the two following procedures:
8.2.1 Calibration Check Procedure 1, Saturated Salt
6.3 Rotary Hammerdrill, Carbide Drill Bits, Vacuum
Solutions—Prepare saturated salt solutions in accordance with
Cleaner Equipped with HEPA Filter, and Brush, for drilling
Practice E 104. Follow probe manufacturer’s recommended
holes in concrete and removing drilled dust from the holes.
procedure for exposing probes. Record the as-found relative
Drill bit diameter shall not exceed 0.04 in. (1 mm) larger than
humidity and the nominal relative humidity of the salt solu-
the external diameter of the hole liner.
tions.Iftheas-foundrelativehumiditydiffersfromthenominal
7. Hazards
relative humidity by more than 2 % (below 90 % relative
7.1 Silica and Asbestos Warning—Do not sand, dry sweep,
humidity) or by more than 3 % (from 90 to 100 % relative
dry scrape, drill, saw, beadblast, or mechanically chip or humidity), recalibrate the probe before use.
pulverize existing resilient flooring, backing, lining felt, paint,
8.2.2 Calibration Check Procedure 2, Compressed Dry Air
asphalticcutbackadhesives,orotheradhesives.Theseproducts and Moist Room:
may contain asbestos fibers or crystalline silica.Avoid creating
8.2.2.1 0 % Relative Humidity—Connect one end of a tube
dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract
to a compressed gas cylinder containing zero-grade or drier
hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers compressed air or an inert gas such as nitrogen. Insert the
greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm. Unless
relative humidity probe into the other end of the tube. Allow
positively certain that the product is a nonasbestos-containing the gas to flow at several millilitres per minute until the probe
material, presume that it contain asbestos. Regulations may
reaches equilibrium (less than 1 % relative humidity drift in 5
require that the material be tested to determine asbestos min). Record the percent relative humidity.
content. The Resilient Floor Covering Institute’s (RFCI) rec-
8.2.2.2 100 % Relative Humidity—Place the probe in a
ommended work practices for removal of existing resilient moist room or chamber meeting the requirements of Specifi-
floor coverings should be consulted for a defined set of
cation C511 for at least 30 min. Allow the probe to reach
instructions addressed to the task of removing all resilient floor equilibrium (less than 1 % relative humidity drift in 5 min). A
covering structures.
thin, moisture vapor permeable membrane surrounding the
7.2 Lead Warning—Certain paints may contain lead. Expo- sensing element will inhibit condensation on the sensing
suretoexcessiveamountsofleaddustpresentsahealthhazard.
element. If condensation occurs, remove the probe from the
Refer to applicable federal, state, and local laws and guidelines moist environment and allow to dry before repeating the
for hazard identification and abatement of lead-based paint
measurement. Record the percent relative humidity.
published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 8.2.2.3 If checking reveals the probe output differs from 0
Development regarding appropriate methods for identifying
by more than 2 % or from 100 % by more than 3 %, recalibrate
lead-based paint and removing such paint, and any licensing, the probe before use.
certification, and training requirements for persons performing
9. Conditioning
lead abatement work.
7.3 Wet Concrete Warning—Contact with wet (unhardened)
9.1 Concrete floor slabs shall be at service temperature and
concrete, mortar, cement, or cement mixtures can cause skin
the occupied air space above the floor slab shall be at service
irritation, severe chemical burns, or serious eye damage. Wear
temperature and service relative humidity for at least 48 h
waterproof gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, full-length trousers,
before making relative humidity measurements in the concrete
and proper eye protection when working with these materials. slab.
If you have to stand in wet concrete, use waterproof boots that
10. Procedure
arehighenoughtokeepconcretefromflowingintothem.Wash
wet concrete, mortar, cement, or cement mixtures from your
10.1 Number of Tests and Locations:
2 2
skin immediately after contact. Indirect contact through cloth-
10.1.1 Perform three tests for the first 1000 ft (100 m ) and
ing can be as serious as direct contact, so promptly rinse out
at least one additional test for each additional 1000 ft (100
wet concrete, mortar, cement, or cement mixtures from cloth-
m ).
ing. Seek immediate medical attention if you have persistent or
10.1.2 Select test locations to provide information about
severe discomfort. moisture distrib
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