ASTM F2170-02

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:F2170–02
Standard Test Method for
Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs
1
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
1
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
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
external diameter, of sufficient length to seal the hole to the
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
4
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.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
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 fo
...