ASTM F3191-23

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3191 − 16 F3191 − 23
Standard Practice for
Field Determination of Substrate Water Absorption
(Porosity) for Substrates to Receive Resilient Flooring
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3191; 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
1.1 This practice covers the determination of whether or not a substrate surface, in lieu of written instruction from a product
manufacturer, is considered porous or non-porous prior to the installation of resilient flooring materials.
1.2 Although carpet tiles, carpet, wood flooring, coatings, films, paints, self-leveling and trowel-grade underlayments, primers, and
other associated products are not specifically intended to be included in the category of resilient floor coverings, the procedures
included in this practice may be useful for assessing the substrate water absorption for substrates to receive such materials.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Some specific hazards statements are given in Section 6 on Hazards.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
F1869 Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride
2.2 Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Standard:
CRI Carpet Installation Standard
2.3 Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) Standards:
Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings
Recommended Installation Practice for Homogenous Sheet Flooring, Fully-Adhered
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on Practices.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2016Jan. 15, 2023. Published January 2017February 2023. Originally approved in 2016. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as
F3191 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/F3191-16.10.1520/F3191-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from Carpet and Rug Institute, 100 S. Hamilton St., Dalton, GA 30720, http://www.carpet-rug.org.
Available from Resilient Floor Covering Institute, 115 Broad St., Suite 201, LaGrange, GA 30240, http://www.rfci.com.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3191 − 23
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 See Terminology F141 for definitions of the terms: substrate, above-grade (suspended), on-grade, below grade, concrete, and
resilient flooring.
3.1.2 See Test Method F1869 for definition of service temperature and relative humidity.
3.1.3 See Terminology C125 for definition of absorption.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 absorption, n—the process by which a liquid is drawn into and tends to fill permeable pores in a porous solid body
(Terminology C125).
3.2.2 absorption rate, n—critical factor in determining how to install many directly applied adhesives, determined by the amount
of time necessary for one droplet of water to be absorbed with increasing length of time for absorption indicating a less absorptive,
less porous, substrate surface.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 This practice describes the procedure for assessing the substrate water absorption (often referred to as substrate porosity) of
horizontal, substrate surfaces prior to the installation of resilient floor coverings. The procedure involves applying a drop of water
to the surface of properly prepared substrate, and then determining whether that drop of water is absorbed within a given time
period.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The ability of a substrate surface to readily absorb water is a key indicator in determining how to correctly install many types
of flooring adhesives, primers, self-leveling underlayments, and other products. Several flooring industry publications such as
CRI’s Carpet Installation Standard, RFCI’s Recommended Installation Practice for Homogenous Sheet Flooring, Fully-Adhered,
as well as most flooring, adhesive, primer, and underlayment manufacturers reference substrate surface porosity criteria in their
application instructions since this directly impacts the spread rate of directly applied material, the open time, and other critical
installation factors.
5.2 Installing flooring products over low or non-absorptive (sometimes referred to as “non-porous”) substrates such as densely
machine-troweled concrete, mature and well-hydrated concrete, existing resilient flooring, polymer terrazzo and others may require
adjustments to the surface preparation method or product selection to ensure a successful installation.
5.3 Use this practice to obtain a qualitative assessment of substrate water absorption (porosity) and whether or not that substrate
should be regarded as porous/absorptive or non-porous/non-absorptive as these terms relate to the installation of resilient floor
coverings, adhesives, self-leveling underlayments, primers, and other products. This practice will produce results directly
applicable to determining appropriate surface preparation requirements in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications, but it is
in no way meant to replace published manufacturer’s literature regarding the determination of substrate water absorption (porosity)
and the impact such has, if any, on substrate preparation requirements and on the installation of their respective materials.
5.4 Substrates that evidence immediate absorption, are chalky or dusty, or have varying degrees of absorption may require priming
or other additional surface preparation prior to subsequent installations.
5.5 Substrates that evidence no absorption may indicate the presence of a contaminant that may negatively impact proper
adhesion. In such cases, bond tests performed in accordance with the particular manufacturer’s established guidelines are strongly
recommended.
5.6 The size, shape, and color of the water drop may indicate the presence of contaminants or other special circumstances that may
require discussion with the manufacturer of the slab covering to be installed.
F3191 − 23
5.7 Some surfaces such as concrete can become denser and less porous/less absorptive over time as the material continues to gain
strength and densify. The results obtained reflect only the conditions of the substrate at the time and location of the test(s).
6. Hazards
6.1 Silica and AsbestosWarning—Do not sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, bead blast, or mechanically chip or pulverize
existing resilient flooring, backing, lining felt, paint, asphaltic cutback adhesives, or other adhesives. These products may contain
asbestos fibers or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Use of dust collectio
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