ASTM F1869-23

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
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: F1869 − 22 F1869 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete
Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1869; 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 test method covers the quantitative determination of the rate of moisture vapor emitted from below-grade, on-grade, and
above-grade (suspended) bare concrete floors.
1.2 This test shall not be used to evaluate the rate of moisture vapor emitted by gypsum concrete or floors containing lightweight
aggregate.
1.3 This test shall not be used to evaluate moisture vapor emissions over coatings on concrete or through reactive penetrants or
over patching or leveling compounds.
1.4 This quantity of moisture shall be expressed as the rate of moisture vapor emission, measured in pounds of moisture over a
1000 ft area during a 24-h period.
1.5 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.
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 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:
E1745 Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
E1993 Specification for Bituminous Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill Under Concrete Slabs
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
2.2 Resilient Floor Covering Institute Standard:
Recommended Work Practices
This test method 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 June 1, 2022Aug. 1, 2023. Published July 2022September 2023. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20162022 as
F1869F1869 – 22.–16. DOI: 10.1520/F1869-22.10.1520/F1869-23.
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 Resilient Floor Covering Institute, 966 Hungerford Drive, Suite 12-B, Rockville, MD 20850.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1869 − 23
2.3 Military Standard:
MIL-PRF-131 Barrier Materials, Waterproof, Greaseproof, Flexible, Heat-Sealable
2.4 ICRI Guide:
310.2R-2013 (English) Selecting and Specifying Concrete Surface Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, and Polymer Overlays, and
Concrete Repair
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:See See Terminology F141 for definitions of the terms, above-grade (suspended), below-grade, concrete,
on-grade, and resilient flooring.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 moisture vapor emission rate (MVER)—amount of water vapor in pounds emitted from a 1000 ft area of concrete flooring
during a 24-h period (multiply by 56.51 to convert to μg/s m ).
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Use this test method to obtain a quantitative value indicating the rate of moisture vapor emission from the surface of a concrete
floor and whether or not that floor is acceptable to receive resilient floor covering. The moisture vapor emission rate only reflects
the condition of the concrete floor at the time of the test. All concrete subfloors emit some amount of moisture in vapor form.
Concrete moisture emission is a natural process driven by environmental conditions. All floor coverings are susceptible to failure
from excessive moisture vapor emissions. The moisture vapor emitted from a concrete slab is measured in pounds. This
measurement is the equivalent weight of water evaporating from 1000 ft of concrete surface in a 24-h period. The calcium chloride
moisture test has been the industry standard for making this determination and is a practical, well-established and accepted test
of dynamic moisture. It will produce quantified results directly applicable to flooring manufacturer’s specifications. The results
obtained reflect the condition of the concrete floor surface at the time of testing and may not indicate future conditions.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Test Unit Contents:
5.1.1 Cylindrical Plastic Dish with Lid Containing Anhydrous Calcium Chloride, heat sealed in a heat sealable bag meeting the
latest version of MIL-PRF-131, Class 1 or 2, to protect from moisture intrusion.
5.1.1.1 Anhydrous calcium chloride shall be in the form of prilled beads and shall have a minimum purity of 94 %. Net weight
of the anydrous calcium chloride shall be 16 6 1 g.16 g 6 1 g.
5.1.1.2 Dish shall be made of a material that does not absorb moisture. Dimensions of the dish shall be 2.7 in. 6 0.08 in. (69 mm
(69 mm 6 2 mm) outside diameter as measured at the bottom area of the dish that contacts the floor, 0.6 in. to 0.8 in. (15 mm
to 20 mm) height without cover, wall thickness less than 0.08 in. (2 mm). Dish shall be supplied with a tight-fitting lid. The lid
shall be secured to the dish with pressure-sensitive-adhesive backed vinyl tape that does not absorb moisture, or a mechanical seal
shall be provided such as a screw-top or snap-top lid.
5.1.2 Pressure Sensitive Label, to be used to identify the container of calcium chloride and to record the date, time, and container
weight when the test is started and completed.
2 2 2
5.1.3 Transparent Cover, with 0.5 in. (12 mm) flanges around the perimeter, approximately 0.5 ft (460 (460 cm 6 46 cm ), as
measured between the inside of the flanges, is required to seal the test area of the floor. The transparent cover shall have a depth
greater than the height of the dish of anhydrous calcium chloride. The height of the transparent cover shall be 1.5 in. 6 0.125 in.
(38 mm 6 3.2 mm).
5.1.4 Strip of Sealant, to secure the plastic cover to the floor in an airtight fashion.
5.1.5 Brightly Colored Warning Label, to be placed on the transparent cover as a protective warning while the test is being
conducted.
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Available from International Concrete Repair Institute, International Concrete Repair Institute 3166 S. River Road, Suite 132, Des Plaines, IL 60018; www.icri.org
F1869 − 23
5.1.6 Optional Mailing Bag, for the return of the sample to the party responsible for weighing the dish and calculating the test
results.
5.2 Gram Scale, capable of measuring 60.1 g. This scale will be used to weigh the calcium chloride dish at the start and end of
the test. On-site measurement is preferred to mailing the container back to the supplier for results.
5.3 Thermometer, capable of measuring room temperature.
5.4 Hygrometer, capable of measuring the relative humidity of the test site.
6. Conditioning
6.1 The test site should be at the same temperature and humidity expected during normal use. If this is not possible, then the test
conditions shall be 75 °F 6 10 °F (23.9 °C 6 5.5 °C) and 5050 % 6 10 % relative humidity. Maintain these conditions 48 h prior
to, and during testing. For floors intended to be used at high or low temperatures or humidity (such as cold storage rooms), the
test site must be within the temperature and humidity range given above, not at the anticipated service temperature or humidity.
6.2 Avoid testing locations in direct sunlight or subject to direct sources of heat.
6.3 Prior to placement of the anhydrous calcium chloride tests, the actual test area shall be clean and free of all foreign substances.
All residual adhesives, curing compounds, sealers, paints, floor coverings, etc. shall be removed. Removal shall be accomplished
using approved OSHA work practices. For removal of existing resilient floorings or residual adhesive, strictly observe the Warning
that follows and Notes 1 and 2. (Warning—Do not sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, beadblast, or mechanically chip or
pulverize existing resilient flooring, backing, lining felt, or asphaltic cut-back adhesives. These products may contain either
asbestos fibers or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard. Smoking
by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm. Unless positively certain that the product
contains non-asbestos material, presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine
asbestos content. RFCI’s recommended wor
...