ASTM E241-09(2014)e1

Standard Guide for Limiting Water-Induced Damage to Buildings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Moisture degradation is frequently a significant factor that either limits the useful life of a building or necessitates costly repairs. Examples of moisture degradation include: (1) decay of wood-based materials, (2) spalling of masonry caused by freeze-thaw cycles, (3) damage to gypsum plasters by dissolution, (4) corrosion of metals, (5) damage due to expansion of materials or components (by swelling due to moisture pickup, or by expansion due to corrosion, hydration, or delayed ettringite formation), (6) spalling and degradation caused by salt migration, (7) failure of finishes, and (8) creep deformation and reduction in strength or stiffness.  
4.1.1 Moisture accumulation within construction components or constructions may adversely affect serviceability of a building, without necessarily causing immediate and serious degradation of the construction components. Examples of such serviceability issues are: (1) indoor air quality, (2) electrical safety, (3) degradation of thermal performance of insulations, and (4) decline in physical appearance. Mold or mildew growth can influence indoor air quality and physical appearance. With some components, in particular interior surface finishes, mold or mildew growth may limit service life of the component. Moisture conditions that affect serviceability issues can frequently be expected, unless corrected, to eventually result in degradation of the building or its components. This guide does not attempt however to address serviceability issues that could be corrected by cleaning and change in building operation, and that would not require repair or replacement of components to return the building (or portions or components of the building) to serviceability.  
4.2 Prevention of water-induced damage must be considered throughout the construction process including the various stages of the design process, construction, and building commissioning. It must also be considered in building operation and maintenance, and when...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers building design, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.  
1.2 This guide addresses the need for systematic evaluation of factors that can result in moisture-induced damage to a building or its components. Although of great potential importance, serviceability issues which are often, but not necessarily, related to physical damage of the building or its components (for example, indoor air quality or electrical safety) are not directly addressed in this guide.  
1.3 The emphasis of this guide is on low-rise buildings. Portions of this guide; in particular Sections 5, 6, and 7; may also be applicable to high-rise buildings.  
1.4 This guide is not intended for direct use in codes and specifications. It does not attempt to prescribe acceptable limits of damage. Buildings intended for different uses may have different service life expectancies, and expected service lives of different components within a given building often differ. Furthermore, some building owners may be satisfied with substantially shorter service life expectancies of building components or of the entire building than other building owners. Lastly, the level of damage that renders a component unserviceable may vary with the type of component, the degree to which failure of the component is critical (for example, whether failure constitutes a life-safety hazard), and the judgement (that is, tolerance for damage) of the building owner. For the reasons stated in this paragraph, prescribing limits of damage would require listing many pages of exceptions and qualifiers and is beyond the scope of this guide.  
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 the safety concerns associated with its use. It...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2014
• ICS: 91.120.30 - Waterproofing
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E241-09 - Standard Guide for Limiting Water-Induced Damage to Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Replaced By: ASTM E241-20 - Standard Guide for Limiting Water-Induced Damage to Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020
• Referred By: ASTM E1677-23 - Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or Assemblies for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Referred By: ASTM E2266-22 - Standard Guide for Design and Construction of Low-Rise Frame Building Wall Systems to Resist Water Intrusion
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Referred By: ASTM E154/E154M-08a(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth Under Concrete Slabs, on Walls, or as Ground Cover
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D7297-21 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Residential Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014

Standards Content (Sample)

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
´1
Designation: E241 − 09 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Guide for
Limiting Water-Induced Damage to Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E241; 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.
ε NOTE—Units statement was inserted in Section 1.5, units information was corrected, and editorial changes were made
throughout in May 2014.
1. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address the safety
concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the
1.1 This guide covers building design, construction,
user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
commissioning, operation, and maintenance.
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
1.2 This guide addresses the need for systematic evaluation
tions prior to use.
of factors that can result in moisture-induced damage to a
building or its components. Although of great potential 2. Referenced Documents
importance, serviceability issues which are often, but not 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
necessarily, related to physical damage of the building or its
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
components (for example, indoor air quality or electrical
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
safety) are not directly addressed in this guide.
C755 Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for
1.3 The emphasis of this guide is on low-rise buildings. Thermal Insulation
Portions of this guide; in particular Sections 5, 6, and 7; may C1193 Guide for Use of Joint Sealants
also be applicable to high-rise buildings. D1079 Terminology Relating to Roofing and Waterproofing
E331 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior
1.4 This guide is not intended for direct use in codes and
Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uni-
specifications.Itdoesnotattempttoprescribeacceptablelimits
form Static Air Pressure Difference
of damage. Buildings intended for different uses may have
E547 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior
different service life expectancies, and expected service lives
Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic
of different components within a given building often differ.
Static Air Pressure Difference
Furthermore, some building owners may be satisfied with
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
substantially shorter service life expectancies of building
E632 Practice for Developing Accelerated Tests to Aid
components or of the entire building than other building
Prediction of the Service Life of Building Components
owners. Lastly, the level of damage that renders a component
and Materials
unserviceablemayvarywiththetypeofcomponent,thedegree
E1105 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Pen-
to which failure of the component is critical (for example,
etration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors,
whether failure constitutes a life-safety hazard), and the judge-
and Curtain Walls, by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air
ment (that is, tolerance for damage) of the building owner. For
Pressure Difference
the reasons stated in this paragraph, prescribing limits of
E1643 Practice for Selection, Design, Installation, and In-
damage would require listing many pages of exceptions and
spection of Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with
qualifiers and is beyond the scope of this guide.
Earth or Granular Fill Under Concrete Slabs
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
E1677 SpecificationforAirBarrier(AB)MaterialorSystem
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
E1745 Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used
and are not considered standard.
in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
E2112 Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors
and Skylights
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air
Leakage and Ventilation Performance For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2014. Published May 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E241 – 09. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0241-09R14E01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
´1
E241 − 09 (2014)
E2136 Guide for Specifying and Evaluating Performance of 3.1.2 vapor retarder (barrier), n—As defined in Terminol-
Single Family Attached and Detached Dwellings— ogy C168, a material or system that adequately impedes the
Durability transmission of water vapor under specified conditions.
2.2 Other Documents:
3.1.2.1 Discussion—For low-rise residential construction,
ASCE/SEI 24–05 Flood Resistant Design and
materials or components with a water vapor permeance not
Construction,AmericanSocietyofCivilEngineers,Struc-
exceeding approximately one perm (60 ng/(s m Pa) are
tural Engineering Institute, Reston, VA.
generallyconsideredvaporretarders(seePracticeC755).What
ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals Chapter 23: Ther-
constitutes adequate restriction of water vapor transmission
mal and Moisture Control in Insulated Assemblies—
however depends on vapor pressure difference across the
Fundamentals; Chapter 24: Thermal and Moisture Con-
construction (which in turn depends on interior and exterior
trol in Insulated Assemblies—Applications; Chapter 27:
conditions), ability of the construction to dissipate moisture,
Ventilation and Infiltration; Chapter 29: Residential Cool-
and capacity of the construction to seasonally accumulate
ing and Heating Load Calculations; Chapter 30: Nonresi-
moisture without damage.Therefore, a material or system with
dential Cooling and Heating Load Calculations; Ameri-
a water vapor permeance exceeding approximately one perm
can Society of Heating Refrigerating, and Air
(60 ng/(s m Pa) may in some circumstances provide adequate
Conditioning Engineers; Atlanta, GA, 2005.
impedance to vapor transmission.
ASHRAE Standard 62 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor
3.1.3 water vapor permeance, n—see Terminology C168.
Air Quality
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Permeance is a performance evaluation
ASHRAE Technical Data Bulletin, Vol 10, No. 3 Recom-
and not a property of a material. Permeance is expressed in
mended Practices for Controlling Moisture in Crawl
perms (IP units) or in ng/(s m Pa) (SI modified units).
Spaces, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA, 1994. 3.1.4 water vapor permeability, n—see Terminology C168.
ASTM MNL 18 Trechsel, H., (ed.), Moisture Control in 3.1.4.1 Discussion—Permeability is a property of a mate-
Buildings, American Society for Testing and Materials,
rial. Permeability is the arithmetic product of permeance and
West Conshohocken, PA, 1994. thickness.
ASTM MNL 40 Trechsel, H., (ed.), Moisture Analysis and
3.2 Other Definitions Found in ASTM Standards:
Condensation Control in Building Envelopes, American
3.2.1 air barrier, n—a material or system in building con-
Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken,
struction that is designed and installed to reduce air leakage
PA, 2001.
either into or through an opaque wall or across a ceiling.
Bateman, R., “Nail-On Windows” Installation & Flashing
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Source of this definition is Specifica-
Procedures for Windows & Sliding Glass Doors, DTA,
tion E1677.
Inc., Mill Valley, CA, 1995.
3.2.2 opaque wall, n—exposed areas of a wall that enclose
Connolly,J.,“HumidityandBuildingMaterials” in Proceed-
ings: Bugs, Mold & Rot II (W. Rose and A. TenWolde, conditioned space, except openings for windows, doors and
eds.),NationalInstituteofBuildingSciences,Washington, building service systems.
DC, 1993.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Source of this definition is Specifica-
ISO 6707-1 Building and civil engineering—Vocabulary—
tion E1677.
General Terms
3.3 Definitions from ASHRAE—The following definitions
Lstiburek, J., and Carmody, J., The Moisture Control Hand-
are consistent with those in Chapter 27 of theASHRAE Hand-
book: New, Low-Rise, Residential Construction prepared
book of Fundamentals.
for U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 1991.
3.3.1 exfiltration, n—the uncontrolled flow of indoor air out
Timusk,J.,Seskus,A.,andLinger,K.,“ASystemsApproach
of a building through cracks and other unintentional openings
to Extend the Limit of Envelope Performance” in Pro-
and through the normal use of exterior doors for entrance and
ceedings: Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes
egress.
of Buildings V, American Society of Heating, Refrigerat-
3.3.2 infiltration, n—the uncontrolled flow of outdoor air
ing and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA, 1992.
intoabuildingthroughcracksandotherunintentionalopenings
3. Terminology
and through the normal use of exterior doors for entrance and
3.1 Standard Definitions—Refer to Terminologies C168, egress.
C717, D1079, and E631 for definitions of general terms.
3.3.3 ventilation, n—theintentionalintroductionofair,from
3.1.1 perm, n—a measurement unit for time rate of water
the outside, into a building.
vapor migration by diffusion through a material or component.
3.4 Definitions from the U.S. Department of Energy:
See Terminology C168 for the explicit definition.
3.4.1 cold climate, n—a climate with between 5400 and
3 9000°F heating degree days (HDD) (65°F basis) (or between
Available from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 3000 and 5000°K heating degree days (18.3°C basis)).
30329, http://www.ashrae.org.
3.4.1.1 Discussion—This definition is consistent with the
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
climate classification system adopted by the U.S. Department
la Voie-Creuse, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://
www.iso.ch. of Energy’s Building America program. According to this
´1
E241 − 09 (2014)
classification system, a climate with in excess of 9000°F HDD intended with usual and customary operation and maintenance
(5000°K HDD) is considered a very cold climate. during the designed service-life under anticipated internal and
external environments.
3.4.2 hot-humid climate, n—a climate where annual precipi-
3.5.6.1 Discussion—This definition is similar to that found
tation exceeds 20 in. (500 mm) and one or both of the
inTerminology C168 as a subheading under the term “building
following occur: (1) wet-bulb temperature exceeds 67°F
performance.”
(19.5°C) for 3000 or more h during the warmest six consecu-
tive months of the year, or (2) wet-bulb temperature exceeds 3.5.7 flashing, n—a term applied to elements, most com-
73°F (23°C) for 1500 or more h during the warmest six monly fabricated of sheet metal, but which may also be
consecutive months of the year. fabricated of synthetic materials, used at interruptions and
3.4.2.1 Discussion—This definition is consistent with the terminations of water shedding systems of roofs and walls, and
climate classification system adopted by the U.S. Department intended to prevent intrusion of liquid water at these points.
of Energy’s Building America program.
3.5.7.1 Discussion—This definition is consistent with, al-
though not identical to, that found in ISO 6707-1.
3.5 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.5.1 air leakage, n—infiltration or exfiltration, in other 3.5.8 limit, v—to keep the value or level of some parameter,
which is recognized as being problematic or potentially
words uncontrolled air flow into or out of a building through
cracks and other unintentional openings and through normal problematic, below a value or level which is deemed to be
objectionable.
use of exterior doors for entrance and egress.
3.5.1.1 Discussion—This definition is essentially the same
3.5.9 limit state, n—a value which expresses a moisture
as that inTerminology C168, although expressed with different
condition parameter, generally a critical moisture content or a
verbiage.
critical cumulative exposure time, that is deemed to be at the
3.5.2 building component, n—an inclusive term to collec- border of what is acceptable, and beyond which an unaccept-
tively refer to building materials, products, or assemblies. able level of damage to a building component may be
expected.
3.5.3 capillary break, n—a term applied to a material or
system intended to inhibit liquid water transfer by capillary 3.5.10 serviceability, n—in a construction, the capacity of a
suction. The mechanism for inhibiting liquid water transfer is
building component or a construction to perform the func-
by insertion of, or provision for, a discontinuity of capillary tion(s) for which it was designed and constructed.
suction force.
3.5.10.1 Discussion—This definition is similar to that found
3.5.3.1 Discussion—A capillary break may be a membrane inTerminology C168 as a subheading under the term “building
capable of blocking liquid water movement regardless of
performance.”
direction, or may be a coarse granular material capable of
3.5.11 water or moisture, n—water as liquid, vapor, or solid
preventing capillary rise, while allowing drainage.An airspace
(ice, frost, or snow) in any combination or in transition.
may serve as a capillary break, where it is of such dimension
and configuration that bridging of water drops across the
4. Significance and Use
airspace is prevented. Membrane capillary breaks are com-
4.1 Moisture degradation is frequently a significant factor
monly composed of synthetic polymers but may also be
that either limits the useful life of a building or necessitates
composed of corrosion-resistant sheet metal, asphalt impreg-
costly repairs. Examples of moisture degradation include: (1)
nated and coated felt, or, where lesser degrees of resistance to
decay of wood-based materials, (2) spalling of masonry caused
capillary transfer are required, asphalt-impregnated felt.
by freeze-thaw cycles, (3) damage to gypsum plasters by
3.5.4 critical cumulative exposure time, n—a moisture con-
dissolution, (4) corrosion of metals, (5) damage due to expan-
dition parameter, this parameter is expressed as a time sum
sion of materials or components (by swelling due to moisture
when moisture conditions are above a
...