ASTM F1869-23

Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride

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 ft2 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.
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 ft2 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2023
• ICS: 91.060.30 - Ceilings. Floors. Stairs
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: F06 - Resilient Floor Coverings
• Drafting Committee: F06.40 - Practices

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F141-12(2020) - Standard Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: F1869 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete
1
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 E1745 Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used
in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination
E1993 Specification for Bituminous Water Vapor Retarders
of the rate of moisture vapor emitted from below-grade,
Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill Under Concrete
on-grade, and above-grade (suspended) bare concrete floors.
Slabs
1.2 This test shall not be used to evaluate the rate of
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
moisture vapor emitted by gypsum concrete or floors contain- 3
2.2 Resilient Floor Covering Institute Standard:
ing lightweight aggregate.
Recommended Work Practices
4
1.3 This test shall not be used to evaluate moisture vapor
2.3 Military Standard:
emissions over coatings on concrete or through reactive
MIL-PRF-131 Barrier Materials, Waterproof, Greaseproof,
penetrants or over patching or leveling compounds.
Flexible, Heat-Sealable
5
2.4 ICRI Guide:
1.4 This quantity of moisture shall be expressed as the rate
310.2R-2013 (English) Selecting and Specifying Concrete
of moisture vapor emission, measured in pounds of moisture
2
Surface Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, and Polymer
over a 1000 ft area during a 24-h period.
Overlays, and Concrete Repair
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3. Terminology
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.1 Definitions: See Terminology F141 for definitions of the
and are not considered standard.
terms, above-grade (suspended), below-grade, concrete, on-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
grade, and resilient flooring.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 moisture vapor emission rate (MVER)—amount of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 2
water vapor in pounds emitted from a 1000 ft area of concrete
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
flooring during a 24-h period (multiply by 56.51 to convert to
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor- 2
μg/s m ).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1 Use this test method to obtain a quantitative value
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
indicating the rate of moisture vapor emission from the surface
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of a concrete floor and whether or not that floor is acceptable
to receive resilient floor covering. The moisture vapor emission
2. Referenced Documents
rate only reflects the condition of the concrete floor at the time
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient
coverings are susceptible to failure from excessive moisture
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on
Practices.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published September 2023. Originally
3
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as F1869 – 22. DOI: Available from Resilient Floor Covering Institute, 966 Hungerford Drive, Suite
10.1520/F1869-23. 12-B, Rockville, MD 20850.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from International Concrete Repair Institute, International Concrete
the ASTM website. Repair Institute 3166 S. River Road, Suite 132, Des Plaines, IL 60018; www.icri.org
Copyright © ASTM Internati
...

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
1
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
2
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
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
3
2.2 Resilient Floor Covering Institute Standard:
Recommended Work Practices
1
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.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
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
1

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F1869 − 23
4
2.3 Military Standard:
MIL-PRF-131 Barrier Materials, Waterproof, Greaseproof, Flexible, Heat-Sealable
5
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:
2
3.2.1 moisture vapor emission rate (MVER)—amount of water vapor in pounds emitted from a 1000 ft area of concrete flooring
2
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
...