ASTM C1601-22a

Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Masonry Wall Surfaces

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This non-destructive test method contains procedures and equipment requirements to quantitatively determine the surface penetration of water at a single location on a masonry wall. The test method is not designed to determine the overall water penetration and leakage of a masonry system.  
4.2 Excessive water penetration of masonry may degrade masonry wall performance with respect to thermal conductivity, durability, efflorescence, staining, corrosion of embedded metal items, and water leakage.  
4.3 This test may be used to measure the rate of surface water penetration for in-situ masonry and field mockups. Common applications of this method have been comparison of water penetration rates of walls before and after repairs, and testing the efficacy of coatings. Alternative procedures are also provided to simulate the effect of local climatology on water penetration of masonry wall surfaces.  
4.4 The outer surface of all masonry walls will experience water penetration when subjected to wind-driven rain. The resistance to water penetration is dependent on materials, workmanship, design, and maintenance. Some wall types accommodate large volumes of water penetration, without deleterious effects, through the presence of properly designed and installed drainage systems including flashing and weep holes. Use of this standard without consideration of the overall wall system may lead to incorrect conclusions regarding performance.  
4.5 It is the intent of this standard that a sheet of water be developed and maintained on the wall surface during testing. In some cases, due to the surface texture of the masonry, the application of a coating, or other factors, a sheet of water will not consistently form. In those cases, results of this test method will likely be inaccurate.  
4.6 This test method is similar to but distinct from the laboratory Test Method E514/E514M. This standard is a field test method designed to test in-situ walls and measures water penetration of...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the field determination of water penetration of a masonry wall surface under specific water flow rate and air pressure conditions. This test is intended for use on any masonry wall surface that can be properly instrumented and tested within the requirements of this standard. This test method is not identical to and the results are not the same as laboratory standard Test Method E514/E514M. Test Method E514/E514M measures through-wall water penetration, whereas this test method only measures surface water penetration.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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-May-2022
• ICS: 91.080.30 - Masonry
• Technical Committee: C15 - Manufactured Masonry Units
• Drafting Committee: C15.04 - Research

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: C1601 − 22a
Standard Test Method for
Field Determination of Water Penetration of Masonry Wall
1
Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1601; 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* 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the field determination of water 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
penetrationofamasonrywallsurfaceunderspecificwaterflow 3.1.1 dampness, n—visual change in the appearance of a
rate and air pressure conditions.This test is intended for use on material due to the presence of water.
any masonry wall surface that can be properly instrumented
3.1.2 surface water penetration, n—passage of water
and tested within the requirements of this standard. This test
through the exterior face of the masonry.
method is not identical to and the results are not the same as
3.1.3 through-wall water penetration, n—passage of water
laboratory standard Test Method E514/E514M. Test Method
through a wall and appearance of water on the interior face of
E514/E514M measures through-wall water penetration,
the masonry.
whereas this test method only measures surface water penetra-
3.1.4 water penetration, n—water that passes into or
tion.
through the masonry.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.1.5 wind-driven rain, n—rain water that is directed against
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
the surface of the wall by wind.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard. 3.2 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
Terminology C1232.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 This non-destructive test method contains procedures
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and equipment requirements to quantitatively determine the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- surface penetration of water at a single location on a masonry
wall. The test method is not designed to determine the overall
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the water penetration and leakage of a masonry system.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.2 Excessive water penetration of masonry may degrade
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
masonry wall performance with respect to thermal
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
conductivity, durability, efflorescence, staining, corrosion of
embedded metal items, and water leakage.
2. Referenced Documents
4.3 This test may be used to measure the rate of surface
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
water penetration for in-situ masonry and field mockups.
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
Common applications of this method have been comparison of
E514/E514M Test Method for Water Penetration and Leak-
water penetration rates of walls before and after repairs, and
age Through Masonry
testing the efficacy of coatings.Alternative procedures are also
provided to simulate the effect of local climatology on water
penetration of masonry wall surfaces.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4.4 The outer surface of all masonry walls will experience
C15.04 on Research.
water penetration when subjected to wind-driven rain. The
Current edition approved June 1, 2022. Published June 2022. Originally
resistance to water penetration is dependent on materials,
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as C1601 – 22. DOI:
10.1520/C1601-22A.
workmanship, design, and maintenance. Some wall types
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
accommodate large volumes of water penetration, without
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
deleterious effects, through the presence of properly designed
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. and installed drainage systems including flashing and weep
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International,
...

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: C1601 − 22 C1601 − 22a
Standard Test Method for
Field Determination of Water Penetration of Masonry Wall
1
Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1601; 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 field determination of water penetration of a masonry wall surface under specific water flow rate
and air pressure conditions. This test is intended for use on any masonry wall surface that can be properly instrumented and tested
within the requirements of this standard. This test method is not identical to and the results are not the same as laboratory standard
Test Method E514/E514M. Test Method E514/E514M measures through-wall water penetration, whereas this test method only
measures surface water penetration.
1.2 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.
1.3 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.
1.4 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:
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
E514/E514M Test Method for Water Penetration and Leakage Through Masonry
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 dampness, n—visual change in the appearance of a material due to the presence of water.
3.1.2 surface water penetration, n—passage of water through the exterior face of the masonry.
3.1.3 through-wall water penetration, n—passage of water through a wall and appearance of water on the interior face of the
masonry.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.04 on Research.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2022June 1, 2022. Published February 2022June 2022. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 20202022 as
C1601 – 20.C1601 – 22. DOI: 10.1520/C1601-22.10.1520/C1601-22A.
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.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C1601 − 22a
3.1.4 water penetration, n—water that passes into or through the masonry.
3.1.5 wind-driven rain, n—rain water that is directed against the surface of the wall by wind.
3.2 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C1232.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This non-destructive test method contains procedures and equipment requirements to quantitatively determine the surface
penetration of water at a single location on a masonry wall. The test method is not designed to determine the overall water
penetration and leakage of a masonry system.
4.2 Excessive water penetration of masonry may degrade masonry wall performance with respect to thermal conductivity,
durability, efflorescence, staining, corrosion of embedded metal items, and water leakage.
4.3 This test may be used to measure the rate of surface water penetration for in-situ masonry and field mockups. Common
applications of this method have been comparison of water penetration rates of walls before and after repairs, and testing the
efficacy of coatings. Alternative procedures are also provided to simulate the effect of local climatology on water penetration of
masonry wall surfaces.
4.4 The outer surface of all masonry walls will experience wate
...