ASTM D7877-14

Standard Guide for Electronic Methods for Detecting and Locating Leaks in Waterproof Membranes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The failure to correct membrane defects during and as soon as possible after its installation can cause premature failure of the membrane. Problems include design deficiencies, faulty application of the membrane system, and damage by subsequent trades.4 Roof designs incorporating a waterproof membrane under overburden such as a vegetative roof, insulation layer, wear-course, or topping slab greatly exacerbate the problem of leak locating.  
4.2 This guide describes methods for using electric conductance testing to locate breaches in waterproof membranes.5 The methods described include testing procedures designed to provide a part of the construction quality control of membrane installations.  
4.3 The methods described in this guide may also be used for integrity or forensic testing of existing waterproof membranes, specific limitations apply.  
4.4 The electric conductance methods described in this guide require a conductive substrate under the membrane to serve as a ground return path for the test currents. In roof assemblies where the membrane is installed over electric insulating material such as insulating foam or a protection board, or both, the electric path to any conductive deck is interrupted. The situation can be remedied by placing a conductive material directly under the membrane. The conductive material provides the return path for the test currents.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes standard procedures for using electrical conductance measurement methods to locate leaks in exposed or covered waterproof membranes.  
1.2 This guide addresses the need for a general technical description of the current methods and procedures that are used to test and verify the integrity of waterproof membranes.  
1.3 This guide is not intended to replace visual, infrared, or other methods of inspection. It is to be used in conjunction with other methods of roof inspection when specified.  
1.4 This guide recommends that the leak location equipment, procedures, and survey parameters used are calibrated to meet established minimum leak detection sensitivity. The leak detection sensitivity calibration should be verified on a regular basis according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.  
1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on waterproofing membranes installed in roofs, plaza decks, pools, water features, covered reservoirs and other waterproofing applications.  
1.6 The procedures are applicable for membranes made of materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, bituminous material, and other electrically insulating materials.  
1.7 This guide provides a general description of the equipment and methods for locating membrane breaches using electric conductance. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper operation and use of the equipment described in this guide.  
1.8 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2014
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: D08 - Roofing and Waterproofing
• Drafting Committee: D08.22 - Waterproofing and Dampproofing Systems

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D7877 − 14
Standard Guide for
Electronic Methods for Detecting and Locating Leaks in
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Waterproof Membranes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7877; 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 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This guide describes standard procedures for using 2.1 ASTM Standards:
electrical conductance measurement methods to locate leaks in D1079 Terminology Relating to Roofing and Waterproofing
exposed or covered waterproof membranes. D5957 Guide for Flood Testing Horizontal Waterproofing
Installations
1.2 This guide addresses the need for a general technical
D6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical
descriptionofthecurrentmethodsandproceduresthatareused
Detection of Leaks in Geomembranes
to test and verify the integrity of waterproof membranes.
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2.2 NFPA Standard:
1.3 This guide is not intended to replace visual, infrared, or
NFPA 70 National Electric Code
othermethodsofinspection.Itistobeusedinconjunctionwith
other methods of roof inspection when specified.
3. Terminology
1.4 This guide recommends that the leak location
3.1 For definitions of terms, see Terminology D1079.
equipment, procedures, and survey parameters used are cali-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
brated to meet established minimum leak detection sensitivity.
3.2.1 breach—as defined for this guide, a membrane breach
The leak detection sensitivity calibration should be verified on
is a defect in the membrane that allows surface water to reach
a regular basis according to the manufacturer’s recommenda-
the substrate below.
tions.
3.2.2 conductance—the ability of a material to pass elec-
1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on waterproofing
trons. The unit of conductance is the Siemens (S), the relation-
membranes installed in roofs, plaza decks, pools, water
ship that exists between resistance (R) and conductance (G) is
features, covered reservoirs and other waterproofing applica-
a reciprocal one. In terms of resistance and conductance:
tions.
R 5 1⁄G ohms, G 5 1⁄R Siemens (1)
1.6 The procedures are applicable for membranes made of
3.2.3 deck—the structural surface to which the roofing or
materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl
waterproofing system (including insulation) is applied.
chloride, bituminous material, and other electrically insulating
materials.
3.2.4 electric current—the flow of electric charge. The
electric charge that flows is carried by mobile electrons in a
1.7 This guide provides a general description of the equip-
conductor measured in amps.
ment and methods for locating membrane breaches using
electric conductance. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions
3.2.5 electric gradient—the potential difference between
for the proper operation and use of the equipment described in
two points measured in volts.
this guide.
3.2.6 high voltage—for purposes of this guide, the United
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the States 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC) defines high
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
voltage as any voltage over 600 V (article 490.2).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.7 leak—any unintended opening, perforation, slit, tear,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
puncture, crack, hole, cut, or similar breaches through an
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.22 on Water- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
proofing and Dampproofing Systems. the ASTM website.
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Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2014. Published August 2014. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
D7877-14. Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D7877 − 14
installed waterproofing membrane which may allow the pas- 4.3 The methods described in this guide may also be used
sage of liquid. Scratches, gouges, or other aberrations that do for integrity or forensic testing of existing waterproof
not completely penetrate the membrane are not considered to membranes, specific limitations apply.
...