ASTM E1993/E1993M-98(2020)

Standard Specification for Bituminous Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill Under Concrete Slabs

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the properties and tests for bituminous membrane water vapor retarders used in contact with soil or granular fill under concrete slabs. Tests may be conducted on both new materials and materials that have been conditioned or exposed to simulate service conditions. The water vapor retarders shall consist of asphaltic materials reinforced with multiple plies of suitable fabric, and shall meet the following property requirements when tested: water vapor permeance; tensile strength; puncture resistance; and thickness. When specifically required by the buyer for use in special conditions, the retarders shall additionally adhere to properties such as resistance to plastic flow and elevated temperatures, effect of low temperature on bending, resistance to deterioration from petroleum vehicle for soil poisons, and resistance to deterioration from exposure to ultraviolet light.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers bituminous water vapor retarders for use in contact or granular fill under concrete slabs.  
1.2 The specified tests are conducted on new materials and materials that have been conditioned or exposed to simulate potential service conditions.  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-Mar-2020
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.21 - Serviceability

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1993/E1993M-98(2013)e1 - Standard Specification for Bituminous Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill Under Concrete Slabs
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM C168-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-23 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023
• Refers: 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-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM D5147/D5147M-18 - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Modified Bituminous Sheet Material
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM C168-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2018
• Refers: ASTM C168-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Refers: ASTM D828-16 - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and Paperboard Using Constant-Rate-of-Elongation Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Refers: ASTM C168-15a - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM C168-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-15 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2015
• Refers: ASTM E631-15 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM E631-14 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-14 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2014

Overview

ASTM E1993/E1993M-98(2020) is the standard specification developed by ASTM International for bituminous water vapor retarders used in contact with soil or granular fill under concrete slabs. This specification ensures that materials used beneath concrete slabs provide adequate resistance against water vapor transmission, thereby helping to maintain structural integrity and indoor environmental quality. The standard defines requirements for bituminous membrane vapor retarders, including key performance properties and testing methodologies for both new and conditioned materials.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose

  • Covers bituminous vapor retarders installed under concrete slabs, either in direct contact with soil or granular fill.
  • Addresses material performance under service-like conditions, ensuring durability and effectiveness over time.

• Material Composition

  • Specifies that vapor retarders must consist of asphaltic materials reinforced with multiple plies of suitable fabric.

• Performance Requirements

  • Water Vapor Permeance: Provides maximum permissible values for vapor transmission, ensuring low permeability to water vapor.
  • Tensile Strength: Defines minimum tensile strength to prevent material failure during installation or service.
  • Puncture Resistance: Sets minimum resistance levels to puncturing, critical for protection during construction.
  • Thickness: Requires minimum thickness for adequate barrier performance.

• Special Conditions

  • When necessary, materials must demonstrate additional resistance to:
    • Plastic flow at elevated temperatures
    • Low temperature bending
    • Deterioration from petroleum products, soil poisons, or UV light exposure

• Testing and Certification

  • Includes sampling guidelines and mandates testing as per referenced ASTM test methods.
  • Details requirements for certification and reporting of test results by suppliers.

Applications

ASTM E1993/E1993M-98(2020) is widely used in the construction and engineering sectors, especially for:

• Residential and Commercial Floors: Installing vapor retarders under concrete slabs in homes, offices, warehouses, and industrial buildings.
• Moisture Management: Controlling water vapor migration to prevent mold, mildew, floor damage, and other moisture-related problems in building interiors.
• Enhanced Durability: Protecting concrete slabs and interior finishes by reducing long-term exposure to moisture from underlying soil or fill.
• Specialized Environments: Ensuring reliable performance in chemically aggressive soils or where resistance to low and high temperatures is needed.

Implementing this standard supports code compliance, longevity of flooring systems, and overall building performance.

Related Standards

Several ASTM standards are referenced or closely related to ASTM E1993/E1993M-98(2020):

• ASTM E154/E154M: Test Methods for Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth Under Concrete Slabs
• ASTM E96/E96M: Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
• ASTM D5147/D5147M: Methods for Sampling and Testing Modified Bituminous Sheet Material
• ASTM D828: Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and Paperboard
• ASTM D1790: Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastic Sheeting by Impact
• ASTM E631: Terminology of Building Constructions
• ASTM C168: Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation

These standards collectively support quality assurance and regulatory compliance for bituminous vapor retarders in building construction.

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Keywords: ASTM E1993, bituminous vapor retarder, water vapor barrier, concrete slab, permeance, puncture resistance, building moisture control, ASTM standards, construction materials

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:E1993/E1993M −98 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Bituminous Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with
Soil or Granular Fill Under Concrete Slabs
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE1993/E1993M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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 D5147/D5147M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing
Modified Bituminous Sheet Material
1.1 This specification covers bituminous water vapor retard-
E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
ers for use in contact or granular fill under concrete slabs.
Materials
1.2 The specified tests are conducted on new materials and
E154/E154M Test Methods for Water Vapor Retarders Used
materials that have been conditioned or exposed to simulate
in Contact with Earth Under Concrete Slabs, on Walls, or
potential service conditions.
as Ground Cover
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
3. Terminology
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
specification, see Terminologies C168 and E631.
used independently of the other, and values from the two
systems shall not be combined.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 perm, n—the time rate of water vapor migration
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
through a material or a construction of one grain per hour,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
square foot, inch of mercury pressure difference.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1.1 Discussion—If a specification states that a one perm
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
limit is required, the same flow rate will be obtained from the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
following relationships:
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 1 perm = 1 grain/(h · ft · in Hg) inch pound
—12 2
= 57.2 10 kg/(Pa·s·m ) SI Fundamental Units
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
=57.2ng/(Pa·s·m ) SI Frequently Used
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
=0.66g/24h·m · mm Hg SI has been used but is now
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical obsolete
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2.2 vapor retarder, n—(formally vapor barrier) a material
or construction that impedes the transmission of water vapor
2. Referenced Documents
under specified conditions.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.2.3 water vapor permeability, n—a property of material
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
which is water vapor permeance through unit thickness. Since
D828 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and materials that provide resistance to vapor flow are never used
Paperboard Using Constant-Rate-of-ElongationApparatus
inunitthickness,theevaluationofbothmaterialsandconstruc-
D1790 Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastic tions used herein is permeance.
Sheeting by Impact
4. Sampling
4.1 Each sampling shall consist of sufficient material to
provide at least five specimens for the tests listed in Section 7.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21
5. Specifying Information
onServiceability.
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally
5.1 Specification for materials shall include the following:
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E1993/
5.1.1 This specification number, and
ɛ1
E1993M–98 (2013) . DOI: 10.1520/E1993_E1993M–98R20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM See 3.2.3 of Test Methods E154/E154M. This conversion is based on a
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on temperature of 0 °C [32 °F] and not on an environmental temperature of 23 °C
the ASTM website. [73.4 °F].
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1993/E1993M−98 (2020)
5.1.2 Performance requirements, if any, for special condi- 7.2.3 Permeance after Testing for Resistance to Deteriora-
tions (see 7.6). tion from Organisms and Substa
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