ASTM D7954/D7954M-22
(Practice)Standard Practice for Moisture Surveying of Roofing and Waterproofing Systems Using Nondestructive Electrical Impedance Scanners
Standard Practice for Moisture Surveying of Roofing and Waterproofing Systems Using Nondestructive Electrical Impedance Scanners
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Excess moisture trapped in roofing or waterproofing systems can adversely affect performance and lead to premature failure of roofing or waterproofing systems and its components. It also reduces thermal resistance, resulting in reduced energy efficiency and inflated energy costs. Impedance scans can be effective in identifying concealed and entrapped moisture within roofing or waterproofing systems.
5.2 This practice is intended to be used at various stages of the roofing and waterproofing system’s life such as: during or at completion of installation of roofing or waterproofing system to determine if there was moisture intrusion into the roofing or waterproofing system or underlying materials; at regular intervals as part of a preventative maintenance program; and to aid in condition assessment, or before replacement or repair work, or combinations thereof, to assist in determining the extent of work and replacement materials.
5.3 This practice alone does not determine the cause of moisture infiltration into roofing or waterproofing systems; however, it can be used to help tracing excess moisture to the point of ingress.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice applies to techniques that use nondestructive electrical impedance (EI) scanners to locate moisture and evaluate the comparative moisture content within insulated low-slope roofing and waterproofing systems.
1.2 This practice is applicable to roofing and waterproofing systems wherein insulation is placed above the deck and positioned underneath and in contact with electrically nonconductive single-ply or built-up roofing and waterproofing membranes and systems such as coal tar, asphalt, modified bitumen, thermoplastics, spray polyurethane foam, and similar electrically nonconductive membrane materials. This practice is also applicable to roofing and waterproofing systems without insulation placed above moisture absorbing decks such as wood, concrete, or gypsum, that are in contact with single-ply or built-up roofing and waterproofing membranes as described above.
1.3 This practice is applicable to roofing and waterproofing systems incorporating electrically nonconductive rigid board insulation made from materials such as organic fibers, perlite, cork, fiberglass, wood-fiber, polyisocyanurate, polystyrene, phenolic foam, composite boards, gypsum substrate boards, and other electrically nonconductive roofing and waterproofing systems such as spray-applied polyurethane foam.
1.4 This practice is not appropriate for all combinations of materials used in roofing and waterproofing systems.
1.4.1 Metal and other electrically conductive surface coverings and near-surface embedded metallic components are not suitable for surveying with impedance scanners because of the electrical conductivity of these materials.
1.4.2 This practice is not appropriate for use with black EPDM, any membranes containing black EPDM, or black EPDM coatings because black EPDM gives false positive readings.
1.4.3 Aluminum foil on top-faced insulation, roofing, or waterproofing membranes gives a false positive reading and is not suitable for surveying with impedance scanners; however, liquid-applied aluminum pigmented emulsified asphalt-based coatings shall not normally affect impedance scanner readings.
1.4.4 See A1.4 for some cautionary notes on roofing anomalies and limitations that affect the impedance test practice.
1.5 Moisture scanners using impedance-based technology are classified as EI scanners.
Note 1: The term capacitance is sometimes used when describing impedance scanners. Capacitance scanners are purely capacitive as they do not have a resistive component. Impedance scanners combine both capacitance and resistance for testing; thus, they are well suited to the measurement of different types of materials and constructions found in roofing and waterproofing systems as the combination of both components allows for a more versatile testin...
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Designation:D7954/D7954M −22
Standard Practice for
Moisture Surveying of Roofing and Waterproofing Systems
1
Using Nondestructive Electrical Impedance Scanners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7954/D7954M; 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 1.4.3 Aluminum foil on top-faced insulation, roofing, or
waterproofing membranes gives a false positive reading and is
1.1 This practice applies to techniques that use nondestruc-
not suitable for surveying with impedance scanners; however,
tive electrical impedance (EI) scanners to locate moisture and
liquid-applied aluminum pigmented emulsified asphalt-based
evaluate the comparative moisture content within insulated
coatings shall not normally affect impedance scanner readings.
low-slope roofing and waterproofing systems.
1.4.4 SeeA1.4forsomecautionarynotesonroofinganoma-
1.2 This practice is applicable to roofing and waterproofing
lies and limitations that affect the impedance test practice.
systems wherein insulation is placed above the deck and
1.5 Moisture scanners using impedance-based technology
positioned underneath and in contact with electrically noncon-
are classified as EI scanners.
ductive single-ply or built-up roofing and waterproofing mem-
branes and systems such as coal tar, asphalt, modified bitumen,
NOTE 1—The term capacitance is sometimes used when describing
impedance scanners. Capacitance scanners are purely capacitive as they
thermoplastics, spray polyurethane foam, and similar electri-
do not have a resistive component. Impedance scanners combine both
cally nonconductive membrane materials. This practice is also
capacitance and resistance for testing; thus, they are well suited to the
applicable to roofing and waterproofing systems without insu-
measurement of different types of materials and constructions found in
lation placed above moisture absorbing decks such as wood,
roofingandwaterproofingsystemsasthecombinationofbothcomponents
concrete, or gypsum, that are in contact with single-ply or
allows for a more versatile testing, calibration, and measurement arrange-
ment.
built-up roofing and waterproofing membranes as described
above.
1.6 This practice also addresses necessary verification of
impedance data involving invasive test procedures using core
1.3 This practice is applicable to roofing and waterproofing
samples.
systems incorporating electrically nonconductive rigid board
insulation made from materials such as organic fibers, perlite,
1.7 This practice addresses two generally accepted scanning
cork, fiberglass, wood-fiber, polyisocyanurate, polystyrene,
techniques for conducting moisture surveys using electrical
phenolic foam, composite boards, gypsum substrate boards,
impedance scanners:
andotherelectricallynonconductiveroofingandwaterproofing
1.7.1 Technique A—Continuous systematic scanning and
systems such as spray-applied polyurethane foam.
recording (see 8.2), and
1.7.2 Technique B—Grid format scanning and recording
1.4 This practice is not appropriate for all combinations of
(see 8.3).
materials used in roofing and waterproofing systems.
1.4.1 Metal and other electrically conductive surface cover-
1.8 This practice addresses some meteorological conditions
ings and near-surface embedded metallic components are not
and limitations for performing impedance inspections.
suitable for surveying with impedance scanners because of the
1.9 This practice addresses the effect of the roofing or
electrical conductivity of these materials.
waterproofing construction, material differences, and exterior
1.4.2 This practice is not appropriate for use with black
surface conditions on the moisture inspections.
EPDM, any membranes containing black EPDM, or black
1.10 This practice addresses operating procedures, operator
EPDM coatings because black EPDM gives false positive
qualifications, operating methods, scanning, surveying, and
readings.
recording techniques.
1.11 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
1
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD08onRoofingand
Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.20 on Roofing
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
Membrane Systems.
therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependentlyoftheother.
Current edition approved April 15, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally
Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon-
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as D7954/D7954M – 15a
(2021). DOI: 10.1520/D7954_D7954M-22. formance with the standard.
Copyright
...
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: D7954/D7954M − 15a (Reapproved 2021) D7954/D7954M − 22
Standard Practice for
Moisture Surveying of Roofing and Waterproofing Systems
1
Using Nondestructive Electrical Impedance Scanners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7954/D7954M; 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 practice applies to techniques that use nondestructive electrical impedance (EI) scanners to locate moisture and evaluate
the comparitivecomparative moisture content within insulated low-slope roofing and waterproofing systems.
1.2 This practice is applicable to roofing and waterproofing systems wherein insulation is placed above the deck and positioned
underneath and in contact with electrically nonconductive single-ply or built-up roofing and waterproofing membranes and systems
such as coal tar, asphalt, modified bitumen, thermoplastics, spray polyurethane foam, and similar electrically nonconductive
membrane materials. This practice is also applicable to roofing and waterproofing systems without insulation placed above
moisture absorbing decks such as wood, concrete, or gypsum, that are in contact with single-ply or built-up roofing and
waterproofing membranes as described above.
1.3 This practice is applicable to roofing and waterproofing systems incorporating electrically nonconductive rigid board
insulation made from materials such as organic fibers, perlite, cork, fiberglass, wood-fiber, polyisocyanurate, polystyrene, phenolic
foam, composite boards, gypsum substrate boards, and other electrically nonconductive roofing and waterproofing systems such
as spray-applied polyurethane foam.
1.4 This practice is not appropriate for all combinations of materials used in roofing and waterproofing systems.
1.4.1 Metal and other electrically conductive surface coverings and near-surface embedded metallic components are not suitable
for surveying with impedance scanners because of the electrical conductivity of these materials.
1.4.2 This practice is not appropriate for use with black EPDM, any membranes containing black EPDM, or black EPDM coatings
because black EPDM gives false positive readings.
1.4.3 Aluminum foil on top-faced insulation, roofing, or waterproofing membranes gives a false positive reading and is not
suitable for surveying with impedance scanners; however, liquid-applied aluminum pigmented emulsified asphalt-based coatings
shall not normally affect impedance scanner readings.
1.4.4 See A1.4 for some cautionary notes on roofing anomalies and limitations that affect the impedance test practice.
1.5 Moisture scanners using impedance-based technology are classified as EI scanners.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.20 on Roofing
Membrane Systems.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2021April 15, 2022. Published February 2021May 2022. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 20152021 as
D7954/D7954M – 15a.D7954/D7954M – 15a (2021). DOI: 10.1520/D7954_D7954M-15AR21.10.1520/D7954_D7954M-22.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D7954/D7954M − 22
NOTE 1—The term capacitance is sometimes used when describing impedance scanners. Capacitance scanners are purely capacitive as they do not have
a resistive component. Impedance scanners combine both capacitance and resistance for testing; thus, they are well suited to the measurement of different
types of materials and constructions found in roofing and waterproofing systems as the combination of both components allows for a more versatile
testing, calibration, and measurement arrangement.
1.6 This practice also addresses necessary verification of impedance data involving invasive test procedures using core samples.
1.7 This practice addresses two generally accepted scanning techniques for conducting moisture surveys using electrical
impedance scanners:
1.7.1 Technique A—Continuous systematic scanning and recording (see 8.2), and
1.7.2 Technique B—Grid format scanning and recording (see 8.3).
1.8 This practice addresses some meteorological conditions and limitations for performing impedance inspections.
1.9 This practice
...
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