ASTM E2556/E2556M-10(2022)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Vapor Permeable Flexible Sheet Water-Resistive Barriers Intended for Mechanical Attachment
Standard Specification for Vapor Permeable Flexible Sheet Water-Resistive Barriers Intended for Mechanical Attachment
SCOPE
1.1 This specification is limited to vapor permeable flexible sheet materials which are intended to be mechanically attached and are generally installed behind the cladding system in exterior walls.
1.2 This specification is limited to the evaluation of materials and does not address installed performance. Although the fastening practices (type of fastener, fastening schedule, etc.) may affect the installed function of these materials, they are not included in this specification.
1.3 This specification does not address integration of the water-resistive barrier with other wall elements. The topic is addressed in more detail in Practice E2112 and Guide E2266.
1.4 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.
1.5 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.
1.6 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
Relations
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: E2556/E2556M −10 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Specification for
Vapor Permeable Flexible Sheet Water-Resistive Barriers
Intended for Mechanical Attachment
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE2556/E2556M;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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification is limited to vapor permeable flexible 2.1 ASTM Standards:
sheet materials which are intended to be mechanically attached D226/D226M Specification for Asphalt-Saturated Organic
and are generally installed behind the cladding system in Felt Used in Roofing and Waterproofing
exterior walls. D779 Test Method for Determining the Water Vapor Resis-
tance of Sheet Materials in Contact with Liquid Water by
1.2 This specification is limited to the evaluation of mate-
the Dry Indicator Method
rials and does not address installed performance.Although the
D828 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and
fastening practices (type of fastener, fastening schedule, etc.)
PaperboardUsingConstant-Rate-of-ElongationApparatus
mayaffecttheinstalledfunctionofthesematerials,theyarenot
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
included in this specification.
Sheeting
1.3 This specification does not address integration of the
D4869/D4869M Specification for Asphalt-Saturated Or-
water-resistive barrier with other wall elements. The topic is
ganic Felt Underlayment Used in Steep Slope Roofing
addressed in more detail in Practice E2112 and Guide E2266.
D5034 TestMethodforBreakingStrengthandElongationof
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units Textile Fabrics (Grab Test)
E96/E96M Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
used independently of the other, and values from the two E1677 SpecificationforAirBarrier(AB)MaterialorAssem-
systems shall not be combined. blies for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls
E2112 Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and Skylights
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E2128 Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Walls
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
E2136 Guide for Specifying and Evaluating Performance of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Single Family Attached and Detached Dwellings—
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
Durability (Withdrawn 2022)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E2266 Guide for Design and Construction of Low-Rise
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Frame Building Wall Systems to Resist Water Intrusion
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
G154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.55 contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
on Performance of Building Enclosures. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E2556/E2556M – 10 The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
(2016). DOI: 10.1520/E2556_E2556M-10R22. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2556/E2556M − 10 (2022)
TABLE 1 Requirements for Water Resistive Barriers
Minimum Performance Requirements
Test Requirement Specimen Type Test Method
Type I Type II
Dry tensile strength (1) as manufactured Test Method D828 for paper 3500 N/m [20 lb/in.] minimum (machine and cross direction)
or dry breaking and and felt materials, or
force (choose 1) (2) aged in accordance Test Method D882 for 3500 N/m [20 lb/in.] minimum (machine and cross direction)
with A1.2 polymeric materials, or
Test Method D5034 (Grab 178 N [40 lbf] minimum (machine direction)
Method)
156 N [35 lbf] minimum (cross direction)
Water resistance (1) as manufactured Test Method D779, or 10 min minimum 60 min minimum
test (choose 1) and Water Resistance Ponding No water shall penetrate through not applicable
(2) aged in accordance Test (A1.1), or the membrane in 120 min
with A1.2 AATCC Test Method 127 not applicable No leakage is permitted to the underside
except that the specimens of any specimen in 5 h
shall be held at a
hydrostatic head of
55 cm [21.6 in.]
Water vapor as received Test Methods E96/E96M 290 ng/(Pa · s · m ) (5 perms) minimum
transmission test (Dessicant Method)
Pliability test as received see A1.3 The material shall not crack when bent over a 1.6 mm [ ⁄16 in.]
diameter mandrel at a temperature of 0 °C [32 °F]
2.2 Other Standards: 3.2.2 paper-based barrier, n—building papers composed
AATCC Test Method 127 Water Resistance: Hydrostatic predominantly of sulfate pulp fibers that comply with Federal
Pressure Test Specification UU-B-790a and that are intended for use as
CGSB CAN2-51.32.M77 Sheathing Membrane, Breather water-resistive barriers.
Type
3.2.3 polymer-based barrier, n—plastic sheet materials for
Federal Specification UU-B-790a Federal Specification
use as water-resistive barriers. These materials are generally
Building Paper, Vegetable Fiber (Kraft, Waterproofed,
referred to as a housewrap or building wrap. These materials
Water Repellent and Fire Resistant)
can be perforated with small holes or may be non-perforated,
TAPPI T-410 Test Method for Grammage of Paper and
composed of films or non-woven materials.
Paperboard (Weight Per Unit Area)
3.2.4 Type I WRB, n—water-resistive barrier with base-level
UBC Standard 14-1 Kraft Waterproof Building Paper
water resistance (see Table 1).
UBC Standard 32-1 Asphalt Saturated Rag Felt
3.2.5 Type II WRB, n—water-resistive barrier with enhanced
ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria AC38 for Water-Resistive Bar-
water resistance (see Table 1).
riers
3.2.6 Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB), n—a material that is
3. Terminology
intended to resist liquid water that has penetrated the cladding
system.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms related to
building construction used in this specification, refer to Termi-
NOTE 1—Wall assemblies often include two lines of defense against
nology E631.
rain water ingress. The cladding serves as the first line of defense and the
water-resistive barrier as the second line of defense
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
NOTE 2—Water-resistive barriers are sometimes referred to as weather
3.2.1 felt-based barrier, n—asphalt-saturated organic felts
resistant barriers or sheathing membranes.
that comply with Specification D226/D226M and are intended
4. Classification
for use as water-resistive barriers.
4.1 This specification covers vapor permeable flexible sheet
materials that are classified as Type I and Type II, which are
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
(AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, http:// determined by the degree of water resistance. The water-
www.aatcc.org.
resistive barrier material composition shall determine the
Available from Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), 11 Laurier St.,
specific test method used to measure physical and mechanical
Phase III, Place du Portage, Gatineau, Quebec K1A0S5, Canada, http://www.tpsgc-
properties (see Table 1). Appendix X1 provides explanatory
pwgsc.gc.ca/ongc-cgsb.
Available from DLA Document Services, Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Ave.,
information on the physical and mechanical property test
Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, http://quicksearch.dla.mil.
methods.
Available from Technological Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry
(TAPPI), 15 Technology Parkway South, Suite 115, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092,
5. Materials and Manufacture
http://www.tappi.org.
Uniform Building Code (UBC) information is available from International
5.1 Description of the material composition and structure
Code Council (ICC), 500 New JerseyAve., NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001,
shall be made available upon request.
http://www.iccsafe.org.
5.1.1 Descriptions of the materials shall include roll weight
Available from the ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), 3060 Saturn Street, Suite
100, Brea, CA 92821, http://www.icc-es.org. and dimensions.
E2556/E2556M − 10 (2022)
5.1.2 Descriptions of the material composition shall include 8.2 The specimens shall be cut from the interior of the
linear density (basis weight). Basis weight shall be measured sample roll so that no specimen edge is nearer than 75 mm
using TAPPI T-410.
[3 in.] to the original sample edge.
6. Performance Requirements 8.3 Unless otherwise stated, all specimens to be tested shall
be conditioned for a minimum period of 40 h at 23 °C 62°C
6.1 All products seeking compliance with this specification
[73.4 °F 6 4 °F] and 50 % 6 5 % relative humidity (RH).
shallconformtotheminimumperformancerequirementslisted
in Table 1. Sampling and specimen size shall be in accordance
9. Marking and Labeling
with the referenced test methods. If not otherwise specified in
the referenced test method, a minimum of five specimens shall
9.1 The finished product shall be marked or labeled with
be tested and all specimens shall meet the minimum perfor-
product identification.
mance requirements.
9.2 Installation instructions shall be provided and shall
NOTE 3—The laboratory accelerated-ultraviolet (UV)/condensation ex-
include as a minimum the maximum weather exposure time
posure procedure specified in A1.2 is not intended to represent a specific
service exposure. It is a method of comparing the stability of materials allowed before cladding shall be installed, type of mechanical
under consistent laboratory exposure conditions.
fastener and minimum fastener spacing to attach the WRB to
the underlying structure, and lapping and taping requirements.
7. Other Requirements
This information shall be recorded and reported in any appli-
7.1 The material shall not adhere to itself to an extent that
cable test report or product rating.
will cause tearing or other damage on unrolling.
10. Keywords
8. Sampling
8.1 The product to be tested for conformance to this 10.1 building felt; building paper; building wrap; house-
wrap; sheathing membrane; water-resistive barrier; weather-
specification shall be taken directly from a randomly selected
roll which is representative of commercial product. resistive barrier
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
A1. TEST METHODS AND PRACTICES
A1.1 Water Resistance Ponding Test A1.1.4 Report:
A1.1.4.1 The report shall include the following:
A1.1.1 Scope—Thisisatestmethodintendedforevaluating
(1) The material and the side tested.
the water resistance of a Type I water-resistive barrier.
(2) The material sampling procedure used.
A1.1.2 Significance and Use—This method is for use with
(3) Pass/fail test results for each specimen tested.
water-resistive barriers. (4) Any modification to the method.
A1.1.5 Precision and Bias—No information is presented
A1.1.3 Procedure:
about either the precision or bias of this test method for
A1.1.3.1 Five specimens will be chosen at random from the
evaluating water resistance since the test result is nonquanti-
material supplied.
tative.
A1.1.3.2 A ring shall be constructed with a sample of the
membrane fastened between two 200 mm [8 in.] diameter
A1.2 Accelerated Aging (UV Exposure and Cyclic Drying/
aluminum rings using a rubber-type gasket. The membrane
Wetting)
shall be placed between the rings and cupped to permit a depth
A1.2.1 Scope—Thispracticeisusedtoconditionsamplesof
of 25 mm [1 in.] of water to be exposed to
2 2
water-resistive barriers to evaluate degradation of performance
16 000 mm [25 in. ] of its surface.
due to accelerated aging (UV exposure and dry/wet cycling).
A1.1.3.3 Distilled water shall be poured into the cylinder to
A1.2.2 Significance and Use—This practice is not intended
a depth of 25 mm [1 in.].
torepresentaserviceexposure.Itisamethodofcomparingthe
A1.1.3.4 The ring shall be raised by 250 mm [9.8 in.] above
stability of materials under consistent laboratory exposure
a sheet of plain kraft paper placed underneath the membrane to
conditions.
aid in monitoring any passage of water.
A1.2.3 Procedure:
A1.1.3.5 The membrane shall be maintained at constant
conditions of temperature (23 °C 6 2 °C [73.4 °F 6 4 °F]) and A1.2.3.1 Three samples shall be conditioned at 23 °C 6
RH (50 % 6 5 %) and be inspected at frequent intervals over 2 °C [73 °F 6 4 °F] and 50 % 6 5 % RH for a minimum of
a period of 2 h for water passage through the barrier material. 40 h. One sample shall be used for preparing unexposed
E2556/E2556M − 10 (2022)
specimens as a control. Two samples shall be exposed to UV A1.3.2 Significance and Use—This method is for use with
radiation,followedbyexposuretodryingandwettingcyclesin water-resistive barriers
accordance with A1.2.3.2 of this specification.
A1.3.3 Procedure:
A1.2.3.2 TwosamplesshallbeexposedtofluorescentUVA-
A1.3.3.1 Five specimens will be chosen at random from the
340 lamps in a fluorescent UV condensation apparatus oper-
material supplied.
ated in accordance with Practice G154, Cycle 1. The samples
shall be exposed for a duration of 2 weeks (336 h). UV
A1.3.3.2 Each specimen is bent 180° 6 5° over a 1.6 mm
radiation exposure shall be directed on the sample surfaces that
[ ⁄16 in.] mandrel in 2 s 61s.
will be exposed to sunlight in normal applications.
A1.3.3.3 The specimen and mandrel shall be maintained at
A1.2.3.3 Three specimens shall be cut from each of the
constant conditions of temperature (0
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