MANUAL Alpha® Moisture Test Kit Instruction Manual Part No: MTK005 Version 1 103 Bauer Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436 • 800-648-7229 • Fax: 800-286-0114 www.alpha-tools.
Table of Contents Introduction..................................................................................3 ASTM F 1869 Protocol Checklist For Conducting The Calcium Chloride Test.......................................................3 Quantative Test Method for Determining Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (ASTM F 1869)......................................4 Purpose..............................................................................4 Contents.....................................................
Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Alpha® Moisture Test Kit, a calcium chloride test for determining if the concrete slab is suitable for floor covering or polymer coating installations. The test works by absorbing moisture in a vapor form that is exiting the slab’s surface due to natural environmental factors over a period of time.
3. Clean the concrete surface of any foreign substances. A foreign substance can be floor covering, adhesive residue, epoxy coating, paint, curing and sealing compounds, waxes, dirt or oil stains, or any other material residue on the slab surface. Remove concrete contaminants by shot blasting, abrasive grinding wheel or diamond cup wheel. The use of wire brushes or razor scraping may not be suitable for achieving a clean, open concrete slab surface. 4. Prepare test area and schedule testing.
of ASTM documents can be obtained from American Society for Testing and Materials. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. Tel: 610-832-9585 Fax: 610-832-9555. The documents may also be purchased on the internet from www.astm.org. ►PREPARATION: 1. Survey Job Site Conditions - Verify environmental controls are operational. The building temperature and humidity should be representative of what it would be during normal use.
TEST INSTRUCTIONS The following testing procedure is brief and is not meant to replace the most current ASTM standards. Therefore, the User must get acquainted with the applicable current ASTM standard and OSHA safety regulations prior to using this test kit. STEP 1 Remove any foreign objects such as overspray, curing compound and sealers from the concrete surface using mechanical devices such as a grinder (photo shows Alpha® Ecogrinder with dust carriage attached).
STEP 4 Peel off the paper protective backing from the black sealant that is around the dome and discard. Make sure the sealant material does not contact objects or clothing as it is very sticky and intended to provide a secure, longlasting seal to the concrete throughout the duration of the test. STEP 5 Carefully remove the lid from the container that holds the calcium chloride crystals. Do not spill the crystals. It is easiest to turn it over and place it under the dish as shown.
STEP 8 After 60 to 72 hours, remove the dome with a razor. Retrieve the dish with the calcium chloride and immediately place the lid back on and reseal using saved vinyl tape. Re-weigh the container on the same gram scale used at the start of the test. Record weight, date and time (W2) (T2). Note the weight as final weight (W2). Do not spill any of the calcium chloride crystals from the container. If any crystals are spilled, the test must be rerun with a new test kit. CALCULATIONS 1.
BIAS & PRECISION OF THE TEST Follow guide lines provided by the latest ASTM. Our experience indicates that the test results may vary with environmental and seasonal changes. The test determines the rate of moisture vapor emission at the time of the test only. It does not predict future moisture vapor emission rate or the performance of the flooring material. The test performed at the same location at a different time may produce different results.
Concrete moisture vapor emission log sheet Report Date: _________________ Site Location:__________________________________________ Test Conducted By:______________________________Phone: ____________________________ STARTING DATE OF TEST:_________________ ENDING DATE OF TEST __________________ Building Temperature: ______________________ Building Temperature: _____________________ Relative Humidity: __________________________ Relative Humidity:________________________ START OF TEST END OF TEST
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103 Bauer Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436 • 800-648-7229 • Fax: 800-286-0114 www.alpha-tools.com Copyright © 2011 Alpha Professional Tools. All rights reserved.
