Application and test methods for construction chemicals are 13 field and lab checks of the substrate before application, the mix and film during it, the finished system after it, and existing reinforced concrete. Each method has a governing standard, but which document sets the number a result must reach?
The answer differs by method: ASTM F2170-19a leaves the humidity limit to the flooring or coating maker, while IBC 2024 Section 1705.15.6 itself sets a 7.18 kPa (150 psf) bond for sprayed fireproofing. Each method below serves a product class among the construction chemicals families.
The 13 methods fall into 4 job stages, concrete and steel use different standards for the same property, and 10 related tests and calculators sit on the pages that own them.
Standards, codes and regulations are checked against their issuing bodies, product values against the named data sheet and prices against the dated source named in the sentence; see our methodology and fact-checking.
What Are Application and Test Methods for Construction Chemicals?#
An application or test method is a written procedure, published as an ASTM, ISO, EN or ICRI document, that measures one property of a substrate, a fresh material or a finished system for comparison with a stated limit. A method answers "how is it measured?", and a separate document answers "what value passes?".
Test methods differ from product standards: EN 1504-3:2005 defines repair mortar classes (CC, PCC and PC mortars) and cites test methods, while ASTM C1583/C1583M-25 only describes how pull-off strength is measured.
Who sets the pass or fail value?#
A test standard such as ASTM F2170-19a, F1869-23, C1583/C1583M-25 or D7234-22 sets no pass or fail value: the limit comes from the product maker, the project specification, a class standard or the building code. Each owner has its own example.
- The product maker: the slab relative humidity limit measured by ASTM F2170-19a is the flooring, adhesive or coating maker's value.
- The class standard: EN 1504-3:2005 requires a bond of at least 2.0 MPa (290 psi) for class R4 and 1.5 MPa (218 psi) for R3.
- The building code: IBC 2024 Section 1705.15.6 requires a field bond of at least 7.18 kPa (150 psf) for sprayed fire-resistive materials.
These codes, class standards and test standards are all construction chemicals standards, and the editions and scopes of every governing document are listed under construction chemicals standards.
All 13 Method Pages by Job Stage#
The 13 method pages fall into 4 job stages: 3 substrate checks before application, 4 checks during application, 4 acceptance tests after application and 2 condition surveys of existing reinforced concrete. The directory lists each method, its documents and its pass-value owner.
| Stage | Method | What it checks | Governing documents (edition) | Who owns the pass value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before | concrete surface profile | roughness of prepared concrete, graded CSP 1 to CSP 10 by visual chips or measured as depth | ICRI 310.2R-2013; ASTM D8271-26 | product data sheet (CSP range) |
| Before | steel surface preparation grades | blast or tool cleanliness of steel and the anchor profile depth left by blasting | ISO 8501-1:2007 (Sa 1 to Sa 3, St 2, St 3); SSPC/NACE joint grades; ASTM D4417-21 | coating data sheet or specification |
| Before | concrete moisture testing | relative humidity inside the slab and moisture vapor emission at the slab surface | ASTM F2170-19a, F1869-23; D4263-24 (practice) | flooring, adhesive or coating maker |
| During | pot life, working time and cure time | usable time of a mixed multi-component material, reported at a stated temperature | ISO 9514:2019 | product data sheet at stated temperature |
| During | coating thickness measurement | wet film thickness during application and dry film thickness of the cured coating or lining | ASTM D4414-25 (WFT); ISO 19840:2012 (DFT on steel); ISO 25014:2026 (concrete, cross-section) | specification (nominal DFT) and data sheet |
| During | amine blush on epoxy | carbamate or carbonate salt film formed on curing epoxy by amine, carbon dioxide and moisture | no ASTM or ISO test; field kits | coating maker |
| During | outgassing and blistering | air or vapor leaving the concrete slab into a coating while it cures, leaving bubbles and pinholes | no test standard; prevention by timing and primer | coating maker |
| After | pull-off adhesion testing | tensile bond of repairs, overlays and coatings, reported with the failure mode of each test | ASTM C1583/C1583M-25 (concrete surfaces, overlays), D7234-22 (coatings on concrete); ISO 4624:2023 | EN 1504-3:2005 class, specification or maker |
| After | holiday testing of coatings and linings | pinholes, voids and thin spots in nonconductive coatings and linings on concrete or metal | ASTM D4787-24 (concrete), D5162-24 (metal); NACE SP0188-2024 | project specification |
| After | membrane leak detection | leaks in horizontal waterproofing membranes, by flood testing or electronic scanning | ASTM D5957-98(2021) (flood), D7877-25, D8231-24a (electronic) | specification |
| After | fireproofing inspection | thickness, density and bond of sprayed fireproofing and dry film thickness of intumescent coatings | ASTM E605/E605M-19(2023), E736/E736M-19(2023); AWCI 12-A-2017, 12-B-2014 | IBC 2024 Sections 1705.15 and 1705.16 |
| Existing | half-cell potential testing | corrosion potential of uncoated reinforcement measured against a copper-copper sulfate electrode | ASTM C876-22b; ICRI 510.3-2025 | interpretation by a corrosion specialist |
| Existing | chloride testing of concrete | acid-soluble and water-soluble chloride content of concrete samples taken from the structure | ASTM C1152/C1152M-20, C1218/C1218M-20 | ACI 318-19 Table 19.3.2.1 for new concrete; engineer for repair |
Before application: substrate checks#
Three checks come before any coating, membrane, floor or repair is applied: concrete surface profile, steel cleanliness and profile, and concrete moisture. Concrete profile is graded CSP 1 to CSP 10 under ICRI 310.2R-2013, and steel is graded Sa or St under ISO 8501-1:2007. Slab moisture is read as relative humidity under ASTM F2170-19a or as an emission rate under F1869-23 (1 lb/1,000 ft² per 24 h = 4.88 g/m² per 24 h). Acceptance values sit on the product data sheet.
During application: mixing, film build and cure defects#
Four checks run while a material is mixed, applied and curing: pot life, wet and dry film thickness, amine blush and outgassing. Pot life is measured under ISO 9514:2019 at a stated temperature. Film build follows DFT = WFT × volume solids, so a wet reading predicts the dry film. Amine blush has no ASTM or ISO test, only field kits. Outgassing is prevented by coating while the slab temperature falls, a penetrating primer and thinner coats.
After application: bond, continuity, leaks and fire protection#
Four acceptance tests check the finished system: pull-off adhesion, holiday (pinhole) testing, membrane leak detection and fireproofing inspection. Pull-off results carry the failure mode with every value. Flood testing under ASTM D5957-98(2021) suits horizontal membranes with slopes up to 2 % (1/4 in per ft). Sprayed fireproofing is checked for thickness and density under ASTM E605/E605M-19(2023) and for bond under E736/E736M-19(2023).
Existing structures: corrosion surveys#
Two surveys assess existing reinforced concrete before a repair is designed: half-cell potential mapping and chloride content testing. ASTM C876-22b does not apply to epoxy-coated reinforcement and treats temperature effects as negligible within 22.2 ± 5.5 °C (72 ± 10 °F). Chloride content is tested as acid-soluble or water-soluble; ASTM C1202-25 measures penetrability, not chloride content.
How to Choose a Method: Substrate, Property and Stage#
The right method follows from three questions: which substrate (concrete or steel), which property (profile, moisture, thickness, bond or continuity) and which job stage, because the same property is measured under different standards on concrete and on steel. The table compares six properties on each substrate.
| Property | On concrete | On steel | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile | CSP 1 to 10 by ICRI 310.2R-2013; depth by ASTM D8271-26 | depth by ASTM D4417-21, µm (mils) | never a CSP number for steel |
| Cleanliness | cleaning or abrading to the data sheet; pH of etched surfaces by ASTM D4262-05(2024) | ISO 8501-1:2007 Sa and St grades; dust by ISO 8502-3:2017 | ISO 8501-1 sets no numeric stain limit |
| Moisture and condensation | ASTM F2170-19a, F1869-23 | not applicable | surface at least 3 °C (5.4 °F) above dew point on both (ISO 8502-4:2017) |
| Film thickness | WFT by ASTM D4414-25 during application; DFT by cross-section, ISO 25014:2026 | DFT by magnetic or eddy-current gauge; acceptance per ISO 19840:2012 | magnetic gauges do not work on concrete |
| Bond | ASTM C1583/C1583M-25; D7234-22 | ISO 4624:2023 (rigid substrates) | report failure mode with every value |
| Continuity | ASTM D4787-24 | ASTM D5162-24: Method A wet sponge up to 0.5 mm (20 mils), Method B spark above | maximum voltage from the coating maker |
Concrete and steel use different standards#
Concrete and steel share the property names but not the standards: a concrete profile is a CSP number, a steel profile is a depth in µm (mils).
Bond on concrete is tested under ASTM C1583/C1583M-25 for repairs and overlays and D7234-22 for coatings, while ISO 4624:2023 Method B uses a single dolly on rigid substrates. Continuity on metal follows D5162-24, whose wet sponge method covers coatings up to 0.5 mm (20 mils). Dry film thickness on concrete needs a cross-section under ISO 25014:2026, published in May 2026, because magnetic gauges do not work on concrete.
Which editions are current?#
Every edition on this page is the one listed by its publisher on 2026-10-22, and three documents need care. ASTM E1907 was withdrawn in 2008 and replaced by ASTM F710, current as F710-26. ICRI 310.2R-2013 replaced ICRI 310.2-1997, which ran only from CSP 1 to 9. ISO 8501-1:2007 remains current but has been under revision since a decision of 2022-07-11.
Tests and Calculators Covered on Other Pages#
Ten related tests and calculations live on standard, product, application and tool pages, because each belongs to one product class or one calculation rather than to a method page. The table names each owner page.
| Test or calculation | Document (edition) or basis | Covered on |
|---|---|---|
| Tape adhesion, X-cut and cross-cut | ASTM D3359-23; ISO 2409 (scales run opposite: ASTM 5B best, ISO class 0 best) | ASTM D3359 |
| Pull-off strength of concrete surfaces (standard explained) | ASTM C1583/C1583M-25 | ASTM C1583 |
| Slant shear bond of epoxy bonding systems | slant shear method cited by ASTM C881/C881M-20a | ASTM C881 |
| Water penetration under pressure | EN 12390-8:2019, (500 ± 50) kPa for (72 ± 2) h, no pass value | crystalline waterproofing coatings |
| Flow cone efflux time of grouts | flow cone method; designation on the grout page | non-shrink grout |
| RILEM (Karsten) tube water absorption | field method | masonry waterproofing |
| Vapor retarder classes and vapor transmission | ASTM E1745-17(2023); E96/E96M-24a | ASTM E1745 and E1643 |
| Dew point margin | ISO 8502-4:2017: surface at least 3 °C (5.4 °F) above dew point | dew point calculator |
| Evaporation rate of fresh concrete surfaces | ACI nomograph (Menzel): 1.0 kg/m² per h (0.2 lb/ft² per h) action level | concrete evaporation rate calculator |
| Theoretical coverage | 1,604 ft² per US gal at 1 mil DFT and 100 % volume solids; m²/L = 1,000 × VS / DFT in µm | epoxy and coating coverage calculator |
Three rows are calculations, not tests: dew point, evaporation and coverage arithmetic belong to the calculators and quote tools collected under calculators and quote tools for construction chemicals.
Which Construction Chemical Tests Need a Laboratory or Special Inspector?#
Most of these methods are field tests run by the applicator or the owner's inspector, while chloride content needs laboratory analysis and code-required special inspection applies to sprayed and intumescent fireproofing. This page describes product and system tests, not local testing laboratories.
Which tests does the building code require?#
The IBC 2024 requires special inspection of sprayed fire-resistive materials, including a field bond test of at least 7.18 kPa (150 psf) under Section 1705.15.6, and of intumescent fire-resistive materials under Section 1705.16. The bond is measured under ASTM E736/E736M-19(2023), and thickness and density under E605/E605M-19(2023). AWCI 12-A-2017 covers sprayed and AWCI 12-B-2014 intumescent inspection.
Is cement or concrete mix testing covered here?#
No: chemical tests of cement are covered on cementadditives.org, and concrete mix and admixture testing on concreteadditives.net. Cube strength of grouts and repair mortars, tested on 50 mm (2 in) cubes under ASTM C109/C109M-26a or its grout modifications, is reported on the product pages.
Why is a CSP number never used for steel?#
A CSP number describes the visual roughness of prepared concrete only, while blast profile on steel is measured as a depth under ASTM D4417-21 and reported in µm (mils). The two scales are not convertible.