ICRI CSMT study guide
ICRI CSMT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ICRI Concrete Surface Moisture Testing (CSMT) certification is a credential for field technicians, flooring installers, inspectors, and testing-agency staff who measure moisture conditions in concrete slabs before floor coverings or coatings go down. It signals that a person can run the standard moisture test methods correctly, choose the right method for a given slab and schedule, and report results in a way that a specifier or flooring manufacturer can act on. The ICRI CSMT study guide has 8 sections and about 2,203 words.
01Moisture in Concrete: Sources, Transport, and Effects
This domain tests the physics behind concrete moisture: where water comes from, how it moves through the pore system, and how it damages finished floor systems. The exam favors mechanism questions, not just definitions.
331 words, about 2 min02ASTM F2170 In-Situ Relative Humidity Testing
ASTM F2170 measures relative humidity inside a concrete slab using in-situ probes. It is the direct method for the RH that a floor covering will experience.
302 words, about 2 min03ASTM F1869 Calcium Chloride Moisture Vapor Emission Testing
ASTM F1869 measures moisture vapor emission rate (MVER) from the near-surface concrete, reported in lb/1000 ft²/24 h . It uses a sealed dome containing a pre-weighed calcium chloride dish.
260 words, about 1 min04ASTM F2420 and F2659 Surface-Based Moisture Measurement Methods
ASTM F2420 uses a sealed insulated hood and a relative-humidity probe to measure the RH at the concrete surface after equilibration. It is a surface measurement, not an in-situ slab measurement.
278 words, about 1 min05Test Method Selection, Scheduling, and Site Conditions
Choose the test that matches the specified acceptance criterion. If the floor product has an RH limit , use ASTM F2170.
291 words, about 1 min06Documentation, Reporting, and Interpretation of Results
A defensible report identifies the standard method, date, test locations, slab thickness and probe depth, number of tests, instrument calibration, ambient conditions, equilibration time, and any deviations. Results need units and a clear statement of what was measured-RH or MVER.
238 words, about 1 min07Flooring and Coating System Requirements and Moisture Limits
Flooring and coating requirements come from the manufacturer's written data, not from a universal number. Many resilient-flooring adhesives specify 75–80% RH or 3–5 lb MVER , but epoxy, polyurethane, and cementitious coatings may allow different values.
267 words, about 1 min08Safety, Ethics, and Professional Practice
Concrete drilling for F2170 generates silica dust ; use dust extraction, wet methods where appropriate, and respiratory protection. Follow SDS requirements for sealants, adhesives, and cleaners.
236 words, about 1 min