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ICRI Launches Moisture-Test Certification Program

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) announced the launch of the association’s first complete certification program—the Slab Moisture Testing Technician Certification, Grade I—designed to help improve the performance of concrete-slab moisture testing.

The program is aimed at obtaining more consistent, accurate test results that will help flooring and coatings manufacturers, architects, and contractors make better decisions as to when a concrete floor is ready for a floor-covering installation or coating, ICRI said.

The Slab Moisture Testing Technician Certification program is composed of two tiers. Individuals interested in attending both Tier 1 and Tier 2 education programs must complete a registration form and an application.

Tier 1 applicants are defined as individuals who are not regularly engaged in moisture testing, but possess an active interest in learning more about the tests, what the tests mean, and how the tests should be performed. The Tier 1 program consists of a three-hour educational session, a written exam, and a training session. Those who complete the Tier 1 program and pass the exam will be issued an ICRI Letter of Achievement.

Tier 2 applicants are defined as individuals who have applied for full certification. The Tier 2 program consists of the same three-hour educational session, a written exam, and a field-testing performance exam. By passing both the written and field-testing performance exams, a Slab Moisture Testing Technician Certification, Grade I certification will be issued by ICRI to those who successfully demonstrate the knowledge and ability to properly perform and record the results of each of the four field-moisture tests on hardened concrete. Individuals who pass both the written and field testing performance exams will receive a certificate and a wallet registration card.

A prequalification for acceptance into full certification, Tier 2, will be previous testing experience.

ICRI Slab Moisture Testing Technician Certification, Grade I, will be valid for a period of five years from the date of completion of all applicable certification requirements.

Both the written exam and the field-testing performance exams will be based on the following four ASTM standards, including all annexes and appendices:

• F 710, Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring; Section 5.3 pH Testing;

• F 1869, Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride;

• F 2170, Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes; and

• F 2420, Determining Relative Humidity on the Surface of Concrete Floor Slabs Using Relative Humidity Probe Measurement and Insulated Hood.

ICRI also announced plans to conduct several Slab Moisture Testing Technician Certification programs in 2010, on the following dates:

• June 22-23, Atlanta, Ga.

• June 29-30, Denver, Colo.

• September 14-15, Chicago, Ill.

•  October 5-6, Baltimore, Md.

• Nov. 15-16, San Diego, Calif.

• Nov. 18-19, San Jose, Calif.

Details, including application and registration forms, are available on the ICRI website, located at www.icri.org.