Wagner Electronics Rapid RH Installation Instructions Manual

T

he R ap id R H™ mo is tu re t es ti ng s ys te m

should be a par t of the over all moi sture testing
pr og ram on any pr oject wh er e moistu re -s en sitive
finishes are to be applied. O wners, General
Co nt ra ctors, Fl oo ring Cont ractors and I nsta ll er s
ne ed to b e sure th e te st s they pe rform are
ac curate , repeata bl e, and available to al l who
wa nt to know the cu rrent mo is tu re c on di ti on o f
a sl ab o n th ei r pr oj ec ts.

T

he Rapid RH™ is a tool th at si gn if ica nt ly

im pr oves th e pr oj ec t team’s a bi li ty to
in st an tl y test an d/or monito r the drying pr ogress
of a concr ete slab wi th ou t ad ding substantial
cost to the project. The Rapid RH™ enables
yo u to ta ke per iodic rea dings wi thout having
to c onduct other types of te st in g. T he f ac to r y­cali br at ed “ Sm ar t Sens ors” usi ng CMO S Sens™
te ch no lo gy in sure s the s en so r’s acc ur acy and
fa st e qu il ib ra ti on .

Drill hole to the desired depth in concrete using a rotary-hammer drill and a ¾” SDS
drill bit*. Per ASTM F2170-02 standards, drill the hole to a depth of 1¾” (44 mm),

which is approximately 40% of the depth of a 4” (100 mm) concrete oor slab

poured on grade. For proper RAPID RH™ installation, be sure to position the

drill perpendicular (90˚) to the surface being tested. It is recommended that a drill

capable of approximately 750 rpm be used with the SDS drill bits.

For other slab thicknesses and drying conditions, please consult ASTM F2170-02
to determine the proper depth of the hole.

If the drill bit becomes extremely hot from
drilling several holes in rapid succession, allow
the bit to cool before drilling more holes.

*Champion, Hilti, Milwaukee,

Bosch, DeWalt, Relton

Installation Instructions

Step 1: Drill the Hole

Use a vacuum cleaner, or dustpan and brush to sweep up the dust around the
hole. Attach the Rapid RH™ vacuum attachment to the straight extension of a
Shop-Vac vacuum cleaner hose. Insert the vacuum attachment into the hole and
vacuum the dust within.

Remove the vacuum cleaner extension from the hole and insert the special wire
bristle brush (provided with the kit) into the hole. Turn the brush several times to loosen

pulverized concrete from the walls of the hole. Vacuum again and repeat this step twice.

Step 2: Clean the Hole

*Vacuum hose

diameters vary.

Vacuum Attachment

may require 2 ½” - 1 ¼”

coupler depending on

vacuum model.

Remove a Smart Sensor probe from its protective
package. Remove white serial number strip from inside
the Smart Sensor (see step 4 below for serial number

strip placement instructions). If this is the rst time you

have used a Rapid RH™ system, please place the Rapid
RH™ Reader into the Smart Sensor. This preliminary
test will make it easier to align the reader once the Smart
Sensor is inserted into the concrete.

To properly insert the Reader, line up the white serial
number strip on the Smart Sensor with the white serial
number strip on the Rapid RH™ Reader. Insert the

Reader, twist 45 degrees clockwise and press the “ON” button. Verify that

numbers appear on the screen (see step 4 for instruction on taking readings)

Next, insert the Smart Sensor into the drilled hole. (Make sure that the Rapid
RH™ Reader is not installed in the Smart Sensor.) Use the orange plastic insert

tube attached to an orange cap and rmly press the Smart Sensor into the hole

until the Smart Sensor seats itself at the bottom of the hole.

For a 1¾” (44.5mm) deep hole, the top of the Smart Sensor will be approximately
¼” below the surface of the concrete.

For holes deeper than 1¾” (44.5mm) use the white insertion

tool (avaible at rapidrh.com).

To keep debris from getting into the Smart Sensor place
the protective cap with the orange insert into the Smart
Sensor until ready to take readings.

Follow ASTM F2170-02 procedures pertaining to
stabilization time. The Smart Sensor has an equilibration
time of 30 minutes to several hours depending on
concrete and conditions.

Step 3: Place the Probe

Installation Instructions

Insertion Tool (for deeper holes)

Remove the orange protective cap. Line up the white serial number strip on the

Rapid RH™ Reader with the white serial number strip on the Smart Sensor. Insert the

Rapid RH™Reader, push down slightly, twist
45 degrees clockwise and press the “ON”
button. If the display shows “- -” or “ER” the
Rapid RH™ Reader has not been inserted
properly or has been twisted too far. Remove
the Rapid RH™ Reader and try inserting
again. Press the “ON” button. The display
will toggle from the %RH reading and °F
temperature reading. The probe will shut off
automatically after approximately 1 minute
(you can remove the Reader at any time).
Record readings on the enclosed report form
that has spaces for information required by ASTM F2170-02 including the date,
time, %RH and temperature.You can use the grid at the bottom of the report form
to record probe locations. Each Smart Sensor is serialized on the outside of the
Smart Sensor. A copy of the serial number is located inside the Smart Sensor and
must be removed and may be used on the enclosed report form. Extra copies of
the report form can be obtained from our website, rapidrh.com.

After the initial equilibration time of 1-2 hours, subsequent readings can be taken

instantly. If future testing is needed, replace the orange tube attached to the orange

protective cap. The Rapid RH™ Reader can be left in the Smart Sensor covered by
an orange cap. However, if the relative humidity is above 95% it is recommended
that you remove the Rapid RH™ Reader between readings.

Step 4: Take Readings

If the probe will be covered (for example,

applied oor covering or coating), place the

stainless steel metal disk over the probe
and skim-coat the hole using a cementitious

patching compound compatible with the ooring

manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Relative humidity is one of many factors necessary for construction decisions. Wagner Electronics®
does not assume responsibility for any particular construction decision based on the readings of this

instrument and does not guarantee any specic construction results.

The method of use of this instrument and the interpretation of the readings are beyond the control
of the manufacturer. Wagner Electronics® cannot accept responsibility for any loss, consequential or
otherwise, resulting from the use of the Rapid RH™ and its accessories.

The Rapid RH™ should be used within two (2) years of purchase. If the probe does not appear to
function properly for any reason, return the probe to Wagner Electronics® for replacement.

The Rapid RH™ is patented under U.S. Patent 7,231,815.

For more information on relative humidity in concrete oors and moisture testing, go to

www.cement.org to order the book “Concrete Floors and Moisture” by Howard Kanare.

Step 5: Encapsulate the Probe

Orange Insert