he Rapid RH® moisture testing system should be
T
used on any project where moisture-sensitive oor
coverings or coatings are to be applied over concrete
slabs. Owners, general contractors, ooring contractors/
installers, and testing companies need to be sure
the tests they perform are accurate, repeatable, and
available to all who need to know the current moisture
condition of concrete slabs.
apid RH® signicantly improves your project team’s
R
ability to instantly test and/or monitor the drying
progress of a concrete slab without adding substantial
cost to the project. The Rapid RH® enables you to take
fast, accurate periodic readings that fully comply with
industry standards. The Rapid RH® Smart Sensors are
factory-calibrated and use CMOSens® technology to
ensure the sensor’s accuracy and fast equilibration.
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Step 1: Drill the Hole
Step 2: Clean the Hole
Correct hole depth and hole diameter are
important in complying with the ASTM F2170
standard. For easy installation of a Rapid
RH® L6 Smart Sensor, a uniformly round hole
is also important. Drill a hole in the concrete
slab to the required depth using a rotary
hammer drill and a ¾”-diameter masonry drill
bit. Per the ASTM F2170 standard, drill the
hole to a depth equaling 40% of the slab’s
thickness for slabs that are drying from one
side, or 20% depth for a slab drying from two
sides. For proper Rapid RH® L6 installation,
be sure to position the drill perpendicular
(90˚) to the surface being tested.
TIP: If you do not have a depth gauge for
your drill, mark or tape-off your drill bit to the
correct depth setting.
3 4
Attach the vacuum attachment to the straight extension of a shop vacuum cleaner hose* and
thoroughly vacuum up the dust in and around the hole.
Next, insert the wire bristle brush into the hole. Turn the brush several times to loosen
pulverized concrete from the walls of the hole. Vacuum again. Repeat this step twice to ensure
no loose concrete particles remain in the hole.
IMPORTANT: Correct Diameter and Hole Uniformity: Use the ¾”-diameter section of the
insertion tool as a diameter and uniformity gauge to ensure a correct and uniformly round hole. If
the ¾”-diameter section of the tool will not go easily into the hole, the drill bit may be out-of-spec
(worn out, etc.) or the hole may not have a uniform diameter from top to bottom. Not performing
this step may cause damage to the L6 Smart Sensor when attempting insertion.
*The vacuum attachment may require an adapter depending on vacuum model.
Vacuum Brush Clean 3/4” Diameter SectionDrill
Step 3: Insert the L6 Smart Sensor
TIP: Check the L6 Smart Sensor prior to installation to ensure
there is a properly functioning sensor that is giving a reading.
Directly out of the package, the L6 Smart Sensor is 1.6” in length
or 40% of a 4” thick slab. ASTM F2170, Section 10.2 states: “Slab
drying from top only (example: slab on ground with vapor retarder
below, or slab on metal deck): 40% depth. Slab drying from top
and bottom (example: elevated structural slab not in metal deck):
20% depth).” Each Smart Sensor pack includes a number of short
(0.4”) extensions that can be inserted into the L6 Smart Sensor
barrel to enable use in thicker slabs. Adding one insert extends
the Smart Sensor barrel length to 2” for testing 5”-thick slabs to
the 40% depth. Keep any unused extensions for future jobs. If
needed, you can use additional extensions to increase the length
of the sensor barrel for thicker slab applications.
In summary, add one extension insert to an L6 Smart Sensor
barrel for every 1” increase in slab thickness over 4” to meet the
40% depth requirement. The extension inserts make the Smart
Sensor’s usage exible for varying thicknesses of concrete.
Insert Smart Sensor
Using Insertion Tool
5 6
Now, for all installations, take the L6 Smart Sensor directly out
of the package, and with no extensions installed, insert the L6 Smart Sensor into the hole
using the insertion tool. Push down on the insertion tool until the L6 Smart Sensor is seated
rmly at the bottom of the hole (review the IMPORTANT hole diameter and uniformity
comment under Step 2). Under no circumstances should you tap or hammer the insertion
tool to attempt to insert the sensor. Doing so may cause damage to the L6 Smart Sensor and
will void any warranty. At this point, remove the protective liner covering the butyl tape from
the underside of the protective cap, place the cap and extension(s), if necessary, onto the
base sleeve, and push down to the concrete surface. This last step completes the installation
process.
Remember: Correct depth of hole is critical
to adhere to the ASTM F2170 standard.
Caution: NEVER use your Total Reader®
device to install the L6 Smart Sensor.
Attach Extensions as
Appropriate for Concrete
Slab Depth
Step 4: Take Readings
When ready to take readings, remove the green rubber plug
from the center of the protective cap from the Smart Sensor, and
ensure no dust or debris is inside. Insert the Rapid RH® L6 Total
Reader rmly until it comes fully into contact with the bottom of
the Smart Sensor. Hold the Total Reader in place until the
rst relative humidity reading appears on the screen, then
immediately remove the Total Reader. The display will
toggle back and forth between the relative humidity value
(when the cursor is next to the %RH symbol) and the temperature
value (when the cursor is next to the °F or °C symbol*). Once
the Total Reader is removed from the L6 Smart Sensor, the
readings from that L6 Smart Sensor will continue to display for
approximately 1 minute or until the Total Reader is reinserted
into another Smart Sensor. After removal, wait at least 2 seconds
before inserting the Total Reader into another Smart Sensor.
Replace the Total Reader’s plastic end caps when not in use.
In most cases, one hour after installation, the L6 Smart Sensor
will generally give a reading within 3-5% RH of the reading
you would see after the ASTM-required 24-hour mark. Just
remember to follow the ASTM F2170 procedures pertaining to
equilibration time.
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Total Reader
Inserted into a
Smart Sensor
After the initial equilibration has been reached per ASTM F2170 requirements, subsequent
readings can be taken instantly. If future testing is needed, replace the protective plug by
pushing it back into the protective cap.
Record readings on the enclosed report form in
the spaces provided for information required by
ASTM F2170, including the date, time, %RH and
temperature. The grid at the bottom of the report
form can be used to record test-hole locations. Each
L6 Smart Sensor is serialized on the outside of the
sensor barrel.
Extra copies of the report form and an ASTM F2170
checklist can be downloaded at www.rapidrh.
com. You can also visit www.rhspec.com to visit
links to various nished ooring manufacturers’
installation guides and their RH thresholds. For any
additional questions related to what RH levels
are appropriate, please contact the manufacturer
of the product to be applied to the concrete slab.
Record readings on report form
included with Smart Sensors
Step 5: Encapsulate Smart Sensor
Troubleshooting
If future readings are no longer
needed (for example, when
ready to apply a oor covering
or coating), remove the plastic
cap and place the stainless
steel metal disk over the Smart
Sensor and skim-coat the hole
with a cementitious patching
compound compatible with
the ooring manufacturer’s
installation instructions.
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Place Metal Disk over Smart
Sensor before Encapsulating
Apply Cementitious
Patching Compound
Total Reader LCD display shows “ER”: The Rapid RH® Total Reader may not be properly
communicating with the L6 Smart Sensor for the following reasons:
1. The Total Reader was not in contact with the L6 Smart Sensor long enough. Hold the
Total Reader in the L6 Smart Sensor until the rst relative humidity reading appears
on the screen, then remove.
2. Debris is blocking proper contact. Check the L6 Smart Sensor housing for any debris.
Replace the battery: The Total Reader comes with one CR1/3N battery. To replace the
battery, open up the battery cover by removing the one battery cover screw with a jeweler’s
Phillips screwdriver. DO NOT OPEN UP THE FULL BODY OF THE TOTAL READER AT
ANY TIME.
Time-stamped readings: The Total Reader uses an internal clock to store time-stamped
measurements. It will sync with your smartphone’s clock when linked to the DataMaster™
L6 app to give you readings stamped with your local time. With the DataMaster™ L6 app
open, touch the Total Reader to an L6 Smart Sensor for 5 seconds or more to sync with your
local time. Sync your Total Reader periodically to ensure your readings are recorded with the
precise time-stamp.
Use Conditions
Service Temperature Adjustment Tool
The Rapid RH® L6 is intended for interior use only. It is imperative that the interior application
area be protected from weather elements such as rain and snow to prevent water intrusion.
The ASTM F2170 standard mandates measuring RH at service conditions. But your project’s
timeline may be such that you’d like to be able to estimate RH before reaching service conditions.
The Rapid RH® L6 is not to be used in concrete less than 28 days old. Follow ASTM F2170,
Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using
in situ Probes1.
Wagner Meters offers a simple-to-use, science-based RH estimator tool that adjusts for service
temperature. The easiest way to use this handy tool is with the Rapid RH® DataMaster™ L6
app, available for both iOS and Android devices. The estimator tool is also available online at
• NIST2 Traceable Accuracy Information: 1.5% RH typical with maximal of 2% RH over 0-90% RH
range and 1.8% RH typical with maximal of 3% RH over 90-100% RH range.
• Avoid severe cold or hot storage environments (i.e. vehicles).
1
Available from ASTM International, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, www.astm.org
2
National Institute of Standards and Technology
www.wagnermeters.com/rhtemp where you can also watch a short introductory video for more
information.
Simply obtain the RH and temperature readings of your concrete slab with your Rapid RH® L6
Smart Sensor, then use the DataMaster™ L6 app, the online estimator tool, or download the
service temperature adjustment table to get an estimated RH value at service conditions.
Note: The service temperature adjustment tool was developed by CTLGroup, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Portland Cement Association.
*The drying rate of standard Portland cement-based concrete slabs has been studied extensively. For slabs
drying from one side, a very ‘general’ rule-of-thumb as a drying rate is approximately 30 days of drying time for
each inch thickness of the slab for the relative humidity level to reach somewhere in the 85%-90% range. This
is only a very rough approximate guideline, and drying times can, and often are, much longer if good drying
conditions (closed-in space, environmental controls on, etc) are not present. Additionally, other factors such
as the densifying of a slab surface from heavy power-troweling, additional water added to the concrete at time
of pour, rain or construction water sitting on a slab, etc, can drastically affect the drying time of a concrete slab.
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Wagner Meters Limited Warranty Notes
Wagner Meters warrants the Rapid RH® L6 Smart Sensor and Rapid RH® Total Reader products against defects in
material and workmanship for one (1) year from the date of purchase, subject to the following terms and conditions:
Wagner Meters’ liability under this warranty shall be limited, at Wagner Meters’ option, to the repair or replacement of
products or any part thereof, which are demonstrated to be defective. To exercise this warranty, customer must send
product back with a copy of the proof of purchase date, the reason for return and, if Wagner determines it is under
warranty, Wagner will replace the customer’s product. This limited warranty does not apply if the product has been
damaged by accident, negligent handling, misuse, alteration, damage during shipment, or improper service. Wagner
Meters shall in no event be liable for any breach of warranty or defect in this product, which exceeds the amount of
purchase price of the product.
Relative humidity is one of many factors necessary for construction decisions. Wagner Meters does not assume
responsibility for any particular construction decision based on the readings of this instrument and does not guarantee
any specic construction results.
The method of use of this instrument and the interpretation of the readings are beyond the control of the manufacturer.
Wagner Meters cannot accept responsibility for any loss, consequential or otherwise, resulting from the use of the Rapid
RH® L6 and its accessories.
The Rapid RH® L6 Smart Sensor should be used before the specied expiration date included in the certicate of
calibration. If the Smart Reader/Total Reader does not appear to function properly for any reason, contact Wagner Meters
for remedy.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, whether oral or written, express or implied. Any implied warranties,
including implied warranties of merchantability and tness for a particular purpose, are excluded. If this product
is not in good working order as warranted above, the customer’s sole remedy shall be repair or replacement as provided
above.
This warranty is personal to the customer purchasing the product from Wagner Meters or from its authorized distributors
and is not transferable.
The agents and employees of Wagner Meters are not authorized to make modications of this warranty or additional
warranties binding on Wagner Meters. Accordingly, additional statements, whether oral or written, except written
statements from an ofcer of Wagner Meters, do not constitute warranties and should not be relied upon by the customer.
13
For more information on relative humidity testing
and to order online go to
www.RapidRH.com
Wagner Meters
326 Pine Grove Road
Rogue River, OR 97537
Worldwide Toll-Free: (844) 296-9656
The RAPID RH® L6 is registered under U.S. Patent 7231815, 8047056 & 9032791.
©Wagner Met ers 2019
All right s reserved . No part of th is publica tion may be rep roduced, s tored in a retr ieval system, o r transmit ted, in any for m or by any means,
electron ic, mechan ical, phot ocopying, r ecording , or otherw ise, witho ut the prior w ritten pe rmissio n of the publish er. The inform ation in this
document i s subject to change wi thout notice.
500-R0000-006
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