Overview
EN ISO 12570:2000 (adopted by CEN) defines a general method for the determination of free water content in porous, water‑permeable building materials by drying at elevated temperature. The standard applies to materials where moisture movement and free water retention influence hygrothermal performance and durability. It provides a consistent laboratory procedure for quantifying the moisture fraction that is removable by elevated‑temperature drying.
Note: the standard specifies the drying determination method only; it does not provide sampling procedures.
Key Topics
- Scope and applicability: Focus on porous, water‑permeable building materials. The method is intended where free water content is a relevant parameter for material characterization, testing and comparison.
- Objective: To provide a reproducible laboratory procedure for measuring the free water fraction that can be removed by drying at an elevated temperature.
- Measurement intent: Quantify the water present in a material that is not chemically bound and that can be removed by controlled drying to obtain comparable moisture data across tests and laboratories.
- Limitations: Sampling methodology is outside the scope of this standard; users should apply appropriate sampling standards or protocols where required.
Applications
EN ISO 12570:2000 is useful in contexts where accurate moisture data are essential for hygrothermal assessment and material performance evaluation:
- Quality control: Verify moisture levels of delivered materials before installation to reduce moisture‑related failures.
- Laboratory testing: Provide a standard drying method to compare moisture content across materials and formulations.
- Hygrothermal assessment: Supply input data for hygrothermal models and durability studies where free water content affects thermal and moisture transport.
- Research and development: Characterize new porous products and benchmark against existing materials for moisture behavior.
Benefits include improved consistency of moisture measurements, better comparability between laboratories, and clearer input parameters for hygrothermal analysis and building performance assessments.
Related Standards
- EN ISO 12570:2000 is an ISO standard adopted by CEN; national adoptions (for example, SIST EN ISO 12570) preserve the same method and intent.
- For complete test programs, combine this drying determination method with appropriate standards for sampling, conditioning and hygrothermal testing. Users should consult other ISO/EN documents addressing sampling procedures, moisture conditioning and hygrothermal properties to ensure a comprehensive test strategy.
For practitioners, EN ISO 12570:2000 is a practical reference when consistent, reproducible determination of moisture content by elevated‑temperature drying is required for porous, water‑permeable building materials.
