ASTM C1153 is the recognized standard practice for locating wet insulation in roofing systems using infrared imaging. The current edition is ASTM C1153-23, Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Systems Using Infrared Imaging. It establishes the minimum elements and conditions needed to conduct an infrared survey accurately and is particularly relevant when evaluating commercial low-slope roofing systems for moisture within the insulation.
How Does ASTM C1153 Infrared Moisture Survey Work?
An infrared moisture survey uses a thermal imaging camera to identify temperature differences across a roof surface. During appropriate nighttime conditions, areas containing moisture can retain heat differently from surrounding dry roof sections. These thermal patterns can help an experienced inspector identify areas that may contain wet insulation.
ASTM C1153 specifically addresses infrared imaging performed at night and applies to roofing systems where insulation is installed above the roof deck and is in contact with the waterproofing layer. The practice covers both ground-based and aerial infrared inspections.
The objective is not simply to produce a thermal image. The survey must be performed under appropriate environmental conditions with suitable equipment and by qualified personnel so that thermal anomalies can be interpreted correctly.
What Does ASTM C1153 Cover?
ASTM C1153-23 addresses several important aspects of an infrared roofing survey, including:
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Infrared equipment performance, including minimum resolvable temperature difference
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Spectral range and field-of-view considerations
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Meteorological conditions affecting infrared inspections
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Roof construction, material differences, and existing roof conditions
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Proper operating procedures and practices
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Operator qualifications
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Verification of infrared findings using invasive testing methods
These requirements are important because many conditions can produce temperature differences on a roof that are not necessarily caused by wet insulation.
Why Is Verification Important?
An infrared survey should not automatically be treated as proof that a particular roof area is wet. Thermal imaging identifies patterns that require professional interpretation. Roof construction, materials, weather, surface conditions, and other factors can influence thermal readings.
For this reason, ASTM C1153 also addresses verification of infrared data through invasive test methods. In practice, a roofing professional may take core samples or perform other appropriate invasive testing at selected locations to determine whether the suspected areas actually contain moisture.
This verification step can help distinguish genuine wet insulation from thermal anomalies and provides more reliable information for repair or replacement decisions.
What ASTM C1153 Does Not Determine
ASTM C1153 is a moisture-location practice, not a complete roof-leak investigation standard. The standard specifically states that it does not provide methods for determining the cause of moisture or its point of entry. It also does not determine whether a particular roofing system is suitable to continue functioning as a waterproofing system.
Therefore, an infrared survey can identify areas that warrant further investigation, but additional inspection may be necessary to determine why moisture is present and what corrective action is appropriate.
Why ASTM C1153 Matters for Commercial Roof Owners
For commercial building owners, facility managers, property managers, and roofing consultants, an ASTM C1153-based infrared moisture survey can provide valuable information before undertaking a major roof repair or replacement. Identifying potentially wet insulation can help define the extent of moisture-related damage and support better repair planning.
When a commercial roof is being evaluated, ask whether the infrared survey follows the current ASTM C1153-23 practice and whether suspected wet areas will be verified with appropriate invasive testing. Using a recognized standard can make the inspection process more consistent and provide stronger technical documentation for roofing decisions.
At Shieldline Roofing, professional roof evaluation can help commercial property owners determine whether existing roofing materials may be candidates for repair, restoration, or replacement. An infrared moisture survey should be considered one part of a comprehensive roof assessment rather than a substitute for hands-on inspection and verification.
In short, ASTM C1153 provides a standardized framework for using infrared imaging to locate potentially wet insulation in roofing systems. It addresses equipment, environmental conditions, inspection procedures, operator qualifications, and verification—helping make infrared moisture surveys more reliable and useful for commercial roofing decisions.
Commercial Roof Leak Detection & Repair
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