ISO 22185-1-2021 PDF

Full title and description

Diagnosing moisture damage in buildings and implementing countermeasures — Part 1: Principles, nomenclature and moisture transport mechanisms. This part defines moisture damage in buildings, sets out terminology and describes the principal moisture sources and transport mechanisms that lead to damage, and provides a framework for classifying moisture damage in relation to materials, phenomena and affected functionalities.

Abstract

This document defines moisture damage and specifies moisture sources and moisture transport mechanisms in buildings. It includes a method for classification of moisture damage based on the relationships between materials (and constituent materials), observable phenomena and the building functionalities that can be affected. The document covers damage induced by gaseous, liquid and solid water and addresses damage to building components, occupant health and property contained within the enclosure; it does not address warranties.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; under periodic systematic review stage as recorded by ISO).
• Publication date: February 2021 (published 16 February 2021 according to official records).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 91.040.01 (Buildings — generalities).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2021).
• Number of pages: 19 pages.

(Key bibliographic details above are taken from the ISO record for ISO 22185-1:2021.)

Scope

Part 1 establishes principles, vocabulary and the physical mechanisms of moisture transport relevant to diagnosing moisture-related damage in buildings. It focuses on identifying moisture sources (including liquid, vapour and hygroscopic sources), describing transport processes (vapour diffusion, air advection, capillary flow, liquid transport and sorption), and providing a classification approach for moisture damage that links affected materials, observed phenomena and impaired functionalities. It is intended to support consistent communication and subsequent assessment work (covered in later parts of the series) rather than to prescribe detailed remedial procedures.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined terminology and nomenclature for moisture damage and related phenomena.
• Identification and description of moisture sources: vapour/gaseous, liquid (including leaks), and solid (e.g., salts) contributions.
• Overview of moisture transport mechanisms: vapour diffusion, air movement/advection, capillary/liquid transport, and material sorption/desorption.
• A classification method for moisture damage linking materials, phenomena (e.g., mould, decay, corrosion) and affected building functionalities.
• Statement of scope limits — e.g., excludes contractual warranty issues and does not itself prescribe remediation techniques.

Typical use and users

Used by building physicists, forensic moisture investigators, architects, structural and building services engineers, facility managers, remediation contractors and standards developers as a common reference for terminology and the physical basis of moisture problems. Part 1 is particularly useful when establishing diagnostic protocols, writing specifications for condition assessments, and aligning multidisciplinary teams on the meaning of observed moisture phenomena.

Related standards

ISO 22185 is a multipart series; Part 2 (Assessment of conditions) was published in 2024 and provides methods for diagnosing and assessing moisture-related conditions in buildings. Other relevant standards in the moisture/hygrothermal area include ISO 13788 (Hygrothermal performance of building components — calculation methods to avoid critical surface humidity and interstitial condensation) and various regional/adopted standards on moisture measurement, mould assessment and building envelope performance.

Keywords

moisture damage; moisture transport; vapour diffusion; capillary flow; air leakage; hygroscopic moisture; building diagnosis; moisture classification; building physics; remediation framework.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 22185-1:2021 is the first part of an ISO multipart standard that defines principles, terminology and the mechanisms of moisture transport in buildings to support consistent diagnosis and classification of moisture-related damage.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definitions, moisture sources (gaseous, liquid, solid), transport mechanisms (diffusion, advection, capillary/liquid flow, sorption) and a classification approach linking materials, phenomena and affected functionalities; it does not prescribe remediation steps or address warranty/legal issues.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Building scientists, forensic investigators, engineers, architects, remediation and facility professionals, and standards bodies use it as a common reference for terminology and the physical background needed for assessment and reporting.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 22185-1:2021 is published and is listed in ISO’s records as the 2021 edition; ISO indicates the standard is subject to the regular review process (systematic review stage noted in ISO metadata). Users should confirm the standard’s status through their national / ISO catalogue at the time of purchase or use.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 22185 is a multipart series. Part 1 addresses principles and mechanisms (this document), and Part 2 (Assessment of conditions) was published in 2024 to provide assessment methods; additional parts may address remedial measures or other aspects as developed by ISO/TC 205.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Moisture damage, moisture transport, vapour diffusion, capillary flow, mould, hygrothermal, building diagnosis, moisture classification, building envelope.