What is ASTM 2018?

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. The ASTM standards comprise specifications for materials, products, systems, and services. There are also codes that include test methods. These standards and codes are developed by volunteer members, usually working in subcommittees to develop documents within the guidelines of one of the society's technical committees.

The ASTM E2018-15 Standard is the industry standard for baseline Property Condition Assessments. Focused on identifying building defects, this Standard outlines a systematic approach to evaluating the structure, mechanical systems, and HVAC within commercial and multi-family housing. The Standard is structured around five distinct phases: walk-through surveys, interviews and document reviews, completion of the Property Condition Report, a final approval and signature between evaluators and management or owner representatives, and exceptions concerning what needs to be documented based on the features of the subject property.