IS 13849:1993 specifies the requirements for portable dry powder fire extinguishers of the stored pressure type used to combat Class BC and ABC fires. It covers design, materials, construction, performance, testing, and marking of extinguishers with capacities ranging from 0.5 kg to 10 kg. This standard is essential for manufacturers, quality controllers, and safety engineers ensuring reliable, safe, and effective fire extinguishing equipment compliant with Indian regulatory norms.
Overview
IS 13849:1993 specifies the requirements for portable dry powder fire extinguishers of the stored pressure type used to combat Class BC and ABC fires. It covers design, materials, construction, performance, testing, and marking of extinguishers with capacities ranging from 0.5 kg to 10 kg. This standard is essential for manufacturers, quality controllers, and safety engineers ensuring reliable, safe, and effective fire extinguishing equipment compliant with Indian regulatory norms.
Audience
Contents
Structure
Scope:
IS 13849 specifies requirements for portable dry powder fire extinguishers (stored pressure type) including performance, construction, and testing.
| Capacity (kg) | Min. Jet Throw Duration (s) | Min. Discharge Time for 85% Content (s) | Min. Jet Range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5 | 8 | ≥ 1.5 |
| 1 and 2 | 8 | 10 | ≥ 2 |
| 5 | 15 | 20 | ≥ 4 |
| 10 | 23 | 30 | ≥ 6 |
| Lot Size | Sample Size |
|---|---|
| Up to 25 | 3 |
| 26 to 50 | 5 |
| 51 to 100 | 8 |
| 101 to 200 | 8% of lot |
This scope ensures minimum performance criteria for fire extinguishers to be reliable and effective in firefighting.
IS 13849 - Key Specifications for Materials of Fire Extinguishers (Clause 5.1 & related)
| Component | Material(s) | Relevant IS Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Mild steel sheet | IS 513:1986, IS 2062:1992, IS 1875:1992 |
| Neck ring | Mild steel | IS 2062:1992, IS 1875:1992 |
| Valve body | Forged brass, Leaded bronze, Plastic | IS 6912:1985 (Grade LTB-2 IS 318:1981), Annex C |
| Washers & O-rings | Rubber (acid/alkali resistant, hardness as per Type 3) | IS 5382:1985 |
| Spindle | Brass (Grade 2 IS 291:1989 / Type 1 IS 319:1989), Stainless steel | IS 6528:1972 |
| Spring | Spring steel (plated) | IS 4454 (Part 1):1981 |
| Syphon tube sheet | Brass Alloy No. 2, Copper | IS 407:1981, IS 1545:1982 |
| Nozzle | Plastic, Brass | Annex C, IS 291:1989, IS 319:1989 |
| Hose (5 & 10 kg) | Braided rubber or braided PVC | Min bursting pressure: 50 kgf/cm² (5 MN/m²) |
| Diameter (D) mm | K-Coefficient |
|---|---|
| ≤ 80 | 0.45 |
| > 80 and ≤ 100 | 0.50 |
IS 13849: Construction Requirements - Key Formulas, Tables & Specs
| Capacity (kg) | Min. Jet Throw Duration (s) | Min. Discharge Time for 85% Content (s) | Min. Range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5 | 8 | ≥ 1.5 |
| 1 & 2 | 8 | 10 | ≥ 2 |
| 5 | 15 | 20 | ≥ 4 |
| 10 | 23 | 30 | ≥ 6 |
| Property | Test Method | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity | IS 8543 (Part I/Sec 2) 1979 | 1.25 ± 0.02 |
| Melting Point | IS 762 1970 | 215 to 225 °C |
| Ash Content | IS 7188 1974 | 15 ± 1 % |
flowchart TD
A[Material Selection] --> B[Physical Tests]
B --> C[Specific Gravity]
B --> D[Melting Point]
B --> E[Ash Content]
A --> F[Construction]
F --> G[Fire Extinguisher Performance]
G --> H[Jet Throw Duration]
G --> I[Discharge Time]
G --> J[Range]
This ensures safe, reliable, and
1. Coating Requirements (Clause 8.1):
2. Alternative Treatment (Clause 8.2):
3. Acid Resistance Test (Clause 3.2):
| Treatment Type | Coating Material | Thickness (mm) | Reference Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead-Tin Alloy Coating | Lead-tin alloy (≥10% Sn) | ≥ 0.012 | IS 3203:1982 |
| Epoxy Powder Coating | Epoxy powder | ≥ 0.050 | - |
| Phosphating | Phosphate layer | As per IS 3618 | IS 3618:1966 |
flowchart LR
A[Surface Preparation] --> B{Choose Coating}
B -->|Lead-Tin Alloy| C[Hot Dipping/Electrolytic]
B -->|Epoxy Powder| D[Powder Coating]
B -->|Phosphating| E[Phosphating per IS 3618]
C --> F[Thickness ≥ 0.012 mm]
D --> G[Thickness ≥ 0.050 mm]
E --> H[Apply per IS 3618]
F & G & H --> I[Acid Resistance Test]
I --> J{No deterioration after 72h in 10% HCl}
This ensures durable corrosion protection complying with IS 13849 specifications
IS 13849: Design and Dimensions Key Points
For cylindrical portion:
[ t = \frac{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e + p \times h - p \times h}{p \times h \times D_o \times k_z} ]
For tori-spherical part or end:
[ t = \frac{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e + p \times h \times 4}{p \times h \times D_o \times k} ]
For semi-ellipsoidal part or end:
[ t = \frac{p \times h \times D_o \times k (0.65 + 0.1 k)}{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e + p \times h \times 4} ]
Where:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| t | Minimum wall thickness (mm) |
| (p_h) | Test pressure above atmosphere (kgf/cm²) |
| (D_o) | Outer diameter (mm) |
| J | Weld joint factor (0.9) |
| (R_e) | Yield strength (kgf/mm²) |
| h | Depth of dishing (mm) |
| k | Ratio (D_o/h) |
| Component | Material | Relevant IS No. |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Mild steel sheet | IS 513:1986 |
| Neck ring | Mild steel | IS 2062:1992 / IS 1875:1992 |
| Valve body | Forged brass / Leaded bronze / Plastic | IS 6912:1985 / IS 318:1981 |
| Washers & O-rings | Rubber (acid/alkali resistant) | IS 5382:1985 (Type 3) |
| Spindle | Brass / Stainless steel | IS 291 |
IS 13849: Valve and Discharge Fittings Key Points
| Parameter | Value/Remarks |
|---|---|
| Orifice Diameter | As per flow requirements (see Clause 10.5) |
| Material | Corrosion resistant (e.g., brass, stainless steel) |
| Thread Size | Standard pipe threads (e.g., BSP, NPT) |
flowchart LR
ValveBody -->|Screwed or Integral| DischargeNozzle
DischargeNozzle -->|Fitted with| SyphonTube
SyphonTube -.->|Notched/secured| PreventBlockage
ValveBody -->|Anti-Corrosive Treatment| Durability
For detailed dimensions and performance, consult Fig I' and Clause 10.5 in IS 13849.
IS 13849 – Performance Test (Clause 10.5)
| Capacity (kg) | Min. Jet Throw Duration (s) | Max. Discharge Time for 85% Content (s) | Min. Jet Range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 1 and 2 | 6 | 12 | 4 |
| 5 and 10 | 15 | 25 | 4 |
| Property | Test Method | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity | IS 8543 (Part I/Sec 2) | 1.25 ± 0.02 |
| Melting Point | IS 762 (1970) | 215 to 225°C |
| Ash Content | IS 7188 (1974) | 15 ± 1 % |
flowchart LR
A[Extinguisher] --> B[Nozzle @ 45°]
B --> C[Continuous Jet Discharge]
C --> D[Measure Jet Range & Duration]
D --> E{Discharge ≥ 85% mass?}
E -- Yes --> F[Pass Test]
E -- No --> G[Fail Test]
This ensures reliable extinguisher performance under specified conditions as per IS 13849.
Hydrostatic Pressure Test (IS 13849 - Clause 10.1)
| Part | Formula | Parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Cylindrical portion | ( t = \frac{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_y + p_h \times D_i}{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_y - p_h} ) | (t): thickness (mm), (p_h): test pressure (kgf/cm²), (D_i): inner dia (mm), (J): weld factor (0.9), (R_y): yield strength (kgf/mm²) |
| Toro-spherical part/end | ( t = \frac{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e + p_h \times D_o}{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e - p_h} ) | (D_o): outer dia (mm), (R_e): yield strength for end |
| Semi-ellipsoidal part/end | ( t = \frac{p_h \times D_o \times k \times (0.65 + 0.1k)}{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e + p_h \times 4} ) | (k = \frac{D_o}{H}), (H): depth of dishing (mm) |
graph TD
A[Extinguisher Body] --> B[Apply Hydrostatic Pressure: 30 kgf/cm²]
B --> C{Duration: 2 minutes}
C --> D[Check for Rupture]
C --> E[
IS 13849: Leakage and Retention of Pressure Tests
| Test | Duration | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Leakage Test | 24 hours immersion | No bubbles inside glass jar after 24 hours |
| Pressure Retention | 2 sec discharge + 15 min wait + 24 hr rest | Pressure drop variation ≤ 5% |
flowchart TD
A[Start Leakage Test] --> B[Invert glass jar on valve]
B --> C[Immerse extinguisher in water tank]
C --> D[Wait 24 hours]
D --> E{Any bubbles inside jar?}
E -- No --> F[Test Passed]
E -- Yes --> G[Test Failed]
H[Start Pressure Retention Test] --> I[Discharge 2 sec, note ΔP1]
I --> J[Wait 15 minutes]
J --> K[Note ΔP2]
K --> L{Variation ≤ 5%?}
L -- Yes --> M[Repeat test once more]
M --> N[Calculate mean ΔP]
N --> O[After 2 cycles, rest 24 hours]
O --> P[Check pressure drop ≤ 5%]
P -- Yes --> Q[Test Passed]
P -- No --> R[Test Failed]
This ensures extinguisher integrity and safety compliance per IS 13849.
IS 13849: Drop Test (Clause 10.4)
Test Conditions:
Drop Test Procedure:
| Capacity (kg) | Min. Throw Duration (s) | Max. Discharge Time for 85% (s) | Min. Range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 1 and 2 | 6 | 12 | 4 |
| 5 and 10 | 15 | 25 | 4 |
flowchart LR
A[Fill Extinguisher] --> B[Pressurize to Rated Pressure]
B --> C[Drop from 3 m - Horizontal Axis]
C --> D[Drop from 3 m - Vertical Axis (Head Up)]
D --> E[Check for Leakage by Water Immersion]
E --> F{Leakage?}
F -- No --> G[Test Passed]
F -- Yes --> H[Test Failed]
Clause 11.1 - Mandatory Markings: Each extinguisher must be clearly and permanently marked with:
Clause 9.3 - Fire Class Marking:
| Capacity (kg) | Min. Jet Throw Duration (s) | Min. Discharge Time for 85% Contents (s) | Range of Jet (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5 | 8 | ≥ 1.5 |
| 1 and 2 | 8 | 10 | ≥ 2 |
| 5 | 15 | 20 | ≥ 4 |
| 10 | 23 | 30 | ≥ 6 |
flowchart TD
A[Extinguisher Body] -->|Markings| B[Manufacturer Name]
A --> C[Operation Method]
A --> D["Dry Powder Extinguisher" Label]
A --> E[Capacity (kg)]
A --> F["Recharge After Use"]
A --> G[Pressure Test Declaration]
A --> H["
IS 13849: Sampling and Conformity Criteria
Sampling Plan (Clause 1.2.2 / Table B-1.1):
Sample size depends on lot size for quality-controlled production:
| No. of Items in Lot | Sample Size |
|---|---|
| Up to 25 | 3 |
| 26 to 50 | 5 |
| 51 to 100 | 8 |
| 101 to 200 | 8% of lot |
Conformity Criteria (Clause 1.2.3.1):
All samples tested must pass for the entire lot to be accepted.
Rationale (Clause B-0.1):
High reliability is critical due to the risk of fire extinguisher failure; hence stringent sampling and testing.
flowchart TD
A[Lot of Fire Extinguishers] --> B[Random Sampling as per Table]
B --> C{All Samples Pass?}
C -- Yes --> D[Lot Accepted]
C -- No --> E[Lot Rejected]
This ensures high confidence in product reliability per IS 13849.
IS 13849: Optional ECO-Mark Requirements (Clause 11)
| Requirement | Relevant Act/Rule | Document Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Water pollution clearance | Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 | Consent clearance |
| Water cess clearance | Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 | Consent clearance |
| Air pollution clearance | Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 | Consent clearance |
| Environmental authorization (if needed) | Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 | Authorization document |
Note: No specific formulas or numerical tables are provided in this clause; focus is on compliance documentation for ECO-Mark eligibility.
IS 13849: Referenced Standards Summary
IS 13849 (Portable Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers - Stored Pressure) refers extensively to Indian Standards for materials, construction, testing, and performance. Key referenced standards include:
| IS No. | Title |
|---|---|
| 5:1978 | Colours for ready mixed paints and enamels |
| 2643 (Part 1 & 2): 1975 | Dimensions for pipe threads for fastening purposes |
| 4308: 2003 | Specification for chemical dry powder for B & C class fires |
| 2171: 1999 | Specification for portable fire extinguishers, dry powder (cartridge type) |
| 4218 (Part 3): 1999 | ISO general purpose metric screw thread - Basic dimensions |
| 4454 (Part 1): 2001 | Steel wires for mechanical springs - Patented and cold drawn steel wires |
| 6912: 2005 | Copper and copper alloy forging stock and forgings |
| 9550: 2001 | Bright steel bars - Specification |
| 513: 1994 | Cold-rolled low carbon steel sheets and strips |
| Capacity (kg) | Min. Jet Throw Duration (s) | Min. Discharge Time (s) | Range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5 | 8 | ≥ 1.5 |
| 1 and 2 | 8 | 10 | ≥ 2 |
| 5 | 15 | 20 | ≥ 4 |
| 10 | 23 | 30 | ≥ 6 |
flowchart LR
A[IS 13849 Standard] --> B[Material Specs (IS 513, 6912)]
A --> C[Thread Dimensions (IS 2643, 4218)]
IS 13849: Key Safety & Operational Instructions for Portable Fire Extinguishers
| Capacity (kg) | Min. Jet Throw Duration (s) | Min. Discharge Time for 85% Contents (s) | Min. Jet Range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5 | 8 | ≥ 1.5 |
| 1 and 2 | 8 | 10 | ≥ 2 |
| 5 | 15 | 20 | ≥ 4 |
| 10 | 23 | 30 | ≥ 6 |
flowchart LR
A[Fire Extinguisher Capacity (kg)] --> B[Jet Throw Duration (s)]
B --> C[Discharge Time for 85% Contents (s)]
C --> D[Jet Range (m)]
style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
style D fill:#bbf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
Use this table and specifications to ensure compliance and operational safety of portable fire extinguishers per IS 13849.
Frequently Asked
Under IS 13849 for dry powder fire extinguishers, the specified materials are:
| Component | Material | Relevant IS No. |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Mild steel sheet | IS 513:1986, IS 2062:1992, IS 1875:1992 |
| Neck ring | Mild steel | IS 2062:1992, IS 1875:1992 |
| Valve body | Forged brass (Grade LTB-2) | IS 6912:1985, IS 318:1981 |
| Leaded bronze or Plastic | - | |
| Washers & O-rings | Acid/alkali resistant rubber | IS 5382:1985 (Type 3 hardness) |
| Spindle | Brass (Grade 2) or Stainless steel | IS 291:1989, IS 319:1989, IS 6528:1972 |
| Spring | Plated spring steel | IS 4454 (Part 1):1981 |
| Syphon tube sheet | Brass (Alloy No. 2) or Copper | IS 407:1981, IS 1545:1982 |
| Nozzle | Plastic or Brass | IS 291:1989, IS 319:1989 |
| Hose (5 & 10 kg) | Braided rubber or braided PVC | Min bursting pressure 50 kgf/cm² |
Additional notes:
This ensures durability, corrosion resistance, and safe operation of dry powder extinguishers.
Key Performance Tests for IS 13849 Compliance (Fire Extinguishers)
According to Clause 10.5 of IS 13849, the Performance Test is critical to ensure the reliability of fire extinguishers. Although the code does not detail all test types explicitly, the following are essential based on the standard's intent and typical practice:
Summary:
| Test Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hydrostatic Test | Structural integrity |
| Thickness Check | Minimum wall thickness per formula |
| Leakage Test | Seal and valve integrity |
| Discharge Test | Functional performance |
| Sampling & Criteria | Quality control during production |
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This ensures high reliability and safety as mandated by IS 13849.
IS 13849 Anti-Corrosive Treatment of Fire Extinguisher Bodies
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Summary: IS 13849 mandates lead-tin or epoxy coatings on mild steel extinguisher bodies to ensure corrosion resistance, chemical durability, and mechanical integrity verified through stringent tests.
As per IS 13849:1993, Clause 11.1, each dry powder stored pressure fire extinguisher shall be clearly and permanently marked with the following:
Additionally, per Clause 9.3, the markings 'BC' or 'ABC' must follow IS 2190:1992 and use size and color codes as per IS 2171:1985.
| Marking Element | Details/Example |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer/Trademark | Name or logo |
| Operation Method | Clear instructions |
| Type | "Dry Powder Extinguisher" stored pressure |
| Capacity | e.g., "5 kg" |
| Recharge Note | "Recharge After Use" |
| Pressure Test Declaration | Tested to 30 kgf/cm² |
| Orientation Instruction | "Keep This End Up" |
| Fire Class Letter | A, B, C as applicable |
| Manufacture Year & Serial No. | e.g., "2023, S.No. 12345" |
| Fire Class Suitability Mark | BC or ABC as per IS 2190 & IS 2171 |
This ensures safety, traceability, and proper usage guidance on all extinguishers.
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According to IS 13849, pressure retention and leakage tests for fire extinguishers are conducted as follows:
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