IS 2556 Part 15:2004 specifies the detailed requirements for universal water closets made of vitreous china, covering dimensions, construction, finish, performance tests, inspection, and marking. It applies to manufacturers, quality inspectors, and engineers involved in the design, production, and certification of sanitary fixtures ensuring compliance with Indian standards for durability, functionality, and hygiene.
Overview
IS 2556 Part 15:2004 specifies the detailed requirements for universal water closets made of vitreous china, covering dimensions, construction, finish, performance tests, inspection, and marking. It applies to manufacturers, quality inspectors, and engineers involved in the design, production, and certification of sanitary fixtures ensuring compliance with Indian standards for durability, functionality, and hygiene.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 2556 Part 15: Scope - Key Points and Specifications
Scope covers: Functional and connecting dimensions of vitreous sanitary appliances, critical for plumbing compatibility.
Dimensions:
Key update:
Referenced IS Standards:
| IS No. | Title |
|---|---|
| 774:1984 | Flushing cisterns for WCs and urinals |
| 2556 (Part 1):1994 | Vitreous sanitary appliances - General requirements |
| 9140:1996 | Sampling methods for vitreous and fire clay sanitary appliances |
Rounding off:
graph LR
A[IS 2556 Part 15 Scope]
A --> B[Functional Dimensions (Table 1 & Fig 1A)]
A --> C[Connecting Dimensions (Table 2 & Fig 1B)]
C --> D[Radius of free space = 40 mm from outlet center]
A --> E[Referenced IS Standards]
E --> F[IS 774:1984]
E --> G[IS 2556 Part 1:1994]
E --> H[IS 9140:1996]
This ensures standardized appliance sizing for plumbing compatibility and testing consistency.
IS 2556 Part 15 - References & Key Specifications
| IS No. | Title |
|---|---|
| IS 774 : 1984 | Specification for flushing cisterns for water closets and urinals (non-plastic) |
| IS 2556 (Part 1) : 1994 | Specification for vitreous sanitary appliances (vitreous china) - General requirements |
| IS 9140 : 1996 | Methods of sampling vitreous and fire clay sanitary appliances |
This ensures consistency and compliance with plumbing and sanitary appliance standards.
IS 2556 Part 15: General Requirements Summary
Scope: Comply with IS 2556 Part 1 for materials, manufacture, glazing, defects, minimum thickness, tolerances, performance, and test methods.
Dimensions:
Referenced Standards:
| IS No. | Title |
|---|---|
| IS 774:1984 | Flushing cistern for water closets and urinals (non-plastic) |
| IS 2556 (Pt 1) | Vitreous sanitary appliances - General requirements |
| IS 9140:1996 | Sampling methods for vitreous and fire clay sanitary appliances |
| Parameter | Dimension (mm) |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 500 ± 5 |
| Outlet diameter | 100 ± 2 |
| Inlet connection | 40 ± 1 |
(Refer IS 2556 Part 15 Table 1 & 2 for detailed values)
flowchart LR
A[General Requirements] --> B[Materials & Manufacture]
A --> C[Dimensions]
C --> D[Functional Dimensions (Table 1, Fig 1A)]
C --> E[Connecting Dimensions (Table 2, Fig 1B)]
A --> F[Performance & Tests]
A --> G[Referenced IS Codes]
For precise values, always consult the actual tables and figures in IS 2556 Part 15 and Part 1.
IS 2556 Part 15: Sizes and Dimensions for Universal Water Closets
| Dimension Type | Typical Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Seal Depth | ≥ 50 mm | Minimum for trap seal |
| Radius of Free Space | ≥ 40 mm from outlet | Ensures proper outlet clearance |
flowchart LR
A[Centre of Outlet] -->|40 mm| B[Radius of Free Space]
A --> C[Outlet End]
D[Water Seal Depth] -->|≥ 50 mm| E[Trap Seal]
For exact values, always refer to Tables 1 & 2 and Figures 1A & 1B in IS 2556 Part 15.
| Description | Ref | Size 1 (mm) | Size 2 (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | L | 570 | 650 |
| Width of closet | W | 460 | 460 |
| Height | H | 380 | 380 |
| Width of opening | WI | 220 | 220 |
| Length of opening | L2 | 370 | 370 |
| Length of seat (bolt hole to front) | LI | 450 | 530 |
| Length of footrest, Min | L3 | 260 | 330 |
| Trap inlet depth, Min | T | 75 | 75 |
| Depth of water seal, Min | D | 50 | 50 |
| Description | Ref | Size 1 (mm) | Size 2 (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height of centre line of inlet from floor | h | 310 | 310 |
| Height of centre line of outlet (P trap) | h2 | 180 +15/-10 | 180 +15/-10 |
| Distance from outlet end to floor (S trap) | h3 | 20 ± 5 | 20 ± 5 |
| Internal diameter of outlet, Min | d1 | 80 | 80 |
| External diameter of outlet | d2 | 102 ± 5 | 102 ± 5 |
| Internal diameter of flush inlet socket | d3 | 50 ± 3 | 50 ± 3 |
| Depth of flush inlet socket, Min | A | 25 | 25 |
| Distance from flush inlet socket end to outlet | B | 45 | 45 |
| Diameter of seat bolt | d4 | 15 ± |
IS 2556 Part 15: Key Construction Specifications for Universal Water Closets
| Parameter | Symbol | Size 1 (mm) | Size 2 (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | L | 570 | 650 |
| Width of closet | W | 460 | 460 |
| Height | H | 380 | 380 |
| Width of opening | WI | 220 | 220 |
| Length of opening | L2 | 370 | 370 |
| Length of seat (bolt hole center to front) | L1 | 450 | 530 |
| Length of footrest (min) | L3 | 260 | 330 |
| Trap inlet depth (min) | T | 75 | 75 |
| Depth of water seal (min) | D | 50 | 50 |
| Parameter | Symbol | Size 1 (mm) | Size 2 (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre line of inlet height from floor (min) | h | 310 | 310 |
| Centre line of outlet height from floor (P trap) | h2 | 180 +15/-10 | 180 +15/-10 |
| Distance from outlet end to floor (S trap) | h3 | 20 ± 5 | 20 ± 5 |
| Internal diameter of outlet (min) | d1 | 80 | 80 |
| External diameter of outlet | d2 | 102 ± 5 | 102 ± 5 |
| Internal diameter of flush inlet socket | d3 | 50 ± 3 | 50 ± 3 |
| Depth of flush inlet socket (min) | A | 25 | 25 |
| Distance from flush inlet socket end to outlet outside (min) | B | 45 | 45 |
| Diameter of seat bolt | d4 | 15 ± 2 | 15 ± 2 |
| Distance between seat bolt holes centres | n | 165 +10/-5 | 165 +10/-5 |
| Length of grooved outlet part (min) | M | 40 | 40 |
| Angle of outlet of P trap with vertical | θ | 104 |
IS 2556 Part 15: Materials and Manufacture - Key Points
General Requirements:
Comply with IS 2556 Part 1 (1994) for materials, manufacture, glazing, defects, minimum thickness, tolerances, performance, and test methods.
Materials:
Vitreous china (vitreous sanitary appliances) as per IS 2556 Part 1, ensuring:
Manufacture:
Testing:
Follow IS 9140 (1996) for sampling and quality checks.
| IS No. | Title |
|---|---|
| 774 : 1984 | Specification for flushing cisterns for water closets and urinals (non-plastic) |
| 2556 (Part 1) : 1994 | Specification for vitreous sanitary appliances (vitreous china): General requirements |
| 9140 : 1996 | Methods of sampling vitreous and fire clay sanitary appliances |
flowchart TD
A[Raw Materials] --> B[Shaping & Forming]
B --> C[Firing Process]
C --> D[Glazing]
D --> E[Quality Inspection]
E --> F[Packaging & Dispatch]
Note: For detailed thickness, performance, and defect criteria, refer directly to IS 2556 Part 1.
IS 2556 Part 15: Flushing Tests Key Points
| Parameter | Size 1 (mm) | Size 2 (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length (L) | 570 | 650 |
| Width (W) | 460 | 460 |
| Height (H) | 380 | 380 |
| Water seal depth (D) | 50 | 50 |
| Trap inlet depth (T) | 75 | 75 |
| Outlet internal diameter (d1) | 80 | 80 |
| Parameter | Dimension (mm) |
|---|---|
| Internal diameter outlet (d1) | 80 |
| External diameter outlet (d2) | 102 ± 5 |
| Internal diameter inlet socket (de) | 115 |
| Depth of inlet socket (f) | 40 |
| Height of bend (h) | 207 |
flowchart TD
A[Fill WC to water seal level] --> B[Add 6 toilet paper pieces]
B --> C[
IS 2556 Part 15: Load Bearing Test for Water Closets (WC)
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Load Magnitude | 400 ± 5 kg (4 ± 0.05 kN) | Static load |
| Load Duration | 1 hour | Continuous application |
| Beam Cross-section | 100 mm × 100 mm | Wooden beam for load distribution |
| Fixing | Proper screws | Stable arrangement on floor |
| Acceptance | No damage/defect | Structural integrity maintained |
graph TD
A[WC Fixed to Floor] --> B[Wooden Beam 100x100 mm]
B --> C[Load 400 ± 5 kg (4 ± 0.05 kN)]
C --> D[Load applied centrally on WC top opening]
D --> E[Duration: 1 hour]
E --> F[Check for damage or defects]
This test ensures the WC can safely bear typical user loads without structural failure, confirming durability and safety compliance per IS 2556 Part 15.
IS 2556 Part 15: Sampling, Inspection & Lot Inspection Summary
Sampling & Inspection Method:
Follow IS 9140 : 1996 for procedures on sampling, process inspection, and lot inspection of vitreous sanitary appliances.
Rounding Off Results:
Use IS 2 : 1960 for rounding test results. Retain the same number of significant digits as specified in the standard.
Key Inspection Steps (from context):
| IS No. | Title |
|---|---|
| IS 9140 : 1996 | Methods of sampling of vitreous and fire clay sanitary appliances |
| IS 2 : 1960 | Rules for rounding off numerical values |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Lot Received] --> B[Sampling as per IS 9140]
B --> C[Perform Tests (Flushing, Load Bearing)]
C --> D{Test Results within limits?}
D -- Yes --> E[Accept Lot]
D -- No --> F[Reject Lot or Re-inspect]
For detailed sampling tables and acceptance criteria, refer directly to IS 9140.
IS 2556 Part 15: Marking and Identification Key Points
Each closet (sanitary fixture) must be clearly and indelibly marked with:
This ensures traceability and quality control.
| Region | Address | Phone Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Central | Manak Bhavan, New Delhi | 2323 7617, 2323 3841 |
| Eastern | Kolkata | 2337 8499, 2337 8561 |
| Northern | Chandigarh | 260 3843, 260 9285 |
| Southern | Chennai | 2254 1216, 2254 1442 |
| Western | Mumbai | 2832 9295, 2832 7858 |
flowchart TD
A[Manufacture Closet] --> B[Mark Manufacturer Name/Trade-mark]
A --> C[Mark Batch/Lot Number]
A --> D[Apply BIS Standard Mark (if licensed)]
D --> E[BIS Certification ensures quality & compliance]
This ensures products are identifiable and certified per IS 2556 Part 15.
Frequently Asked
IS 2556 Part 15: Dimensions and Tolerances for Universal Water Closets
| Description | Symbol | Size 1 (mm) | Size 2 (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | L | 570 | 650 |
| Width of closet | W | 460 | 460 |
| Height | H | 380 | 380 |
| Width of opening | WI | 220 | 220 |
| Length of opening | L2 | 370 | 370 |
| Length of seat (bolt hole to front) | LI | 450 | 530 |
| Length of footrest (min) | L3 | 260 | 330 |
| Trap inlet depth (min) | T | 75 | 75 |
| Depth of water seal (min) | D | 50 | 50 |
| Description | Symbol | Size 1 (mm) | Size 2 (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height of inlet centre from floor (min) | h | 310 | 310 |
| Height of outlet centre from floor ('P' trap) | h2 | 180 +15/-10 | 180 +15/-10 |
| Distance from outlet end to floor ('S' trap) | h3 | 20 ± 5 | 20 ± 5 |
| Internal diameter of outlet (min) | d1 | 80 | 80 |
| External diameter of outlet | d2 | 102 ± 5 | 102 ± 5 |
| Internal diameter of flush inlet socket | d3 | 50 ± 3 | 50 ± 3 |
| Depth of flush inlet socket (min) | A | 25 | 25 |
| Distance from flush inlet socket end to outlet | B | 45 | 45 |
| Diameter of seat bolt | d4 | 15 ± 2 | 15 ± |
IS 2556 Part 15 - Traps in Universal Water Closets
| Aspect | 'P' Trap | 'S' Trap |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacture | One piece only | One or two pieces |
| Two-piece bend dimensions (if applicable) | N/A | Must conform to Table 3 and Fig. 3 (Clause 6.3) |
| Surface finish | Inside surfaces must be glazed, uniform, smooth for efficient flushing; grooved outlet parts not glazed (Clause 6.3) | |
| Fixing holes | Minimum 4 holes, diameter ≥ 6.5 mm (Clause 6.1) | |
| Flushing rim | Integral box type with adequate holes for flushing (Clause 6.1) | |
| Flush inlet | Self-draining type with a weep-hole (Clause 6.1) | |
| Antisiphonage vent horn | May be required; for 'S' traps, center vent horn allowed (Clause 6.2) |
Loading diagram...
Summary:
Use one-piece 'P' traps only; 'S' traps can be one or two pieces but must meet dimensional and glazing requirements. Antis
According to IS 2556 Part 15, flushing performance and water seal effectiveness are tested as follows:
Loading diagram...
This ensures adequate flushing, effective water seal, and minimal splash per IS 2556 Part 15.
According to IS 2556 Part 15 (Clause 11.1), the following marking information must be indelibly applied on each universal water closet:
This marking should be placed at a suitable location on the WC to ensure clear identification.
| Marking Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer's Name/Trade-mark | Identifies the maker of the WC |
| Batch/Lot Number | For traceability and quality control |
This ensures easy identification for quality checks, traceability, and warranty purposes.
As per IS 2556 Part 15 (2004), the load bearing capacity requirement for universal water closets (WCs) is specified in Clause 9 (Load Bearing Test):
This ensures that the WC can safely bear typical user loads without failure.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Load applied | 400 ± 5 kg (4 ± 0.05 kN) |
| Load application method | Wooden beam 100 mm × 100 mm |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Acceptance criteria | No damage or defect |
This test verifies the structural integrity of the WC under realistic loading conditions.
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