IS 2556 Part 4:2004 specifies the detailed requirements for vitreous china wash basins used in sanitary applications across India. It covers patterns, sizes, construction, dimensions, tolerances, fixing arrangements, and performance tests to ensure compatibility with plumbing fittings and durability. This standard is essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and engineers involved in the design, installation, and quality assurance of wash basins in residential, commercial, and healthcare settings.
Overview
IS 2556 Part 4:2004 specifies the detailed requirements for vitreous china wash basins used in sanitary applications across India. It covers patterns, sizes, construction, dimensions, tolerances, fixing arrangements, and performance tests to ensure compatibility with plumbing fittings and durability. This standard is essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and engineers involved in the design, installation, and quality assurance of wash basins in residential, commercial, and healthcare settings.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 2556 (Part 4): Scope & Key Specifications for Wash Basins
This part covers vitreous china wash basins focusing on:
| Pattern | Size (mm) | Length (A) | Breadth (B) | Height (C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat back | 660×460 | 660 | 460 | Min 200 |
| 630×450 | 630 | 450 | Max 290 | |
| 550×400 | 550 | 400 | Max 290 | |
| 450×300 | 450 | 300 | Max 225 | |
| Angle back | 600×480 | 600 | 480 | Max 290 |
| 400×400 | 400 | 400 | Max 290 |
| Parameter | Dimension (mm) |
|---|---|
| Diameter of waste outlet opening (d3) | 46 +2 / -3 |
| Max diameter at bevelled portion (ds) | 75 (Max) |
| Outside diameter of seating face (do) | 60 (Min) |
| Depth of outlet with integral overflow (h) | 45 (Min) to 50 (Max) |
| Vertical distance tap platform to waste hole (P) | 250 (Max) |
flowchart LR
A[Wash Basin] --> B[Pattern: Flat Back / Angle Back]
B --> C[Functional Dimensions: Length, Breadth, Height]
A --> D[Waste Outlet Hole]
D --> E[Diameter, Bevel, Seating Face
IS 2556 (Part 4): Referenced Standards & Key Specifications
| IS No. | Title |
|---|---|
| IS 2556 (Part 1): 1994 | Vitreous sanitary appliances (vitreous china) - General requirements |
| IS 1795: 1982 | Specification for pillar taps for water supply purposes |
| IS 2963: 1979 | Specification for copper alloy waste fittings for wash basins and sinks |
| IS 8931: 1993 | Specification for copper alloy fancy single taps, combination tap assembly & stop valves |
| IS 9140: 1985 | Method of sampling of vitreous and fire clay sanitary appliances |
Note: IS 775:1970 (cast iron brackets) was deleted in the 2008 amendment.
| Parameter | Symbol | Value (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter of outer tap holes | d1 | 30 +2 / -0 |
| Diameter of central tap hole | d2 | 35 +2 / -1 |
| Distance between outer tap holes (630×450) | f | 480 |
| Distance between outer tap holes (550×400) | f | 400 |
| Distance from wall/skirting to central tap | 84 | 32 (min) with skirting, 40 (min) without |
| Wall thickness near tap hole | S | Max 18 |
| Horizontal distance tap hole to waste outlet | l | Max 170 |
| Radius for free space below tap hole edge | r | Min 25 (0-5 mm height), Min 30 (>5 mm height) |
graph LR
A[Wall/Skirting] -->|32-40
IS 2556 (Part 4): General Requirements for Wash Basins
General Requirements (Clause 3):
All terminology, materials, manufacturing, glazing, defects, minimum thickness, tolerances, performance, and test methods shall conform to IS 2556 (Part 1) (General Requirements).
Tolerances (Clause 5.3):
Where specific tolerances are not given, refer to IS 2556 (Part 1) for dimensional tolerances.
Functional Dimensions (Clause 5.1 & Table 2):
Wash basins must conform to specified sizes and dimensions:
| Pattern | Size (mm) | Length (A) | Breadth (B) | Height (C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat back | 660 × 460 | 660 | 460 | ≥ 200 mm (Min) |
| (Surgeon's basin) | 630 × 450 | 630 | 450 | ≤ 290 mm (Max) |
| 550 × 400 | 550 | 400 | ≤ 290 mm (Max) | |
| 450 × 300 | 450 | 300 | ≤ 225 mm (Max) | |
| Angle back | 600 × 480 | 600 | 480 | ≤ 290 mm (Max) |
| 400 × 400 | 400 | 400 | ≤ 290 mm (Max) |
graph TD
A[Length (A)]
B[Breadth (B)]
C[Height (C)]
WB[Wash Basin]
WB --> A
WB --> B
WB --> C
For detailed construction, glazing
IS 2556 Part 4: Patterns and Sizes of Wash Basins
| Pattern | Sizes (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat back | 660 × 460, 630 × 450, 550 × 400, 450 × 300 | 660x460 is Surgeon's basin |
| Angle back | 600 × 480, 400 × 400 | 400x400 is Surgeon's basin |
| Pattern | Size (mm) | Length (A) | Breadth (B) | Height (C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat back | 660 × 460 | 660 | 460 | Min 200 |
| 630 × 450 | 630 | 450 | Max 290 | |
| 550 × 400 | 550 | 400 | Max 290 | |
| 450 × 300 | 450 | 300 | Max 225 | |
| Angle back | 600 × 480 | 600 | 480 | Max 290 |
| 400 × 400 | 400 | 400 | Max 290 |
flowchart LR
A[Wash Basin Patterns]
A --> B[Flat Back]
A --> C[Angle Back]
B --> B1[660 × 460 (Surgeon's)]
B --> B2[630 × 450]
B --> B3[550 × 400]
B --> B4[450 × 300]
C --> C1[600 × 480]
C --> C2[400 × 400 (Surgeon's)]
This summary ensures compliance with IS 2556 Part 4 for wash basin design and installation.
IS 2556 Part 4: Dimensions & Tolerances for Wash Basins
| Pattern | Size (mm) | Length (A) | Breadth (B) | Height (C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat back | 660 × 460 | 660 | 460 | Min 200 |
| (Surgeon's) | 630 × 450 | 630 | 450 | Max 290 |
| 550 × 400 | 550 | 400 | Max 290 | |
| 450 × 300 | 450 | 300 | Max 225 | |
| Angle back | 600 × 480 | 600 | 480 | Max 290 |
| 400 × 400 | 400 | 400 | Max 290 |
| Description | Symbol | Dimension (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter of outer tap holes | d1 | 30 +2 / -0 |
| Diameter of central tap hole | d2 | 35 +2 / -1 |
| Distance from central to adjacent tap hole vertical plane | e | 0 to 15 |
| Distance between two outer distant tap holes (630×450) | f | 480 |
| Distance between two outer distant tap holes (550×400) | f | 400 |
| Distance between two adjacent outer tap holes | f2 | 200 +4 / -4 |
| Horizontal distance central tap hole to bowl edge | 81 | Max 80 |
| Horizontal distance distant hole to bowl edge | 82, 83 | Max 65 |
| Distance from wall/skirting to central tap hole | 84 | Min 32 (with skirting), Min 40 (without) |
| Radius for free space below tap fitting hole (0-5mm height) | r | Min 25 |
| Radius for free space below |
IS 2556 (Part 4) : 2004 — Construction and Finish Key Specifications
| Parameter | Symbol | Dimension (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer tap hole diameter | d1 | 30 +2 / -0 | For multiple tap holes |
| Central tap hole diameter | d2 | 35 +2 / -1 | For single or central tap hole |
| Distance between outer tap holes (630x450) | f | 480 | - |
| Distance between outer tap holes (550x400) | f | 400 | - |
| Distance between adjacent outer tap holes | f2 | 200 +4 / -4 | - |
| Distance from wall/skirting to central tap hole | 84 | 32 (min) | With skirting |
| Distance from wall to central tap hole | 84 | 40 (min) | Without skirting |
| Radius below tap hole edge (height 0-5 mm) | r | 25 (min) | Free space for fitting |
| Radius below tap hole edge (height >5 mm) | r1 | 30 (min) | - |
| Horizontal distance tap hole to waste outlet | l | 170 (max) | - |
| Parameter | Symbol | Basin Size (mm) | Dimension (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal distance between fixing holes | n | ≤550x400 | 240 ± 10 |
| >550x400 | 280 ± 10 | ||
| Vertical distance fixing holes to tap platform | P2 | All except 450x300 | 40 (min) to 72 (max) |
Key Performance Requirements:
Load Bearing Test (Clause 6.7):
Fixing Provision (Fig. 7):
Rounding Off Results:
| Test | Requirement | Reference Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Water Flow Rate | 9.5 ± 0.5 l/min | 9.5 |
| Load Bearing | No damage under specified load | 6.7 |
| Overflow Capacity | As per Part 1 | Refer Part 1 |
flowchart TD
A[Wash Basin] --> B[Load Bearing Test]
A --> C[Water Flow Test]
A --> D[Overflow Test]
B --> E{Pass/Fail}
C --> E
D --> E
E --> F[Compliance]
This concise overview aids in ensuring wash basins meet IS 2556 (Part 4) performance standards.
Reference Standard:
The detailed method of sampling, process inspection, and lot inspection for vitreous sanitary appliances including wash basins is specified in IS 9140:1985 (Method of sampling of vitreous and fire clay sanitary appliances).
Key Points:
Specifications:
General Inspection Formula:
| Parameter | Criteria/Formula |
|---|---|
| Sample size (n) | As per IS 9140 tables based on lot size |
| Acceptance number (Ac) | Max allowable defects in sample |
| Rejection number (Re) | Minimum defects to reject lot |
Note: For detailed tables and acceptance criteria, refer to IS 9140:1985.
flowchart TD
A[Start: Lot Production] --> B[Sampling as per IS 9140]
B --> C[Visual & Dimensional Inspection]
C --> D{Defects ≤ Ac?}
D -- Yes --> E[Accept Lot]
D -- No --> F[Reject Lot or Re-inspect]
In brief: IS 2556 Part 4 defers sampling and inspection procedures to IS 9140, which provides the detailed methodology, sample sizes, and acceptance criteria for vitreous sanitary ware including wash basins.
IS 2556 Part 4 - Marking and Certification Key Points
Wash basins must be clearly and indelibly marked with:
| Aspect | Requirement/Specification |
|---|---|
| Marking on Wash Basins | Manufacturer name/trademark, batch/lot or date |
| BIS Standard Mark | Optional, requires BIS license |
| Governing Law | Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 |
| Contact for Licensing | BIS Regional Offices (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, etc.) |
flowchart TD
A[Wash Basin] --> B[Marking]
B --> B1[Manufacturer Name/Trademark]
B --> B2[Batch/Lot Number or Date]
A --> C[BIS Standard Mark]
C --> D[License from BIS]
D --> E[BIS Act 1986 Compliance]
For detailed licensing, contact BIS at Manak Bhavan or regional offices listed in the standard.
Frequently Asked
IS 2556 Part 4 - Standard Sizes & Patterns for Vitreous China Wash Basins
| Pattern | Size (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat back | 660 × 460 | Surgeon's basin |
| 630 × 450 | ||
| 550 × 400 | ||
| 450 × 300 | ||
| Angle back | 600 × 480 | |
| 400 × 400 | Surgeon's basin |
This ensures compatibility and standardization in vitreous china wash basins for sanitary installations.
IS 2556 Part 4: Dimensions for Tap Holes and Waste Outlet Connections
| Feature | Dimension (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| For 5, 3, 2 tap hole basins (Table 3) | ||
| Diameter of outer tap holes (d1) | 30 +2 / -0 | |
| Diameter of central tap hole (d2) | 35 +2 / -1 | |
| Distance between outer tap holes (f) | 480 (630×450 basin), 400 (550×400 basin) | |
| Distance between adjacent outer tap holes (f2) | 200 +4 / -4 | Not for 450×300 basin |
| Horizontal distance from central tap hole to bowl edge | ≤ 80 | |
| Distance from wall/skirting to central tap hole | ≥ 32 (with skirting), ≥ 40 (without) | |
| Wall thickness at tap hole zone | ≤ 18 | |
| Horizontal distance from central tap hole to waste outlet axis | ≤ 170 |
| Feature | Dimension (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| For single tap hole basins (Table 4) | ||
| Diameter of tap hole (d2) | 35 +2 / -1 | |
| Horizontal distance from tap hole to bowl edge | ≤ 80 | |
| Distance from wall/skirting to tap hole | ≥ 32 (with skirting), ≥ 40 (without) | |
| Wall thickness at tap hole zone | ≤ 18 | |
| Horizontal distance from tap hole to waste outlet axis | ≤ 170 |
| Description | Dimension (mm) |
|---|---|
| Diameter of waste outlet opening (d3) | 46 +2 / -3 |
| Max diameter at bevelled portion (ds) | 75 (max) |
| Outside diameter of seating face (do) | 60 (min) |
| Depth of outlet for integral overflow (h) | 45 (min), 50 (max) |
| Vertical distance from tap platform to lower plane of waste outlet (P) | 250 (max) |
According to IS 2556 Part 4 (2004), wash basins should be fixed or mounted as follows:
| Basin Type | Max Size (mm) | Fixing Holes | Hole Diameter (mm) | Support Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat back | 450 × 300 | Minimum 2 | ≥ 6.5 | Screws and/or pedestal |
| Angle back | 400 × 400 | Minimum 2 | ≥ 6.5 | Screws and/or pedestal |
Loading diagram...
Note: Ensure all fixings allow for easy cleaning and maintain basin stability per IS 2556 Part 4 requirements.
Performance Tests for Wash Basins as per IS 2556 (Part 4):
Overflow Test (Clause 9.5):
Load Bearing Test (Clause 4):
Glazing and Surface Finish (Clause 6.9):
Sampling and Inspection:
| Test | Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Overflow Test | Water flow: 9.5 ± 0.5 l/min; waste closed | No overflow for 5 min |
| Load Bearing Test | Load: 110 ± 8 kg for 1 hr | No damage or defect |
| Surface Finish | Inside basin surface | Uniform, smooth glaze |
Loading diagram...
This ensures compliance with IS 2556 (Part 4) for vitreous china wash basins.
According to IS 2556 Part 4 (2004), wash basins used in surgical or healthcare environments (Clause 6.1.1):
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Soap holder recess | Not allowed |
| Combined overflow | Not allowed |
| Construction | One-piece, smooth internal angles |
| Tap holes | Symmetrical, suitable for IS taps |
| Tap platform level | Above spillover level |
This ensures hygienic, easy-to-clean basins critical for surgical settings.
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