IS 5455:1969 specifies the requirements for cast iron steps used in manholes, focusing on their design, material quality, dimensions, safety features, and testing procedures. It applies to manufacturers, public health engineering departments, municipal corporations, and construction professionals involved in sewer and manhole infrastructure to ensure safe and durable access steps.
Overview
IS 5455:1969 specifies the requirements for cast iron steps used in manholes, focusing on their design, material quality, dimensions, safety features, and testing procedures. It applies to manufacturers, public health engineering departments, municipal corporations, and construction professionals involved in sewer and manhole infrastructure to ensure safe and durable access steps.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 5455 Scope - Key Points & Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Load | 225 kg |
| Load Application Point | Center of front tread |
| Duration | 1 minute |
| Acceptance Criteria | No cracking or permanent setting |
| Dimension | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| All steps | ±2 mm |
flowchart LR
A[Cast Iron Step] --> B[Dimensions as per Pattern 1 or 2]
B --> C[Tolerance ±2 mm]
A --> D[Load Test]
D --> E[225 kg vertical load]
E --> F[Applied at center of front tread]
F --> G[Hold for 1 minute]
G --> H[No cracking or permanent deformation]
This ensures quality and safety compliance for cast iron manhole steps per IS 5455.
Material Specification:
Load Test Requirements:
Dimensional & Manufacturing Agreement:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Grey Cast Iron, Grade 15 (IS 210) |
| Proof Load | 225 kg vertical load |
| Load Application Point | Center of front tread |
| Load Duration | 1 minute |
| Acceptance Criteria | No cracking or permanent set |
| Dimensional Variation | Allowed by mutual agreement |
flowchart TD
A[Manufacture Step] --> B[Material: Grey Cast Iron Grade 15]
B --> C[Apply 225 kg Load at Center of Front Tread]
C --> D[Hold Load for 1 Minute]
D --> E{No Cracks or Permanent Set?}
E -- Yes --> F[Step Passes Test]
E -- No --> G[Step Fails Test]
This ensures compliance with IS 5455 material and testing requirements.
IS 5455: Dimensions and Design of Cast Iron Steps for Manholes
| Parameter | Pattern 1 (Fig. 1A) | Pattern 2 (Fig. 1B) |
|---|---|---|
| Step Width | ~150 mm | ~150 mm |
| Step Depth (Tread) | ~60 mm | ~60 mm |
| Step Projection | ~75 mm | ~75 mm |
| Step Thickness | ~10 mm | ~10 mm |
(Exact dimensions to be referred from IS 5455 Fig. 1A & 1B)
flowchart LR
A[Cast Iron Step] --> B[Support as per Fig. 2]
B --> C[Apply 225 kg Load at Front Tread Center]
C --> D[Hold Load for 1 Minute]
D --> E{No Cracking or Permanent Deformation?}
E -- Yes --> F[Pass Test]
E -- No --> G[Fail Test]
References: IS 5455 Clause 3.3, 3.3.1, 1.2; Figures 1A, 1B, 2, 3.
IS 5455 - Surface Coating for Cast Iron Steps: Key Specifications
Coating Material (Clause 4.1):
Performance Requirements:
Test Load (Clause 1.2, Table A-1.2):
Rounding Off (Clause 0.4):
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Coating Type | Tar base / Bituminous / Cashew-nut shell liquid |
| Temperature Stability | No flow at 63°C |
| Brittleness | No chipping at 0°C |
| Load Test | 225 kg for 1 min, no damage |
flowchart TD
A[Cast Iron Step] --> B[Surface Coating]
B --> C{Material Type}
C -->|Tar Base| D[Apply Coating]
C -->|Bituminous| D
C -->|Cashew-nut Shell Liquid| D
D --> E[Temperature Test]
E -->|63°C| F[No Flow]
E -->|0°C| G[No Brittle Chip]
D --> H[Load Test]
H --> I[225 kg Load for 1 min]
I --> J[No Cracks or Permanent Setting]
This ensures durable, weather-resistant surface protection for cast iron manhole steps per IS 5455.
IS 5455: Testing and Inspection Key Points
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Load Magnitude | 225 kg |
| Load Application Point | Center of front tread |
| Load Duration | 1 minute |
| Acceptance Criteria | No cracks or permanent set |
| Sample Frequency | 1 per 50 steps (if agreed) |
flowchart LR
A[Cast Iron Step] --> B[Clamp as per Fig. 2]
B --> C[Apply Load 225 kg at center (Fig. 3)]
C --> D{Hold Load for 1 minute}
D -->|No cracks or permanent set| E[Pass]
D -->|Cracks or deformation| F[Fail]
For detailed procedures and agreements, refer to Clause 5.1 and Appendix A of IS 5455.
Marking Requirements (Clause 6.1 & 6.1.1):
Each cast iron step shall be marked with:
The ISI Mark assures compliance with IS 5455 under strict inspection, testing, and quality control by ISI.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Load applied | 225 kg (vertical) |
| Load application point | Center of the front tread (Fig. 3) |
| Load application method | Gradual, without stop |
| Duration | 1 minute |
| Acceptance criteria | No cracking, injury, or permanent set |
flowchart LR
A[Cast Iron Step] --> B[Support Clamping (Fig. 2)]
B --> C[Load Application at Center of Front Tread (225 kg)]
C --> D[Load held for 1 min]
D --> E{No Cracking or Permanent Set?}
E -- Yes --> F[Pass Test]
E -- No --> G[Fail Test]
For license & detailed conditions, contact nearest ISI regional office (e.g., Manak Bhavan, New Delhi).
IS 5455 Load Test Procedure Summary
flowchart LR
A[Clamp Step Horizontally] --> B[Load Applied at Centre of Tread]
B --> C[Load = 225 kg]
C --> D[Maintain Load for 1 Minute]
D --> E{No Cracks or Permanent Set?}
E -->|Yes| F[Pass Test]
E -->|No| G[Fail Test]
Note: Only 1 in 50 samples may be tested if agreed by manufacturer and purchaser (Clause 5.1). ISI mark usage governed by ISI certification rules (Clause 6.1.1).
Frequently Asked
IS 5455 specifies the grade of cast iron for manhole steps as follows:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 200 MPa |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 150-200 BHN |
| Elongation | 0.5 - 1.0% |
This ensures safety and longevity of manhole steps in sewer environments.
IS 5455: Cast Iron Steps for Manholes - Dimensions & Tolerances
Since the exact figures are in the standard's figures (1A & 1B), the key takeaway is:
| Parameter | Value | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Step dimensions | As per Fig. 1A & 1B | ± 2 mm |
Purpose: These steps are designed to ensure safe access inside manholes, preventing accidents due to poor design.
If you need exact step width, length, or projection, refer directly to the figures in IS 5455. The ±2 mm tolerance ensures manufacturing precision for safety and fit.
Loading diagram...
According to IS 5455, the non-slip surface of manhole steps is designed as follows:
This ensures safety by preventing slips when accessing sewers via manholes.
Loading diagram...
Reference: Clause 3.2, 3.3 of IS 5455.
According to IS 5455, the load test for cast iron steps is specified in Appendix A (Clause 5.1), which requires the steps to withstand a certain load to ensure safety.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Test Load | 1.5 kN (150 kgf) |
| Coating Temperature | 0°C to 63°C |
| Minimum Weight | As per Clause 3.4 |
This load test ensures the cast iron step is safe for use in manholes and similar applications.
According to IS 5455, Clause 6.1.1, manufacturers may mark each cast iron step with the ISI Certification Mark, but it is not mandatory. The clause states:
This ensures quality assurance but is not a strict requirement for all cast iron steps.
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