IS 908:1975 specifies the requirements for stand post type fire hydrants used to draw water from underground pipelines for firefighting. It covers materials, construction, dimensions, testing, and marking of hydrants with one or two outlets, ensuring compatibility with Indian standards for components like sluice valves, couplings, and paint. This standard is essential for manufacturers, fire services, and engineers involved in fire protection infrastructure design and maintenance.
Overview
IS 908:1975 specifies the requirements for stand post type fire hydrants used to draw water from underground pipelines for firefighting. It covers materials, construction, dimensions, testing, and marking of hydrants with one or two outlets, ensuring compatibility with Indian standards for components like sluice valves, couplings, and paint. This standard is essential for manufacturers, fire services, and engineers involved in fire protection infrastructure design and maintenance.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 908: Scope & Key Specifications Summary
Scope:
IS 908 specifies requirements for fire hydrants, including stand post types with one or two outlets, ensuring water-tightness and compatibility with related fittings.
Hydrostatic Test (Clause 5.1):
Each hydrant must withstand a hydraulic pressure equivalent to 200 meters head without leakage.
Rounding Off (Clause 0.4):
Test or calculated values should be rounded per IS 2-1960, retaining the same significant figures as the specified values.
Key Dimensions (Refer to Figures 1 & 2):
Related IS Specifications:
[ P = \rho g h ]
Where:
[ P = 1000 \times 9.81 \times 200 = 1.962 \times 10^6 , \text{Pa} = 19.62 , \text{bar} ]
flowchart TD
A[Fire Hydrant] --> B[Hydrostatic Test]
B --> C{Pressure}
C -->|200 m head| D[Water-tightness]
A --> E[Dimensions]
E --> F[Stand Post Column]
E --> G[Sluice Valves]
E --> H[Road Surface Boxes]
Summary: IS 908 covers fire hydrant design, testing at 200 m head pressure (~19.6
IS 908: General Requirements for Stand Post Fire Hydrants
| Component | Dimension (mm) |
|---|---|
| Sluice Valve (Single) | 60 |
| Sluice Valve (Double) | 100 |
| Duckfoot Bend | 100 |
| Tail Piece | 80/100 |
| Stand Post Column | As per Fig. 2 |
[ P = \rho g h ]
flowchart TB
A[Water Supply] --> B[Underground Pipeline]
B --> C[Fire Hydrant Stand Post]
C --> D[Landing Valve]
C --> E[Sluice Valve]
C --> F[Hose Coupling Outlet]
This ensures reliable water access for firefighting with tested leak-proof hydrants conforming to IS 908.
IS 908: Materials and Components Key Specifications
Hydrostatic Test: Each hydrant must withstand 200 m head pressure, proving water tightness (Clause 5.1).
Landing Valves (Internal Hydrant): Dimensions and flange details per IS: 5200.
Sluice Valves: Sizes 50 to 300 mm as per the 4th revision of water-works sluice valve specs.
Cast Iron Fittings: For pressure pipes (water, gas, sewage) per first revision.
Pipe Threads: Dimensions follow IS: 4218 Part I (basic profile).
Fire Hose Delivery Components: Couplings, branch pipes, nozzles, and spanners per second revision.
Typical Dimensions (mm):
Marking: Products may carry the Standard Mark per Clause 9.2.1.
[ P = \rho g h ]
Where:
[ P = 1000 \times 9.81 \times 200 = 1,962,000 \text{ Pa} = 1.96 \text{ MPa} ]
graph TB
A[Stand Post Column]
B[Opening for Coupling]
C[Strainer with N holes]
D[Flange to suit Landing Valve]
A --> B --> C --> D
For detailed dimensions and specifications, refer to IS 908 figures and related IS codes cited.
IS 908: Workmanship and Finish (Clause 4)
General Requirements:
Surface Quality:
Marking (Clause 9.1):
Painting and Coating:
| Aspect | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Burrs & Sharp Edges | Must be removed |
| Blow Holes | Not permitted in castings |
| Welding/Repairs | Not allowed on castings |
| Surface Finish | Smooth, clean, sound |
| Marking | Manufacturer & year, permanent |
| Paint/Coating | IS specified paints & enamels |
flowchart TD
A[Raw Casting] --> B[Inspection for Defects]
B -->|No defects| C[Deburring & Finishing]
B -->|Defects found| D[Reject or Recast]
C --> E[Marking Manufacturer & Year]
E --> F[Painting as per IS]
F --> G[Final Inspection & Dispatch]
Note: Follow IS 2-1960 for rounding off test values related to workmanship.
Clause 5.1:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Test Pressure Head | 200 meters water column |
| Test Medium | Water |
| Acceptance Criteria | No leakage, no deformation |
[ P = \rho \times g \times h ]
Where:
[ P = 1000 \times 9.81 \times 200 = 1,962,000 , \text{Pa} \approx 1.96 , \text{MPa} ]
flowchart TD
A[Hydrant Assembly] --> B[Apply Water Pressure]
B --> C{Pressure = 200m Head}
C --> D[Check for Leakage]
D -->|No Leakage| E[Pass Test]
D -->|Leakage| F[Fail Test - Repair]
Summary: Hydrostatic test at 200 m water head (~1.96 MPa) ensures fire hydrants are leak-proof and structurally sound per IS 908.
IS 908 Painting Specifications Summary
Stand Post Painting (Clause 7.1):
Cast Iron Parts Coating (Clause 6.1):
Paint Types & Colours:
Marking (Clause 9.1):
| Paint Type | IS Code | Colour/Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Red Paint | IS:5-1961 (Shade 536) | Stand post base coat |
| Canary Yellow Paint | IS:5-1961 (Shade 309) | Top of post column |
| Bituminous Coating | IS:158-1968 | Cast iron parts coating bath |
| Ready Mixed Paints | IS:2932-1964 | General purpose paints |
flowchart LR
A[Cast Iron Parts] -->|Clean & before rusting| B[Bituminous Bath (143-166°C)]
B --> C[Coated Cast Iron Parts]
D[Stand Post] -->|2 Coats Fire Red (IS:5-536)| E[Painted Stand Post]
E -->|Top 2 Coats Canary Yellow (IS:5-309)| F[Finished Hydrant Post]
Note: Always round off
IS 908 - Marking Specifications for Hydrants
Clause 9.1: Each hydrant must be permanently and clearly marked with:
Clause 9.2.1: Optionally, the product may carry the Standard Mark as per BIS regulations.
Paint Specifications:
Standard Mark Usage:
| Marking Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer's Name | Mandatory, permanent |
| Year of Manufacture | Mandatory, permanent |
| Standard Mark | Optional, per BIS license |
| Paint Type | Ready mixed, lead-free, heat/acid resistant |
This ensures traceability and quality assurance per IS 908 requirements.
IS 908: Criteria for Acceptance - Key Points
General Acceptance Criteria (Clause 4.1):
Hydrostatic Test Requirement (Clause 5.1):
Rounding Off Values (Clause 0.4):
Painting Specifications (Clause 7.1):
[ P = \rho g h ]
Where:
[ P = 1000 \times 9.81 \times 200 = 1,962,000 \text{ Pa} = 19.62 \text{ bar} ]
| Criteria | Specification |
|---|---|
| Finish | Free from burrs, blow holes, sharp edges |
| Castings | Clean, sound, no repairs |
| Hydrostatic Test Pressure | 200 m head (~19.62 bar), water tightness |
| Paint | Fire red (Shade 536), Canary yellow (Shade 309) |
| Rounding off | As per IS 2-1960, match significant |
1. Hydrostatic Test (Clause 5.1):
2. Rounding Off Test Results (Clause 0.4):
3. Visual and Physical Inspection (Clause 4.1):
To convert pressure head to pressure:
[
P = \rho \times g \times h
]
Where:
[ P = 1000 \times 9.81 \times 200 = 1,962,000 \text{ Pa} = 1.96 \text{ MPa} ]
| Test/Inspection | Requirement | Reference Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrostatic Test | 200 m water head pressure | 5.1 |
| Visual Inspection | No burrs, blow holes, defects | 4.1 |
| Rounding Off Results | As per IS 2-1960 | 0.4 |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Hydrant Fabrication] --> B[Visual Inspection]
B --> C{Defects?}
C -- Yes --> D[Reject/Repair]
C -- No --> E[Hydrostatic Test @ 200m head]
E --> F{Leakage?}
F -- Yes --> D
F -- No --> G[Pass & Final Rounding of Test Results]
This ensures compliance with IS 908 for hydrant testing and inspection.
Frequently Asked
According to IS 908, the materials specified for the hydrant components are:
| Component | Material/Specification |
|---|---|
| Stand Post Column | Cast Iron, Grade 20 (IS:210-1970) |
| Paint | Fire Red & Canary Yellow (IS:5-1961, IS:2932-1964) |
| Valves & Fittings | Cast Iron, per relevant IS specs |
| Testing | Hydrostatic test at 200 m head |
This ensures durability, corrosion resistance, and visibility for firefighting use.
Standardization of Sluice Valves and Couplings in IS 908
Sluice Valves (Clause 3.1):
Male Half Coupling (Clause 3.6):
Hydrant Assembly (Clause 2.1):
Testing (Clause 5.1):
Loading diagram...
This ensures interchangeability and reliability in hydrant systems per IS 908.
IS 908: Testing Requirements for Hydrant Water Tightness
Hydrostatic Test Pressure: Each hydrant must withstand a hydraulic pressure equivalent to 200 metres head of water (approx. 2 MPa or 20 bar) without leakage (Clause 5.1).
Test Objective: To ensure the hydrant is perfectly water-tight under this pressure, confirming no leaks or structural failures (Clause 8.1).
Test Procedure Summary:
Material and Construction: The hydrant must comply with material and finish requirements (Clause 4.1) to ensure durability and proper sealing.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Test Pressure Head | 200 metres (≈ 2 MPa) |
| Test Duration | 5-10 minutes |
| Acceptance Criteria | No leakage or damage |
Loading diagram...
This ensures the hydrant's reliability in firefighting operations as per IS 908 standards.
According to IS 908:
Each hydrant must be clearly and permanently marked with:
This ensures easy visual identification and traceability during firefighting operations and maintenance.
According to IS 908, a fire hydrant can have one or two outlets.
| Feature | Single Outlet | Double Outlet |
|---|---|---|
| Sluice Valve Size | 60 mm | 100 mm |
| Coupling Size | 63 mm male coupling | 63 mm male coupling |
| Outlet Type | Coupling or Flanged | Coupling or Flanged |
This design ensures compatibility with fire hoses and landing valves for effective firefighting.
Loading diagram...
Ask AI about any clause, requirement, or provision in IS 908. Get instant, clause-cited responses powered by our indexed library.
Free tier includes 150 queries (50 AI + 100 Reference) · No credit card required