IS 962:1989 provides a comprehensive code of practice for preparing architectural and building drawings in India. It standardizes drawing sizes, layout, scales, line types, lettering, dimensioning, and graphical symbols to ensure clarity and uniformity across architectural, structural, electrical, and plumbing drawings. This standard is essential for architects, civil engineers, and construction professionals involved in the design and documentation of building projects to facilitate accurate interpretation and coordination.
Overview
IS 962:1989 provides a comprehensive code of practice for preparing architectural and building drawings in India. It standardizes drawing sizes, layout, scales, line types, lettering, dimensioning, and graphical symbols to ensure clarity and uniformity across architectural, structural, electrical, and plumbing drawings. This standard is essential for architects, civil engineers, and construction professionals involved in the design and documentation of building projects to facilitate accurate interpretation and coordination.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 962: Scope - Key Specifications & Tables
| Designation | Dimensions (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 | Standard size |
| A1 | 594 × 841 | Standard size |
| A2 | 420 × 594 | Standard size |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | Standard size |
| A4 | 210 × 297 | Standard size |
| A0×2 | 1189 × 1682 | Elongated, not advisable |
| A0×3 | 1189 × 2523 | Elongated, not advisable |
| A3×5 | 420 × 1486 | Elongated, not advisable |
Elongated sizes are generally discouraged for practical use.
| Category | Recommended Scales |
|---|---|
| Enlargement scales | 50:1, 20:1, 10:1, 5:1, 2:1 |
| Full size | 1:1 |
| Reduction scales | 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500, 1:1000, 1:2000, 1:5000, 1:10000 |
IS 962 References & Drawing Sizes Summary
IS 962 refers to the following Indian Standards essential for technical drawings:
| IS Code | Description |
|---|---|
| IS 9609 (Part 1):1983 | Lettering on technical drawings (English characters) |
| IS 10711:1983 | Sizes of drawing sheets |
| IS 10713:1983 | Scales for use on technical drawings |
| IS 10714:1983 | General principles of presentation on technical drawings |
| IS 10720:1983 | Technical drawings for structural metal works |
| IS 11665:1985 | Technical drawings - Title block |
| Designation | Dimensions (Width × Height) |
|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 |
| A1 | 594 × 841 |
| A2 | 420 × 594 |
| A3 | 297 × 420 |
| A4 | 210 × 297 |
| Designation | Dimensions (mm) |
|---|---|
| A3 × 3 | 420 × 891 |
| A3 × 4 | 420 × 1189 |
| A4 × 3 | 297 × 630 |
| A4 × 4 | 297 × 841 |
| A4 × 5 | 297 × 1051 |
graph TD
A0[841 × 1189 mm]
A1[594 × 841 mm]
A2[420 × 594 mm]
A3[297 × 420 mm]
A4[210 × 297 mm]
A0 -->
IS 962: Sizes of Drawings - Key Points
Clause 3.1 (Selection & Designation):
Use the smallest sheet size that ensures clarity and resolution.
Clause 3.4 (Exceptional Elongated Sizes):
For very large or extra elongated sheets, refer to Table 3 for standardized sizes.
Reference Standards for Drawing Sizes & Presentation:
IS 10711:1983 — Sizes of drawing sheets
IS 10713:1983 — Scales for technical drawings
IS 10714:1983 — General presentation principles
IS 11665:1985 — Title block specifications
IS 9609 (Part 1):1983 — Lettering on drawings
| Size Code | Dimensions (mm) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 x 1189 | Largest standard size |
| A1 | 594 x 841 | Large drawings |
| A2 | 420 x 594 | Medium size |
| A3 | 297 x 420 | Small drawings |
| A4 | 210 x 297 | Notes, details |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Need Drawing Sheet] --> B{Is standard size sufficient?}
B -- Yes --> C[Select smallest standard size (A4 to A0)]
B -- No --> D[Refer Table 3 for elongated sizes]
C --> E[Prepare Drawing]
D --> E
Use IS 10711 for exact sheet sizes and IS 10713 for scale selection to maintain clarity and standardization.
IS 962: Layout of Drawings – Key Points
| Line Type | Description | Application Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A (Thick continuous) | Visible outlines/edges | Visible outlines, edges |
| B (Thin continuous) | Dimension, projection lines | Dimension lines, projection lines, hatching |
| C (Thin freehand) | Limits of partial views | Partial or interrupted views |
| D (Thin zigzag) | Special limits | Limits if not chain thin line |
| E (Thick dashed) | Hidden outlines/edges | Hidden outlines and edges |
| F (Thin dashed) | Hidden outlines/edges | Hidden details |
| G (Thin chain) | Centre lines, symmetry | Centre lines, symmetry axes |
| H (Chain thick ends) | Cutting planes | Cutting plane lines |
| J (Chain thick) | Special surfaces | Surfaces with special requirements |
| K (Chain thin double dashed) | Adjacent parts, movable positions | Adjacent parts, alternative positions |
Note: Use only one type of hidden line style consistently per drawing.
flowchart LR
A[Start
IS 962: Reproduction of Drawings - Key Points
Reference for Additional Info:
For detailed guidelines on reproduction of drawings, refer to IS 11665:1985 (Clause 4.5.1).
Sheet Sizes:
When very large or elongated sheets are required, use sizes from Table 3 (Clause 3.4). These are termed Exceptional Elongated Sizes (Third Choice).
General Layout:
Standard sizes and layout details are given in earlier clauses (Clause 4), but specific reproduction specs are minimal in IS 962 itself.
| Sheet Type | Description | Reference Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Sizes | Normal drawing sheets | Clause 4 (Layout) |
| Exceptional Elongated | Very large/elongated sheets | Clause 3.4, Table 3 |
| Reproduction Details | Additional info on reproduction | Clause 4.5.1 → IS 11665:1985 |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Need to Reproduce Drawing] --> B{Is size standard?}
B -- Yes --> C[Use standard sheet sizes (Clause 4)]
B -- No --> D[Use Exceptional Elongated Sizes (Table 3, Clause 3.4)]
C --> E[Refer IS 11665 for reproduction methods]
D --> E
E --> F[Complete reproduction]
This ensures compliance with IS standards for drawing reproduction.
IS 962: Folding of Prints - Key Specifications & Tables
| Sheet Size | Dimensions (mm) | Fold Segments (mm) | Resulting Folded Size (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 | 105, 297, 297, 210 | 3 folds → 190 × 190 |
| A1 | 594 × 841 | 105, 297, 297, 210 | 1 fold → 190 × 190 |
| A2 | 420 × 594 | 105, 297, 297, 210 | 1 fold → 190 × 190 |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | 297, 190, 190 | Folded size ~190 × 190 |
flowchart LR
A0[Original A0 Sheet 841×1189 mm]
fold1[Folding at 105 mm]
fold2[Folding at 297 mm]
fold3[Folding at 297 mm]
fold4[Folding at 210 mm]
folded[Final Folded Print ~190×190 mm]
A0 --> fold1 --> fold2 --> fold3 --> fold4 --> folded
Note: Follow IS 962 Fig. 1 & 1A for exact fold lines and sequence.
IS 962 - Scales for Technical Drawings
| Category | Recommended Scales |
|---|---|
| Enlargement scales | 50:1, 20:1, 10:1, 5:1, 2:1 |
| Full size | 1:1 |
| Reduction scales | 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500, 1:1000, 1:2000, 1:5000, 1:10000 |
Exceptional elongated sizes are listed for special cases, e.g.:
| Designation | Dimension (mm) |
|---|---|
| A0 × 2 | 1189 × 1682 |
| A0 × 3 | 1189 × 2523 |
| A1 × 3 | 841 × 1783 |
| A2 × 4 | 594 × 1682 |
| A3 × 5 | 420 × 1486 |
| A4 × 8 | 297 × 1682 |
Note: Use of elongated sizes is generally not advisable.
flowchart LR
A[Start: Select Drawing] --> B{Detail Level?}
B -->|High| C[Use Enlargement Scales (2:1 to 50:1)]
B -->|Medium| D[Use Full Scale (1:1)]
B -->|Low| E[Use Reduction Scales (1:2 to 1:10000)]
C --> F[Choose appropriate sheet size]
D --> F
E --> F
F --> G[Prepare Drawing
IS 962 Key Points on Projection:
| Size | Sheet (mm) | Fold Dimensions (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841×1189 | 105, 297, 297, 210 → 3 folds of 190 mm each |
| A1 | 594×841 | 105, 297, 297, 210 → 1 fold + 2 folds of 190 mm |
| A2 | 420×594 | 105, 297, 297 → folds of 190 mm |
| A3 | 297×420 | 297, 190, 190 (folds) |
graph LR
A[Front View]
B[Top View]
C[Side View]
subgraph First Angle
A --> B
A --> C
end
subgraph Third Angle
A --- B
A --- C
end
Note: Refer IS 10714:1983 for detailed presentation principles.
This concise guide aligns with IS 962 clauses on projection, print folding, and dimensioning practices.
IS 962 - Line Work: Key Specifications & Table
| Line Type | Description | General Applications |
|---|---|---|
| A | Continuous thick (straight/curved) | A1: Visible outlines, A2: Visible edges |
| B | Continuous thin | B1: Imaginary intersection lines, B2: Dimension lines, B3: Projection lines, B4: Leader lines, B5: Hatching, B6: Revolved section outlines, B7: Short centre lines |
| C | Continuous thin freehand | Limits of partial/interrupted views & sections |
| D | Continuous thin (straight) with zigzags | Limits of partial views if not chain thin line |
| E | Dashed thick | E1: Hidden outlines, E2: Hidden edges |
| F | Dashed thin | F1: Hidden outlines, F2: Hidden edges |
| G | Chain thin | G1: Centre lines, G2: Lines of symmetry, G3: Trajectories |
| H | Chain thin, thick at ends & changes | H1: Cutting planes |
| J | Chain thick | J1: Special surface indications |
| K | Chain thin double-dashed | K1: Adjacent part outlines, K2: Alternative/extreme positions, K3: Centroidal lines, K4: Initial outlines before forming, K5: Parts in front of cutting plane |
flowchart LR
A[Continuous Thick] -->|Visible edges| VisibleEdges
B[Continuous Thin] -->|Dimension lines| DimLines
E[Dashed Thick] -->|Hidden outlines| HiddenOutlines
G[Chain Thin] -->|Centre lines| CentreLines
H[Chain Thin thick ends] -->|Cutting planes| CuttingPlanes
This table and guidelines ensure clarity and standardization in engineering drawings as per IS 962.
IS 962: Lettering and Dimensioning Key Points
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ø | Diameter |
| R | Radius |
| ± | Tolerance |
| ⌀ | Circular feature |
flowchart LR
A[Feature] --> B[Dimension Line]
B --> C[Arrowheads at ends]
B --> D[Dimension Numerals]
D --> E[Above or within line]
A --> F[Leader Line for Notes]
Tip: Follow IS 962 for uniformity in drawings, ensuring clarity and avoiding misinterpretation in structural detailing.
IS 962: Graphical Symbols Key Points
| Name | Symbol Example |
|---|---|
| Main fuse-board with switches | ![symbol] |
| Light pendant | ![symbol] |
| Socket-outlet 3 pin 15 amp | ![symbol] |
| One-way switch | ![symbol] |
| Fire alarm push | ![symbol] |
Note: Refer IS 962 figures 8, 9, 10 for exact graphical representations.
IS 962 - Key Abbreviations & Symbols (Clause 11.1, Table 6)
This table standardizes abbreviations used in architectural and building drawings for clarity and uniformity:
| Term | Abbreviation / Symbol |
|---|---|
| Aggregate | AGG |
| Air-brick | AB |
| Alternating current | ac |
| Aluminium | Al |
| Ampere | amp or AMP |
| Beam (I Section) | I |
| Bench mark | BM |
| Bitumen | BIT |
| Brickwork | BWK |
| Cast iron | ci or CI |
| Cement | ct |
| Cement concrete | CC |
| Centimetre | cm |
| Centre line | CL, C |
| Concrete | CONC |
| Diameter | DIA, ¢ |
| Damp proof course | DPC |
| Degree Celsius | ºC |
| Finished floor level | FFL |
| Galvanized iron | GI |
| Kilogram per cubic metre | kg/m³ |
| Kilowatt | kW |
| Length | l |
| Level | GL (Ground level) |
| Precast | PRECAST |
Note: Abbreviations are the same in singular and plural forms.
flowchart LR
A[Architectural Drawing] --> B[Use Standard Abbreviations]
B --> C{Avoid Confusion}
B --> D{Ensure Uniformity}
C --> E[Clear Communication]
D --> E
For detailed sizes and exceptional elongated sizes, see Clause 3.4 Table 3.
IS 962: Conventional Representation of Materials in Section (Clause 13.1)
| Material | Symbol | Colour | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brick | — | Vermilion | |
| Concrete | — | Hookers green / Cobalt blue | |
| Natural or reconstructed stone | — | (No color specified) | |
| Partition blocks | — | Paynes grey | |
| Wood | — | Burnt sienna | |
| Earth | — | Sepia | |
| Hardcore | — | Yellow ochre / Chrome yellow | |
| Plaster and plaster products | — | Green | Large scales only |
| Glass | — | Blue | |
| Fibre building & insulation board | — | Sepia | |
| Metal sections | — | Black |
flowchart LR
A[Material] --> B{Representation}
B --> C[Hatching]
B --> D[Colour]
C --> E{Use Standard Patterns}
D --> F{Use IS 962 Colours}
E --> G[Clear Identification]
F --> G
This ensures clarity and uniformity in structural drawings per IS 962.
IS 962: Numbering of Buildings and Parts of Buildings
graph TD
A[Project] --> B[HOUSE 1]
A --> C[HOUSE 2]
C --> C1[PART A]
C --> C2[PART B]
This numbering system ensures uniform identification of buildings and their parts in project documentation.
IS 962: Designation of Rooms and Other Areas
Principal Designation (Abbreviation):
Additional Designation (Numerals):
Example:
| Element | Designation Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Column | C201 | Column on 2nd floor, feature 01 |
| Slab | S202A | Slab on 2nd floor, feature 02, variant A |
| Wall | W201 | Wall on 2nd floor, feature 01 |
| Beam | B202 | Beam on 2nd floor, feature 02 |
| Element | Abbreviation | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Column | C | C201 | 2nd floor, column #1 |
| Slab | S | S202A | 2nd floor, slab #2, variant A |
| Wall | W | W201 | 2nd floor, wall #1 |
| Beam | B | B202 | 2nd floor, beam #2 |
graph TD
A[Storey Number] --> B[Feature Number]
B --> C[Element Type]
C --> D[Designation Code]
D -->|Example| E[C201]
E -->|C=Column| F[Column on 2nd floor, #1]
Use this system for clarity and uniformity in drawings and documentation.
IS 962: Colouring the Plan - Key Specifications & Tables
| Material | Colour |
|---|---|
| Brick | Vermilion |
| Concrete | Hookers green / Cobalt blue |
| Partition blocks | Paynes grey |
| Wood | Burnt sienna |
| Earth | Sepia |
| Hardcore | Yellow ochre / Chrome yellow |
| Plaster & plaster products | Green (large scales only) |
| Glass | Blue |
| Fibre building & insulation board | Sepia |
| Metal sections | Black |
| SI No. | Item | Site Plan Dye-Line Print | Site Plan Blue Print | Building Plan Dye-Line Print | Building Plan Blue Print |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Existing work | Black (outline) | White | Black | White |
| 2 | Proposed work | Red filled in | Red | Red | Red |
| 3 | Drainage & sewage work | Red dotted | Red dotted | Red dotted | Red dotted |
| 4 | Water supply works | Black dotted | Black dotted | Black dotted | Black dotted |
| 5 | Work proposed to be dismantled | Yellow hatched | Yellow hatched | Yellow hatched | Yellow hatched |
| 6 | Open spaces | No colour | No colour | - | - |
| 7 | Plot lines | Thick, black | Thick, black | - | - |
| 8 | Permissible building lines | Thick, dotted black | Thick, dotted black | - | - |
| 9 | Existing street(s) | Green | Green | - | - |
| 10 | Future street(s) | Green, dotted | Green dotted | - | - |
Frequently Asked
IS 962 (1989) refers to IS 10711:1983 for standard sizes of architectural drawing sheets. IS 962 itself does not list sizes but directs to IS 10711, which specifies:
| Size Code | Dimensions (mm) | Common Name |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 | Full Sheet |
| A1 | 594 × 841 | Half Sheet |
| A2 | 420 × 594 | Quarter Sheet |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | Eighth Sheet |
| A4 | 210 × 297 | Sixteenth Sheet |
For precise drawing layout and title blocks, refer to IS 10714 and IS 11665 respectively.
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According to IS 962, revisions and alterations on building drawings should be recorded as follows:
Use a revision panel near the title block, showing:
The revision panel should be placed contiguously with the title block, reading from bottom upwards, and can be oriented horizontally or vertically.
The method of assigning revision numbers is flexible but must ensure the revision record is clearly tied to the drawing for easy identification, especially on large sheets.
For large projects with multiple drawing types, prefix drawing numbers with letters indicating the discipline (e.g., A for Architectural, S for Structural).
This system ensures clarity, traceability, and easy reference of all changes on the drawings.
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IS 962 Prescribed Graphical Symbols for Doors, Windows, and Sanitary Appliances
Doors & Windows (Clause 11.3 & Fig. 8):
Sanitary Appliances (Clause 11.6 & Figs. 11 & 12):
| Door/Window Type | Symbol Description |
|---|---|
| Vertical Centre Hung | Apex lines crossing at center |
| Side Hung Right/Left | Apex indicates hinge side |
| Single Leaf Single/Double Swing | Single leaf with swing direction |
| Double Leaf Single/Double Swing | Double leaf with swing direction |
| Centre Hung Sliding-Folding | Sliding-folding panels |
| Rolling Shutter (Internal/External) | Shutter with rolling indication |
These symbols ensure clarity and uniformity in architectural and engineering drawings per IS 962 standards.
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Use IS 962 Fig. 8 for doors/windows and Fig. 11-12 for sanitary appliances for standardized symbols.
According to IS 962, the conventions for numbering rooms, buildings, and suites are:
Buildings: Each building in a project is numbered independently (Clause 15.1.2).
Rooms:
Room numbering sequence:
Suites:
This system aids clear orientation and easy identification within buildings and suites.
IS 962 refers to other standards for dimensioning and lettering on architectural drawings:
Dimensioning: For layout and dimensioning details, refer to IS 10711:1983. This standard covers the proper placement, style, and clarity of dimensions on drawings.
Lettering: For lettering style, size, and format, IS 962 directs to IS 9609 (Part 1):1983 which specifies:
| Aspect | IS Code Reference | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensioning | IS 10711:1983 | Proper layout and clarity |
| Lettering | IS 9609 (Part 1):1983 | Uppercase, standard letter heights |
This ensures uniformity and readability in architectural drawings as per IS standards.
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