IS 9918:1981 provides a comprehensive code of practice for in-situ waterproofing and damp-proofing treatments using glass fibre tissue reinforced bitumen. It covers materials specifications, surface preparation, application methods, and recommended treatment layers for roofs, basements, and below-ground structures. This standard is essential for civil engineers, contractors, and waterproofing specialists involved in designing and executing durable moisture protection systems in buildings and infrastructure.
Overview
IS 9918:1981 provides a comprehensive code of practice for in-situ waterproofing and damp-proofing treatments using glass fibre tissue reinforced bitumen. It covers materials specifications, surface preparation, application methods, and recommended treatment layers for roofs, basements, and below-ground structures. This standard is essential for civil engineers, contractors, and waterproofing specialists involved in designing and executing durable moisture protection systems in buildings and infrastructure.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 9918: Scope Summary
IS 9918 covers the general design, detailing, and preparatory work for damp-proofing and waterproofing of buildings.
| Material/Aspect | IS Code Reference |
|---|---|
| Bitumen Primer | IS 702 (Specification) |
| Glass Fibre Base Felts | IS 1322 |
| Industrial Bitumen | IS 702 (Revised) |
| Paving Bitumen | IS 73 (Revised) |
| Penetration Determination | IS 1203 (First Revision) |
This standard ensures uniformity in waterproofing practices and material specifications for building durability.
flowchart LR
A[IS 9918 Scope] --> B[Waterproofing & Damp-proofing]
B --> C[Materials]
C --> D[Bitumen Primer (IS 702)]
C --> E[Glass Fibre Felts (IS 1322)]
C --> F[Industrial Bitumen (IS 702)]
C --> G[Paving Bitumen (IS 73)]
B --> H[Design & Detailing]
B --> I[Use of Pea-sized Gravel]
IS 9918 - Definitions & Key Specifications Summary
| Material/Item | IS Code Reference |
|---|---|
| Bitumen Primer | IS (specific code not given) |
| Glass Fibre Base Coal Tar Felts | IS (specific code not given) |
| Industrial Bitumen | IS (revised) |
| Paving Bitumen | IS (revised) |
| Penetration Determination | IS (first revision) |
If a specified value is 3.456 and the test result is 3.4567, round to 3.46 (two decimal places).
flowchart LR
A[Test/Calculated Value] --> B{Number of Significant Figures?}
B -->|Match Specified Value| C[Round off accordingly]
C --> D[Final Value for Compliance]
This ensures consistency and clarity in reporting test results.
IS 9918: Surface Preparation Key Points
| Step | Specification/Rate | Reference Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Surface cleaning | Thorough cleaning | 6.2(a) |
| Bitumen primer application | 0.4 kg/m², touch dry before next coat | 6.2(a), 7.1(a) |
| Bitumen type | Blown or residual, penetration ≤ 40 | 4.3 |
| Surface dryness | Must be dry, free of water | 9.1(b), 9.1(c) |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Surface Cleaning] --> B[Apply Bitumen Primer (0.4 kg/m²)]
B --> C{Primer Touch Dry?}
C -- No --> B
C -- Yes --> D[Apply Damp-Proofing Membrane]
D --> E[Finish]
This ensures good adhesion and durability of damp-proofing layers per IS 9918.
IS 9918 - Materials Key Points
| Penetration Grade | Max Penetration (dmm) |
|---|---|
| Hard Bitumen | ≤ 40 |
| Medium Bitumen | 40 - 90 |
| Soft Bitumen | > 90 |
flowchart LR
A[Bitumen Type] --> B[Blown Bitumen (IS:702)]
A --> C[Residual Bitumen (IS:73)]
B & C --> D[Penetration ≤ 40 (IS:1203)]
D --> E[Used as Bonding Material]
F[Pea-Sized Gravel] --> G[Concrete/Masonry Roofs]
This summary ensures compliance with IS 9918 material specifications for waterproofing.
IS 9918 – Surface Finish Key Points
For concrete, masonry, and metallic roofs (flat or sloping), IS 9918 recommends:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Primer Type | Bitumen primer |
| Primer Quantity | 0.4 kg/m² |
| Bitumen Penetration | ≤ 40 (IS:1203) |
| Bitumen Type | Blown (IS:702) or Residual (IS:73) |
| Application Condition | Heated to working temperature |
flowchart TD
A[Clean Surface] --> B[Apply Bitumen Primer (0.4 kg/m²)]
B --> C[Allow Primer to Dry (Touch Dry)]
C --> D[Apply Bonding Material (Bitumen ≤ 40 Penetration)]
D --> E[Proceed with Waterproofing Layers]
This ensures proper bonding and waterproofing as per IS 9918 guidelines.
IS 9918 - In-Situ Waterproofing Treatment for Roofs: Key Specifications & Formulas
| Treatment Type | Bitumen Coats (kg/m²) | Glass Fibre Layers | Total Courses | Rainfall Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate (5-course) | 1.6 per coat | 1 | 5 | < 50 cm |
| Heavy Duty (7-course) | 1.6 per coat | 2 (perpendicular) | 7 | 50-150 cm |
| Extra Heavy Duty (9-course) | 1.6 per coat | 3 (perpendicular) | 9 | > 150 cm |
flowchart TD
A[Dry Roof Surface] --> B[Bituminous Primer]
B --> C[Hot Bitumen Coat 1 (1.6 kg/m²)]
C --> D[Glass Fibre Tissue Layer 1 (100 mm overlap)]
D --> E[Hot Bit
IS 9918: In-Situ Damp-Proofing Treatment for Basements & Below Ground Structures
| Treatment Type | Bitumen Coats | Glass Fibre Layers | Total Courses | Application Rate (Bitumen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal Duty | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2.4 kg/m² per coat |
| Heavy Duty | 4 | 3 | 8 | 2.4 kg/m² per coat |
| Extra Heavy Duty | 5 | 4 | 10 | 2.4 kg/m² per coat |
flowchart TD
A[Clean & Prime Surface] --> B[1st Coat Bitumen]
B --> C[1st Glass Fibre Layer]
C --> D[2nd Coat Bitumen]
IS 9918: Method of Laying In-Situ Waterproofing Treatment
Surface Preparation:
Application Process:
| Treatment Type | Coats of Bitumen (kg/m²) | Glass Fibre Layers | Finishing | Courses Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 3 coats @ 2.4 kg/m² | 2 layers | Optional mastic asphalt | 6 courses (Note 1) |
| Heavy Duty | 4 coats @ 2.4 kg/m² | 3 layers | Optional mastic asphalt | 8 courses (Note 2) |
| Extra Heavy Duty | 5 coats @ 2.4 kg/m² | 4 layers | Optional mastic asphalt | 10 courses (Note 3) |
| In-situ Waterproofing | 3 to 4 coats @ 1.6 kg/m² | 1 to 3 layers | Pea gravel/grit or tiles | 5 (moderate) to 9 (very severe) courses |
graph TB
A[Bituminous Primer on Dry Surface]
B[1st Coat Hot Bitumen (1.6 kg/m²)]
C[1st Glass Fibre Tissue Layer (100 mm overlap)]
D
IS 9918: Method of Laying In-Situ Damp-Proofing Treatment
| Treatment Type | Bitumen Coats | Glass Fibre Layers | Bitumen Rate (kg/m²) | Overlap of Tissue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal Duty | 3 | 2 | 2.4 (min) per coat | 100 mm | Layers embedded perpendicular |
| Heavy Duty | 4 | 3 | 2.4 (min) per coat | 100 mm | Third tissue layer added |
| Extra Heavy Duty | 5 | 4 | 2.4 (min) per coat | 100 mm | Fourth tissue layer added |
| Step | Material | Rate (kg/m²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitumen Primer | 0.4 | Touch dry before next step |
| 2 | Hot Bitumen (1st coat) | ≥ 2.4 | Embed 1st glass fibre tissue |
| 3 | Hot Bitumen (2nd coat) | ≥ 2.4 | Embed 2nd glass fibre tissue |
| 4 | Hot Bitumen (3rd coat) | ≥ 2.4 | Finish coat |
IS 9918: List of Equipment and Tools for Laying In-Situ Glass Fibre Treatment (Clause 9.2 & Appendix A)
| Treatment Type | Bitumen Coat Rate (kg/m²) | Glass Fibre Layers | Overlap (mm) | Notes on Layers & Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal Duty | 1.6 | 1 | 100 | Final finish: pea gravel/grit (0.006 m³/m²) or tiles |
| Heavy Duty | 1.6 | 2 (perpendicular) | 100 | Third coat of bitumen applied |
| Extra Heavy Duty | 1.6 | 3 (perpendicular) | 100 | Fourth coat of bitumen applied |
flowchart TB
A[Bituminous Primer on Dry Surface]
B[1st Coat Hot Bitumen]
C[1st Layer Glass Fibre Tissue]
D[2nd Coat Hot Bitumen]
E[Pea Gravel or Grit Finish]
A --> B --> C --> D --> E
This concise summary
Frequently Asked
According to IS 9918 (Clause 4.2), the glass fibre tissue used for waterproofing and damp-proofing must have the following properties:
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Borosilicate glass fibres + phenolic resin |
| Weight (min.) | 40 g/m² |
| Thickness | 0.50 ± 0.1 mm |
| Structure | Random open porous mat |
| Chemical resistance | Yes, chemically resistant |
This ensures durability, flexibility, and resistance to weathering when embedded in bitumen for waterproofing applications.
According to IS 9918:
Bonding Material (Clause 4.3):
Waterproofing Medium (Clause 2.1):
Summary Table:
| Property | Bitumen Type | IS Code Reference | Penetration (max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonding Material | Blown or Residual Bitumen | IS 702 / IS 73 | ≤ 40 |
| Waterproofing Medium | Bitumen compounds with glass fibre | IS 9918 Clause 2.1 | N/A |
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This ensures effective bonding and waterproofing per IS 9918 standards.
Surface Preparation for Waterproofing (IS 9918):
Clean the Surface:
Dry the Surface:
Priming:
Wall Condition:
| Step | Action | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Remove loose particles, oil, dirt | Renew old surfaces |
| Drying | Keep surface free of moisture | Use drying methods |
| Priming | Apply bitumen primer | 0.4 kg/m², touch dry |
| Wall Condition | Keep walls dry | For good adhesion |
This ensures optimal bonding and waterproofing effectiveness.
Differences Between Normal, Heavy, and Extra Heavy Duty Treatments (IS 9918):
| Aspect | Normal Duty | Heavy Duty | Extra Heavy Duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitumen Coats | 2 coats (1st & 2nd) | 3 coats (1st, 2nd, & 3rd) | 4 coats (1st to 4th) |
| Bitumen Quantity (kg/m²) | 1.6 to 2.4 (depending on clause) | Same as Normal + extra coat | Same as Heavy + extra coat |
| Glass Fibre Layers | 1 layer with 100 mm overlaps | 2 layers; 2nd layer embedded perpendicular | 3 layers; each subsequent layer perpendicular |
| Finishing | Pea gravel/grit or tiles/concrete | Same as Normal | Same as Normal |
| Total Courses | 5 to 6 courses | 7 to 8 courses | 9 to 10 courses |
| Recommended for | Moderate rainfall (<50 cm) | Severe rainfall (50-150 cm) | Very severe rainfall (>150 cm) |
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This layered approach ensures increasing waterproofing robustness with rainfall severity.
According to IS 9918 for basement waterproofing:
| Treatment Type | Glass Fibre Tissue Layers | Bitumen Coats | Total Courses* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal Duty | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6-course treatment recommended |
| Heavy Duty | 3 | 4 | 8 | 8-course treatment recommended |
| Extra Heavy Duty | 4 | 5 | 10 | 10-course treatment recommended |
*Each "course" = 1 layer of glass fibre tissue + 1 coat of bitumen.
This layering ensures a monolithic waterproof membrane for effective basement protection.
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This diagram shows the layering sequence for increasing duty levels.
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