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IS 10316:1986 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommendations for modular co-ordination: basic module and submodular increments (equivalent to iso 1006 and iso 651: 1982). This standard provides recommendations for modular coordination in building, establishing the fundamental principles for dimensional standardization. It defines the basic module (M) as 100 mm and specifies preferred multimodules (multiples of M) and submodular increments (fractions of M) to coordinate the dimensions of building components and spaces, facilitating prefabrication and design efficiency.
Recommendations for modular co-ordination: basic module and submodular increments (Equivalent to ISO 1006 and ISO 651: 1982)
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Planning, Housing and Pre-fabricated Construction
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The basic module 'M' (100 mm) is the fundamental unit for planning grids, not a tolerance. Component work sizes must account for joints and tolerances within these grid lines.
! This standard is critical for designers of prefabricated or system buildings to ensure interoperability between components from different sources.
! Adherence to these modular principles is a foundational step for effective BIM implementation, as it standardizes component libraries and simplifies model coordination.
ISO 1006:2017ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Building construction — Modular coordination — Basic module
Defines the value of the basic module (M), which is the core subject of IS 10316.
ISO 6511:1982ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighWithdrawn
Building construction - Modular co-ordination - Sub-modular increments
Directly equivalent to the submodular increment portion of IS 10316, defining fractions of M.
ISO 1040:2020ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Building construction — Modular coordination — Multimodules
Covers multimodules (multiples of M), a related concept essential to the modular system but not the primary focus of IS 10316.
BS 6750:1986BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumWithdrawn
Specification for modular coordination in building
A contemporary national standard that covered the same principles of modular coordination for the UK market.
Key Differences
≠IS 10316:1986 is a single, concise document combining the basic module and submodular increments. The international ISO framework historically separated these into distinct standards (e.g., ISO 1006 for the module and ISO 6511 for increments).
≠The Indian Standard has not been revised since 1986, whereas its primary international equivalent, ISO 1006, was updated in 2017. The modern ISO standards reference a current ecosystem of related standards (e.g., for tolerances, BIM) that is absent in the older IS code.
≠IS 10316:1986 is designated as 'Recommendations', implying it is not strictly mandatory. While the ISO standards are also voluntary unless adopted by regulation, their language and structure are often more geared towards direct adoption in contracts and technical specifications.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental definition of the basic module (M) is identical, established as 100 mm. This is the universal cornerstone of the entire modular coordination system.
≈The specified series of preferred submodular increments (M/2, M/4, M/5, and M/10) is exactly the same as those defined in the directly equivalent (but now withdrawn) ISO 6511:1982.
≈All standards share the core philosophy of rationalizing building dimensions to improve design flexibility, component interchangeability, and reduce on-site cutting and waste.
≈The purpose of defining these modules and increments is consistent across all standards: to provide a basis for the dimensional coordination of building components, structural grids, and spaces.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Symbol for Basic Module
M
M
ISO 1006:2017
Value of Basic Module (M)
100 mm
100 mm
ISO 1006:2017
Primary Submodular Increment
50 mm (M/2)
50 mm (M/2)
ISO 6511:1982
Second Submodular Increment
25 mm (M/4)
25 mm (M/4)
ISO 6511:1982
Third Submodular Increment
20 mm (M/5)
20 mm (M/5)
ISO 6511:1982
Fourth Submodular Increment
10 mm (M/10)
10 mm (M/10)
ISO 6511:1982
Application
Recommendations for coordinating dimensions of building components and equipment.
Specifies the basic module for use in modular coordination, which serves as a basis for determining the sizes of building components and the layout of buildings.
ISO 1006:2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
What is the value of the basic module 'M' in Indian standards?+
The basic module 'M' is defined as 100 mm (Clause 3.1).
What are the preferred multimodules for horizontal dimensions?+
The preferred horizontal multimodules are 3M (300mm), 6M (600mm), 12M (1200mm), 15M (1500mm), 30M (3000mm), and 60M (6000mm) (Table 1).
What are submodular increments used for?+
Submodular increments, like M/2 (50 mm) and M/4 (25 mm), are used for sizing smaller components or when finer dimensional adjustments are necessary within the modular framework (Clause 5).
Is this standard mandatory for all buildings?+
No, it provides 'Recommendations' and serves as a guideline. It becomes mandatory only when explicitly specified in project requirements or contracts.