Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 10388:1982 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for corrugated coir wood wool cement roofing sheets-specification. This standard specifies the requirements for corrugated roofing sheets made from a composite of coir, wood wool, and Portland cement. It covers materials, dimensions, physical properties like strength and water absorption, and the corresponding test methods. These sheets are intended for use as a low-cost roofing material.
! These sheets are relatively brittle and must be handled with care during transport and installation to prevent cracking.
! Primarily suitable for low-cost housing, animal shelters, and temporary structures; not recommended for large spans or areas with heavy rainfall or wind loads without specific design considerations.
! Ensure proper overlaps (at least 15 cm) and fixing methods as specified to maintain weather-tightness.
BS 1105:1981BSI - British Standards Institution, UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for wood wool cement slabs up to 125 mm thick
Covers the same base composite material (wood wool cement) from a similar era, but for flat slabs, not corrugated roofing.
EN 13168:2012+A1:2015CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe
MediumCurrent
Thermal insulation products for buildings - Factory made wood wool (WW) products - Specification
Specifies the modern requirements for wood wool cement products, but focuses solely on their use as thermal insulation.
ISO 8335:1987ISO - International Organization for Standardization
MediumWithdrawn
Cement-bonded particleboards — Boards of Portland or equivalent cement reinforced with fibrous wood particles
Provided a general international framework for cement-bonded wood composites, but was broader and not specific to coir or roofing.
ASTM C1186 - 21ASTM International, USA
LowCurrent
Standard Specification for Flat Fiber-Cement Sheets
Covers fiber-cement composites but is not specific to wood/coir fibers and applies to flat sheets for cladding/backing, not corrugated roofing.
Key Differences
≠Primary Reinforcement: IS 10388 uniquely specifies the use of coir (coconut fiber) in addition to wood wool, a material not typically found in international standards for wood wool cement boards (WWCB).
≠Product Form & Application: IS 10388 is exclusively for corrugated sheets intended for roofing. Most international equivalents like EN 13168 or the former BS 1105 focus on flat boards/slabs for thermal insulation, partitions, or acoustic panels.
≠Performance Testing: The Indian standard mandates tests specific to roofing, such as water permeability under a head of water, which are not primary requirements for international standards focused on insulation or general-purpose boards.
≠Strength Requirement: IS 10388 specifies a transverse breaking load (N/m width) suitable for a corrugated profile, whereas international standards typically specify flexural strength or Modulus of Rupture (N/mm²) for flat panels.
Key Similarities
≈Binder Material: Both IS 10388 and its international counterparts specify the use of Ordinary Portland Cement (or equivalent hydraulic cement) as the primary mineral binder for the organic fibers.
≈Core Composite Concept: The fundamental principle of creating a building material by mineralizing lignocellulosic fibers (wood wool/coir) and bonding them with cement is the common technological basis.
≈Basic Physical Properties: All related standards include requirements and test methods for fundamental properties such as density and water absorption, even though the specified limits vary based on application.
≈Fire Resistance: The composite of cement and mineralized fibers provides inherent fire-resistant properties, a key advantage highlighted in both the Indian standard and international versions for wood wool cement boards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Density
500 - 700 kg/m³
360 - 580 kg/m³ (for various grades)
BS 1105:1981
Nominal Thickness
10 mm
25 mm to 100 mm
BS 1105:1981
Water Permeability (as roofing)
Impermeable after 24h under 50 mm water head
Not specified (not intended for direct roofing application)
EN 13168:2012
Transverse Strength Metric
Minimum breaking load of 800 N/m width
Modulus of Rupture (e.g., ≥0.5 N/mm² for 510 kg/m³ density)
BS 1105:1981
Water Absorption (by mass, 24h)
Maximum 30%
No value specified; water absorption is assessed differently (e.g., for capillarity)
EN 13168:2012
Thermal Conductivity (k-value)
Not specified as a mandatory limit (mentioned as a benefit)
Specified by class, e.g., ≤0.070 W/(m·K) for WW-C boards
EN 13168:2012
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Nominal Thickness15 mm
Minimum Average Transverse Strength (550mm span)500 N
Minimum Individual Transverse Strength (550mm span)400 N
Maximum Water Absorption (24h)25 % by weight
Bulk Density Range500 to 700 kg/m³
Pitch of Corrugation146 mm
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions and Tolerances for Corrugated Sheets
Table 2 - Physical Requirements for Corrugated Sheets