IS 10753:1983 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for preservation of wooden sleepers for railway track by pressure treatment. This standard provides the code of practice for preserving wooden sleepers for railway tracks using pressure treatment. It covers the types of preservatives (like creosote-fuel oil mixture), conditioning of timber before treatment, the treatment process itself, and the required net retention of preservatives to ensure durability against decay.
Code of practice for preservation of wooden sleepers for railway track by pressure treatment
| Parameter | IS Value | International | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture Content (Pre-treatment) | Shall not exceed 25% for most species. | Required to be seasoned until moisture content permits treatment; often targeted below the fiber saturation point (~30%). | AREMA Chapter 30 |
| Preservative Retention (Creosote) | 96 kg/m³ for Group A hardwood (Sal). | 6.0 pcf (approx. 96 kg/m³) for Mixed Hardwoods; 7.0 pcf (approx. 112 kg/m³) for Oak. | AREMA Chapter 30 |
| Preservative Retention (Creosote) | 120 kg/m³ for Group B softwood (Chir/Deodar). | 8.0 pcf (approx. 128 kg/m³) for Southern Pine. | AREMA Chapter 30 |
| Penetration (Hardwood) | Complete sapwood penetration for Sal (hardwood). | In Oak, 95% of sapwood depth; in other hardwoods, complete sapwood penetration. | AREMA Chapter 30 |
| Penetration (Softwood) | Min. 12 mm depth or 75% of sapwood, whichever is less, for Deodar/Chir (softwoods). | Min. 2.5 inches (63.5mm) or 90% of sapwood for Southern Pine; Min. 0.5 inches (12.7mm) and 90% of sapwood for Douglas Fir. | AREMA Chapter 30 |
| Treatment Pressure | 7 to 14 kgf/cm² (approx. 686 to 1373 kPa). | Pressure shall not exceed a maximum that would damage the wood, typically around 200 psi (approx. 1379 kPa). | AREMA Chapter 30 |