Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 12073:1987 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommendations for modular co-ordination: co-ordinating sizes for door sets and window sets. This standard provides recommendations for a coordinated system of sizes for door and window sets based on the principle of modular coordination. It aims to rationalize building design and facilitate the use of prefabricated components by specifying preferred dimensions in multiples of a 100 mm basic module.
Recommendations for modular co-ordination: Co-ordinating sizes for door sets and window sets
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 'co-ordinating size' is the theoretical grid space for the opening, while the 'work size' (actual component size) is typically 10mm smaller to allow for joints and tolerances during installation.
! Adhering to these sizes greatly simplifies the specification and procurement of doors/windows from different manufacturers and reduces on-site modification and waste.
! These recommendations are the foundation for creating standardized door and window families in BIM software, promoting interoperability and efficiency in digital design.
ISO 6514:1982ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
HighWithdrawn
Building construction — Windows and doors — Co-ordinating sizes
Directly addresses coordinating sizes for windows and doors based on modular coordination.
ISO 21723:2019ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
MediumCurrent
Building construction — Modular coordination — Module
Provides the fundamental principle (the 100 mm basic module) upon which IS 12073 is based, but does not specify component sizes.
DIN 18101:2014-08DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung), Germany
HighCurrent
Doors - Doors for residential buildings - Door-leaf sizes, sill-position and wall opening dimensions
A national standard that provides specific coordinating dimensions for door openings, fulfilling a similar role to IS 12073.
BS 6750:1986BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
HighWithdrawn
Specification for modular co-ordination in building
A contemporary national standard setting out the principles and application of modular coordination for building components.
Key Differences
≠IS 12073 provides extensive tables of recommended modular sizes (e.g., door widths 6M to 24M). Modern international standards like ISO 21723 focus on defining the basic module and principles, leaving specific component size recommendations to national standards or project requirements.
≠The Indian standard is from 1987 and has not been updated. Its direct international contemporaries (like ISO 6514:1982) have been withdrawn, with the modern approach separating fundamental principles (ISO 21723) from specific national applications (DIN 18101).
≠IS 12073 recommends sizes that are pure multiples of the 100 mm module (e.g., 800 mm, 900 mm, 1000 mm door widths). In contrast, some national standards like Germany's DIN 18101 specify standardized wall opening widths (e.g., 750 mm, 875 mm, 1000 mm) which are based on practical usage and may not all be pure multimodules.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental basis for all standards is the basic module 'M' of 100 mm for dimensional coordination in building.
≈All standards aim to achieve the same objective: rationalization of building dimensions to simplify design, enable off-site manufacturing of components, and ensure interchangeability and fit on site.
≈The use of 'multimodules' (integer multiples of the basic module 'M') is the common method for determining preferred coordinating dimensions for width and height.
≈The concept of a 'coordinating size' is central to all standards, defined as the theoretical dimension of the space a component occupies, including tolerances and joint allowances.
What is the basic module (M) used in this standard?+
The basic module is 100 mm, denoted as 'M' (Clause 4.1).
What is the recommended standard size for a main residential door?+
A common co-ordinating size is 1000 mm x 2100 mm (10M x 21M), or 1200 mm x 2100 mm (12M x 21M) as per Table 1.
What is the difference between 'co-ordinating size' and 'work size'?+
Co-ordinating size is the theoretical dimension of the space allocated for the component, including tolerances. The work size is the actual manufactured size of the component, which is smaller to fit into that space (Clause 3).
Are the sizes in this standard mandatory?+
No, the title states these are 'Recommendations'. They are intended to promote standardization but are not mandatory unless explicitly required by a project's specifications.