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IS 12183:2000 (Part 1) is the Indian Standard (BIS) for plumbing in multi-storied buildings, part 1: water supply. This code provides guidelines for the design and installation of water supply systems in multi-storied buildings. It covers material selection, system types (direct and indirect), water demand calculation, storage tank sizing, pipe sizing, and testing procedures. It is the fundamental document for plumbing water supply design in high-rise structures in India.
Code of practice for plumbing in multi-storied buildings, Part 1: Water supply
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The code strongly advocates for an indirect supply system (via overhead tanks fed by booster pumps) for most multi-storied buildings to ensure adequate and consistent pressure at all floors.
! The 'loading unit' method (Tables 3 & 4) is crucial for accurately estimating the peak flow rate (probable simultaneous demand), preventing oversizing or undersizing of pipes.
! When designing, always separate the domestic water supply lines from the fire-fighting lines, even when they originate from the same tank, using non-return valves to prevent water being drawn from the fire reserve.
Comprehensive code for the design, installation, and maintenance of plumbing systems, including water supply.
BS EN 806-2:2005British Standards Institution (BSI) / European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
HighCurrent
Specifications for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption - Part 2: Design
Specifically focuses on the design principles for hot and cold water installations within buildings.
AS/NZS 3500.1:2021Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand
HighCurrent
Plumbing and drainage - Part 1: Water services
Covers requirements for the design, installation, and testing of heated and cold water services and systems.
UPC 2021International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), USA
HighCurrent
Uniform Plumbing Code
A model code providing detailed requirements for all aspects of plumbing systems, including water supply design.
Key Differences
≠IS 12183 uses a 'Loading Unit' (LU) system for pipe sizing which is simpler than the more statistically refined 'Water Supply Fixture Unit' (WSFU) system used in the IPC and UPC, which accounts for probability of simultaneous use.
≠International codes like IPC and AS/NZS 3500 have far more detailed and stringent requirements for backflow prevention, classifying hazard levels and mandating specific devices (e.g., RPZ, DCVA), whereas IS 12183's guidance is more general.
≠Guidance on hot water systems, particularly regarding Legionella control (storage at >60°C) and anti-scald measures (delivery at <50°C), is explicit and mandatory in standards like BS EN 806 and AS/NZS 3500, but less emphasized in IS 12183.
≠IS 12183 references Indian Standards (IS) for materials and components, while international codes reference their respective regional standards like ASTM (USA), BS (UK), or EN (Europe), creating a different compliance and material sourcing framework.
Key Similarities
≈All standards advocate for the zoning of water supply systems in tall buildings to manage pressure, typically using pressure reducing valves or breaking the system into vertical zones.
≈The fundamental principle of using a physical air gap as the most reliable method of backflow prevention is common across IS 12183 and all major international plumbing codes.
≈All codes recognize and provide design guidance for common water supply methods in multi-storied buildings, including direct pumping, hydro-pneumatic systems, and gravity-fed overhead tank systems.
≈There is a shared understanding and recommendation across all codes to limit maximum water velocity in pipes (generally to below 3.0 m/s) to prevent noise (acoustic shock) and pipe erosion.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Residual Pressure at Standard Tap
0.02 N/mm² (2 metres head / 20 kPa)
8 psi (55 kPa)
IPC 2021, Table 604.3
Maximum Static Water Pressure without PRV
Recommended not to exceed 0.35-0.5 N/mm² (35-50 m head / 350-500 kPa)
80 psi (550 kPa)
IPC 2021, Sec 604.8
Recommended Maximum Water Velocity
1.5 m/s (up to 2.4 m/s permissible)
3.0 m/s
AS/NZS 3500.1:2021, Sec 3.3.4
Minimum Air Gap (at lavatory)
Twice the inlet pipe diameter, minimum 20 mm
Twice the effective opening diameter, minimum 1 inch (25.4 mm)
IPC 2021, Table 608.15.1
Pipe Sizing Unit Basis
Loading Units (LU)
Water Supply Fixture Units (WSFU)
IPC 2021, Ch 6
Hot Water Storage Temp (Legionella Control)
Not explicitly for legionella control, but recommends 60°C for storage heaters
Must be stored at a temperature of at least 60°C
AS/NZS 3500.1:2021, Sec 1.11.2
Requirement for Water Hammer Arrestors
Mentioned as a solution to water hammer, but specific installation requirements are not detailed.
Mandatory for quick-closing valves (e.g., solenoid valves, single-lever faucets).
IPC 2021, Sec 604.9
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Minimum water supply for LIG residences135 litres per capita per day
Minimum water supply for HIG residences200 litres per capita per day
Minimum residual head at ferrule (direct supply)22 m
Minimum water pressure at highest fixture0.05 N/mm² (approx. 5 m head)
Minimum domestic water storage capacity1/3 of the total daily water requirement
Minimum fire fighting water storage (if no other source)Varies by building type, e.g., 100,000 litres for Residential building >15m height
Hydraulic test pressure for pipework1.5 x max working pressure or 1.0 N/mm², whichever is greater
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Per Capita Water Requirements for Residences
Table 2 - Water Requirements for Buildings Other than Residences
Table 3 - Loading Units of Different Fixtures
Table 4 - Probable Simultaneous Demand
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Water Supply Systems (Direct and Indirect)
Clause 6 - Water Requirement
Clause 7 - Storage of Water
Clause 8 - Pipe Sizing
Clause 11 - Inspection and Testing of Water Supply System
What is the minimum daily water requirement for a typical residential flat?+
It ranges from 135 lpcd (litres per capita per day) for LIG to 200 lpcd for HIG, including flushing requirements (Table 1).
How much water should be stored in a domestic overhead tank?+
At least one-third (1/3) of the building's total daily water requirement (Clause 7.1.1).
What is the minimum pressure that must be available at the highest tap in a building?+
A minimum head of 0.05 N/mm² (approximately 5 metres) should be available at the highest fixture (Clause 8.2.3).
What is the hydraulic test pressure for new water supply pipes?+
The system should be tested at 1.5 times the maximum working pressure or 1.0 N/mm² (approx. 10 bar or 100m head), whichever is greater, for a period of at least one hour (Clause 11.1.1).