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IS 1237:2015 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for cement concrete flooring tiles - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for the manufacture, dimensions, physical properties, and testing procedures for cement concrete flooring tiles, categorizing them into general purpose and heavy-duty tiles.
Specifies requirements for cement concrete tiles used for flooring, including dimensions, physical properties, and testing methods.
! Ensure the wearing layer thickness is strictly monitored during QA/QC, as it dictates the long-term durability and abrasion resistance of the flooring.
! Heavy-duty tiles must be specified for areas with high abrasion and foot traffic like railway stations, factories, and commercial hubs.
! Tiles must be adequately water-cured before dispatch to ensure they meet the wet transverse strength and wear requirements.
Precast concrete products - Terrazzo tiles - Part 1: Terrazzo tiles for internal use
Specifies materials, properties, and test methods for cement-based terrazzo tiles for internal flooring.
EN 13748-2:2004CEN (European Union)
HighCurrent
Precast concrete products - Terrazzo tiles - Part 2: Terrazzo tiles for external use
Specifies requirements for cement-based terrazzo tiles for external use, with stricter strength and weathering criteria.
EN 1339:2003CEN (European Union)
MediumCurrent
Precast concrete paving flags - Requirements and test methods
Covers larger format precast concrete units for external paved areas, overlapping in material but differing in typical use-case.
Key Differences
≠The test method for abrasion resistance differs significantly. IS 1237 uses a machine that measures depth of wear in mm, while EN standards use the 'Wide Wheel' (Capon) test, which measures the length of a groove in mm.
≠IS 1237 classifies tiles into 'Light Duty' and 'Heavy Duty' based on intended use. EN standards use a system of performance classes for specific properties like abrasion resistance (e.g., Class 1, 2) and breaking load (e.g., Class 30, 45).
≠IS 1237 specifies a single maximum limit for water absorption (10%), whereas EN 13748-1 defines classes, with Class 1 having a stricter limit (≤ 6%) and Class 2 requiring only the value to be declared.
≠The primary strength requirement in IS 1237 is a minimum average flexural strength (Modulus of Rupture) in MPa. EN standards often focus on minimum breaking load in kN for a specific class, or a characteristic bending strength.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 1237 and its EN equivalents specify requirements for a two-layer construction, comprising a top wearing layer (often with decorative aggregates) and a base concrete layer.
≈All standards mandate testing for key performance characteristics essential for flooring tiles, including transverse strength, water absorption, and abrasion resistance.
≈There is a strong agreement on the need for strict dimensional and geometric tolerances, including length, width, thickness, and straightness of edges to ensure proper installation.
≈The fundamental material composition is similar, based on a mix of cement, aggregates (sand, stone chips), and optional pigments, formed under pressure.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Water Absorption (by mass)
≤ 10% (for an individual tile)
≤ 6% (for Class 1, internal use tiles)
EN 13748-1:2004
Flexural Strength (Transverse Strength)
≥ 3.0 MPa (average, Heavy Duty)
≥ 4.0 MPa (characteristic strength for external use)
EN 13748-2:2004
Abrasion Resistance (Heavy/Normal Use)
≤ 2.0 mm average wear depth
≤ 25 mm groove length (Class 2, Normal use)
EN 13748-1:2004
Wearing Layer Thickness
≥ 5 mm (for 20-25 mm thick tiles)
≥ 8 mm (for double layer tiles)
EN 13748-1:2004
Thickness Tolerance
± 2.0 mm
± 2.0 mm (for nominal thickness ≤ 40 mm)
EN 13748-1:2004
Length/Width Tolerance
± 1.0 mm
± 0.3% of nominal dimension (max ± 2.0 mm)
EN 13748-1:2004
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Max water absorption10 % by mass
Min wet transverse strength3.0 N/mm²
Max average wear (General Purpose)3.5 mm
Max average wear (Heavy Duty)2.0 mm
Min wearing layer thickness (General Purpose)5 mm
Min wearing layer thickness (Heavy Duty)6 mm
Key Formulas
Water Absorption (%) = [(W2 - W1) / W1] x 100
Wet Transverse Strength (N/mm²) = (3 P L) / (2 b d²)
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Tolerances on Dimensions
Table 2 - Physical Requirements (Strength, Water absorption, Wear resistance)