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IS 12701:1996 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for rotational moulded polyethene water storage tanks. This standard specifies the requirements for rotational moulded polyethylene (PE) water storage tanks up to 10,000 litres capacity. It covers material properties, construction, performance criteria like impact strength and reversion, and marking to ensure tanks are safe for storing drinking water.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Always ensure the tank has the ISI mark and a complete manufacturer's label as per Clause 9 before purchase.
! Black tanks generally offer better UV resistance and prevent algae growth compared to lighter colors, though the code's primary requirement is opacity.
! Installation requires a firm, flat, and level base that supports the entire bottom surface to prevent stress concentration and failure.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
polyethyleneplasticpolymers
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
AS/NZS 4766:2020Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand (Australia/New Zealand)
HighCurrent
Polyethylene storage tanks for water and chemicals
Covers rotationally moulded polyethylene tanks for both water and chemical storage, making it a very close and modern equivalent.
ASTM D1998-15(2021)ASTM International (US)
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Polyethylene Upright Storage Tanks
Specifies requirements for upright cylindrical polyethylene tanks, covering materials, design, and performance, primarily for chemical storage but widely referenced for water.
NSF/ANSI/CAN 61NSF International (US/Canada)
LowCurrent
Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects
Not a product manufacturing standard, but a critical health effects standard for any material or component in contact with drinking water in North America and other regions.
BS EN 13575:2002BSI (UK) / CEN (Europe)
MediumWithdrawn
Static thermoplastic tanks for the storage of chemicals above ground - Rotational moulded tanks and tanks made of PE
Covered the same manufacturing process and material for chemical storage, but has been withdrawn. Still serves as a historical reference.
Key Differences
≠The scope of IS 12701 is limited to water storage tanks up to 10,000 litres, whereas AS/NZS 4766 covers both water and chemicals in tanks up to 50,000 litres, imposing stricter material compatibility and design considerations.
≠IS 12701 specifies a falling dart impact test at ambient temperature. In contrast, AS/NZS 4766 requires a more demanding pendulum impact test performed on a test piece cooled to 0°C, ensuring better performance in cold conditions.
≠Requirements for UV stabilization are more prescriptive in international standards. AS/NZS 4766 mandates a specific performance level (e.g., UV8 rating), verified by accelerated weathering tests, while IS 12701 is more prescriptive on formulation (e.g., 2-3% carbon black) rather than performance.
≠International standards like ASTM D1998 include detailed calculations for wall thickness based on liquid specific gravity and tank geometry, which is more rigorous than the minimum thickness values specified for different capacities in IS 12701.
Key Similarities
≈Both the IS code and its international equivalents (AS/NZS 4766, ASTM D1998) are specifically written for tanks manufactured using the rotational moulding process.
≈All standards mandate the use of polyethylene (LLDPE/HDPE) as the primary material and require that it be suitable for contact with its intended contents (e.g., potable water).
≈A core requirement in both IS 12701 and its counterparts is that the tank material must be sufficiently opaque to prevent light penetration (typically <0.1% transmission) to inhibit algae growth.
≈All standards require the finished tank to be completely watertight and specify hydrostatic testing (filling with water for a set period) to ensure no leaks.
≈Both the Indian and international standards mandate that tanks be permanently marked with essential information, including the manufacturer's name, nominal capacity, and the standard number it conforms to.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Maximum Covered Capacity
10,000 Litres
50,000 Litres
AS/NZS 4766:2020
Impact Test Method
Falling dart impact (10 Nm) at ambient temperature on a cut-out section.
Pendulum impact test on a notched test piece at 0°C.
AS/NZS 4766:2020
Thermal Stability (Reversion)
Maximum reversion of 3% when tested at 110°C.
Assessed via Oxidative Induction Time (OIT) using DSC, a more advanced material property test.
AS/NZS 4766:2020
Light Transmission
Shall not exceed 0.1% for a 2mm thick specimen.
Shall not exceed 0.1% when tested on a specimen from the tank wall.
AS/NZS 4766:2020
UV Stabilisation Requirement
Specifies 2 to 3% carbon black content or other suitable UV stabilisers.
Requires material to meet a minimum 'UV8' rating based on 8000 hours of xenon-arc weathering test.
AS/NZS 4766:2020
Material Density (Typical)
930 to 942 kg/m³ at 27°C (for LLDPE/LDPE).
0.935 to 0.948 g/cm³ (935 to 948 kg/m³).
ASTM D1998-15(2021)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Virgin food-grade polyethylene conforming to IS 10146 (Clause 3.1).
How can I verify a tank is suitable for drinking water?+
It must be made of food-grade material, carry the ISI Mark, and be labelled 'For Drinking Water' (Clause 9.1).
What is the maximum capacity covered by this standard?+
The standard covers tanks with a nominal capacity up to 10,000 litres (Clause 1.1).
Does the code specify a minimum wall thickness?+
No, the standard does not mandate a specific wall thickness but requires the tank to pass performance tests like impact strength (Clause 6.4) and be free from defects (Clause 5.1).