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IS 15622:2017 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for glazed, vitrified and unglazed ceramic tiles - specification. This standard provides specifications for various types of ceramic tiles, including glazed, unglazed, vitrified, and porcelain. It classifies tiles based on water absorption and manufacturing method, defining essential characteristics such as dimensions, strength, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance. It serves as the primary quality benchmark for ceramic tiles in India.
Specifies requirements for glazed, vitrified, and unglazed ceramic tiles for floor and wall finishes.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! PEI rating (Annex B) is critical for selecting glazed floor tiles; use PEI 4 or 5 for heavy commercial traffic, and PEI 3 for general residential flooring.
! 'Vitrified' refers to tiles with water absorption ≤ 0.5% (Group BIa), not necessarily a 'full-body' tile where the design runs through the entire thickness.
! Always check the batch/shade number on all boxes before installation to ensure color, calibration (size), and tone consistency.
ISO 13006:2018ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Ceramic tiles — Definitions, classification, characteristics and marking
Defines and specifies characteristics for ceramic tiles, serving as the primary international basis for IS 15622.
EN 14411:2016CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Ceramic tiles - Definitions, classification, characteristics, assessment and verification of constancy of performance and marking
The European standard, technically harmonized with ISO 13006, covering the same product types and test methods.
ANSI A137.1-2023ANSI (American National Standards Institute) / TCNA (Tile Council of North America), USA
MediumCurrent
American National Standard Specifications for Ceramic Tile
Specifies ceramic tile requirements for the North American market, but uses a different classification system and some unique test criteria.
ISO 13006:2012ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighWithdrawn
Ceramic tiles — Definitions, classification, characteristics and marking
The specific version of the ISO standard that IS 15622:2017 was harmonized with at the time of its publication.
Key Differences
≠IS 15622:2017 is harmonized with the withdrawn ISO 13006:2012, not the current ISO 13006:2018, which may lead to minor differences in referenced test methods or normative references.
≠IS 15622 mandates the ISI 'Standard Mark' for conforming products, a national certification requirement not present in ISO, EN, or ANSI standards.
≠While IS 15622, ISO 13006, and EN 14411 share a classification system based on water absorption, the US standard (ANSI A137.1) uses a different primary classification system based on tile series (e.g., Porcelain, Quarry, Pressed Floor).
≠IS 15622 has a single table of dimensional tolerances for each tile group, whereas ISO 13006 and EN 14411 may provide different tolerance levels for rectified (mechanically finished edges) versus non-rectified tiles.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental classification of tiles is based on their water absorption percentage (Groups Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, III) and manufacturing method (dry-pressed 'B' or extruded 'A'), a system identical to that in ISO 13006.
≈IS 15622 adopts the ISO 10545 series of test methods for determining tile properties (e.g., water absorption, breaking strength, chemical resistance), ensuring a consistent technical basis for evaluation with international standards.
≈The core performance requirements for key characteristics like modulus of rupture, deep abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance are numerically identical for corresponding tile groups (e.g., Group BIa).
≈All standards specify requirements and tolerances for dimensional characteristics such as length, width, thickness, straightness of sides, rectangularity, and surface flatness to ensure product quality and installability.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Water Absorption (Group BIa - Fully Vitrified/Porcelain)
≤ 0.5%
≤ 0.5%
ISO 13006:2018
Modulus of Rupture (Group BIa)
≥ 35 N/mm²
≥ 35 N/mm²
ISO 13006:2018
Breaking Strength (Group BIa, Thickness ≥ 7.5 mm)
≥ 1300 N
≥ 1300 N
ISO 13006:2018
Deep Abrasion Resistance (Unglazed tiles, Group BIa)
Abraded volume ≤ 175 mm³
Abraded volume ≤ 175 mm³
ISO 13006:2018
Crazing Resistance (All Glazed Tiles)
Required
Required
ISO 13006:2018
Frost Resistance (Where required)
Required
Required (when declared by manufacturer)
ISO 13006:2018
Chemical Resistance (Glazed Tiles)
Minimum Class GB for household chemicals
Minimum Class GB for household chemicals
ISO 13006:2018
Straightness of Sides (Group BIa, rectified, N < 600mm)
±0.3% (Max ±1.0 mm)
±0.3% (Max ±1.0 mm)
ISO 13006:2018
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Water Absorption for Vitrified/Porcelain Tiles (Group BIa)≤ 0.5 %
Modulus of Rupture for Vitrified/Porcelain Tiles (Group BIa)≥ 35 N/mm²
Breaking Strength for 10mm thick tile (Group BIa)≥ 1300 N
Scratch Hardness (Mohs') for Glazed Floor Tiles≥ 5
Scratch Hardness (Mohs') for Unglazed Floor Tiles (Group BIa)≥ 6
Crazing Resistance for All Glazed TilesRequired to pass test
Maximum Deviation in Length/Width for First Quality±0.6 % (max ±2.0 mm)
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - General Requirements for All Tiles
Table 3 - Requirements for Dust-Pressed Ceramic Tiles with Water Absorption E ≤ 10 percent (Group B)
Table B.1 - Classification of Glazed Tiles for Floorings (PEI Rating)
Table K.1 - Selection of Adhesive
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Classification
Clause 5 - Characteristics
Clause 6 - Sampling and Basis for Acceptance
Annex B - Classification of Glazed Tiles for Floorings According to their Abrasion Resistance
Annex K - Recommendations for Installation of Tiles
Frequently Asked Questions4
What is the water absorption limit for a vitrified tile?+
≤ 0.5%. This is the defining characteristic for tiles in Group BIa, which includes vitrified and porcelain tiles (Table 3).
What PEI rating is needed for a commercial shop floor?+
Class 4 (for moderate to heavy traffic) or Class 5 (for extra heavy traffic) is recommended (Annex B, Table B.1).
What is the difference between first quality and standard grade tiles?+
First quality tiles must meet all specification limits. Standard grade (formerly second quality) tiles may have a maximum of 5% of tiles with minor visual defects and must be marked as 'Standard Grade'.
What is the minimum required breaking strength for a 10mm thick vitrified floor tile?+
≥ 1300 Newtons (N) as per Table 3 for Group BIa tiles.