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IS 15701 : 2006Ductile Iron Manhole Covers and Frames

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EN 124-2 · AS 3996 · BS EN 124-2
CurrentFrequently UsedSpecificationBIMTransportation · Drainage, Sewerage and Sanitary Fittings
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Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 15701:2006 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for ductile iron manhole covers and frames. This standard specifies the requirements for circular, square, and rectangular ductile iron manhole covers and frames. It classifies them into different load-bearing classes (from Light Duty to Extra Heavy Duty) suitable for various locations like footpaths, residential roads, and highways. The code details material properties, design features, dimensions, testing procedures (load test, permanent set), and marking requirements.

Specifies requirements for ductile iron manhole covers and frames, focusing on materials, design, and load bearing capacity.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Transportation — Drainage, Sewerage and Sanitary Fittings
Type
Specification
Amendments
Amendment 1 (October 2014)
International equivalents
EN 124-2:2015 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeAS 3996:2019 · Standards Australia, AustraliaBS EN 124-2:2015 · BSI (British Standards Institution), UKAASHTO M 306-10 (2020) · AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), USA
Typically used with
IS 1865
Also on InfraLens for IS 15701
6Key values1Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Always select the load class based on the actual traffic conditions, not just the road type. For example, a residential street used by heavy garbage trucks may require a higher class than MD-10.
! Ensure the frame is properly bedded in concrete to prevent rocking or rattling, which is a common cause of premature failure and noise complaints.
! Ductile iron is significantly less brittle than grey cast iron (used in older covers), offering a major safety advantage as it bends under overload rather than shattering suddenly.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialCl. 6ClassificationCl. 7Design and Manufacturing FeaturesCl. 10TestsCl. 11Marking
Pulled from IS 15701:2006. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
Updates & Amendments1 amendment
Amendment 1 (October 2014)
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
ductile ironcast ironferrous metals

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 124-2:2015CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas — Part 2: Gully tops and manhole tops made of cast iron
Covers design, material, testing, and classification of manhole tops made from ductile and grey cast iron.
AS 3996:2019Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Access covers and grates
Specifies requirements for access covers and grates for use in vehicular and pedestrian areas.
BS EN 124-2:2015BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas. Gully tops and manhole tops made of cast iron
The UK's implementation of the European standard EN 124-2, with identical technical content.
AASHTO M 306-10 (2020)AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Drainage, Sewer, Utility, and Related Castings
Covers gray and ductile iron castings intended for use in roadway drainage, sewer, and utility systems.
Key Differences
≠Load classification systems are different. IS 15701 uses classes like LDM-2.5, MD-10, HD-20, and EHD-35 (number indicates test load in tonnes), while EN 124 uses classes like A15, B125, C250, D400, E600, F900 (number indicates test load in kilonewtons).
≠The permanent set test criteria vary. IS 15701 specifies maximum permanent set as a fraction of the clear opening (e.g., CO/500), whereas EN 124 defines it in relation to the deflection at 2/3 of the test load or as a fraction of the clear opening (e.g., CO/300 for Class D400).
≠EN 124 has more detailed and stringent requirements for design features like non-rock stability (seating), child safety locking, and specific frame configurations that are less explicitly defined in IS 15701.
≠EN 124 is now a multi-part standard (EN 124-1 to EN 124-6) covering various materials (cast iron, steel, composite, etc.), while IS 15701 is a single document specifically for ductile iron.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 15701 and its international counterparts primarily specify ductile iron (spheroidal graphite cast iron) for heavy-duty applications due to its superior strength and ductility over grey iron.
≈The fundamental testing methodology involves applying a static load via a specific sized block to the center of the cover and measuring deflection and permanent set.
≈All standards categorize covers based on the intended location of installation, linking load classes to specific traffic environments (pedestrian areas, carriageways, airports).
≈Material property requirements are very similar. Both IS 15701 (referencing IS 1865) and EN 124 (referencing EN 1563) specify ductile iron grades like 500/7, which have identical minimum tensile strength (500 MPa) and elongation (7%).
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Heavy Duty ClassHD-20 (Test Load: 20 Tonnes / ~196 kN)Class C250 (Test Load: 250 kN)EN 124-2:2015
Extra Heavy Duty ClassEHD-35 (Test Load: 35 Tonnes / ~343 kN)Class D400 (Test Load: 400 kN)EN 124-2:2015
Ductile Iron Material GradeGrade S.G. 500/7 (as per IS 1865)Grade EN-GJS-500-7 (as per EN 1563)EN 124-2:2015
Minimum Tensile Strength500 MPa500 MPaEN 124-2:2015
Minimum Elongation at Break7%7%EN 124-2:2015
Maximum Permanent Set (Heavy Duty)Clear Opening / 500Clear Opening / 500 (For Class C250)EN 124-1:2015
Frame Bearing Pressure (Heavy Duty)Shall not exceed 7.5 N/mm²Shall not exceed 7.5 MPa (for D400)EN 124-2:2015
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Test Load for LD-2.5 Class (Footpaths)25 kN
Test Load for MD-10 Class (Light Traffic)100 kN
Test Load for HD-20 Class (Main Roads)200 kN
Test Load for EHD-35 Class (Heavy Traffic/Commercial)350 kN
Material Specification ReferenceDuctile Iron as per IS 1865
Maximum Permissible Permanent Set1/300th of the clear opening

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Requirements of Ductile Iron Manhole Covers and Frames
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Material
Clause 6 - Classification
Clause 7 - Design and Manufacturing Features
Clause 10 - Tests
Clause 11 - Marking

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1865:2018Ductile Iron Castings for General Engineering...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

Which class of manhole cover should be used on a main city road or highway?+
HD-20 (Heavy Duty, 20-tonne test load) or EHD-35 (Extra Heavy Duty, 35-tonne test load) should be used, depending on the traffic density and axle loads (Table 1).
What does the permanent set test check?+
It measures the permanent deformation of the cover after the specified test load is applied and removed. This ensures the cover can withstand its design load without permanently bending (Clause 10.2).
What is the key material requirement for these covers?+
The material must be ductile iron (also known as spheroidal or nodular graphite iron) conforming to the grades specified in IS 1865 (Clause 4).
Are these manhole covers watertight?+
The standard design is not inherently watertight, but it specifies that double-sealed covers can be provided if required by the purchaser for special applications (Clause 7.1.3).

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