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IS 16220 : 2014Guidelines for design of stormwater management systems

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CIRIA C753 · ASCE/EWRI 73 · ARR 2019
CurrentFrequently UsedGuidelinesBIMWater Resources · Environmental and Sanitation
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 16220:2014 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for guidelines for design of stormwater management systems. This standard provides comprehensive guidelines for the planning and design of stormwater management systems in urban and developing areas. It covers methods for runoff estimation, design criteria for conveyance systems like pipes and channels, and introduces sustainable practices such as storage facilities and groundwater recharge structures. The code promotes a holistic approach to manage stormwater, mitigating flooding and improving water quality.

Offers comprehensive guidelines for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of stormwater management systems in urban and rural areas.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Water Resources — Environmental and Sanitation
Type
Guidelines
International equivalents
CIRIA C753 · CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association), United KingdomASCE/EWRI 73-23 · American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), USAARR 2019 · Engineers Australia, AustraliaEN 752:2017 · European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
Typically used with
IS 458IS 10500
Also on InfraLens for IS 16220
6Key values3Tables4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! The Rational Method (Clause 6.2) is primarily intended for small, simple catchment areas, typically less than 50 hectares. For larger or more complex catchments, hydrological modeling is recommended.
! Rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) data is a critical input for design. This data must be sourced from the local authority or the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the specific project location.
! This code encourages Low Impact Development (LID) and Best Management Practices (BMPs), moving beyond conventional piped drainage to include sustainable options like bioretention cells, swales, and permeable pavements.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 5Design ConsiderationsCl. 6Runoff EstimationCl. 7Design of Stormwater Conveyance SystemCl. 8Design of Stormwater Storage FacilitiesAnnex A - Runoff Coefficients for Rational Method
Pulled from IS 16220:2014. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
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International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
CIRIA C753CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
The SuDS Manual
Comprehensive guidance on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), covering planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
ASCE/EWRI 73-23American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), USA
HighCurrent
Standard Guidelines for the Design of Urban Stormwater Systems
Provides guidelines for the design of urban stormwater systems, focusing on hydrology, hydraulics, and water quality.
ARR 2019Engineers Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Australian Rainfall and Runoff: A Guide to Flood Estimation
National guide for estimating design flood characteristics in Australia, including urban catchment analysis.
EN 752:2017European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
MediumCurrent
Drain and sewer systems outside buildings - Sewer system management
Covers management and design principles for drain and sewer systems, including hydraulic performance and planning.
Key Differences
≠IS 16220 is specifically tailored to the Indian monsoonal climate, using rainfall data and Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). International standards like ARR 2019 or ASCE guidelines use regional climate data (e.g., NOAA Atlas 14 in the US) that reflect different rainfall patterns.
≠IS 16220 places a significant emphasis on groundwater recharge as a primary objective due to India's water resource context. While international standards include infiltration, the primary driver is often flood control or meeting water quality regulations (like NPDES in the US), not necessarily aquifer replenishment.
≠While IS 16220 introduces concepts of Best Management Practices (BMPs), the CIRIA C753 (UK) provides far more detailed, prescriptive guidance on the design, construction, and long-term performance of specific SuDS components like bioretention cells, swales, and permeable pavements.
≠International standards like ARR 2019 strongly advocate for advanced modeling techniques, such as continuous simulation and ensemble event approaches for complex catchments. IS 16220 primarily focuses on simpler, event-based methods like the Rational Method and SCS-CN method, which are more suitable for preliminary design or smaller catchments.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are built on fundamental hydrologic principles, including the use of the 'design storm' concept (defined by a return period and duration) to size infrastructure components.
≈IS 16220 and its international counterparts (especially CIRIA C753 and ASCE guidance) promote a hierarchical management approach: control rainfall at the source first (e.g., rainwater harvesting), then manage it along its flow path, and finally at the catchment outlet.
≈All standards recognize the dual goals of stormwater management: flood control (quantity) and pollutant removal (quality), and provide guidance on measures to achieve both.
≈The use of the Rational Method for estimating peak runoff from small catchments is a common feature across IS 16220 and many international guidelines, particularly for sizing smaller conveyance elements.
≈All standards recommend or mandate site-specific geotechnical and hydrological investigations, such as percolation or infiltration tests, to determine key design parameters rather than relying solely on tabulated values.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Design Return Period (Collector Drains, Residential Area)5 years10 years (typical for minor systems)ASCE/EWRI 73-23
Minimum Self-Cleansing Velocity (Storm Drains)0.6 m/s0.75 m/s (common design target for sewers running full)EN 752:2017
Runoff Coefficient 'C' (Asphalt Pavement)0.70 - 0.950.85 - 0.95ASCE Manuals of Practice
Detention Basin Drawdown Time24 to 48 hours48 to 72 hours (to balance recovery and vector control)General US State Stormwater Manuals
Factor of Safety on Infiltration Rate2 to 3 (applied to field-measured rate)2 to 10 (depending on testing quality and consequence of failure)CIRIA C753
Freeboard in Open ChannelsMinimum 150 mmTypically 300 mm (1 ft) or a percentage of flow depthGeneral US design practice (e.g., FHWA HDS-4)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum self-cleansing velocity in drains0.75 m/s
Typical Runoff Coefficient for Asphalt Pavement0.70 - 0.95
Typical Runoff Coefficient for Lawns (sandy soil, flat)0.05 - 0.10
Design return period for residential areas2 to 10 years
Design return period for commercial areas10 to 25 years
Manning's 'n' for Concrete Pipe0.011 - 0.015
Key Formulas
Q = C*i*A / 360 — Rational Method for peak runoff (Q in m³/s, i in mm/hr, A in ha)
V = (1/n) * R^(2/3) * S^(1/2) — Manning's formula for flow velocity

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table A.1 - Runoff Coefficients for Rational Method
Table 2 - Time of Concentration Estimation
Table 3 - Recommended Values of Manning's Roughness Coefficient 'n'
Key Clauses
Clause 5 - Design Considerations
Clause 6 - Runoff Estimation
Clause 7 - Design of Stormwater Conveyance System
Clause 8 - Design of Stormwater Storage Facilities
Annex A - Runoff Coefficients for Rational Method

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 458:2003Precast Concrete Pipes (With and Without Rein...
→
IS 10500:2012Drinking water specification (second revision...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What formula should be used to calculate peak stormwater runoff?+
The Rational Method (Q = C*i*A/360) is recommended for small catchments (<50 ha) as per Clause 6.2.
What is the minimum recommended velocity in a storm drain?+
A minimum self-cleansing velocity of 0.75 m/s at design flow is recommended to prevent the deposition of silt and debris (Clause 7.2.3).
Where can I find runoff coefficients for different surfaces?+
Annex A, specifically Table A.1, provides a detailed list of runoff coefficients for various types of surfaces like pavements, roofs, lawns, etc.
What is the recommended design storm return period for a commercial area?+
For commercial and high-density residential areas, a return period of 10 to 25 years is recommended (Clause 5.3.2).

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