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IS 1791:1968 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for batch type concrete mixers - specification. This standard lays down the requirements for the design, manufacture, and testing of free-fall batch type concrete mixers. It categorizes mixers into tilting, non-tilting, and reversing types based on their discharge mechanism, and defines standard nominal capacities based on the volume of mixed concrete.
Specifies requirements for batch type concrete mixers used for construction purposes.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
General — Scaffolding, Formwork and Construction Equipment
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
concrete
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
BS 1305:1974British Standards Institution (BSI), UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for batch type concrete mixers
Covered prescriptive requirements for tilting and non-tilting drum mixers, very similar in vintage and approach to IS 1791.
BS EN 12151:2007European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
LowCurrent
Machinery for construction - Requirements for concrete and mortar mixers
Covers safety and performance requirements for mixers, but with a modern, safety-directive-focused approach, not prescriptive design.
PMB 100Concrete Plant Manufacturers Bureau (CPMB), USA
MediumCurrent
Concrete Plant and Mixer Standards
Provides standards for rating concrete plant mixers, focusing on performance, capacity verification, and blade wear.
Key Differences
≠IS 1791:1968 has minimal safety clauses, requiring only basic guarding. Modern standards like BS EN 12151:2007 are built around comprehensive safety directives (e.g., EU Machinery Directive) and mandate detailed interlocking guards, emergency stop systems, noise control, and ergonomic assessments.
≠The Indian standard is highly prescriptive, defining specific drum speeds (15-20 rpm) and mixer sizes (e.g., 100T, 200NT). International standards are performance-based, allowing manufacturers to determine design parameters as long as the mixer achieves specified mixing efficiency and safety levels.
≠IS 1791 does not specify any environmental controls. BS EN 12151 includes mandatory requirements for measuring and declaring noise emission levels and providing information on dust reduction measures.
≠IS 1791 defines mixer capacity by nominal mixed batch volume. The US PMB 100 standard requires a rigorous certification process to validate a mixer's rated capacity, ensuring it can properly mix that volume to a specific homogeneity standard.
Key Similarities
≈All standards use the fundamental classification of mixers into tilting drum and non-tilting (fixed) drum types as a primary distinction.
≈The core components specified—mixing drum, mixing blades, power unit, and loading/discharging mechanisms—are common across IS 1791 and its international counterparts, as they are fundamental to mixer function.
≈Capacity, defined as the volume of concrete mixed per batch, is the primary parameter used to designate and classify mixer size in both the Indian standard and all international equivalents.
≈Both IS 1791 and historical standards like BS 1305 specify basic material quality for key components like the drum shell and mixing blades to ensure a minimum level of durability and service life.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Mixing Drum Speed
Prescribed as 15 to 20 revolutions per minute.
Not prescribed; determined by the manufacturer to achieve mixing performance and safety.
BS EN 12151:2007
Safety Interlocks
Not specified; only general requirement for guarding moving parts.
Mandatory interlocking guards on access panels (e.g., engine covers, drum hatches) that stop hazardous motion when opened.
BS EN 12151:2007
Water Dosing Accuracy
Water tank to be calibrated with an accuracy of ±2% of its capacity.
Dosing system accuracy for any component (including water) should be within ±3% of the target value (as per EN 206).
BS EN 12151:2007
Noise Emission
Not specified.
Noise level at the operator's station and sound power level must be measured, declared in technical documents, and marked on the machine if exceeding certain thresholds.
BS EN 12151:2007
Mixer Capacity Rating
Designated by nominal mixed batch capacity in litres (e.g., 200NT for 200 litres non-tilting).
Rated capacity must be verified through testing to ensure mixing performance; a PMB rating plate is issued upon certification.
PMB 100
Blade and Liner Wear
Specifies minimum initial thickness for blades and liners.
Defines usable wear material and requires the mixer to meet performance standards throughout the life of the wear surface.
PMB 100
Machine Stability
Implied through chassis and wheel design, but not explicitly quantified.
Machine must be stable during operation and movement, with or without load. Specific static and dynamic stability tests are required.
BS EN 12151:2007
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use