IS 17953:2023 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for plumbing taps and mixers - general technical specification. This standard specifies technical requirements and a star rating system for water-efficient plumbing taps, mixers, and showers to promote water conservation. It classifies fixtures from 1-star to 5-star based on their maximum flow rate at a standard test pressure, enabling easy identification of water economy products.
Establishes general technical specifications for plumbing taps and mixers for sanitary installations.
Performance-based tap acceptance.
| Reference | Value | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Performance-based (not material-only) | Scope |
| Water-economy class | Rated flow at reference pressure | Key |
| Endurance | Open–close cycle test, stays leak-tight | Durability |
| Leak-tightness | Hydrostatic at rated pressure | Test |
| Potable material | Low-lead, dezincification-resistant | Material |
| System fit | Rated flow achievable at worst-fixture pressure | Design |
| Green rating | Rated flow is a compliance input | — |
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
IS 17953:2023 is the specification for plumbing taps and mixers (a multi-part series — general technical specification plus parts for specific tap/mixer types and water-economy fittings). It is a current standard governing the quality, performance, materials, flow and durability of the taps, pillar cocks, bib taps and mixers used in building water-supply and sanitation systems.
It is read with the plumbing/sanitation stack:
IS 17953 moves tap/mixer acceptance from purely material-based to performance-based:
It is the standard you cite to procure fittings that are durable, lead-safe and water-efficient — not just shiny.
Brief: taps and mixers for an office targeting a green rating with mandated water savings.
Step 1 — water-economy class: specify IS 17953 flow-restricted/aerated fittings — e.g. wash-basin taps capped to a low flow at the reference pressure (the green-rating water-efficiency credit depends on this rated flow, documented on the fitting).
Step 2 — material/health: specify low-lead, dezincification-resistant brass/gunmetal bodies with the corrosion-resistant finish — relevant where the water is potable.
Step 3 — durability: require the IS 17953 endurance (open–close cycle) and leak-tightness test pass — cartridge life is what determines whether the building is leaking taps within two years.
Step 4 — system fit: confirm thread/connection compliance and that the rated flow is achievable at the building's available residual pressure at the worst fixture.
Step 5 — acceptance: accept on the IS 17953 test certificate (flow class + endurance + leak), not on brand or appearance; sample-verify flow on site at design pressure.
1. Specifying 'CP brass tap' with no IS 17953 class. You get an unrated, possibly high-lead, low-durability fitting; state the standard, the water-economy class and the endurance requirement.
2. Ignoring the rated flow vs available pressure. A flow-restricted fitting starved of pressure dribbles; a high-flow fitting on high pressure wastes water and is noisy — match the rated flow to the system pressure.
3. Treating water-economy as optional. For green-rated/water-budgeted buildings the rated flow is a compliance number, not a preference — unrated fittings break the water model.
4. No endurance/leak requirement. Cartridge/spindle endurance is the difference between a 10-year fitting and a 2-year maintenance liability — call it up explicitly.
5. Lead/dezincification ignored on potable lines. Specify low-lead, DZR materials where the tap delivers drinking water.
IS 17953:2023 is a modern, performance-based consolidation — it brings Indian tap/mixer procurement up to current expectations on water efficiency, lead safety and durability, replacing the habit of specifying fittings purely by material and finish. It matters most on two fronts: green-rated/water-budgeted projects, where the rated flow class is a compliance input to the water model, and large institutional projects, where tap endurance dominates lifecycle maintenance cost.
The practitioner discipline is to specify by class and test, not by brand: state the IS 17953 water-economy/flow class, the endurance and leak-tightness requirement, and low-lead/DZR material for potable lines, then verify the rated flow is deliverable at the worst-fixture residual pressure. Being a 2023 standard, confirm the exact part/clause and any amendment for the specific fitting type — the series is new and still settling, so cite the correct part rather than 'IS 17953' generically.
| Parameter | IS Value | International | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance Test (Ceramic Disc Mixer) | 200,000 cycles | 70,000 cycles | EN 817:2008 |
| Hydrostatic Pressure Test (Body) | 1.6 MPa (16 bar) | 1.6 MPa (16 bar) | EN 817:2008 |
| Corrosion Resistance (NSS Test, Cr on Brass) | 200 hours | 200 hours | EN 248 (via EN 817) |
| Acoustic Noise Limit (Group I) | ≤ 20 dB at 0.3 MPa | ≤ 20 dB at 0.3 MPa | EN 817:2008 |
| Flow Rate (Basin Mixer, unrestricted) | Class C: 0.20 L/s (12 L/min) at 0.3 MPa | ≈ 0.20 L/s (12 L/min) at 0.3 MPa | EN 817:2008 |
| Maximum Flow Rate (Lavatory Faucet) | Not mandated, classified by flow rate (e.g. 6, 9, 12 L/min) | 8.3 L/min (2.2 gpm) at 414 kPa (60 psi) | ASME A112.18.1-2018 |
| Maximum Lead Content in Brass | Typically ≤ 2.5% (as per IS 319 for CuZn40Pb2) | Weighted Average ≤ 0.25% (for 'Lead-Free') | ASME A112.18.1 / NSF 372 |