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IS 2065 : 1983Code of practice for water supply, plumbing and drainage

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IPC 2021 · BS EN 806-2 · AS/NZS 3500.1
CurrentEssentialCode of PracticeBIMMEP · Green Building and Sustainability
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IS 2065:1983 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for water supply, plumbing and drainage. IS 2065 provides comprehensive guidelines for the design, layout, and installation of water supply systems in buildings. It details the methodologies for pipe sizing using fixture units, outlines water storage requirements, and specifies best practices for distribution networks and plumbing installations.

Provides comprehensive guidelines for the design, installation, and maintenance of water supply, plumbing, and drainage systems in buildings.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Essential
Domain
MEP — Green Building and Sustainability
Type
Code of Practice
Earlier editions
IS 2065:1996
International equivalents
IPC 2021 · ICC (US)BS EN 806-2:2005 · BSI (UK) / CEN (Europe)AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 · Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand (AU/NZ)UPC 2021 · IAPMO (US)
Typically used with
IS 1172IS 1239IS 4985IS 1536IS 783
Also on InfraLens for IS 2065
5Key values3Tables4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! Always use IS 2065 in conjunction with IS 1172; IS 1172 provides the per-capita water demand, while IS 2065 guides the engineering layout and pipe sizing.
! Pipe sizing should strictly account for peak hour demand and probable simultaneous demand (fixture unit method), not just average daily flow.
! Ensure adequate residual pressure is maintained at the highest and farthest fixtures, especially if utilizing flush valves instead of flush tanks.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Design of Water Supply SystemsCl. 5Distribution System and Sizing of PipesCl. 6Storage of WaterCl. 8Laying of Mains and PipesCl. 11Testing of Mains and Distribution Pipes
Pulled from IS 2065:1983. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
GI pipesPVC pipesCast iron pipesCopper tubesValvesStorage tanks

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
IPC 2021ICC (US)
HighCurrent
International Plumbing Code
Covers the design, installation, and inspection of plumbing systems, including water supply, distribution, and drainage.
BS EN 806-2:2005BSI (UK) / CEN (Europe)
HighCurrent
Specifications for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption - Part 2: Design
Details design requirements for potable water installations within buildings and for pipework on the premises.
AS/NZS 3500.1:2021Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand (AU/NZ)
HighCurrent
Plumbing and drainage, Part 1: Water services
Provides requirements for the design, installation, and commissioning of cold and heated water services in buildings.
UPC 2021IAPMO (US)
HighCurrent
Uniform Plumbing Code
Establishes minimum requirements for the installation and maintenance of plumbing systems for health and safety.
Key Differences
≠IS 2065:1983 is highly prescriptive, providing fixed tables for storage capacity and pipe sizes. Modern codes like the IPC 2021 offer both prescriptive paths and performance-based alternatives, allowing for engineered solutions based on calculated demand and performance criteria.
≠Modern international codes (e.g., IPC) have extensive and specific requirements for backflow prevention, mandating specific devices (RPZ, DCVA, PVB) based on the degree of health hazard. IS 2065 addresses the principle of preventing back-siphonage (e.g., via air gaps) but lacks the detailed hazard-based device selection criteria of current standards.
≠IS 2065:1983 lists materials common at the time, primarily Galvanized Iron (GI) and Copper. The IPC and other modern codes approve a much wider range of materials, including various plastics like PEX, CPVC, and PP-R, with detailed standards for each material and its joining methods.
≠The pipe sizing methodology in IS 2065 uses 'Loading Units' from a simple table. The IPC uses a more refined 'Water Supply Fixture Unit' (WSFU) system based on Hunter's Curve, which provides a more accurate probabilistic model for diversified flow in larger and more complex buildings.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 2065 and its international equivalents share the fundamental objective of ensuring a safe, adequate, and reliable supply of potable water to all fixtures within a building, protecting public health by preventing contamination.
≈Both the Indian and international standards employ the concept of using 'loading units' or 'fixture units' as a basis for pipe sizing. This method estimates diversified peak demand by assigning a weighted value to each fixture, which is more realistic than simply summing the maximum possible flow rates of all fixtures.
≈All standards recognize the need to maintain a minimum residual pressure at the fixtures to ensure they function correctly. They also specify maximum water velocities in pipes to prevent issues like noise (water hammer) and erosion-corrosion.
≈The basic system architecture and components defined are conceptually similar, including service connections, distribution piping (mains, risers, branches), storage tanks (where applicable), and terminal fittings.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Minimum Air Gap (Backflow Prevention)≥ 25 mm or 2x the inlet pipe diameter, whichever is greater.≥ 1 inch (25.4 mm) or 2x the effective opening diameter, whichever is greater.IPC 2021 (Sec. 608.13.1)
Maximum Recommended Water Velocity (Cold Water)1.5 m/s (preferred) to 2.0 m/s (maximum).Should not exceed 8 ft/s (approx. 2.4 m/s).IPC 2021 (Sec. 604.5)
Minimum Residual Pressure at Standard Tap2.0 metres of head (approx. 2.8 psi or 19.6 kPa).8 psi during flow (approx. 5.6 metres of head or 55 kPa).IPC 2021 (Sec. 604.3)
Basis for Pipe SizingLoading Units (LUs) converted to l/min flow rate.Water Supply Fixture Units (WSFUs) converted to gpm flow rate using Hunter's Curve.IPC 2021 (Appendix E)
Prescribed Domestic Water Storage135 litres per capita for houses with full plumbing.Not prescriptively specified; sized based on peak demand calculations and project/local requirements.IPC 2021
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Maximum velocity in indoor distribution pipes1.5 to 2.4 m/s
Minimum residual head for standard taps1.2 m
Minimum residual head for flush valves10 m
Testing pressure for water supply mains1.5 times maximum working pressure
General combined storage capacity requirement50% to 100% of daily requirement depending on supply hours
Key Formulas
Hazen-Williams Formula: V = 0.849 C R^0.63 S^0.54 — Used for calculating friction losses in pipes
Q = A × V — Continuity equation for determining pipe diameter

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Fixture Units for Different Sanitary Fittings
Table 2 - Probable Simultaneous Demand
Table 4 - Recommended Flow Rates for Fixtures
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Design of Water Supply Systems
Clause 5 - Distribution System and Sizing of Pipes
Clause 6 - Storage of Water
Clause 8 - Laying of Mains and Pipes
Clause 11 - Testing of Mains and Distribution Pipes

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1172:1993Code of basic requirements for water supply, ...
→
IS 1239:2004Mild steel tubes, tubulars and other wrought ...
→
IS 4985:2021Unplasticized PVC (uPVC) pipes for potable wa...
→
IS 1536:1989Centrifugally cast (spun) iron pressure pipes...
→
IS 783:1985Code of Practice for Laying of Concrete Pipes
→
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Frequently Asked Questions4

How should indoor distribution pipes be sized according to this code?+
Pipes should be sized based on the 'fixture unit' method to calculate the probable simultaneous demand, keeping velocities within recommended limits.
What is the recommended maximum water velocity in pipes to prevent noise?+
The code recommends keeping the velocity between 1.5 m/s and 2.4 m/s to prevent water hammer and excessive noise.
Does this code provide the daily water demand per person?+
No, IS 2065 refers to IS 1172 for basic water supply requirements and per capita consumption data.
What is the requirement for hydraulic testing of pipes?+
Pipes must be tested at 1.5 times the maximum working pressure to check for leaks before concealment or backfilling.

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