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IS 208:1996 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for door handles -specification. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, manufacturing tolerances, and finishing for door handles used as builders' hardware. It ensures standardization, interchangeability, and acceptable quality of hardware used in residential, commercial, and industrial doors.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Always specify the base material (e.g., extruded brass vs aluminium alloy) along with the IS code when ordering, as the code permits multiple materials.
! Ensure the countersunk holes on the handle match the specified wood screw sizes to prevent the screw head from protruding, which can cause injury or aesthetic issues.
! Check for proper deburring and finish quality at the site, as sharp edges are a common cause of rejection under the workmanship clause.
EN 1906:2012CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Building hardware - Lever handles and knob furniture - Requirements and test methods
Both specify requirements for door lever handles, but EN 1906 is performance-based with a detailed classification system.
BS EN 1906:2012BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
Building hardware - Lever handles and knob furniture - Requirements and test methods
The UK's adoption of EN 1906, making it technically identical and covering the same scope of lever/knob furniture.
ANSI/BHMA A156.2-2017ANSI/BHMA (American National Standards Institute / Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association), USA
MediumCurrent
Bored and Preassembled Locks and Latches
Covers the entire lockset assembly, including handle performance, whereas IS 208 focuses only on the handle furniture itself.
Key Differences
≠IS 208 is primarily a prescriptive standard, defining materials and dimensions, while EN 1906 is a performance-based standard that allows any material as long as it passes specified tests.
≠EN 1906 and ANSI/BHMA A156.2 include extensive cyclic durability testing (e.g., up to 200,000 cycles in EN 1906), a requirement completely absent in IS 208:1996.
≠EN 1906 features a detailed 8-digit classification system covering category of use, durability, fire resistance, corrosion, and security, which provides a graded performance level. IS 208 classifies handles simply by type and material.
≠The European standard includes specific requirements and markings for handles suitable for use on fire and smoke control doors, a critical safety aspect not addressed in IS 208.
Key Similarities
≈All standards cover the fundamental functional requirements for door handles, ensuring they are fit for purpose in terms of basic strength and operation.
≈Both IS 208 and EN 1906 specify the use of a salt spray test to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the handle's surface finish, though test durations and acceptance criteria differ.
≈All compared standards include a form of static strength test. IS 208 has a bending test for levers, while EN 1906 and ANSI/BHMA A156.2 have more comprehensive static torque and abuse load tests.
≈The standards share a common scope in that they apply to lever handles, which are mechanically operated to retract a latch bolt.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Classification System
Based on type (lever, pull, bow) and material (brass, aluminium, etc.).
8-digit performance code (Category of use, Durability, Door mass, Fire resistance, Safety, Corrosion, Security, Type of operation).