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IS 2117:1991 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for guide for the manufacture of hand-made standard burnt-clay building bricks. This standard provides comprehensive guidelines for the manufacture of hand-made standard burnt-clay building bricks. It details the entire process from the selection and preparation of raw soil to moulding, drying, and burning in kilns to achieve the quality specified in IS 1077.
Guide for the manufacture of hand-made standard burnt-clay building bricks
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Clay and Stabilized Soil Products
Standard Specification for Building Brick (Solid Masonry Units Made From Clay or Shale)
Specifies finished product properties (strength, absorption), whereas IS 2117 guides the manufacturing process.
BS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015BSI / CEN, UK / Europe
LowCurrent
Specification for masonry units - Part 1: Clay masonry units
A harmonized European product specification, focusing on performance characteristics and CE marking, not the manufacturing method.
AS/NZS 4455.1:2008Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
LowCurrent
Masonry units and segmental pavers and flags - Part 1: Masonry units
Defines the required properties and test methods for finished clay masonry units, not the production guide.
BS 3921:1985BSI, UK
LowWithdrawn
Specification for clay bricks
The former British product specification, it defined brick types and properties rather than manufacturing processes.
Key Differences
≠IS 2117 is a prescriptive 'how-to' guide for a specific manufacturing method (hand-moulding), detailing steps like clay preparation, moulding, and firing in traditional kilns.
≠International standards like EN 771-1 are performance-based, specifying the required final properties (strength, dimensional tolerance, etc.) and leaving the manufacturing method to the producer.
≠IS 2117 focuses exclusively on 'hand-made' bricks, a niche category, whereas international standards are method-agnostic, covering extruded, wire-cut, and machine-moulded bricks.
≠Conformity and quality control in international standards involves rigorous Factory Production Control (FPC) and statistical evaluation, while IS 2117 provides more qualitative guidance suitable for small-scale operations.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental goal of raw material selection—using suitable plastic clay free from deleterious substances like lime, pebbles, and excessive organic matter—is a shared principle.
≈The core objective of firing is identical: to heat the clay bricks to vitrification temperatures (approx. 900-1100°C) to create a strong, durable ceramic bond.
≈The desired outcomes are the same, aiming for a finished product with adequate compressive strength, low water absorption, regular shape, and resistance to efflorescence.
≈All standards recognize the critical importance of a controlled drying stage to remove moisture slowly from the green bricks to prevent cracking before firing.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Standard Brick Size (non-modular)
190 x 90 x 90 mm (as per IS 1077, the target spec)
215 x 102.5 x 65 mm (Common UK work size)
BS EN 771-1 (UK National Annex)
Minimum Compressive Strength
3.5 N/mm² (MPa) for Class 3.5 brick (as per IS 1077)
Approx. 17.2 N/mm² (2500 psi) for Grade MW (Moderate Weathering)
ASTM C62/C62M
Maximum Water Absorption (by weight)
20% (for bricks up to Class 12.5, after 24-hr cold soak)
17% (for Grade SW, after 5-hr boil test)
ASTM C62/C62M
Efflorescence Rating
Acceptable rating is 'Slight' (deposit covers <10% of area)
For facing bricks, rating should be 'Not Effloresced'
ASTM C216
Dimensional Tolerance (Length)
±3 mm for Class I bricks on a 190mm length (as per IS 1077)
Tolerance category 'T2' allows ±3 mm on a 215mm length
BS EN 771-1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use