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IS 2248:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for glossary of terms relating to clay products for buildings. This standard provides a comprehensive glossary of terms and definitions related to clay products used in building construction, including bricks, roofing tiles, flooring tiles, and hollow clay blocks. It ensures uniform terminology across specifications, contracts, and technical literature in the Indian construction industry.
Glossary of terms relating to clay products for buildings
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Clay and Stabilized Soil Products
! Ensure terms used in BOQs (Bill of Quantities) and tender documents align with these standardized definitions to prevent legal and contractual ambiguities.
! This code does not contain manufacturing specifications, dimensions, or testing methods; it is strictly a dictionary for terminology.
! Particularly useful for differentiating between various forms of architectural terracotta, specialized roofing tiles, and perforated bricks.
claybrickstilesterracottahollow blocks
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ASTM C43-21ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Terminology of Structural Clay Products
Provides a dedicated glossary for structural clay products, mirroring the primary purpose of IS 2248.
BS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015BSI / CEN, UK / Europe
MediumCurrent
Specification for masonry units - Part 1: Clay masonry units
While a product specification, its 'Terms and Definitions' section serves as the current European terminology reference.
BS 6100-5-3:1984BSI, UK
HighWithdrawn
Glossary of building and civil engineering terms. Masonry. Bricks and blocks
Historically, this was the direct UK equivalent to IS 2248 before the adoption of European Norms.
ISO 6707-1:2020ISO, International
LowCurrent
Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
A very broad vocabulary for the entire construction sector, containing some relevant terms but not specific to clay products.
Key Differences
≠IS 2248:1992 is a standalone, dedicated glossary document. In contrast, modern European practice (e.g., EN 771-1) integrates terminology directly into the relevant product specification standard rather than publishing a separate glossary.
≠IS 2248 includes terminology specific to traditional Indian manufacturing methods and products, such as 'Country Brick' (hand-moulded traditional brick) and 'Bull's Trench Kiln', which are not found in ASTM or EN standards.
≠The Indian standard (1992) is older and may not include terms related to newer manufacturing technologies or product types (e.g., thin-joint masonry, engineered bricks) that are defined in more recent versions of ASTM and EN standards.
≠International standards like EN 771-1 often provide more quantitative or performance-based definitions. For instance, 'perforation' may be defined with specific limits on size and area, whereas IS 2248 provides a more descriptive definition.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the fundamental objective of establishing a common, unambiguous language for the clay products industry to facilitate communication in specifications, contracts, and on-site.
≈Core technical terms for defects and properties, such as 'Efflorescence', 'Lamination', 'Compressive Strength', and 'Water Absorption', are defined in all standards with very similar meanings.
≈The standards generally categorize terms based on raw materials, manufacturing processes (moulding, drying, firing), product features (frog, perforation), and physical properties.
≈Basic product types like 'Brick', 'Block', and 'Tile' are universally recognized and defined, forming the foundation of the terminology in all the compared standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Definition of 'Frog'
An indentation or depression on one or more bed faces of a brick, generally to form a key for mortar.
A depression in one or more surfaces of a brick or block.
ASTM C43-21
Term for Traditional Brick
Country Brick/Tile: A product which has not been subjected to a machine process during its manufacture.
No direct equivalent term. 'Common Brick' is used for general purpose brick without special color or texture.
ASTM C43-21
Definition of 'Efflorescence'
A deposit of soluble salts on the surface of a burnt clay product unit.
A deposit of water-soluble salts, usually white, that appear on a surface of masonry or concrete.
ASTM C43-21
Term for a specific Kiln Type
Bull's Trench Kiln: An annular or oval-shaped continuous kiln, commonly used in India.
This term is not defined. Defines 'Tunnel Kiln' and 'Periodic Kiln' as common types.
ASTM C43-21
Definition of 'Perforation'
A small hole or holes passing through or nearly through a brick or a block made during the process of manufacture to reduce its weight.
Holes, passing through or nearly through a masonry unit, for purposes of weight reduction, insulation, or to facilitate handling.
ASTM C43-21
Definition of 'Lamination'
A defect in a burnt clay product manifested by splitting of the unit into thin layers.
A layered separation in a clay product caused by entrapped air during processing.
ASTM C43-21
Grouping of Masonry Units
Not explicitly grouped by performance in the glossary, but by type (e.g., solid, hollow, perforated).
Defines two groups of clay masonry units (Group 1 and Group 2) based on performance characteristics and control levels.
BS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values0
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