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IS 2556:1982 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for general requirements for water meters - part 1: cold water meters (rotary piston type). Specifies the general requirements, quality of materials, dimensional tolerances, and inspection criteria for vitreous china sanitary appliances used in plumbing and sanitation.
Specifies general requirements for cold water meters of the rotary piston type for domestic and industrial use.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Dataset correction: IS 2556 is the standard for Vitreous Sanitary Appliances. The provided title 'Water Meters' is a mismatch (Water Meters are covered under IS 779).
! Always verify water absorption test results are strictly under 0.5% to ensure the material qualifies as true vitreous china.
! Account for the standard ±4% dimensional tolerance during the initial plumbing layout and rough-ins to avoid installation misalignments.
Water meters for cold potable water and hot water — Part 1: Metrological and technical requirements
Defines metrological and technical requirements for all types of water meters, including volumetric (rotary piston) types.
OIML R 49-1:2013OIML (International)
HighCurrent
Water meters intended for the metering of cold potable water and hot water - Part 1: Metrological and technical requirements
Provides international recommendations for legal metrology of water meters, highly harmonized with ISO 4064.
EN 14154-1:2005+A2:2011CEN (European)
HighCurrent
Water meters - Part 1: General requirements
European standard for water meters, largely based on ISO 4064 and OIML R 49.
AWWA C700-22AWWA (US)
MediumCurrent
Cold-Water Meters—Displacement Type, Bronze Main Case
Specifies requirements for positive displacement meters, which includes the rotary piston type, for the North American market.
Key Differences
≠IS 2556:1982 uses an older metrological classification system (Class A, B, C) based on the ratio of nominal to minimum flowrate, whereas modern standards like ISO 4064 use a ratio 'R' (Q3/Q1) which allows for a much wider and more precise range of performance classes (e.g., R100, R160, R400).
≠Modern international standards (ISO 4064, OIML R 49) include extensive and mandatory tests for durability (accelerated wear) and resistance to external disturbances like static magnetic fields, which are not specified in IS 2556:1982.
≠ISO 4064 specifies distinct temperature classes (e.g., T30 for 0.1°C to 30°C, T50 for 0.1°C to 50°C), while IS 2556:1982 gives a single maximum admissible temperature of 45°C for all cold water meters.
≠International standards require evaluation of sensitivity to flow disturbances and specify required lengths of straight pipe upstream (U) and downstream (D) if the meter is sensitive (e.g., U5/D0). IS 2556:1982 does not have such detailed requirements for installation conditions.
Key Similarities
≈Both the Indian standard and international equivalents specify the same maximum permissible error (MPE) limits: ±5% in the lower flow zone (from Qmin to Qt) and ±2% in the upper flow zone (from Qt to Qmax).
≈All standards define requirements for the meter body to withstand a specified hydrostatic pressure without leakage or damage, ensuring the mechanical integrity of the meter under operating pressure.
≈The fundamental operating principle of volumetric measurement via a rotary piston is a common basis, with all standards laying down requirements to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this measuring method.
≈Both IS 2556 and international standards specify a maximum permissible pressure loss (or head loss) at the highest operational flowrate to ensure the meter does not unacceptably impede flow in the water supply system.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
MPE (Lower Flow Zone)
±5% (from Qmin up to, but excluding, Qt)
±5% (from Q1 up to, but excluding, Q2)
ISO 4064-1:2014
MPE (Upper Flow Zone)
±2% (from Qt up to and including Qmax)
±2% (from Q2 up to and including Q4)
ISO 4064-1:2014
Maximum Admissible Pressure
1.0 MPa (10 kgf/cm²)
Specified as MAP 10 (1.0 MPa) or MAP 16 (1.6 MPa)
OIML R 49-1:2013
Maximum Admissible Temperature
45 °C
Defined by Temperature Class, e.g., T30 (30 °C) or T50 (50 °C)
ISO 4064-1:2014
Pressure Loss
Shall not exceed 0.025 MPa at Qmax
Classified by Δp class, e.g., Δp 25 (0.025 MPa) or Δp 63 (0.063 MPa) at Q3
ISO 4064-1:2014
Body Hydrostatic Pressure Test
1.6 MPa for 15 minutes
1.6 x MAP (e.g., 1.6 x 1.0 = 1.6 MPa) for 15 minutes
OIML R 49-1:2013
Metrological Classification
Class A, B, C (based on Qmin/Qn)
Ratio 'R' = Q3/Q1 (e.g., R100, R160, R250, R400)
ISO 4064-1:2014
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use