InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel
InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel

IS 2695 : 1993drawing filing equipment - Specification

PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 · BS EN 14073-2 · ISO 7170
CurrentRareSpecificationArchitectural · Furniture
PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues3InternationalTablesFAQ3Related

IS 2695:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for drawing filing equipment - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, construction, and finish of equipment (such as flat-drawer cabinets and vertical filing cabinets) used for storing large engineering, architectural, and surveying drawings.

drawing filing equipment - Specification

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Rare
Domain
Architectural — Furniture
Type
Specification
International equivalents
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019 · American National Standards Institute / Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (USA)BS EN 14073-2:2004 · British Standards Institution (UK) / European Committee for Standardization (EU)ISO 7170:2021 · International Organization for Standardization (Global)AS/NZS 4790:2017 · Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand (Australia/New Zealand)
Typically used with
IS 513IS 1079IS 3618
Also on InfraLens for IS 2695
3Key values3FAQs
Practical Notes
! With the transition to CAD and digital storage, large drawing filing equipment is primarily used for the archival of hardcopy 'As-Built' or statutorily approved drawings.
! When procuring or placing these cabinets, ensure the internal drawer dimensions comfortably clear the intended 'A' series paper sizes (e.g., A0 is 841x1189 mm) to prevent curling and edge damage.
! A fully loaded A0 flat-file cabinet holds thousands of large sheets of paper and becomes extremely heavy; verify the floor's dead load capacity before installation.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialsCl. 5Dimensions and TolerancesCl. 6ManufactureCl. 7Finish
Pulled from IS 2695:1993. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
steelsheet metal

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019American National Standards Institute / Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (USA)
HighCurrent
Storage Units - Tests
Covers safety, durability, and structural performance tests for all office storage units, including drawing cabinets.
BS EN 14073-2:2004British Standards Institution (UK) / European Committee for Standardization (EU)
HighCurrent
Office furniture - Storage furniture - Part 2: Safety requirements
Specifies safety requirements for all types of office storage furniture, which would include drawing files.
ISO 7170:2021International Organization for Standardization (Global)
MediumCurrent
Furniture — Storage units — Determination of strength and durability
Provides test methods to determine strength and durability for all storage furniture, not just office or drawing specific.
AS/NZS 4790:2017Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand (Australia/New Zealand)
HighCurrent
Office storage equipment
Specifies performance, safety, and dimensional requirements for office storage equipment, including filing cabinets.
Key Differences
≠IS 2695 is a prescriptive standard, specifying exact material thicknesses (e.g., 1.25 mm steel sheet). International standards like ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 are performance-based, requiring the final product to pass specific tests regardless of material thickness.
≠The Indian standard requires that drawers 'move smoothly', while international standards mandate detailed, quantitative tests, such as the ANSI/BIFMA drawer cycle test which requires 50,000 cycles under load.
≠Modern international standards (e.g., BS EN 14073-2) have a much stronger emphasis on user safety, with specific tests for stability (anti-tilt), sharp edges, and entrapment, which are not explicitly detailed in IS 2695:1993.
≠IS 2695 specifies the type of material (steel sheets to IS 513) and finish (stoving enamel). International standards are material-agnostic, allowing for innovation with composites or other materials, as long as performance criteria for strength, durability, and corrosion resistance are met.
Key Similarities
≈All standards, whether Indian or international, are fundamentally designed to ensure the product is fit for purpose, durable, and safe for the intended use of storing drawings.
≈Both IS 2695 and the products tested under international standards are based on standard drawing paper sizes (A0, A1, etc.), leading to functionally similar product dimensions across the globe.
≈The core components addressed are the same: cabinet carcass, drawers, suspension/slides, and locking mechanisms, forming the basis for evaluation in all standards.
≈All standards acknowledge the need for a durable and protective finish. IS 2695 prescribes a painting process, while international standards verify the finish through performance tests for adhesion and corrosion resistance.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Main Body Steel Thickness1.25 mm (min) for cabinets up to 10 drawersNot specified. Performance-based; the unit must pass strength and stability tests.ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Drawer Durability TestNo cyclic test defined. Requires drawers to 'move smoothly and easily'.50,000 cycles with a 34 kg (75 lb) load.ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Stability TestNo specific test procedure defined.Unit must not tip when any single drawer is extended and a vertical load is applied.BS EN 14073-2:2004
Internal Drawer Size (A0)1230 mm x 880 mm (minimum internal dimensions)Not specified in performance standards; left to manufacturer to accommodate standard paper sizes.General Practice
Locking MechanismRequires a 'suitable locking arrangement' for all drawers.Lock mechanism must withstand 5,000 lock/unlock cycles.ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Finish SpecificationPrescriptive: Pre-treated and painted with two coats of stoving synthetic enamel.Performance-based: Finish must pass tests for adhesion (e.g., cross-hatch) and corrosion resistance.BS EN 14073-2 / ISO 7170
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values3

Quick Reference Values
Standard paper sizes accommodatedA0, A1, A2
Typical sheet steel thickness for cabinet body0.8 mm (Minimum)
Typical sheet steel thickness for drawer parts0.6 mm (Minimum)

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Dimensions and Tolerances
Clause 6 - Manufacture
Clause 7 - Finish

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 513:2018Cold Rolled Low Carbon Steel Sheets and Strip...
→
IS 1079:2017Hot Rolled Carbon Steel Sheets and Strips
→
IS 3618:2005Specification for Quartz Sand for the Glass I...
→
🧮
Mix Design Calculator
IS 10262 · M20–M50

Frequently Asked Questions3

What drawing sizes are these cabinets designed to hold?+
They are specifically dimensioned to accommodate standard 'A' series engineering drawings, primarily A0, A1, and A2 sizes without folding.
What materials are specified for the construction of the filing equipment?+
They are typically manufactured from cold-rolled low carbon steel sheets (IS 513) or hot-rolled carbon steel sheets (IS 1079).
Are there provisions for surface protection?+
Yes, the standard specifies proper degreasing, derusting (phosphating), and painting or powder coating to ensure durability and rust prevention.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋
QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.
Browse all 300 templates →