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IS 3004:1979 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for plug cocks for water supply purposes. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, manufacture, workmanship, and testing of plug cocks used for water supply purposes.
BS EN 1213:2016BSI (British Standards Institution) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization), UK/Europe
HighCurrent
Building valves - Copper alloy stopvalves for potable water supply in buildings - Tests and requirements
Covers copper alloy stopvalves for potable water, functionally equivalent to plug/stop cocks in many applications.
AWWA C800-17AWWA (American Water Works Association), USA
HighCurrent
Underground Service Line Valves and Fittings
Specifies corporation stops and curb stops, which are often plug-style valves used for water service lines.
BS 2580:1979BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for underground plug cocks for cold water services
Directly specified underground plug cocks, making it a very close, albeit historical, equivalent.
AS/NZS 3718:2005Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand
MediumCurrent
Water supply - Tap ware
Covers a wide range of tapware including stopcocks, focusing on performance, materials, and water efficiency (WELS).
Key Differences
≠Material Regulations: Modern international standards like BS EN 1213 are extremely strict on lead (Pb) content and mandate dezincification-resistant (DZR) copper alloys for parts in contact with potable water. IS 3004:1979 and its contemporaries permit traditional alloys like leaded-tin bronze with higher lead content.
≠Performance & Endurance Testing: European standards (EN 1213) specify detailed mechanical endurance tests (e.g., thousands of open/close cycles) and acoustic performance testing (noise generation). The older IS code lacks this level of rigorous long-term performance validation.
≠Hygienic Requirements: International standards for potable water have evolved to include specific tests for the non-metallic components' effect on water quality (e.g., taste, odour, microbial growth). Such specific hygienic requirements are not detailed in IS 3004:1979.
≠Scope Specificity: While IS 3004 covers plug cocks broadly, international standards are often more specialized. For example, AWWA C800 focuses specifically on underground service line valves, while EN 1213 focuses on in-building stopvalves, each with tailored requirements.
Key Similarities
≈Primary Material: The predominant use of copper alloys (bronze and brass) as the main body material is a common thread across all standards, valued for its corrosion resistance, strength, and castability.
≈Fundamental Purpose: All standards define requirements for a valve intended to reliably start, stop, or regulate water flow in a supply system, ensuring a durable and leak-proof shut-off.
≈Hydrostatic Testing: A core requirement in both the IS code and its international counterparts is hydrostatic pressure testing of the valve body and seat to ensure integrity and prevent leaks under operational pressure.
≈Dimensional Standardization: All standards specify nominal sizes and end connection details (e.g., threaded ends like BSP for IS/BS or NPT for AWWA) to ensure interoperability and correct installation with pipes and fittings.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Material (Body)
Leaded-Tin Bronze (e.g., LTB2 of IS 318) or Brass Rod (IS 319)