Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 3311:1979 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for waste plug and its accessories for sinks and wash-basins. This standard outlines the requirements for materials, dimensions, manufacture, and finish of waste plugs, chains, and stay arrangements used in wash-basins and sinks to ensure proper fitment and watertight sealing.
waste plug and its accessories for sinks and wash-basins
! Verify the rubber profile of the plug against the waste coupling, as hardened or undersized rubber will cause slow leaks.
! Ensure metallic components like the chain and stay ring are properly chromium-plated or made of stainless steel to avoid rusting in wet environments.
! Plastic plugs must be manufactured from materials capable of withstanding hot water discharges without deforming.
Covers requirements for waste fittings used in plumbing drainage systems, including sinks.
BS 3380:1982BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for wastes for sanitary appliances and overflows for baths
A direct historical equivalent to the IS code, specifying wastes for sinks and baths.
AS 1589:2001Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Copper and copper alloy waste fittings
Focuses specifically on copper/brass wastes, similar to the material focus of IS 3311:1979.
Key Differences
≠IS 3311 is prescriptive about materials, mandating brass (IS 319). Modern standards like EN 274 are performance-based, allowing a wide range of materials (plastics like ABS/PP, stainless steel) that pass required tests.
≠International standards include extensive performance testing, such as thermal cycling, flow rate measurement (e.g., ≥0.6 L/s in EN 274), and mechanical endurance for pop-up types, which are absent in IS 3311.
≠IS 3311 specifies plating thickness (e.g., 0.3μm chromium), whereas modern standards like EN 248 (referenced by EN 274) mandate performance in corrosion tests like Neutral Salt Spray (NSS) for a set duration (e.g., 200 hours).
≠IS 3311 primarily covers traditional plug-and-chain or simple lift-rod wastes. Modern standards comprehensively cover contemporary designs like 'click-clack' (push-button) wastes with specific life cycle tests for their mechanisms.
Key Similarities
≈All standards specify standard nominal sizes (e.g., 32mm / 1-1/4 inch, 40mm / 1-1/2 inch) to ensure interchangeability with standard basin outlets and drainage traps.
≈The fundamental purpose across all standards is identical: to provide a watertight seal for retaining water in a basin and to allow for effective drainage.
≈All standards require that materials be resistant to corrosion from domestic wastewater and common cleaning chemicals, although the method of ensuring this (prescribed material vs. performance test) differs.
≈All standards specify the use of standardized pipe threads (e.g., IS 554 in India, ISO 228-1 'G' threads in Europe) to ensure a secure and leak-free connection to the P-trap or siphon.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Nominal Size (Wash Basin)
32 mm and 40 mm
G 1 1/4 (for 32 mm) and G 1 1/2 (for 40 mm)
EN 274-1:2002
Primary Material
Prescriptive: Brass conforming to IS 319
Performance-based: Any material (metal, plastic) passing corrosion and mechanical tests
ASME A112.18.2-2020 / CSA B125.2-20
Minimum Flow Rate
Not specified
≥ 0.63 L/s (for basin waste without overflow)
EN 274-2:2002
Corrosion Resistance (for plated parts)
Specified plating thickness (e.g., Ni 10μm, Cr 0.3μm)
Pass 200 hours Neutral Salt Spray (NSS) test per EN 248
EN 274-1:2002
Thermal Shock Test
Not specified
Must withstand cycles of hot (70°C) and cold (15°C) water without failure
EN 274-2:2002
Watertightness Test
Specified as part of inspection (visual)
Must be watertight under a specified head of water (e.g., 1.5 kPa) for a set time
EN 274-2:2002
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values3
Quick Reference Values
Nominal sizes of waste plugs32 mm, 40 mm and 50 mm
Minimum length of chain250 mm
Chromium plating thickness requirementService Grade 2 of IS 4827