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IS 3978:1967 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for manufacture of burnt clay mangalore pattern roofing tiles- code of practice. This standard provides a comprehensive code of practice for the manufacturing process of burnt clay Mangalore pattern roofing tiles. It covers critical stages from raw material selection and clay preparation (weathering, pugging) to the moulding, controlled drying, and firing (burning) processes required to produce high-quality roofing tiles.
Manufacture of burnt clay Mangalore pattern roofing tiles- Code of practice
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Clay and Stabilized Soil Products
EN 1304:2013CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Clay roofing tiles and fittings - Product definitions and specifications
Covers performance characteristics, testing, and specifications for interlocking clay roofing tiles.
ASTM C1167 / C1167M - 19ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Clay Roof Tiles
Specifies requirements for physical properties, dimensions, and types of clay roof tiles, including interlocking profiles.
AS 2049-2002Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Roof tiles
Covers requirements for various roof tile materials, including terracotta (burnt clay), focusing on strength and water resistance.
GB/T 21149-2007Standardization Administration of China (SAC), China
HighCurrent
Clay roofing tiles
Details technical requirements, classification, test methods, and inspection rules for burnt clay roofing tiles.
Key Differences
≠IS 3978 is prescriptive, detailing manufacturing steps like clay weathering and firing temperature, whereas modern standards like EN 1304 are performance-based, focusing on the final product's testable characteristics.
≠International standards such as EN 1304 and ASTM C1167 include mandatory, rigorous freeze-thaw resistance testing for tiles used in colder climates, a requirement entirely absent in IS 3978.
≠The water permeability test in IS 3978 is a simple 24-hour ponding test. EN 1304 specifies more quantitative impermeability tests with defined water pressures and measurement of penetration, providing a more reliable assessment of water tightness.
≠The strength requirement in IS 3978 is a single minimum breaking load value, while standards like ASTM C1167 classify tiles into grades (1, 2, 3) with significantly different strength and water absorption requirements.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are fundamentally based on burnt clay (terracotta) as the primary raw material for manufacturing the roofing tiles.
≈All standards mandate testing for key physical properties essential for roofing performance, including mechanical strength (breaking load/flexural strength) and water resistance (absorption/permeability).
≈All codes specify permissible tolerances for dimensions (length, width) to ensure proper interlocking, fit, and overall weatherproofing of the installed roof system.
≈Visual inspection criteria are included in all standards to identify and reject tiles with defects such as cracks, warpage, and surface imperfections that could compromise performance or aesthetics.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Water Absorption (max)
≤ 24% (by weight, 24-hr cold soak)
≤ 6.0% (for Grade 1 tiles)
ASTM C1167 / C1167M - 19
Transverse Strength / Flexural Strength (min)
≥ 70 kgf (approx. 686 N) over a 350 mm span
≥ 1200 N (for interlocking tiles)
EN 1304:2013
Freeze-Thaw Resistance
Not specified
Required for relevant climates; must pass 150 cycles without damage (Level 1)
EN 1304:2013
Permeability / Impermeability
No percolation after 24 hours under a head of water
It outlines the recommended manufacturing processes and best practices for producing burnt clay Mangalore pattern roofing tiles.
Does this standard contain the strength or water absorption limits for the tiles?+
No, product specifications and physical testing requirements are detailed in IS 654.
Why is the weathering of clay emphasized?+
Weathering breaks down hard lumps and improves the overall plasticity and workability of the clay, which is crucial for achieving the distinctive Mangalore tile pattern without defects.