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IS 4014:1967 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for steel tubular scaffolding: part 1 unification of dimensions and general requirements. This standard specifies the unified dimensions, nominal mass, tolerances, and general material requirements for steel tubular scaffolding. It standardizes tube sizes (primarily 48.3 mm OD) to ensure the safe interchangeability of tubes and scaffold fittings across construction sites.
Covers general requirements and unification of dimensions for steel tubular scaffolding components.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Structural Engineering — Construction Safety and Practices
BS EN 12811-1:2003BSI (British Standards Institution) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization), UK/Europe
HighCurrent
Temporary works equipment - Part 1: Scaffolds - Performance requirements and general design
Covers performance requirements and structural design for scaffolding, including component specifications.
BS EN 39:2001BSI (British Standards Institution) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization), UK/Europe
HighCurrent
Loose steel tubes for tube and coupler scaffolds - Technical delivery conditions
Specifically addresses the material, dimensional, and testing requirements for steel tubes used in scaffolding.
AS/NZS 1576.1:2010Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
MediumCurrent
Scaffolding - Part 1: General requirements
Provides general requirements for scaffolding systems, covering materials, components, and design.
ANSI/ASSP A10.8-2019ANSI (American National Standards Institute) / ASSP (American Society of Safety Professionals), USA
MediumCurrent
Scaffolding Safety Requirements
Focuses on safety in erection and use, but incorporates material and dimensional requirements for components.
Key Differences
≠IS 4014:1967 is a prescriptive standard defining specific dimensions, whereas modern standards like BS EN 12811-1 are performance-based, allowing any design that meets specified load and safety criteria.
≠The Indian standard references older steel grades (e.g., from IS 1161:1963) with lower minimum yield strengths (approx. 210 MPa), while current international standards mandate higher strength steels like S235 (235 MPa) or S355 (355 MPa).
≠IS 4014 specifies components for a single generic 'tube and fitting' system, whereas EN standards provide detailed classifications for various scaffold systems (e.g., facade, mobile) and components (e.g., coupler classes A & B).
≠Modern standards like BS EN 74-1 specify much more rigorous testing protocols and slip/distortion criteria for couplers compared to the more basic requirements in the 1967 Indian code.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental nominal outside diameter for steel tubes is consistently specified as 48.3 mm, making it a near-universal dimension for traditional tube and fitting scaffolding worldwide.
≈All standards recognize the same core set of components: tubes (standards, ledgers), couplers (right-angle, swivel), and base plates, forming the basis of tubular scaffolding.
≈There is a common requirement for all steel components to be protected against corrosion, typically through hot-dip galvanizing or a suitable paint system.
≈All standards mandate that components shall be free from cracks, laminations, or other defects that could negatively impact their structural performance and safety.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Tube Nominal Outside Diameter
48.3 mm
48.3 mm
BS EN 39:2001
Minimum Yield Strength of Steel Tube
210 N/mm² (MPa) for Grade YSt 210 (as per referenced IS 1161)
235 N/mm² (MPa) for Grade S235
BS EN 39:2001
Tube Wall Thickness (General Use)
4.0 mm ('Medium') or 3.2 mm ('Light')
4.0 mm ('Type 4') or 3.2 mm ('Type 3')
BS EN 39:2001
Base Plate Minimum Size
150 mm x 150 mm
Minimum area of 150 cm² (e.g., 120 mm x 120 mm)
BS EN 12811-1:2003
Tolerance on Tube Outside Diameter
± 0.5 mm (from referenced IS 1161)
± 0.5 mm
BS EN 39:2001
Specification Approach
Prescriptive (defines exact dimensions and materials)
Performance-based (defines required strength and safety levels)
BS EN 12811-1:2003
Right-Angle Coupler Specification
Specifies a single 'load-bearing' type.
Classifies by slip resistance into Class A and Class B.
BS EN 74-1:2005
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Outside diameter of standard tube48.3 mm
Nominal wall thickness4.0 mm
Nominal mass per metre4.37 kg/m
Tolerance on outside diameter± 0.5 mm
Tolerance on mass (single tube)-7.5% to +10%
Minimum yield stress of steel tube210 MPa (21 kgf/mm²)
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions and Nominal Mass of Steel Tubes