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IS 404:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for lead pipes for other than chemical purposes - specification. This standard specifies the dimensions, tolerances, and material requirements for lead pipes used for applications other than chemical purposes, such as historical drainage, soil, and waste discharge systems. It is rarely used in modern new construction due to the well-documented health hazards of lead.
Specifies the requirements for lead pipes intended for uses other than chemical purposes, such as plumbing.
! Modern plumbing and health codes universally prohibit the use of lead pipes for potable (drinking) water systems due to the risk of lead poisoning.
! Today, this standard is mainly referenced for the repair, maintenance, or historically accurate restoration of existing lead plumbing in heritage buildings, or for specific non-potable industrial uses.
leadnon-ferrous metalspiping
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
BS 602 & 1085:1981BSI, United Kingdom
HighWithdrawn
Specification for lead and lead alloy pipes for other than chemical purposes
Direct historical equivalent specifying lead pipes for water, gas, and sanitation.
BS EN 12588:2006BSI, UK / CEN, Europe
MediumCurrent
Lead and lead alloys - Rolled lead sheet, strip and foil for building purposes - Specifications
Covers lead products for building, sharing material composition requirements, but for sheet/foil, not pipes.
ASTM B29-20ASTM International, USA
LowCurrent
Standard Specification for Refined Lead
Specifies the composition of the raw lead material used to manufacture pipes, not the final pipe product.
ISO 3803:1984ISO, International
HighWithdrawn
Pipes and fittings of lead and its alloys for the transport of fluids -- Dimensions of pipes
An international standard that specifically covered the dimensions of lead pipes, similar to the dimensional tables in IS 404.
Key Differences
≠IS 404:1993 remains an active standard, whereas most direct international equivalents (like BS 602) have been withdrawn for decades due to public health concerns over lead in drinking water. Modern standards focus on other applications like roofing sheet.
≠IS 404 specifies dimensions based on a nominal bore and a corresponding 'weight per metre', an older practice. Modern standards and withdrawn international standards like BS 602 typically specified nominal size and a wall thickness.
≠IS 404 defines two grades of lead (Grade A and Grade B) with different purity. International standards like BS EN 12588 define a wider range of specific lead alloys by their chemical composition and designated codes (e.g., PB021K).
≠The primary mechanical test in IS 404 is the 'Turn-pin Test' (a drift expansion test). While similar tests existed internationally (e.g., ISO 744, now withdrawn), modern related standards for lead sheet (BS EN 12588) focus more on tensile strength and elongation.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 404 and its historical counterparts (BS 602) were created to standardize lead pipes primarily for water services, sanitation, and gas distribution, sharing a common original purpose.
≈All related standards place critical importance on controlling the chemical composition, specifying maximum limits for impurities such as antimony, bismuth, copper, and tin to ensure material quality.
≈The standards mandate clear marking on the pipes for traceability, typically including the manufacturer's mark, the standard designation, and often the size or weight.
≈All standards for pipes (current or withdrawn) include specifications for dimensional tolerances (on diameter, wall thickness, or weight) to ensure consistency and fit-for-purpose manufacturing.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Lead Purity (Highest Grade)
≥ 99.80% (Grade A)
≥ 99.94% (Alloy PB001K)
BS EN 12588:2006
Antimony (Sb) Impurity Limit
≤ 0.005% (Grade A)
≤ 0.25% (in Alloy PB021K, where it's an alloying element)
BS EN 12588:2006
Bismuth (Bi) Impurity Limit
≤ 0.05% (Grade A)
≤ 0.05% (Alloy PB021K)
BS EN 12588:2006
Mechanical Fitness Test
Turn-pin Test: Expansion of ≥ 25% of internal diameter without flaws.
Drift Expansion Test: Expansion of 25% on the outside diameter without showing any crack or flaw.
BS 602:1956 (Withdrawn)
Primary Dimensional Specification (Example)
20 mm Nominal Bore pipe must weigh 3.62 kg/m.
22 mm OD pipe (for water) must have a wall thickness of 2.11 mm.
BS 602:1956 (Withdrawn)
Status for Potable Water Use
Permitted by the standard, though local water authority rules may prohibit.
Prohibited for new installations under EU and UK water regulations.
BS 602 & 1085:1981 (Withdrawn)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Can IS 404 lead pipes be used for drinking water?+
No, the use of lead pipes for potable water is obsolete and strictly prohibited in modern engineering due to severe toxicity and health risks.
What were the traditional applications for these pipes?+
They were historically used for soil, waste, ventilating pipes, and gas transport where chemical-grade high-purity lead was not strictly required.
How does this differ from chemical-purpose lead pipes?+
Pipes for chemical purposes require extremely high purity lead (often 99.99%) to resist severe acidic or chemical corrosion, whereas IS 404 covers lower-purity, general-purpose plumbing lead.