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IS 4116 : 1988wooden shelving cabinets (adjustable type) -Specification

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BS EN 14073-2 · ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 · ISO 7170
CurrentRareSpecificationArchitectural · Furniture
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ3Related

IS 4116:1988 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for wooden shelving cabinets (adjustable type) -specification. This Indian Standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, construction, and finish of adjustable wooden shelving cabinets commonly used in offices, libraries, and institutional buildings.

wooden shelving cabinets (adjustable type) -Specification

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Rare
Domain
Architectural — Furniture
Type
Specification
International equivalents
BS EN 14073-2:2004 · BSI - British Standards Institution, UK / CEN - European Committee for StandardizationANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019 · ANSI - American National Standards Institute / BIFMA - Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, USAISO 7170:2005 · ISO - International Organization for StandardizationBS EN 14073-3:2004 · BSI - British Standards Institution, UK / CEN - European Committee for Standardization
Typically used with
IS 287IS 303IS 1141IS 3087
Also on InfraLens for IS 4116
5Key values1Tables3FAQs
Practical Notes
! Ensure timber used is properly seasoned as per IS 1141 to prevent warping or sagging of shelves over time.
! Pay attention to the quality and load-bearing capacity of the shelf support pins (hardware), as these are the typical failure points for adjustable shelving.
! Moisture content of the wood should be strictly verified against IS 287 to match the climatic zone of the final installation site.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialsCl. 5Dimensions and TolerancesCl. 6Construction DetailsCl. 7Finish
Pulled from IS 4116:1988. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
timberplywoodparticle boardwoodhardware

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
BS EN 14073-2:2004BSI - British Standards Institution, UK / CEN - European Committee for Standardization
MediumCurrent
Office furniture - Storage furniture - Part 2: Safety requirements
Covers safety requirements for all types of storage furniture, including shelving, focusing on performance rather than material.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019ANSI - American National Standards Institute / BIFMA - Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, USA
MediumCurrent
Storage Units - Tests
Provides test methods to determine the safety, durability, and structural performance of storage units, including shelving.
ISO 7170:2005ISO - International Organization for Standardization
MediumCurrent
Furniture -- Storage units -- Determination of strength and durability
Specifies test methods for determining the strength and durability of the structure of all types of freestanding storage units.
BS EN 14073-3:2004BSI - British Standards Institution, UK / CEN - European Committee for Standardization
MediumCurrent
Office furniture - Storage furniture - Part 3: Test methods for the determination of stability and strength of the structure
Details specific test methodologies for strength and stability, complementing the requirements of Part 2.
Key Differences
≠IS 4116 is a prescriptive standard, detailing specific materials (e.g., Teak, Sal wood), dimensions, and construction methods. International equivalents are performance-based, specifying test criteria (e.g., load capacity, stability) that a product must meet, regardless of its material or construction.
≠International standards like ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 and EN 14073 include explicit, rigorous tests for stability (tip-over risk), which are absent in IS 4116. The Indian standard relies on good construction practice to ensure stability.
≠IS 4116 is material-specific, focusing solely on wooden cabinets and providing a list of approved timber species. Modern international standards are material-agnostic, allowing for wood, metal, plastic, or composite constructions as long as performance requirements are met.
≠Shelf performance in IS 4116 is controlled by mandating a minimum thickness for a given span. In contrast, standards like BS EN 14073-3 specify a maximum allowable deflection (e.g., 0.5% of span) under a defined test load, offering a more precise measure of performance.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the fundamental goal of ensuring that shelving cabinets are safe, durable, and fit for the purpose of storing items.
≈Both the Indian standard and its international counterparts address the load-bearing capacity of shelves, though they use different methodologies (prescriptive thickness vs. performance testing).
≈Consideration for standard dimensions is present in both. IS 4116 specifies fixed standard sizes, while international standards, while not prescribing them, base their testing and safety criteria on typical ergonomic and dimensional ranges.
≈All standards acknowledge the importance of a robust and stable overall structure. IS 4116 specifies joint types and assembly, whereas international standards verify structural integrity through strength and durability tests.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Design MethodologyPrescriptive: Specifies materials (e.g., Teak wood), joint types, and fixed dimensions.Performance-based: Specifies test loads and acceptance criteria; material and design are flexible.ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Shelf Load SpecificationImplicit: Defined by prescribed shelf thickness for a given span (e.g., 25 mm particle board for 710 mm span).Explicit: Test load applied (e.g., 45 kg distributed over a 900mm wide shelf).BS EN 14073-3:2004
Maximum Shelf DeflectionNot specified; controlled indirectly by mandatory material thickness.Specified as a percentage of the span, e.g., deflection ≤ 0.5% of the shelf span.BS EN 14073-3:2004
Stability TestNot specified; relies on prescribed construction.Mandatory test: Unit must not tip when a specified horizontal force (e.g., 89 N / 20 lbf) is applied to the top.ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Standard Heights1980 mm and 2130 mmManufacturer-defined; must pass stability tests for the specified height.BS EN 14073-2:2004
Material SpecificationRestricted to specific timber species (Teak, Sal, Sissoo) and wood-based panels.Material-agnostic; any material can be used if it passes the performance tests.ISO 7170:2005
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Standard Heights1200 mm and 1800 mm
Standard Width900 mm
Standard Depth450 mm
Dimensional Tolerance± 5 mm
Shelf spacing adjustment pitchtypically 32 mm or 50 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Standard Dimensions of Shelving Cabinets
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Dimensions and Tolerances
Clause 6 - Construction Details
Clause 7 - Finish

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 287:2022Code of Practice for Design of Timber Structu...
→
IS 303:1989Plywood for General Purposes - Specification
→
IS 1141:1993Seasoning of timber- Code of practice
→
IS 3087:2005Particle Board (Medium Density) for General P...
→

Frequently Asked Questions3

What are the standard dimensions specified for wooden shelving cabinets?+
The standard heights are 1200 mm or 1800 mm, with a width of 900 mm and a depth of 450 mm.
What type of wood/panels can be used?+
The standard allows the use of seasoned timber, plywood (IS 303), or particle board (IS 3087) meeting specified grades.
What is the acceptable dimensional tolerance during fabrication?+
A general tolerance of ± 5 mm is acceptable for the overall dimensions of the cabinet.

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