IS 4424 : 1967timber for use in coal mines

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AS 3818.1

CurrentSpecializedSpecificationMaterials Science · Timber and Timber Stores

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

IS 4424:1967 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for timber for use in coal mines. This standard lays down the requirements for timber used for structural supports such as props, cogs, cross bars, and lagging in underground coal mines. It specifies the suitable timber species, dimensional tolerances, and permissible natural defects to ensure structural integrity and safety in mining operations.

timber for use in coal mines

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: Materials Science — Timber and Timber Stores
Type: Specification

International equivalents

AS 3818.1-2005 · Standards Australia, Australia

Typically used with

IS 399 IS 401 IS 287

Also on InfraLens for IS 4424

4Key values 2Tables 3FAQs

Practical Notes

! Ensure timber is properly treated with preservatives as per IS 401 if it is to be used in damp, underground environments for an extended period to prevent fungal decay.

! Inspect timber for critical defects like severe cross-grain, splits, and large dead knots, which severely reduce compressive strength parallel to the grain.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 4Species of Timber Cl. 5Dimensions and Tolerances Cl. 6Permissible Defects Cl. 7Preservative Treatment

timberwoodhardwood

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

BS 3291:1960British Standards Institution (BSI), UK

HighWithdrawn

Timber for Pitwood

Specifies quality, dimensions, and permissible defects for timber props, bars, and chocks for use in coal mines.

SABS 563:1980South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), South Africa

HighWithdrawn

Softwood pit-props and chocks

Covers requirements for softwood timber props and chocks used in mining, including species, dimensions, and defects.

DIN 21352Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), Germany

HighWithdrawn

Grubenholz; Technische Lieferbedingungen (Mine Timber; Technical delivery conditions)

Provided technical specifications for timber used in German mining operations, covering round and sawn timber.

AS 3818.1-2005Standards Australia, Australia

LowCurrent

Timber - Heavy structural products - Visually graded - Part 1: Sawn and round

General standard for grading large timber sections that could be used in mining, but not specific to mine applications.

Key Differences

≠IS 4424 specifies a list of suitable Indian timber species (e.g., Sal, Deodar, Chir), whereas international equivalents list species native to their own regions (e.g., BS 3291 lists Scots Pine, European Spruce).

≠The most direct international equivalents (BS 3291, SABS 563, DIN 21352) are all withdrawn, reflecting a shift to steel or hydraulic supports, while IS 4424 remains technically on the books in India, though its usage has declined significantly.

≠IS 4424 classifies timber into two suitability groups (Group I and Group II). Historical British and German standards focused more on listing approved species without such grouping.

≠Modern related standards (e.g., AS 3818.1) use sophisticated visual stress-grading systems to assign strength grades (e.g., F8, F11), which is a more quantitative approach than the simple defect limitation method in IS 4424.

Key Similarities

≈All standards share the fundamental scope of specifying timber for ground support in underground mines, covering similar forms like props, bars, and chock pieces.

≈IS 4424 and its historical international equivalents (like BS 3291) all use visual inspection as the primary method for quality control and grading.

≈All standards place strict limits on defects that compromise structural integrity, such as decay (rot), large or clustered knots, splits, and insect damage.

≈The standards specify dimensional requirements, including minimum diameters/sections, lengths, and permissible tolerances, to ensure consistent and safe application in support systems.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Scope	Specifies timber for use in coal mines (props, cross bars, chocks, sleepers, etc.).	Specifies timber for pitwood (props, bars, chocks, splits, etc.).	BS 3291:1960
Permissible Knot Size (Props)	Sum of knot diameters in any 15 cm length not to exceed 1/3 of the prop's diameter.	Aggregate diameter of sound knots in any 6 in. (~15 cm) length not to exceed 1/3 of the piece's diameter.	BS 3291:1960
Control of Decay	Timber shall be free from decay (rot), dote and red heart.	Timber shall be free from decay.	BS 3291:1960
End Finish	The ends shall be sawn square.	The ends shall be cross-cut reasonably square.	BS 3291:1960
Length Tolerance	Plus 5 cm, Minus 0 cm.	Plus 2 in (~5 cm), Minus 1 in (~2.5 cm).	BS 3291:1960
Moisture Condition	No specific moisture content limit is specified; timber supplied is generally green.	No specific moisture content is specified, but seasoning is permitted.	BS 3291:1960
Minimum Prop Top Diameter	7.5 cm for props up to 1.5 m length.	2.5 inches (~6.4 cm) is the smallest specified top diameter class.	BS 3291:1960

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values4

Quick Reference Values

Typical prop length1.5 m to 4.5 m

Typical prop diameter100 mm to 250 mm

Maximum permissible taper10 mm per meter length

Maximum permissible bow/crook1 in 100 of length

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Species of Timber Suitable for Use in Coal Mines

Table 2 - Dimensions of Pit Props

Key Clauses

Clause 4 - Species of Timber

Clause 5 - Dimensions and Tolerances

Clause 6 - Permissible Defects

Clause 7 - Preservative Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions3

What species of timber are suitable for coal mine props?+

Strong hardwoods with high compressive strength, such as Sal, Teak, and Asan, as specified in Table 1.

What are the permissible defects in mine timber?+

Dead knots, fungal decay, and severe splits are generally prohibited; live knots are restricted in size and distribution.

Is preservative treatment mandatory?+

It is highly recommended for long-term or semi-permanent supports to prevent decay in humid underground mine environments.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

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QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 4424 : 1967timber for use in coal mines

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

AS 3818.1

CurrentSpecializedSpecificationMaterials Science · Timber and Timber Stores

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

timber for use in coal mines

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: Materials Science — Timber and Timber Stores
Type: Specification

International equivalents

AS 3818.1-2005 · Standards Australia, Australia

Typically used with

IS 399 IS 401 IS 287

Also on InfraLens for IS 4424

4Key values 2Tables 3FAQs

Practical Notes

! Ensure timber is properly treated with preservatives as per IS 401 if it is to be used in damp, underground environments for an extended period to prevent fungal decay.

! Inspect timber for critical defects like severe cross-grain, splits, and large dead knots, which severely reduce compressive strength parallel to the grain.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 4Species of Timber Cl. 5Dimensions and Tolerances Cl. 6Permissible Defects Cl. 7Preservative Treatment

timberwoodhardwood

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

BS 3291:1960British Standards Institution (BSI), UK

HighWithdrawn

Timber for Pitwood

Specifies quality, dimensions, and permissible defects for timber props, bars, and chocks for use in coal mines.

SABS 563:1980South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), South Africa

HighWithdrawn

Softwood pit-props and chocks

Covers requirements for softwood timber props and chocks used in mining, including species, dimensions, and defects.

DIN 21352Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), Germany

HighWithdrawn

Grubenholz; Technische Lieferbedingungen (Mine Timber; Technical delivery conditions)

Provided technical specifications for timber used in German mining operations, covering round and sawn timber.

AS 3818.1-2005Standards Australia, Australia

LowCurrent

Timber - Heavy structural products - Visually graded - Part 1: Sawn and round

General standard for grading large timber sections that could be used in mining, but not specific to mine applications.

Key Differences

≠IS 4424 classifies timber into two suitability groups (Group I and Group II). Historical British and German standards focused more on listing approved species without such grouping.

Key Similarities

≈All standards share the fundamental scope of specifying timber for ground support in underground mines, covering similar forms like props, bars, and chock pieces.

≈IS 4424 and its historical international equivalents (like BS 3291) all use visual inspection as the primary method for quality control and grading.

≈All standards place strict limits on defects that compromise structural integrity, such as decay (rot), large or clustered knots, splits, and insect damage.

≈The standards specify dimensional requirements, including minimum diameters/sections, lengths, and permissible tolerances, to ensure consistent and safe application in support systems.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Scope	Specifies timber for use in coal mines (props, cross bars, chocks, sleepers, etc.).	Specifies timber for pitwood (props, bars, chocks, splits, etc.).	BS 3291:1960
Permissible Knot Size (Props)	Sum of knot diameters in any 15 cm length not to exceed 1/3 of the prop's diameter.	Aggregate diameter of sound knots in any 6 in. (~15 cm) length not to exceed 1/3 of the piece's diameter.	BS 3291:1960
Control of Decay	Timber shall be free from decay (rot), dote and red heart.	Timber shall be free from decay.	BS 3291:1960
End Finish	The ends shall be sawn square.	The ends shall be cross-cut reasonably square.	BS 3291:1960
Length Tolerance	Plus 5 cm, Minus 0 cm.	Plus 2 in (~5 cm), Minus 1 in (~2.5 cm).	BS 3291:1960
Moisture Condition	No specific moisture content limit is specified; timber supplied is generally green.	No specific moisture content is specified, but seasoning is permitted.	BS 3291:1960
Minimum Prop Top Diameter	7.5 cm for props up to 1.5 m length.	2.5 inches (~6.4 cm) is the smallest specified top diameter class.	BS 3291:1960

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values4

Quick Reference Values

Typical prop length1.5 m to 4.5 m

Typical prop diameter100 mm to 250 mm

Maximum permissible taper10 mm per meter length

Maximum permissible bow/crook1 in 100 of length

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Species of Timber Suitable for Use in Coal Mines

Table 2 - Dimensions of Pit Props

Key Clauses

Clause 4 - Species of Timber

Clause 5 - Dimensions and Tolerances

Clause 6 - Permissible Defects

Clause 7 - Preservative Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions3

What species of timber are suitable for coal mine props?+

Strong hardwoods with high compressive strength, such as Sal, Teak, and Asan, as specified in Table 1.

What are the permissible defects in mine timber?+

Dead knots, fungal decay, and severe splits are generally prohibited; live knots are restricted in size and distribution.

Is preservative treatment mandatory?+

It is highly recommended for long-term or semi-permanent supports to prevent decay in humid underground mine environments.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 4424 : 1967timber for use in coal mines

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values4

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions3

QA/QC Inspection Templates

IS 4424 : 1967timber for use in coal mines

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values4

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions3

QA/QC Inspection Templates