Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 452:1973 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for door spring, rat-tail type - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, manufacture, and finish of rat-tail type door springs. It is used by builders and quality inspectors to ensure reliable automatic closing mechanisms for lightweight wooden or screen doors.
! Rat-tail door springs are largely obsolete in modern heavy doors but are still used for lightweight wire-mesh (mosquito) doors and budget residential builds.
! Pay special attention to the protective finish (galvanization or paint) as the spring steel is highly susceptible to corrosion, which leads to squeaking and failure.
BS 4991:1973BSI - British Standards Institution (United Kingdom)
MediumWithdrawn
Specification for spring-actuated door-closing devices
Specifies requirements for various spring-actuated closers from the same era, likely including similar simple torsion types.
BS EN 1154:1997BSI - British Standards Institution (United Kingdom) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
LowCurrent
Building hardware. Controlled door closing devices. Requirements and test methods
Covers the modern functional equivalent (hydraulic door closers), but the technology and performance criteria are vastly different.
ANSI/BHMA A156.4-2019ANSI - American National Standards Institute / BHMA - Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (USA)
LowCurrent
Door Controls - Closers
Defines requirements for modern door closers, focusing on performance grades, cycle life, and adjustability, not a specific spring type.
Key Differences
≠IS 452 specifies a simple, single-piece mechanical torsion spring (rat-tail type), whereas modern standards like BS EN 1154 and ANSI/BHMA A156.4 cover complex, controlled hydraulic/pneumatic devices.
≠The Indian Standard has no requirement for adjustability. In contrast, modern international standards mandate adjustable closing speed, latching speed, and often include optional backcheck and delayed action features.
≠IS 452 defines four simple sizes based on physical dimensions. BS EN 1154 uses a detailed power-size classification (EN 1 to EN 7) based on closing moment, directly related to door width and weight.
≠Modern standards require extensive durability testing (e.g., 500,000 cycles for BS EN 1154), a specific requirement absent in IS 452, which relies on material and manufacturing specifications for longevity.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental purpose of both the rat-tail spring and modern closers is to automatically return an open door to its closed position using stored spring energy.
≈Both IS 452 and the principles behind modern closers rely on high-quality spring steel as the core component for energy storage.
≈Both sets of standards specify performance criteria based on closing force or torque, although the methods and complexity of measurement differ significantly.
≈Both IS 452 and international standards include requirements for protective finishes to ensure a degree of corrosion resistance, though the testing for this is far more rigorous in modern standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Sizing/Classification
Four sizes (1, 2, 3, 4) based on spring wire diameter and arm length.
Seven power sizes (EN 1 to EN 7) based on closing moment and recommended door mass/width.
BS EN 1154:1997
Closing Force (Torque)
Size 4: Min. 1.2 kgf.m (approx. 11.77 Nm) closing torque at 90°.
EN Size 4: Min. 26 Nm closing moment between 0° and 4°.
BS EN 1154:1997
Durability (Endurance Test)
Not specified as a cycle test; implied by material quality.
Mandatory test of 500,000 continuous opening and closing cycles.
BS EN 1154:1997
Adjustability
None specified; not an adjustable device.
Adjustable closing and latching speeds are mandatory features.
ANSI/BHMA A156.4-2019
Spring Material
Prescriptive: Spring steel wire conforming to IS 4454 (Part 1).
Performance-based: Material must be capable of meeting all performance tests, including 500,000 cycles.
BS EN 1154:1997
Corrosion Resistance
Stoved black japan enamel finish or as specified.
Five grades (0-4) based on performance in a neutral salt spray test (e.g., Grade 4 = 240 hours).
BS EN 1154:1997
Fire Resistance
Not specified.
Optional grade for suitability on fire/smoke door assemblies, requiring a separate successful fire test.
BS EN 1154:1997
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
Typical overall length200 mm to 300 mm depending on size
Spring wire materialSpring steel conforming to IS 4454
Fixing plate materialMild steel sheet conforming to IS 1079
Finish requirementStove enamelled, galvanized, or electro-plated to prevent rust
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions of Rat-Tail Type Door Springs