Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 4984:2016 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for high density polyethylene (hdpe) pipes for potable water supplies - specification. Specifies the manufacturing requirements, dimensions, and testing methods for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes used in potable water supply systems. The 2016 revision phases out PE 63, emphasizing PE 80 and PE 100 materials, and formally aligns pressure ratings (PN) with Standard Dimension Ratios (SDR).
Specifies requirements for HDPE pipes used for conveying potable water.
ISO 4427-2:2019ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drainage and sewerage under pressure — Polyethylene (PE) — Part 2: Pipes
Specifies characteristics for polyethylene (PE) pipes for potable water supply systems, both buried and above ground.
BS EN 12201-2:2011+A1:2013BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drainage and sewerage under pressure. Polyethylene (PE). Pipes
European standard for PE pipes for water supply, defining material, dimensional, and performance requirements.
AS/NZS 4130:2018Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
HighCurrent
Polyethylene (PE) pipes for pressure applications
Covers requirements for PE pipes intended for conveying fluids under pressure, including potable water applications.
ASTM F714-23ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (SDR-PR) Based on Outside Diameter
Defines requirements for OD-controlled PE pipe for pressure use, but is not exclusively focused on potable water.
Key Differences
≠IS 4984:2016 includes specifications for PE 63 material grade, which is considered obsolete and is not included in modern international standards like ISO 4427:2019, which focus on PE 80 and PE 100.
≠The Indian standard specifies a carbon black content range of 2.0% to 3.0%, while most international standards, such as ISO 4427-1, specify a narrower range of 2.0% to 2.5% (2.25 ± 0.25%).
≠IS 4984 provides a detailed and prescriptive table for temperature re-rating factors up to 50°C. While international standards also require re-rating, the specific factors and the upper temperature limits for continuous operation may differ (e.g., EN 12201 gives factors up to 40°C).
≠IS 4984 has specific requirements for the number and placement of color stripes (e.g., 'four equispaced longitudinal blue stripes'), whereas standards like ISO 4427 are often less prescriptive, simply requiring 'blue stripes'.
Key Similarities
≈All standards (IS, ISO, EN) classify PE material based on its Minimum Required Strength (MRS) at 50 years, leading to the common designations of PE 80 (MRS 8.0 MPa) and PE 100 (MRS 10.0 MPa).
≈The fundamental principle of using the Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR) to define a pipe's pressure class is consistent across IS 4984 and major international standards.
≈The use of blue color, either for the entire pipe or as stripes on a black pipe, is a universally accepted method in both IS 4984 and international standards to denote pipes for potable water.
≈Core performance tests, such as the long-term hydrostatic strength (e.g., 1000 hours at 80°C for PE 100) and longitudinal reversion (≤ 3% at 110°C), have identical or very similar test parameters and acceptance criteria.
≈Tensile properties, such as the minimum required Elongation at Break (≥ 350%), are consistent between IS 4984 and the material requirements referenced in ISO 4427.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Material Grades Included
PE 63, PE 80, PE 100
PE 80, PE 100
ISO 4427-2:2019
Carbon Black Content (for black pipes)
2.0 to 3.0 %
2.0 to 2.5 % (2.25 ± 0.25 %)
ISO 4427-1:2019
Oxidation Induction Time (OIT) @ 200°C (Pipe)
≥ 20 minutes
≥ 20 minutes
ISO 4427-2:2019
Longitudinal Reversion @ 110°C
≤ 3 %
≤ 3 %
ISO 4427-2:2019
Elongation at Break
≥ 350 %
≥ 350 %
ISO 4427-1:2019
Hydrostatic Strength (PE 100, 1000h test)
5.5 MPa stress @ 80°C
5.5 MPa stress @ 80°C
ISO 4427-2:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
carbon black content2.0% to 2.5% by mass
mrs pe 10010 MPa (Minimum Required Strength)
mrs pe 808 MPa (Minimum Required Strength)
design coefficient c1.25 minimum for water at 20°C
melt flow rate deviation± 20% max deviation from raw material
standard length of straight pipes6 m or 12 m (unless supplied in coils)
Key Formulas
SDR = dn / en (Standard Dimension Ratio = Nominal Outside Diameter / Nominal Wall Thickness)
PE 100 has a higher Minimum Required Strength (10 MPa) compared to PE 80 (8 MPa), allowing PE 100 pipes to have thinner walls for the same pressure rating.
What does SDR mean?+
SDR stands for Standard Dimension Ratio, which is the ratio of the pipe's nominal outside diameter to its nominal wall thickness.
What is the required carbon black content for black HDPE pipes?+
It must be between 2.0% and 2.5% by mass to ensure adequate UV resistance during outdoor storage and use.
Are these pipes safe for drinking water?+
Yes, they must conform to IS 9845 and IS 10141, ensuring that no toxic constituents migrate into the potable water.