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IS 5247:2000 (Part 2) is the Indian Standard (BIS) for converted timber (coniferous): part 2 packing cases and crates. This standard specifies the requirements for converted coniferous timber intended for manufacturing packing cases and crates. It categorizes the timber into two grades, Grade I and Grade II, and defines the acceptable limits for various natural defects like knots, splits, wane, and decay, as well as setting a maximum moisture content to ensure durability.
converted timber (coniferous): Part 2 Packing cases and crates
! This standard is critical for quality control when procuring timber for bulk packaging, ensuring the crates have adequate strength and durability for shipping goods.
! Pay close attention to moisture content (Clause 4.2); timber with more than 20% moisture can be prone to fungal attack and dimensional instability during transport and storage.
! The choice between Grade I and Grade II directly impacts the cost and performance of the packing case; select the grade based on the value, weight, and fragility of the items to be packed.
EN 1611-1:2000CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighWithdrawn
Sawn timber - Appearance grading of softwoods - Part 1: European spruces, firs, pines and Douglas firs
Provides a system for appearance grading of coniferous sawn timber, which is a direct parallel to the IS code's objective.
EN 942:2007CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Timber in joinery - General requirements
Specifies requirements for timber used in joinery, including furniture components, focusing on appearance features like knots and grain.
NLGA Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber (2022)National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA), Canada
MediumCurrent
Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber
Contains 'Finish' and 'Factory' grades intended for non-structural applications like furniture, but the grading philosophy differs.
AS 4785.1-2002Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Timber - Sawn, softwood - Appearance grades and stress grades
Defines appearance grades for softwood timber, intended for finishing applications such as furniture and joinery.
Key Differences
≠Grading Philosophy: IS 5247 grades the entire piece based on the worst defects present. In contrast, North American 'Factory' or 'Shop' grades (per NLGA) are based on the percentage yield of clear, defect-free cuttings that can be obtained from the board, not its overall appearance.
≠Species Specificity: IS 5247 is tailored to Indian coniferous species like Deodar, Kail, and Chir. International standards are specific to their regional species, such as European Spruce/Pine (EN 1611-1) or North American Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) and Douglas Fir (NLGA).
≠Grade Nomenclature: The grade designations are completely different. IS 5247 uses simple 'Grade I' and 'Grade II'. European standards like EN 1611-1 use a more complex alpha-numeric system (e.g., G4-0, G4-1, G4-2) based on the number of faces graded and quality level.
≠Moisture Content Zones: IS 5247 uniquely specifies moisture content requirements based on four climatic zones within India. Most international standards provide a general target for interior use (e.g., 10% ± 2%) or specify a maximum like 19% (S-DRY) without geographical zoning.
Key Similarities
≈Basis of Grading: Both IS 5247 and its international counterparts rely on visual inspection to assess and limit natural timber defects such as knots, splits, checks, warp, and slope of grain.
≈Moisture Control: All standards recognize the critical importance of conditioning timber to an appropriate moisture content for its end-use (interior furniture) to ensure dimensional stability and prevent warping or splitting.
≈Hierarchical Quality System: All standards provide a tiered grading system (e.g., IS Grade I/II, EN G4-1/G4-2) where the higher grade permits fewer and smaller defects, corresponding to a higher quality and typically higher cost.
≈Dimensional Tolerances: IS 5247 and standards like the EN 1313 series both specify permissible deviations from nominal dimensions (thickness, width, length) for sawn timber.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Moisture Content (for interior use)
Avg 12%, not exceeding 15% (for Zone III). Varies by zone.
A target value by agreement, often 10% ± 2% for heated interiors.
EN 942
Primary Grade Designation (Top Grade)
Grade I
G4-0 or G4-1 (for 4-sided appearance)
EN 1611-1
Permissible Sound Knot (on 100mm wide face)
Up to 1/4 of the face width (i.e., 25 mm) for Grade I.
Example: 20 mm for grade G4-2. The rules are highly detailed.
EN 1611-1
Permissible Wane (edge defect)
Grade I: Permitted on one edge, not exceeding 1/4 thickness and 1/6 width.
Example: For some grades, permitted on one arris up to 1/3 thickness and 1/3 width.
EN 1611-1
End Splits
Grade I: Not exceeding 50 mm in length at each end.
Generally limited by length relative to the piece's width or a small fixed value.
What are the grades of timber specified for packing cases?+
Two grades are specified: Grade I and Grade II (Clause 3).
What is the maximum allowed moisture content in the timber?+
The moisture content shall not exceed 20 percent at the time of inspection (Clause 4.2).
Are knots allowed in timber for packing cases?+
Yes, but their size is restricted based on the grade. For Grade I, the diameter must not exceed 1/3 of the face width; for Grade II, it's 1/2 the face width (Table 1).
Is decay or rot permitted?+
No, the timber must be free from any kind of rot, decay, and insect attack, except for certain limited stains in Grade II timber (Clause 4.1 and Table 1).