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IS 5326 : 2001Indian type water closets - Specification (Second Revision)

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EN 997 · ASME A112.19.2 · JIS A 5207
CurrentFrequently UsedSpecificationBIMMEP · Environmental and Sanitation
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OverviewValues6InternationalEngineer's NotesTablesFAQ4Related

IS 5326:2001 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for indian type water closets - specification (second revision). This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, manufacture, workmanship, finish, and testing of Indian type water closets made from vitreous china. It covers aspects like flushing efficiency and durability to ensure the quality and performance of these common sanitary fixtures.

Specifies material, dimensions, construction, and performance requirements for Indian type water closet (WC) pans.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
MEP — Environmental and Sanitation
Type
Specification
Amendments
Amendment No. 1 (September 2002); Amendment No. 2 (December 2004)
International equivalents
EN 997:2018 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeASME A112.19.2-2018/CSA B45.1-18 · ASME/CSA Group, USA/CanadaJIS A 5207:2014 · JSA (Japanese Standards Association), JapanMS 1522:2015 · Department of Standards Malaysia, Malaysia
Typically used with
IS 9140
Also on InfraLens for IS 5326
6Key values1Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Ensure the trap type ('P' or 'S') is correctly specified based on the drainage pipe layout to maintain the water seal and prevent sewer gas entry.
! Always check for the ISI Standard Mark on the product as a certification of conformity to this standard.
! Verify compatibility with the cistern or flush valve, ensuring it provides the required 10-litre flush volume for effective cleaning as per the flushing test.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialCl. 6Dimensions and TolerancesCl. 7Flushing TestCl. 8Crazing TestCl. 11Sampling and Criteria for Conformity
Pulled from IS 5326:2001. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
Updates & Amendments2 amendments
Amendment No. 1 (September 2002)
Amendment No. 2 (December 2004)
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
vitreous chinasanitarywareceramics

Engineer's Notes

In Practice — Editorial Commentary
When IS 5326 is your governing code

IS 5326 (2001) provides Indian Type Water Closets — Specification (Second Revision). Sets quality standards for squat-pan-type water closets still widely used in Indian homes, public toilets, institutional buildings, and rural facilities.

Use when: specifying Indian-type WCs for buildings; plumbing design for residential / institutional projects; sanitation facilities.

Indian WC specifications

Indian-type (squat) WC characteristics: - Squat-pan design (vs European seated) - Material: vitreous china (preferred) or ceramic - Glazed surface for cleaning + durability - Flushing: cistern-fed; pressure: 0.5-3 m typical head

Sizes: - Standard: 300-450 mm depth - Floor opening: 200-250 mm dia - Pan dimensions per IS 5326

Material quality: - Vitreous china: zero water absorption; preferred - Ceramic: porous; lower cost; potential cleaning issues - Color: white most common; pastels available

Plumbing connection: - Inlet: 32 mm dia (with WC pan connector) - Outlet: 100 mm dia (trap + discharge) - Trap: P-trap or S-trap - Cistern: 6-9 litre capacity typical

Quality acceptance: - Visual: smooth surface, no chips / cracks - Dimensional tolerance per IS 5326 - Water tightness test - Flushing performance - Surface quality (no pinholes)

Reference values

Standard WC pan: - Length: 300-450 mm - Width: 250-350 mm - Height (overall): 150-180 mm - Inlet position: rear or top - Outlet: bottom (typical S-trap or P-trap)

Cistern capacity: - 6 L (standard, water-efficient) - 9 L (older standard) - Modern: 4.5-6 L preferred (water conservation)

Installation: - Floor: ceramic / vitreous tiles + sloped to drain - Floor opening: per WC size - Trap: minimum 50 mm water seal - Vent pipe: connected to outlet (anti-siphon)

Plumbing standards: - Per IS 1742 (Building Drainage) - Per CPHEEO Manual on Building Plumbing - Per National Building Code - Trap + venting per IS 1742

Acceptance + service: - Service life: 25-50+ years - Cleaning: regular; surface durability key - Replacement: when chipped / broken - Maintenance: cistern + flushing mechanism

Modern alternatives: - European WCs (seated) — increasing popularity - Indian WCs still preferred in older buildings + rural - Dual mode (Indian + European in same toilet) - Smart toilets (research / premium market)

Companion codes
  • IS 5961 — Cast Iron Manhole Covers.
  • IS 1742 — Building Drainage.
  • IS 458 — RCC Pressure Pipes.
  • IS 13592:1992 — uPVC Drainage Pipes.
  • IS 14837 — Closets, Water Closets, Cisterns.
  • IS 651 — Salt Glazed Stoneware Pipes (sewage).
  • IS 5455 — European Water Closets.
  • CPHEEO Manual on Building Plumbing.
  • CPHEEO Manual on Sewerage + Sewage Treatment.
  • National Building Code (NBC) Part 9 (Plumbing).
  • ASTM A 112 — Plumbing Materials + Equipment.
  • AS/NZS 1693 — Indian-Pattern Water Closets (Australia).
Common pitfalls

1. Sub-standard ceramic → chipping + cracking. 2. Trap depth inadequate → sewer gas in building. 3. No venting → siphon water trap; smells. 4. Wrong size for cistern → flushing inadequate. 5. Installation misaligned → leakage. 6. No anchorage to floor → WC moves. 7. Plumbing connections leak → mold + odor. 8. Cistern capacity too high → water wasted. 9. No water conservation → modern best practice.

Lifecycle

1. Specification + procurement per IS 5326. 2. Installation per IS 1742 + manufacturer instructions. 3. Trap + venting verified. 4. Connection to plumbing. 5. Flushing test + acceptance. 6. Daily use + cleaning. 7. Maintenance (cistern mechanism + cleaning). 8. Service life 25-50 years; replace when damaged.

IS 5326 is the specification for Indian-style WCs — applied on every Indian building with traditional toilet design.

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 997:2018CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
WC pans and WC suites with integral trap
Specifies constructional and performance requirements for WC pans, including squatting pans.
ASME A112.19.2-2018/CSA B45.1-18ASME/CSA Group, USA/Canada
MediumCurrent
Vitreous China Plumbing Fixtures and Hydraulic Requirements for Water Closets and Urinals
Covers all vitreous china fixtures, including squatting water closets, with a strong focus on North American hydraulic performance tests.
JIS A 5207:2014JSA (Japanese Standards Association), Japan
HighCurrent
Sanitary wares
Defines requirements for a range of sanitary wares, including Japanese-style squatting water closets (和風大便器).
MS 1522:2015Department of Standards Malaysia, Malaysia
HighCurrent
Vitreous china sanitary appliances - Specification
Specifies materials, construction, and testing for sanitary appliances, including squatting pans, for the Malaysian market.
Key Differences
≠IS 5326 allows for older, higher-volume flushing cisterns (e.g., 10 litres), whereas modern standards like ASME A112.19.2 and EN 997 have much stricter requirements for water conservation, mandating low-flush (6 L) and high-efficiency (≤4.8 L) volumes.
≠The dimensional specifications and foot tread patterns in IS 5326 are specific to 'Indian Type' usage, which differs from the form factor of European squat pans (EN 997) or the often-hooded design of Japanese squat pans (JIS A 5207).
≠North American standard ASME A112.19.2 includes highly detailed solid waste removal performance tests (e.g., MaP testing), which are not explicitly specified in IS 5326.
≠The crazing test in IS 5326 requires a significantly higher autoclave steam pressure (0.35 MPa) compared to the ASME A112.19.2 standard (0.07 MPa), indicating a potentially more stringent test for glaze quality.
Key Similarities
≈All standards specify vitreous china as the primary material, requiring it to be a dense, non-porous ceramic.
≈A fundamental requirement across all standards is the presence of an integral trap (P or S type) designed to maintain a water seal against sewer gases.
≈The maximum permissible water absorption for the vitreous china body is consistently specified as 0.5% of its dry mass in IS, ASME, and EN standards.
≈The minimum depth of the water trap seal is commonly specified at 50 mm, a baseline shared by both IS 5326 and EN 997 to ensure effectiveness.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Water Absorption (Vitreous China)Not more than 0.5% of its dry massShall not exceed 0.5%ASME A112.19.2-2018
Minimum Trap Seal DepthNot less than 50 mmAt least 50 mmEN 997:2018
Static Load TestWithstand a load of 3.92 kN (400 kgf) without crackingWithstand a vertical static load of 4.0 kN without crackingEN 997:2018
Trapway Passage Test (Ball Diameter)Shall permit a solid ball of 50 mm diameter to pass freelyShall pass a 2-1/8 in. (54 mm) diameter solid ballASME A112.19.2-2018
Crazing Test (Autoclave Steam Pressure)0.35 ± 0.02 MPa for 1 hour70 ± 7 kPa (0.07 MPa) for 1 hourASME A112.19.2-2018
Nominal Flush VolumeDesigned for 10 L, 6 L, or 3/6 L cisternsMax 1.6 gallons/flush (6 L) for standard; Max 1.28 gpf (4.8 L) for High-Efficiency ToiletsASME A112.19.2-2018 / EPA WaterSense
Outlet Connection Size (Nominal)90±5 mm (Size 1) or 100±5 mm (Size 2)Outlet spigot suitable for connection to 100 mm pipeEN 997:2018
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum water seal depth50 mm
Nominal outlet diameter100 mm
Water absorption limit for vitreous china0.5 %
Flushing test volume10 litres
Crazing test pressure0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²)
Minimum flushing surface200 mm x 175 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions of Water Closets
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Material
Clause 6 - Dimensions and Tolerances
Clause 7 - Flushing Test
Clause 8 - Crazing Test
Clause 11 - Sampling and Criteria for Conformity

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 9140:1996Method for a sampling of vitreous and fire cl...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the standard material for an Indian type water closet?+
Vitreous china, which must conform to IS 2556 (Part 1).
What is the minimum required depth for the water seal?+
The water seal must have a minimum depth of 50 mm (Clause 6.3).
How is the flushing performance evaluated?+
Using a 10-litre flush, the water closet must successfully wash away at least 95 out of 100 polypropylene balls of 12 mm diameter in a single flush (Clause 7.2).
What does the crazing test ensure?+
The crazing test (Clause 8) ensures that the glaze on the sanitaryware is durable and will not develop a network of fine cracks over time when subjected to temperature and pressure changes.

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