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IS 5961 : 1970cast iron gratings for drainage purposes

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EN 124-2 · AASHTO M 306-10 (2020) · AS 3996
CurrentFrequently UsedSpecificationMEP · Sanitary Appliances and Water Fittings
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 5961:1970 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for cast iron gratings for drainage purposes. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, manufacture, dimensions, and testing of cast iron gratings intended for use in drainage systems. It classifies gratings into Light, Medium, and Heavy Duty based on their intended location and traffic load.

cast iron gratings for drainage purposes

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
MEP — Sanitary Appliances and Water Fittings
Type
Specification
Amendments
Amendment 1 (August 1982); Amendment 2 (November 1991)
International equivalents
EN 124-2:2015 · CEN - European Committee for Standardization, EuropeAASHTO M 306-10 (2020) · AASHTO - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, USAAS 3996:2019 · Standards Australia, Australia/New Zealand
Typically used with
IS 210
Also on InfraLens for IS 5961
6Key values4Tables4FAQs
Practical Notes
! Always select the duty class (LD, MD, HD) based on the expected traffic. Using a light-duty grating in a heavy traffic area will lead to failure.
! Ensure the grating is properly seated in its frame to prevent rattling and uneven load distribution, which can cause premature cracking.
! Verify manufacturer's test certificates to ensure compliance with the material (FG 200) and load testing requirements of the standard.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3MaterialCl. 5Classification and DimensionsCl. 7MarkingCl. 8Testing
Pulled from IS 5961:1970. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
Updates & Amendments2 amendments
Amendment 1 (August 1982)
Amendment 2 (November 1991)
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
cast iron

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 124-2:2015CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe
HighCurrent
Gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas — Part 2: Gully tops and manhole tops made of cast iron
Directly covers the design, testing, and material requirements for cast iron gratings and covers.
AASHTO M 306-10 (2020)AASHTO - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Drainage, Sewer, Utility, and Related Castings
Specifies requirements for gray and ductile iron castings intended for use in drainage and utility systems.
AS 3996:2019Standards Australia, Australia/New Zealand
MediumCurrent
Access covers and grates
Covers a wider range of materials but includes specific requirements for cast iron gratings and frames.
BS 497-1:1976BSI - British Standards Institution, UK
LowWithdrawn
Specification for manhole covers, road gully gratings and frames for drainage purposes. Cast iron and cast steel
Historical British predecessor to EN 124, sharing a similar scope with the older IS code.
Key Differences
≠Load Classification System: IS 5961 uses a simple 'Light', 'Medium', 'Heavy' duty classification based on wheel loads (5, 10, 20 tonnes). Modern standards like EN 124 use a more detailed alpha-numeric system (A15, B125, D400, etc.) where the number indicates the test load in kilonewtons (kN), directly tied to the specific installation area (e.g., pedestrian, carriageways, airports).
≠Material Specification: IS 5961 is limited to Grey Cast Iron (conforming to IS 210). EN 124-2 and AASHTO M 306 explicitly include and encourage the use of Spheroidal Graphite (Ductile) Iron for its superior strength, ductility, and resistance to brittle fracture, especially in higher load classes.
≠Safety and Design Features: Modern standards like EN 124 and AS 3996 include requirements for safety features such as non-rock stability, skid resistance, locking mechanisms, and provisions for safe lifting, which are absent in the 1970 Indian standard.
≠Testing and Performance Requirements: International standards have more comprehensive testing regimes, including tests for permanent set after loading, seatings, and calculation/declaration of the waterway area (effective drainage opening). The IS 5961 proof load test is simpler and less rigorous.
Key Similarities
≈Core Material: The fundamental material specified in IS 5961, Grey Cast Iron, remains a primary material option in international standards like EN 124-2, particularly for lower load applications.
≈Proof Load Testing: The central principle of classifying gratings based on their ability to withstand a specified proof load without failure or excessive deformation is common to both IS 5961 and its international counterparts.
≈Basic Function and Form: All standards cover the fundamental purpose of gratings for surface water drainage and specify basic forms such as circular, square, and rectangular shapes with a frame.
≈Marking Requirements: Both the IS code and international standards mandate that gratings be clearly marked with the manufacturer's identification, the standard designation, and the load class/duty for traceability and correct application.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Primary MaterialGrey Cast Iron conforming to IS 210Grey Cast Iron (EN-GJL) or Spheroidal Graphite (Ductile) Cast Iron (EN-GJS)EN 124-2:2015
Load Class (Road Carriageway)Medium Duty (10 Tonnes) / Heavy Duty (20 Tonnes)Class D400 (400 kN / approx. 40.8 Tonnes test load)EN 124-1:2015
Load Class (Pedestrian Area)Light Duty (5 Tonnes)Class B125 (125 kN / approx. 12.7 Tonnes test load)EN 124-1:2015
Proof Load Test Duration30 secondsLoad applied progressively then held for 30 ± 2 secondsEN 124-1:2015
Maximum Permanent Set (Deformation)1.5 mm for Heavy Duty grating of 455 mm sizePermissible set is a fraction of the clear opening, e.g., Clear Opening (mm) / 500.AS 3996:2019
Skid Resistance RequirementNot specifiedRequired for units in pedestrian or traffic areas; specific test methods and minimum values are defined.EN 124-1:2015
Waterway AreaImplicit in dimensional drawings; not a formal requirement.Must be calculated and declared by the manufacturer.AS 3996:2019
Load Application Block for TestingA specific block size is defined for each grating type (e.g., 250 x 250 mm for Heavy Duty)Test block shape (circular or rectangular) and size are defined by the load class (e.g., Ø250 mm for Class D400)EN 124-1:2015
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Material SpecificationGrey Iron Castings Grade FG 200 of IS 210
Light Duty (LD) Test Load2.0 tonnes
Medium Duty (MD) Test Load4.5 tonnes
Heavy Duty (HD) Test Load7.5 tonnes
HD-20 Grating Clear Opening200 mm
Coating SpecificationBlack bituminous composition

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions for Light Duty Gratings
Table 2 - Dimensions for Medium Duty Gratings
Table 3 - Dimensions for Heavy Duty Gratings
Table 4 - Test Loads for Gratings
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Material
Clause 5 - Classification and Dimensions
Clause 7 - Marking
Clause 8 - Testing

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 210:2009Grey Iron Castings
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What are the different classes of gratings defined in IS 5961?+
Three classes: Light Duty (LD) for pedestrian areas, Medium Duty (MD) for areas with light vehicle traffic, and Heavy Duty (HD) for areas with heavy vehicle traffic (Clause 5).
What is the material specified for these gratings?+
Grey cast iron conforming to Grade FG 200 as specified in IS 210 (Clause 3.1).
What is the load test requirement for a Heavy Duty (HD) grating?+
It must withstand a central test load of 7.5 tonnes without breaking (Table 4).
What information should be marked on the grating?+
The manufacturer's name or trademark, the standard number 'IS 5961', and the duty class (LD, MD, or HD) (Clause 7.1).

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