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IS 6185:1971 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for dimensions for furniture mirrors. This standard specifies the preferred dimensions for various types of mirrors used in domestic furniture, including those for dressing tables, wardrobes, and cheval glasses. It aims to rationalize sizes to aid manufacturers and consumers by promoting interchangeability and production efficiency.
! This standard has been officially withdrawn by BIS. While its dimensions can serve as a historical or design reference, current manufacturing practices are dictated by specific furniture designs, market trends, and international standards rather than this code.
! The standard only covers dimensions. For material quality and silvering of mirrors, IS 3438 should be referred to.
EN 1036-1:2007CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe
LowCurrent
Glass in building - Mirrors from silver-coated float glass for internal use - Part 1: Definitions, requirements and test methods
Specifies mirror glass quality and testing, not finished furniture mirror dimensions.
ASTM C1503-08(2020)ASTM International, USA
LowCurrent
Standard Specification for Silvered Flat Glass Mirror
Covers quality and properties of silvered mirror glass, but does not prescribe end-product dimensions.
ISO 25537:2011ISO - International Organization for Standardization, International
LowCurrent
Glass in building — Silvered-float-glass mirrors for interior use
Defines requirements for silvered float glass, not dimensional standards for furniture applications.
BS 7449:1991BSI - British Standards Institution, UK
MediumWithdrawn
Specification for inclusion of glass in the construction of domestic furniture
Addressed safety and use of glass in furniture, a different focus than the prescriptive dimensions of IS 6185.
Key Differences
≠IS 6185:1971 is highly prescriptive, defining five specific dimensional types for mirrors. International standards like EN 1036-1 focus on material performance and quality, leaving final product dimensions to the designer or manufacturer.
≠The Indian standard specifies dimensions for a very narrow application (furniture mirrors). International counterparts cover silvered glass for all interior uses, including wall cladding, doors, and other architectural features.
≠IS 6185 refers to dated material terminology like 'sheet glass' or 'plate glass'. Modern standards (EN 1036-1, ASTM C1503) explicitly specify 'silver-coated float glass', reflecting current manufacturing technology.
≠Modern international standards incorporate or reference extensive safety requirements (e.g., impact performance, safe breakage), which are absent in the 1971 Indian standard.
Key Similarities
≈Both the Indian standard and international standards are based on the use of silver-coated flat glass as the fundamental material for mirrors.
≈All standards specify nominal thickness for the mirror glass, recognizing it as a key parameter. IS 6185 mandates 6 mm, while international standards list 6 mm as one of several common options.
≈Both IS 6185 and international standards like ASTM C1503 specify manufacturing tolerances on dimensions to account for cutting and processing variations.
≈The primary intended application across these standards is for mirrors used in internal, domestic, or commercial environments, not for specialized external or harsh conditions.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Standard Sizes
Prescribes 5 specific sizes (e.g., Type 1: 450 x 1200 mm)
No standard sizes prescribed; determined by the furniture manufacturer.
EN 1036-1:2007
Standard Thickness
6 mm (nominal)
Specifies a range of standard thicknesses (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm)
EN 1036-1:2007
Glass Substrate
'Sheet glass' or 'plate glass'
'Silver-coated float glass'
ISO 25537:2011
Dimensional Tolerance (Length/Width)
± 1.5 mm
Tolerances on stock sheets are defined, but final product tolerances are by agreement.
ASTM C1503-08(2020)
Primary Focus
Prescriptive dimensions for interchangeability.
Material quality, performance requirements, and test methods.
EN 1036-1:2007
Safety Backing Requirements
Not specified.
Recognized as an option for safety (e.g., polymer film backing), often covered by separate safety glazing standards.
ASTM C1503-08(2020)
Shape
Specifies rectangular (4 types) and oval (1 type) shapes.
No restriction on shape.
General practice in all intl. standards
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Dressing table mirror - Type 1 (mm)450 x 300
Wardrobe mirror - Type 1 (mm)1200 x 400
Cheval glass mirror - Type 1 (mm)1200 x 450
Dimensional tolerance on length/width (mm)± 2
Recommended thickness of mirror glass (mm)4 to 6
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions for Dressing Table Mirrors
Table 2 - Dimensions for Wardrobe and Cupboard Mirrors
Table 3 - Dimensions for Cheval Glass Mirrors
Key Clauses
Clause 2 - Terminology
Clause 3 - Dimensions
Clause 4 - Tolerances
Frequently Asked Questions3
Is IS 6185:1971 still a valid standard?+
No, this standard has been withdrawn by the Bureau of Indian Standards and has not been replaced.
What are the standard sizes for a wardrobe mirror according to this code?+
The code suggests several sizes, such as 1200 x 400 mm, 1000 x 300 mm, and 500 x 300 mm (Table 2).
Does this code specify the quality or thickness of the mirror glass?+
It only provides recommended thicknesses (4 to 6 mm). For quality specifications of silvered glass mirrors, one should refer to IS 3438.