IS 6408 : 2000Recommendations for modular coordination in the building industry: Applications

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ISO 1803 · ISO 6707-1

CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesBIMArchitectural · Planning, Housing and Pre-fabricated Construction

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IS 6408:2000 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommendations for modular coordination in the building industry: applications. This standard provides recommendations and rules for the application of modular coordination in the building industry. It establishes a system for coordinating the dimensions of building components and spaces using a basic module (100 mm) to simplify design, enable prefabrication, and improve construction efficiency.

Recommendations for modular coordination in the building industry: Applications

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: Architectural — Planning, Housing and Pre-fabricated Construction
Type: Guidelines

International equivalents

ISO 1803:2023 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)ISO 6707-1:2020 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

Typically used with

IS 6411

Also on InfraLens for IS 6408

5Key values 3FAQs

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

Practical Notes

! The core principle is to design on a 'planning grid' based on the 100mm module (M), which governs the placement of structural elements and components.

! A clear distinction must be made between 'grid dimensions' (controlling dimensions) and 'component work sizes', with the difference accommodating joints and tolerances.

! Effective implementation requires adoption from the very beginning of the conceptual design phase and consistent application across all project disciplines (Architectural, Structural, MEP).

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 3Terminology Cl. 4Aims of Application Cl. 5Rules for the Application of Modular Coordination Cl. 6Application of Modular Grids Cl. 7Rules for Locating Components

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

ISO 1803:2023ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

HighCurrent

Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary for tolerances and accuracy

Provides the most up-to-date international vocabulary for building tolerances, directly aligning with the IS code's subject matter.

ISO 1803:1997ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

HighWithdrawn

Building construction — Tolerances — Vocabulary

This was the likely basis for IS 6408:2000, sharing an almost identical scope and conceptual framework.

ISO 6707-1:2020ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

MediumCurrent

Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms

A broader vocabulary standard that includes a section on tolerances and measurement, overlapping with key terms in the IS code.

BS 6954-1:1988BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom

MediumWithdrawn

Tolerances for building. Recommendations for basic principles for aiming for fit

A historical UK standard whose glossary section covered the same fundamental concepts of tolerance, deviation, and fit.

Key Differences

≠IS 6408:2000 is based on concepts from the late 1990s (like ISO 1803:1997), while current international standards like ISO 1803:2023 have been updated to reflect modern surveying techniques and statistical concepts of accuracy.

≠The Indian standard is part of a series specific to 'Recommendations for Modular Co-ordination', whereas the ISO equivalents are more general vocabulary standards for all types of building tolerances and accuracy, not just modular.

≠Modern ISO standards may introduce terms related to digital construction (BIM) and data-driven accuracy control, which are absent in the 20-year-old IS code.

≠The scope of the current ISO 1803:2023 explicitly includes 'civil engineering works' alongside 'buildings', making it broader than the IS code which is focused on the 'Building Industry'.

Key Similarities

≈Both the IS code and its international equivalents are fundamentally glossaries, established to create a common, unambiguous language for designers, manufacturers, and contractors regarding tolerances.

≈The core concepts defined, such as 'tolerance', 'deviation', 'basic size', 'actual size', and 'limits of size', form the foundation of both the Indian and international frameworks.

≈All standards utilize the concept of a 'basic size' as a theoretical reference from which permissible deviations and tolerances are calculated.

≈The hierarchical structure of tolerances (e.g., distinguishing between manufacturing, setting-out, and erection tolerances) is a shared principle, even if the specific terms vary slightly.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Tolerance	The difference between the upper and lower limits of size.	Difference between the upper limit of size and the lower limit of size.	ISO 1803:2023
Deviation	The algebraical difference between a size (actual, limit, etc) and the corresponding basic size.	Difference between a size and the corresponding basic size.	ISO 1803:2023
Basic Size	The size by reference to which the limits of size are fixed. It is a theoretically exact size.	Size by reference to which the limits of size are fixed.	ISO 1803:2023
Actual Size	The size of a component as measured. It is the value of a physical measurement.	Size of a feature obtained by measurement.	ISO 1803:2023
Clearance	The difference between the sizes of two components which are to be assembled.	Difference between the sizes of two features before assembly, where this difference is positive.	ISO 1803:2023
Inaccuracy	The total deviation from the specified value which includes errors resulting from measurement, setting-out and erection.	Difference between the mean of a set of measured values and a reference value (true or accepted).	ISO 1803:2023
Permissible Deviation	The deviation permitted by the specification for the work. It is numerically equal to the tolerance.	Extreme value for a deviation permitted by the specification for the work.	ISO 1803:2023

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values

Basic Module (M)100 mm

Recommended Horizontal Multi-module3M (300 mm)

Secondary Horizontal Multi-module6M (600 mm)

Recommended Vertical Multi-module1M (100 mm)

Typical Joint Thickness Range0 to 20 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

No tables data

Key Clauses

Clause 3 - Terminology

Clause 4 - Aims of Application

Clause 5 - Rules for the Application of Modular Coordination

Clause 6 - Application of Modular Grids

Clause 7 - Rules for Locating Components

Frequently Asked Questions3

What is the basic module (M) that forms the basis of modular coordination?+

The basic module 'M' is 100 mm. All other preferred dimensions are multiples or sub-multiples of this value.

What is the purpose of a planning grid?+

A planning grid is a reference system of orthogonal lines used to locate and coordinate the position and size of building elements, spaces, and components (Clause 6).

How does modular coordination relate component size to grid size?+

The component's 'work size' is derived from the modular grid space, subtracting allowances for joints and manufacturing tolerances, ensuring components fit within the grid (Clause 5.3).

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 6408 : 2000Recommendations for modular coordination in the building industry: Applications

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

ISO 1803 · ISO 6707-1

CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesBIMArchitectural · Planning, Housing and Pre-fabricated Construction

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

Recommendations for modular coordination in the building industry: Applications

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: Architectural — Planning, Housing and Pre-fabricated Construction
Type: Guidelines

International equivalents

ISO 1803:2023 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)ISO 6707-1:2020 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

Typically used with

IS 6411

Also on InfraLens for IS 6408

5Key values 3FAQs

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

Practical Notes

! The core principle is to design on a 'planning grid' based on the 100mm module (M), which governs the placement of structural elements and components.

! A clear distinction must be made between 'grid dimensions' (controlling dimensions) and 'component work sizes', with the difference accommodating joints and tolerances.

! Effective implementation requires adoption from the very beginning of the conceptual design phase and consistent application across all project disciplines (Architectural, Structural, MEP).

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 3Terminology Cl. 4Aims of Application Cl. 5Rules for the Application of Modular Coordination Cl. 6Application of Modular Grids Cl. 7Rules for Locating Components

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

ISO 1803:2023ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

HighCurrent

Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary for tolerances and accuracy

Provides the most up-to-date international vocabulary for building tolerances, directly aligning with the IS code's subject matter.

ISO 1803:1997ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

HighWithdrawn

Building construction — Tolerances — Vocabulary

This was the likely basis for IS 6408:2000, sharing an almost identical scope and conceptual framework.

ISO 6707-1:2020ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

MediumCurrent

Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms

A broader vocabulary standard that includes a section on tolerances and measurement, overlapping with key terms in the IS code.

BS 6954-1:1988BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom

MediumWithdrawn

Tolerances for building. Recommendations for basic principles for aiming for fit

A historical UK standard whose glossary section covered the same fundamental concepts of tolerance, deviation, and fit.

Key Differences

≠Modern ISO standards may introduce terms related to digital construction (BIM) and data-driven accuracy control, which are absent in the 20-year-old IS code.

≠The scope of the current ISO 1803:2023 explicitly includes 'civil engineering works' alongside 'buildings', making it broader than the IS code which is focused on the 'Building Industry'.

Key Similarities

≈The core concepts defined, such as 'tolerance', 'deviation', 'basic size', 'actual size', and 'limits of size', form the foundation of both the Indian and international frameworks.

≈All standards utilize the concept of a 'basic size' as a theoretical reference from which permissible deviations and tolerances are calculated.

≈The hierarchical structure of tolerances (e.g., distinguishing between manufacturing, setting-out, and erection tolerances) is a shared principle, even if the specific terms vary slightly.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Tolerance	The difference between the upper and lower limits of size.	Difference between the upper limit of size and the lower limit of size.	ISO 1803:2023
Deviation	The algebraical difference between a size (actual, limit, etc) and the corresponding basic size.	Difference between a size and the corresponding basic size.	ISO 1803:2023
Basic Size	The size by reference to which the limits of size are fixed. It is a theoretically exact size.	Size by reference to which the limits of size are fixed.	ISO 1803:2023
Actual Size	The size of a component as measured. It is the value of a physical measurement.	Size of a feature obtained by measurement.	ISO 1803:2023
Clearance	The difference between the sizes of two components which are to be assembled.	Difference between the sizes of two features before assembly, where this difference is positive.	ISO 1803:2023
Inaccuracy	The total deviation from the specified value which includes errors resulting from measurement, setting-out and erection.	Difference between the mean of a set of measured values and a reference value (true or accepted).	ISO 1803:2023
Permissible Deviation	The deviation permitted by the specification for the work. It is numerically equal to the tolerance.	Extreme value for a deviation permitted by the specification for the work.	ISO 1803:2023

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values

Basic Module (M)100 mm

Recommended Horizontal Multi-module3M (300 mm)

Secondary Horizontal Multi-module6M (600 mm)

Recommended Vertical Multi-module1M (100 mm)

Typical Joint Thickness Range0 to 20 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

No tables data

Key Clauses

Clause 3 - Terminology

Clause 4 - Aims of Application

Clause 5 - Rules for the Application of Modular Coordination

Clause 6 - Application of Modular Grids

Clause 7 - Rules for Locating Components

Frequently Asked Questions3

What is the basic module (M) that forms the basis of modular coordination?+

The basic module 'M' is 100 mm. All other preferred dimensions are multiples or sub-multiples of this value.

What is the purpose of a planning grid?+

A planning grid is a reference system of orthogonal lines used to locate and coordinate the position and size of building elements, spaces, and components (Clause 6).

How does modular coordination relate component size to grid size?+

The component's 'work size' is derived from the modular grid space, subtracting allowances for joints and manufacturing tolerances, ensuring components fit within the grid (Clause 5.3).

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 6408 : 2000Recommendations for modular coordination in the building industry: Applications

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values5

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions3

QA/QC Inspection Templates

IS 6408 : 2000Recommendations for modular coordination in the building industry: Applications

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values5

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions3

QA/QC Inspection Templates