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IS 7070 : 1988Wooden shelving racks, adjustable and non-adjustable type

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ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 · ISO 7170 · EN 14073-2
CurrentSpecializedSpecificationBIMArchitectural · Furniture
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Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 7070:1988 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for wooden shelving racks, adjustable and non-adjustable type. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, construction, finish, and performance of wooden shelving racks of both adjustable and non-adjustable types. It is intended for use in offices, libraries, and for general storage purposes. The code includes load testing procedures to ensure the structural integrity and durability of the racks.

Wooden shelving racks, adjustable and non-adjustable type

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Furniture
Type
Specification
Amendments
Amendment 1 (August 1993)
International equivalents
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019 · BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association), USAISO 7170:2023 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization), InternationalEN 14073-2:2004 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), European Union
Typically used with
IS 303IS 401IS 707IS 1141IS 1659IS 1708
Also on InfraLens for IS 7070
6Key values2Tables4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! Ensure the timber used is properly seasoned as per IS 1141 to prevent warping and cracking after installation.
! Verify the joinery methods (e.g., dowels, screws, housing joints) match the specifications, as they are critical for the rack's stability and load capacity.
! The specified load capacity is for uniformly distributed loads (UDL); avoid concentrated heavy loads on a single point of the shelf.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3MaterialsCl. 4DimensionsCl. 5ConstructionCl. 6FinishCl. 7TestsCl. 8Marking
Pulled from IS 7070:1988. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
Updates & Amendments1 amendment
Amendment 1 (August 1993)
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
woodtimberplywoodblockboardadhesivesfasteners

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association), USA
MediumCurrent
Storage Units - Tests
Covers performance and safety testing for storage units, but is material-agnostic and performance-based.
ISO 7170:2023ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
MediumCurrent
Furniture — Storage furniture — Test methods for the determination of strength, durability and stability
Specifies test methods for strength, durability, and stability for all storage furniture, not prescriptive material requirements.
EN 14073-2:2004CEN (European Committee for Standardization), European Union
MediumCurrent
Office furniture - Storage furniture - Part 2: Safety requirements
Focuses on safety requirements for office storage, including shelving, but not construction or material specifics.
Key Differences
≠IS 7070 is a prescriptive standard, specifying exact timber species (e.g., Teak, Sal), member sizes, and joint types. International standards like ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 are performance-based, defining test criteria the product must pass, regardless of material or construction.
≠IS 7070 is exclusively for wooden and wood-based panel shelving. Modern international equivalents are material-agnostic, applicable to units made of wood, metal, plastic, or composites.
≠International standards like ISO 7170 and ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 include durability and cycle testing (e.g., repeated loading/unloading of shelves, door/drawer cycling) to simulate long-term use, which is not a component of IS 7070's static load tests.
≠Modern European standards like EN 14073-2 have more granular safety requirements, covering aspects like finger entrapment and specific stability tests involving loaded drawers, which are more detailed than the general stability test in IS 7070.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 7070 and its international counterparts mandate static load testing on shelves using a uniformly distributed load (UDL) to ensure they do not fail or deflect excessively.
≈All standards require stability tests to ensure the shelving unit will not tip over when a horizontal force is applied, which is a critical safety requirement.
≈The intended application for general office, library, and institutional storage is a common scope for both the Indian and international standards.
≈Both approaches define criteria for maximum allowable deflection of shelves under load to ensure serviceability and prevent sagging.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Shelf Static Load Test40 kg/m per 100mm depth for 24 hrs. E.g., a 1m span, 300mm deep shelf must hold 120 kg.Load of 66 lbs/ft² (approx. 322 kg/m²) for 1 hour.ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Maximum Shelf DeflectionShall not exceed 1/200 of the span after 24 hours under load.Shall not exceed L/200 (or 0.5% of shelf length) after 1 hour under load.ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Stability Test (Horizontal Force)Unit must withstand a horizontal force of 500 N (~51 kgf) at 1.8m height without toppling.Unit must withstand a horizontal force of 200 N (~20 kgf) at the highest reachable point (max 1.5m) without toppling.EN 14073-2:2004
Timber Moisture ContentShall not exceed 12% at the time of fabrication.Not specified in performance standards; considered a manufacturing process control. Good practice is typically 6-11%.General Woodworking Practice (not a standard)
Standard Rack Height1800, 2100, or 2400 mm.Not specified; determined by manufacturer and ergonomic considerations. Common heights are 1830 mm (72") and 2134 mm (84").General Commercial Practice
Upright Material & SizeSpecified timber (e.g., Teak) with minimum section sizes like 70x40 mm.Not specified. Any material and size that can pass the mandatory strength and stability tests is acceptable.ISO 7170:2023
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Moisture content of timber12 ± 3 percent
Minimum thickness of solid wood shelf18 mm
Minimum thickness of blockboard shelf18 mm
Standard nominal height of rack1800 mm, 2100 mm
Standard nominal depth of rack300 mm, 400 mm, 450 mm
Minimum load carrying capacity per shelf40 kg uniformly distributed

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions of Wooden Shelving Racks
Table 2 - Performance Tests for Wooden Shelving Racks
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Materials
Clause 4 - Dimensions
Clause 5 - Construction
Clause 6 - Finish
Clause 7 - Tests
Clause 8 - Marking

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 303:1989Plywood for General Purposes - Specification
→
IS 401:2001Code of Practice for Preservation of Timber
→
IS 707:2011Timber Technology And Utilization of Wood, Ba...
→
IS 1141:1993Seasoning of timber- Code of practice
→
IS 1659:2004Blockboards - Specification
→
IS 1708:2014Methods of Testing Small Clear Specimens of T...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What are the standard heights for these racks?+
The standard nominal heights are 1800 mm and 2100 mm as per Table 1.
What is the required moisture content for the wood?+
The moisture content of timber components should be 12 ± 3 percent at the time of fabrication (Clause 3.1.2).
How much load should a standard shelf be able to carry?+
Each shelf must be able to carry a uniformly distributed load of at least 40 kg for 24 hours without showing signs of failure (Clause 7.2).
Can plywood be used for shelves instead of solid wood?+
Yes, the code permits the use of blockboards conforming to IS 1659 or plywood for shelves, with specific thickness requirements (Clause 3.2).

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