InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel
InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel

IS 7740 : 1985Code of practice for construction and maintenance of road gullies

PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
BS EN 124-2 · AASHTO M 306-10 (2020) · BS EN 1917
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMWater Resources · Public Health Engineering
PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 7740:1985 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for construction and maintenance of road gullies. This code of practice provides guidelines for the construction and maintenance of road gullies used for collecting surface water from road surfaces. It covers their location, spacing, types (trapped and untrapped), construction details, and essential maintenance procedures to ensure effective road drainage.

Code of practice for construction and maintenance of road gullies

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Water Resources — Public Health Engineering
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
BS EN 124-2:2015 · BSI - British Standards Institution (United Kingdom) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization)AASHTO M 306-10 (2020) · AASHTO - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (USA)BS EN 1917:2002 · BSI - British Standards Institution (United Kingdom) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization)ASTM C478 / C478M - 22 · ASTM International (USA)
Typically used with
IS 456IS 1742IS 5961
Also on InfraLens for IS 7740
5Key values4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! Ensure the gully grating is set slightly below the surrounding road surface (10-20mm) to effectively capture runoff and prevent ponding.
! Regular cleaning and desilting, especially before and during monsoon season, are critical to prevent blockages and localized flooding.
! Use trapped gullies only when connecting to a combined or foul sewer system to prevent escape of sewer gases; untrapped gullies are sufficient for dedicated surface water drains.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Location and SpacingCl. 5Types of GulliesCl. 6ConstructionCl. 8Maintenance
Pulled from IS 7740:1985. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
concretecast ironbrick masonry

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
BS EN 124-2:2015BSI - British Standards Institution (United Kingdom) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas. Part 2: Gully tops and manhole tops made of cast iron
Covers design, performance, and testing of cast iron gully gratings and frames, a key component of IS 7740.
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 material and testing requirements for iron castings used in road drainage, including gully grates and frames.
BS EN 1917:2002BSI - British Standards Institution (United Kingdom) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Concrete manholes and inspection chambers, unreinforced, steel fibre and reinforced
Covers precast concrete chambers, analogous to the concrete gully pot/chamber specified in IS 7740.
ASTM C478 / C478M - 22ASTM International (USA)
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Precast Reinforced Concrete Manhole Sections
Details the manufacturing of precast concrete sections used for utility structures, including drainage gully pots.
Key Differences
≠IS 7740 is a comprehensive 'code of practice' covering materials, design, construction, and maintenance in one document. International practice typically uses separate, modular standards for components (e.g., BS EN 124 for tops, BS EN 1917 for chambers).
≠International standards like BS EN 124 use a detailed, performance-based load classification system (e.g., A15, B125, D400) based on test loads in kilonewtons. IS 7740 uses broader descriptive categories ('light', 'medium', 'heavy duty') with less specific test load requirements within the document itself.
≠IS 7740 provides prescriptive designs with specific dimensions for P-type and S-type gullies. European standards are more performance-oriented, specifying functional requirements (e.g., load bearing capacity, clear opening, seating) that must be met, allowing for more varied designs.
≠Material specifications are tied to national standards. IS 7740 specifies Indian grades of cast iron (e.g., FG 200 of IS 210), while BS EN 124-2 specifies European grades (e.g., EN-GJS-500-7) and AASHTO M 306 specifies ASTM grades (e.g., ASTM A48, Class 35B).
Key Similarities
≈All standards recognize the same fundamental purpose of a road gully: to collect surface water, trap sediment, and provide a water seal to prevent sewer gas from escaping.
≈There is a common emphasis on using durable materials suitable for road environments, primarily cast iron for gratings/frames and concrete for the main chamber/pot.
≈All standards specify the need for a protective coating (typically bituminous) on cast iron components to prevent corrosion.
≈The principle of installing the gully pot on a solid concrete bed and ensuring a proper connection to the drainage pipe is a common requirement across all related codes of practice.
≈All standards implicitly or explicitly link the strength requirement of the gully grating and frame to its location and the anticipated traffic loads.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Grating Material (Typical)Grey Cast Iron, Grade FG 200 (as per IS 210)Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron, Grade EN-GJS-500-7BS EN 124-2:2015
Load Class (Main Carriageways)Heavy Duty (test load often derived from other standards, approx. 20-35 Tonnes)Class D400 (400 kN test load, approx. 40.8 Tonnes)BS EN 124-1:2015
Minimum Water Seal Depth75 mm75 mm (historically in BS 5911-6, now a drainage system design parameter)BS 5911-6:2004 (Withdrawn)
Gully Chamber Concrete Grade (Min)M15 (15 N/mm² characteristic strength)C40/50 (40 N/mm² characteristic cylinder strength)BS EN 1917:2002
Gully Pot Internal Diameter450 mm (typical design)DN 450 (Nominal Diameter 450 mm) is a common sizeBS EN 1917:2002
Coating for Iron CastingsBlack bituminous composition or other approved coatingUniform coating of bituminous material, asphaltic, or other approved typeAASHTO M 306-10 (2020)
Third-Party CertificationISI Mark (optional but recommended)Required marking by a third-party certification body (e.g., Kitemark, BSI)BS EN 124-1:2015
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Typical spacing of gullies on urban roads30 to 50 m
Minimum depth of water seal in trapped gullies75 mm
Minimum depth for silt collection below pipe invert225 mm
Recommended slope of connecting pipe1 in 100 to 1 in 150
Typical depression of gully grating below road surface10 to 20 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Location and Spacing
Clause 5 - Types of Gullies
Clause 6 - Construction
Clause 8 - Maintenance

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 1742:1972Code of Practice for Drainage (Outside Buildi...
→
IS 5961:1970cast iron gratings for drainage purposes
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the recommended spacing for road gullies?+
Generally 30 to 50 meters, adjusted based on road gradient, width, and local rainfall intensity (Clause 4.2).
When should a trapped gully be used?+
A trap is required when the gully discharges into a combined sewer or a foul sewer to prevent gas escape. It is not needed for a separate surface water drain (Clause 5.1).
What is the minimum depth for a water seal in a trapped gully?+
The water seal should have a minimum depth of 75 mm (Clause 5.2.1).
How frequently should road gullies be maintained?+
They should be cleaned before the start of the monsoon and at least twice during the monsoon period, with more frequency in areas prone to heavy silt or debris (Clause 8.1).

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋
QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.
Browse all 300 templates →