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IS 8467:1977 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for steel card-index cabinets. This Indian Standard lays down the requirements regarding materials, dimensions, construction, finish, and testing of steel card-index cabinets. The standard is intended to ensure interchangeability, durability, and satisfactory performance of cabinets used for storing index cards in offices and libraries.
! This standard has been officially withdrawn by BIS, as card-index cabinets are largely obsolete due to digitalization. It is primarily of historical or archival interest.
! For modern steel office furniture, refer to other relevant standards like IS 3312 for steel shelving cabinets or IS 3498 for steel tables.
! When specifying, ensure the steel sheet material conforms to IS 513 for quality and grade.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association), USA
MediumCurrent
Storage Units - Tests
Covers performance and safety of all office storage, including metal cabinets, but is broader than just card-index cabinets.
BS EN 14073-2:2004BSI (British Standards Institution), UK / CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Office furniture - Storage furniture - Part 2: Safety requirements
Specifies safety requirements for all office storage furniture, forming a part of the European standard framework.
AA-C-125cGSA (General Services Administration), USA
HighWithdrawn
CABINET, CARD-INDEX, STEEL
A direct US federal specification for the exact same product, steel card-index cabinets, but is now inactive.
BS 5459-3:1990BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
LowWithdrawn
Specification for performance requirements and tests for office furniture. Desks, tables, storage furniture and panel and screen products
An influential but withdrawn British performance standard that covered office storage among other furniture types.
Key Differences
≠IS 8467 is highly prescriptive, specifying exact material types (e.g., steel sheet as per IS 513) and minimum thicknesses for components. Modern international standards are performance-based, allowing any material or thickness that passes durability and safety tests.
≠The Indian standard specifies a particular finishing process (phosphating and stove enamelling). International standards like ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 define performance requirements for the finish, such as adhesion and corrosion resistance, without mandating the process.
≠IS 8467 lacks a high-cycle durability test for drawers. In contrast, ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 requires drawers to withstand tens of thousands of open/close cycles under load to prove long-term reliability.
≠The scope of IS 8467 is very narrow, applying only to steel card-index cabinets. Modern standards like BS EN 14073 and ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 cover the entire category of office storage furniture (cupboards, pedestals, filing cabinets, etc.).
Key Similarities
≈All standards prioritize safety by including tests to prevent the cabinet from tipping over when drawers are opened, which is a critical hazard for vertical storage units.
≈Both the IS code and international standards include requirements for the structural integrity of the cabinet, ensuring it can hold a specified load without permanent deformation or collapse.
≈The core construction principle of a welded or rigidly joined sheet steel carcass is a common feature across the IS standard and the products designed to meet international standards.
≈All standards implicitly or explicitly address the functionality of drawers, requiring them to operate smoothly and support their intended load, ensuring basic usability.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Main Body Steel Thickness
Prescribed as 1.0 mm for cabinets up to 1000 mm high; 1.25 mm for cabinets over 1000 mm high.
Not specified; performance-based. The cabinet must pass all strength and stability tests regardless of steel thickness.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Drawer Body Steel Thickness
Prescribed as 0.80 mm.
Not specified; performance-based.
BS EN 14073-2:2004
Stability Test
With loaded drawers extended, the cabinet shall not tip when a 196 N vertical force is applied to the top drawer front.
With one or more drawers extended, a horizontal pull force (e.g., 75 N) is applied; the unit must not tip over.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Drawer Cycle Durability
No specific cycle-count test is specified; requires drawers to 'work smoothly'.
Drawers must successfully complete 20,000 to 50,000 open/close cycles under a specified load.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Drawer Load Capacity Basis
Calculated based on internal volume at a rate of 0.27 N per cubic centimetre.
Defined by the manufacturer or a standard value (e.g., 0.009 kg/cm³) for testing purposes.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
Finishing Process
Prescribed process: Phosphating as per IS 3618 followed by stove enamelling or powder coating.
Process is not prescribed. Finish is evaluated through performance tests for adhesion, corrosion, and scratch resistance.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
Minimum thickness of steel sheet for cabinet body0.80 mm
Minimum thickness of steel sheet for drawers0.63 mm
Minimum thickness of steel sheet for drawer front0.80 mm
Paint finish thickness (minimum)20 microns
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions for Steel Card Index Cabinets