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IS 8716:1990 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for use of plastics in sanitary plumbing installations (first revision). This code of practice outlines the requirements for materials, jointing, installation, and testing of plastics-based sanitary plumbing systems, including soil, waste, and vent pipes. It aims to ensure efficient and hygienic conveyance of discharge from appliances within buildings.
Provides a code of practice for the selection, installation, and use of various plastic materials in sanitary plumbing systems.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Although this standard has been withdrawn by BIS, its principles are fundamental and widely incorporated into newer codes like IS 13592 and the National Building Code (NBC). Always refer to the latest NBC for current practice.
! Pay close attention to support spacing for horizontal pipe runs to prevent sagging ('belly'), which leads to blockages and poor flow.
! Proper jointing with solvent cement is critical. Ensure surfaces are clean, dry, and properly primed before application to prevent future leaks.
BS EN 12056-2:2000BSI (British Standards Institution), UK / CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Gravity drainage systems inside buildings - Part 2: Sanitary pipework, layout and calculation
Provides detailed rules for the design, layout, and hydraulic sizing of sanitary drainage pipework.
AS/NZS 3500.2:2021Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand
HighCurrent
Plumbing and drainage - Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage
Covers the complete design, installation, and testing requirements for sanitary plumbing systems in buildings.
International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2021ICC (International Code Council), USA
HighCurrent
International Plumbing Code
Chapter 7 (Sanitary Drainage) details material, sizing, installation, and testing of sanitary systems.
DIN 1986-100:2016-12DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung), Germany
MediumCurrent
Drainage systems for buildings and premises - Part 100: Specifications in relation to DIN EN 752 and DIN EN 12056
Provides supplementary national rules for the planning and installation of drainage systems, complementing European standards.
Key Differences
≠IS 8716:1990 is primarily a prescriptive code based on fixture units. Modern international codes like BS EN 12056-2 and AS/NZS 3500.2 also permit performance-based hydraulic calculations, which can result in more optimized pipe sizing.
≠International codes like the IPC and AS/NZS 3500.2 provide explicit and detailed regulations for advanced venting options such as circuit venting, combination waste-and-vent systems, and the widespread use of Air Admittance Valves (AAVs). IS 8716 focuses on traditional single stack or one-pipe systems with limited guidance on AAVs.
≠The specified air test for system integrity in IS 8716 is significantly less stringent (38 mm water gauge / ~0.37 kPa for 3 minutes) compared to the IPC (5 psi / ~34.5 kPa for 15 minutes), reflecting different expectations for jointing quality and testing rigor.
≠IS 8716 requires cleanouts at closer intervals (e.g., max 6 m for pipes up to 110 mm) than the IPC (max 100 ft / 30.5 m for pipes 4" and larger), indicating differing philosophies on maintenance access versus potential points of failure.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are founded on the same core principle of using gravity to transport waste and ensuring self-cleansing velocities through minimum pipe gradients.
≈The mandatory use of a water seal trap at every plumbing fixture to prevent the ingress of sewer gas is a fundamental and universal requirement across all codes.
≈All codes require adequate support for both horizontal and vertical pipe runs to prevent sagging and stress on joints, with recommended support spacing for uPVC pipes being broadly comparable.
≈The concept of sizing pipes based on the hydraulic load, typically calculated using a 'fixture unit' system, is a common methodology in both IS 8716 and international codes like the IPC.
≈All standards emphasize the need for access points (cleanouts, inspection doors) at critical locations like the base of stacks, major changes in direction, and at specified intervals to facilitate system maintenance.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Trap Seal Depth
50 mm minimum (75 mm for specific cases)
2 inches (51 mm) minimum
IPC 2021 (Sec. 1002.4)
Minimum Gradient for 100/110 mm Horizontal Pipe
1 in 80 (1.25%)
1/8 inch per foot (~1.04%) for ≥3-inch pipe
IPC 2021 (Table 704.1)
Horizontal Support Spacing for uPVC Pipe (~100 mm)
1.0 m
4 feet (1.22 m)
IPC 2021 (Table 308.5)
Vertical Support Spacing for uPVC Pipe
Not less than 2.0 m
At each floor level, not exceeding 10 feet (3.05 m)
IPC 2021 (Sec. 308.5.3)
Air Test Pressure
38 mm of water gauge (~0.37 kPa)
5 pounds per square inch (psi) (~34.5 kPa)
IPC 2021 (Sec. 312.3)
Air Test Duration
3 minutes
15 minutes
IPC 2021 (Sec. 312.3)
Maximum Spacing for Cleanouts (Horizontal, ~100mm pipe)
6 m
100 feet (30.5 m)
IPC 2021 (Sec. 708.1.5)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum gradient for 100 mm drains1 in 100
Minimum water seal depth for traps50 mm
Maximum spacing for horizontal 110 mm uPVC pipe supports1.0 m