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IS 8920 : 1978Methods for sampling burnt clay tiles

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ASTM C67 · BS EN 1304 · BS EN 771-1
CurrentSpecializedTesting MethodMaterials Science · Clay and Stabilized Soil Products
PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues4InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 8920:1978 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for methods for sampling burnt clay tiles. This standard lays down the procedure for sampling burnt clay tiles to ascertain their conformity to a given specification. It covers terminology, the scale of sampling for visual and physical characteristics, the method of selecting samples, and the criteria for conformity.

Methods for sampling burnt clay tiles

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Clay and Stabilized Soil Products
Type
Testing Method
Amendments
Amendment 1 (August 1989)
International equivalents
ASTM C67-22 · ASTM International, USABS EN 1304:2013 · BSI / CEN, UK / EuropeBS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015 · BSI / CEN, UK / EuropeAS 4456.1-2003 · Standards Australia, Australia
Typically used with
IS 1464IS 654IS 1077
Also on InfraLens for IS 8920
4Key values4Tables4FAQs
Practical Notes
! Ensure that the samples are drawn randomly from the entire lot, not just from the top or sides of a stack, to get a representative sample.
! The standard distinguishes between sampling for visual checks (like warpage, cracks) and destructive physical tests (like water absorption, breaking load).
! Samples for physical tests are to be selected from the tiles that have already passed the visual inspection.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 2TerminologyCl. 3Scale of SamplingCl. 4Number of Tests and Criteria for ConformityCl. 5Method of Drawing Samples
Pulled from IS 8920:1978. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
Updates & Amendments1 amendment
Amendment 1 (August 1989)
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
clayburnt claytilesroofing tilesflooring tiles

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ASTM C67-22ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
Defines procedures for sampling clay brick and structural tile from a lot or shipment for testing purposes.
BS EN 1304:2013BSI / CEN, UK / Europe
MediumCurrent
Clay roofing tiles and fittings. Product definitions and specifications
A product specification that includes sampling requirements as part of its conformity evaluation scheme.
BS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015BSI / CEN, UK / Europe
MediumCurrent
Specification for masonry units - Part 1: Clay masonry units
Covers clay masonry units (bricks/blocks), providing sampling protocols for verifying product characteristics.
AS 4456.1-2003Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Masonry units and segmental pavers and flags - Methods of test - Sampling for formal batch assessment
Provides methods for sampling masonry units from a batch for assessment, similar to the IS code's lot-based approach.
Key Differences
≠IS 8920 is a standalone sampling standard, whereas international counterparts like ASTM C67 integrate sampling and testing into one document, and EN standards embed sampling within broader product specification and conformity assessment frameworks (AVCP).
≠The Indian standard uses a multi-level acceptance sampling plan based on counting 'defective' units (e.g., accept if ≤ 2 defectives, reject if > 5). Modern EN and ASTM standards focus on sampling for variables, where test results (e.g., mean strength, average dimension) are compared to declared values or specified limits.
≠IS 8920 explicitly defines a re-sampling procedure if the first sample falls into an intermediate acceptance range. Most international standards, like ASTM C67, do not have this two-stage process; a sample's failure typically means the lot fails acceptance.
≠IS 8920 specifies sample size based on a tiered lot size (e.g., a lot of 5000 tiles requires a sample of 32). EN standards, like EN 1304, typically specify a fixed number of samples for each specific test (e.g., 10 tiles for dimensional checks), regardless of the lot size.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are fundamentally based on the principle of sampling from a defined 'lot' or 'consignment' to infer the quality of the entire population.
≈All standards mandate that sample units must be selected randomly from various parts of the lot to ensure representativeness and avoid bias.
≈The ultimate purpose is identical across all standards: to obtain specimens for conducting physical and dimensional tests to verify conformity with a given specification.
≈All standards emphasize the need for careful handling, marking, and protection of the sampled units to prevent damage or alteration before they are tested.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Lot DefinitionTiles of the same class, type, and size from a single source of manufacture, submitted for inspection at one time.A basic unit of brick or tile from a single source, of the same size, color, and texture, offered for inspection at one time.ASTM C67-22
Sample Size (Dimensional Checks for a mid-size lot)32 tiles for a lot of 2001 to 10000 tiles.10 tiles for determination of dimensional characteristics, irrespective of lot size.BS EN 1304:2013
Sample Size (Strength Test)12 tiles for flexural strength test.5 specimens for flexural strength test.ASTM C67-22
Acceptance Criteria (Visual/Dimensional)Based on number of defective tiles (e.g., for sample of 32, accept if defectives ≤ 2).Based on statistical evaluation (mean and range) of measured values against declared values (e.g., D1, D2 tolerance categories).BS EN 1304:2013
Re-sampling ProvisionMandatory if the number of defectives is in an intermediate range (e.g., between 3 and 5 for a sample of 32).Generally not specified for lot acceptance. Failure of initial sample is final.ASTM C67-22
Method of Random SelectionSelect at random. If from a stack, divide into 8 notional sub-groups and draw equal numbers from each.Take units at random from various parts of the whole lot or shipment.ASTM C67-22
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values4

Quick Reference Values
Sample size for visual inspection (Lot size 2001-10000)80 tiles
Permissible defective tiles (Visual, Sample size 80)7 tiles
Sample size for physical tests (per 20000 tiles)5 tiles
Criteria for conformity for breaking loadThe average breaking load should not be less than the specified minimum.

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Scale of Sampling for Visual Characteristics
Table 2 - Permissible Number of Defective Tiles for Visual Characteristics
Table 3 - Scale of Sampling for Physical Characteristics
Table 4 - Criteria for Conformity for Physical Characteristics
Key Clauses
Clause 2 - Terminology
Clause 3 - Scale of Sampling
Clause 4 - Number of Tests and Criteria for Conformity
Clause 5 - Method of Drawing Samples

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1464:1986Clay ridge and ceiling tiles
→
IS 654:1992Clay roofing tiles, Mangalore pattern
→
IS 1077:1992Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks - Specifica...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is a 'lot' as per IS 8920?+
A lot is defined as a collection of tiles of the same type, size, and grade from a single source of manufacture, submitted for inspection at one time (Clause 2.2).
How many tiles do I need to inspect visually for a lot of 5,000 tiles?+
For a lot size between 2001 and 10000, you need to select a sample of 80 tiles for visual inspection (Table 1).
How many tiles are allowed to be defective in a visual inspection sample of 80 tiles?+
For a sample size of 80, the lot is considered satisfactory if the number of defective tiles does not exceed 7 (Table 2).
How many samples are taken for physical tests like water absorption?+
For every 20,000 tiles or part thereof in the lot, a sample of 5 tiles is selected for physical tests (Table 3).

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