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IS 905:1980 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for delivery breechings, dividing and collecting instantaneous pattern for fire fighting purposes. This code specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, and testing of dividing and collecting delivery breechings with instantaneous pattern connections used in fire fighting. Fire protection engineers and safety officers use this standard for the procurement and quality inspection of fire hose fittings.
Specification for Delivery Breechings, Dividing And Collecting Instantaneous Pattern For Fire Fighting Purposes
! Dividing breechings divide a single water feed into two lines (1 male inlet to 2 female outlets), while collecting breechings merge two lines into one (2 male inlets to 1 female outlet).
! Ensure the instantaneous connections (typically 63mm) strictly comply with IS 901 to guarantee compatibility with standard fire hoses and hydrants.
! This specific code covers breechings without control valves. For breechings with control valves, refer to IS 5131.
aluminum alloyleaded tin bronzebrass
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
BS 336:2010British Standards Institution (BSI), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
Fire hose couplings and ancillary equipment
Covers dividing and collecting breechings using the same 'instantaneous' coupling type as IS 905.
NFPA 1963, 2019 EditionNational Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
MediumCurrent
Standard for Fire Hose Connections
Covers wyes (dividing) and siamese connections (collecting) but specifies different threaded couplings (e.g., NST) instead of instantaneous ones.
DIN 14365:2016-09Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), Germany
HighCurrent
Distributors for fire fighting purposes
Specifically covers dividing breechings (Verteiler), functionally identical to those in IS 905, but using Storz couplings.
AS 2419.2-2009Standards Australia, Australia
LowWithdrawn
Fire hydrant installations - Fire hydrant valves
While not a direct match, it covers related valving and connections; breechings (boosters) are covered in the broader AS 2419.1 system standard.
Key Differences
≠Coupling Technology: IS 905 specifies 'instantaneous' push-and-twist couplings. NFPA 1963 primarily uses threaded connections (NST), while DIN standards use symmetrical 'Storz' quarter-turn couplings.
≠Valve Type: IS 905 explicitly details screw-down (globe-type) valves for controlled breechings. Modern international standards like those referenced by NFPA often use or allow for ball valves, which offer quicker operation.
≠Material Grade Specification: IS 905 specifies precise Indian Standard material grades like Leaded Tin Bronze LTB-2 (IS 318) or Aluminium Alloy (IS 617). International standards specify their own national or regional equivalent material grades (e.g., Gunmetal LG2 to BS 1400 in the UK).
≠Test Pressure Nuances: While numerically similar, the hydrostatic test pressures and durations can vary. IS 905 specifies 21 kgf/cm² for 2.5 minutes, whereas BS 336 specifies 20 bar for dividing breechings and 15 bar for collecting breechings, reflecting different operational philosophies.
Key Similarities
≈Core Functionality: All standards cover devices with the identical purpose of either dividing a single fire water stream into multiple outlets (dividing breeching/wye) or combining multiple inlets into one stream (collecting breeching/siamese).
≈Performance Testing Mandate: All standards require rigorous performance testing, most critically a hydrostatic pressure test, to ensure the device will not leak or fail catastrophically under operational fire ground pressures.
≈Corrosion-Resistant Materials: All standards mandate the use of robust, corrosion-resistant materials suitable for water service, primarily specifying copper-based alloys (bronze, gunmetal) or specific, approved grades of aluminium alloy.
≈Essential Markings: All standards require permanent markings on the body of the breeching, typically including the manufacturer's name or trademark, the standard it conforms to, and often the year of manufacture.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Body Hydrostatic Test Pressure
21 kgf/cm² (~20.6 bar) for 2.5 minutes
20 bar (dividing) / 15 bar (collecting)
BS 336:2010
Primary Copper Alloy Material
Leaded Tin Bronze, Grade LTB-2 as per IS 318
Gunmetal, Grade LG2 as per BS 1400
BS 336:2010
Primary Aluminium Alloy Material
Alloy Grade 4600 (LM6) as per IS 617
LM25 or LM6 as per BS 1490
BS 336:2010
Coupling Type
Instantaneous Pattern (IS 903)
Threaded Connections (e.g., National Standard Thread)
NFPA 1963
Valve Mechanism for Controlled Outlets
Screw-down type with a trapezoidal-threaded spindle.
Performance-based; ball valves are common.
NFPA 1963
Nominal Size
63 mm
65 mm (DN65)
BS 336:2010
Handle/Lever Material
Mild steel, zinc plated or chrome plated
Material with sufficient strength and corrosion resistance (often stainless steel or coated steel/aluminium)
General practice in NFPA/BS
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values3
Quick Reference Values
standard connection size63 mm instantaneous pattern
What is the standard connection type specified in IS 905?+
63 mm instantaneous pattern (male and female connections).
What is the required hydraulic test pressure for these breechings?+
The assembly must withstand a hydrostatic pressure of 2.1 MPa (21 kgf/cm²) for 2.5 minutes without showing signs of leakage or sweating.
What materials are typically approved for these breechings?+
They are generally cast from aluminum alloys, leaded tin bronze, or specific grades of brass depending on the required corrosion resistance and weight.