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IS 9510 : 1980Code of practice for membrane waterproofing in wet areas of buildings

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AS 3740 · DIN 18534 (series) · BS 5385-4
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMMaterials Science · Waterproofing and Damp Proofing
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 9510:1980 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for membrane waterproofing in wet areas of buildings. This code provides guidance on the materials, design considerations, and workmanship for applying membrane waterproofing in building wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and balconies. It covers surface preparation, application techniques for membranes, and detailing at critical junctions to prevent water leakage. Note: This standard has been withdrawn, and current practice often relies on manufacturer specifications and the National Building Code (NBC).

Provides recommendations for membrane waterproofing of wet areas like bathrooms, toilets, and kitchens in buildings.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Waterproofing and Damp Proofing
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
AS 3740:2021 · Standards Australia, AustraliaDIN 18534 (series):2017 · Deutsches Institut für Normung, GermanyBS 5385-4:2015 · British Standards Institution, UKTCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation · Tile Council of North America, USA
Typically used with
IS 702IS 1322IS 3384IS 7193
Also on InfraLens for IS 9510
6Key values4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! Extreme care must be taken during surface preparation; the substrate must be clean, dry, and free of sharp projections before laying the membrane.
! Junctions between floor and wall, corners, and pipe penetrations are critical areas and require special attention and detailing as specified.
! It is highly recommended to conduct a flood test (ponding test) for 24-48 hours to check for leaks before laying the protective screed and final finishes.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3MaterialsCl. 4Design ConsiderationsCl. 5WorkmanshipCl. 5.4Application of Membrane
Pulled from IS 9510:1980. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
waterproofing membranebitumenbitumen feltpolymeric membranes

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
AS 3740:2021Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Waterproofing of domestic wet areas
Directly addresses waterproofing of internal wet areas like bathrooms and laundries, specifying materials and installation methods.
DIN 18534 (series):2017Deutsches Institut für Normung, Germany
HighCurrent
Waterproofing for interior rooms
Provides a highly detailed, risk-based system for waterproofing internal areas based on water exposure classes.
BS 5385-4:2015British Standards Institution, UK
MediumCurrent
Wall and floor tiling. Design and installation of ceramic, natural stone and mosaic tiling in special conditions. Code of practice
Covers waterproofing (tanking) as an integral part of preparing special condition areas (including wet areas) for tiling.
TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile InstallationTile Council of North America, USA
MediumCurrent
TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation (updated annually)
An industry guide, not a formal standard, but contains the de facto methods (e.g., B415, B422) for wet area waterproofing in North America.
Key Differences
≠IS 9510:1980 is based on outdated material technology, primarily recommending bituminous felts, mastics, and basic plastic films. Modern international standards focus on advanced, performance-tested systems like liquid-applied membranes (polyurethane, cementitious) and flexible sheet membranes with pre-formed components.
≠International standards like AS 3740 and DIN 18534 adopt a systemic approach, specifying detailed requirements for junctions, terminations, penetrations, and bond breakers. IS 9510 is more material-focused, providing general application guidance without this level of systemic detail.
≠Modern standards classify wet areas by risk or water exposure level (e.g., DIN 18534 Water Exposure Classes W0-I to W3-I) and prescribe waterproofing systems accordingly. IS 9510 provides a single, general approach for all 'wet areas'.
≠International standards often require waterproofing materials to be certified against a separate performance standard (e.g., AS/NZS 4858 in Australia), ensuring minimum elongation, strength, and durability. IS 9510 lacks this linkage to certified, high-performance materials.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the fundamental objective of creating a continuous, monolithic, and impervious barrier to prevent water migration into the building structure from wet areas.
≈There is a universal emphasis on the critical importance of proper substrate preparation, requiring surfaces to be clean, sound, dry, and correctly graded before applying any waterproofing.
≈Both IS 9510 and its international counterparts mandate that the waterproofing membrane be extended up the walls from the floor to a specified minimum height, creating a 'tanked' zone.
≈The principle of treating wall/floor junctions as a critical detail is common. IS 9510 requires a mortar fillet (gola), while modern standards use bond-breaker tapes, but both acknowledge the need for special treatment at this joint.
≈The practice of post-installation flood testing (ponding water on the finished membrane to check for leaks) is recommended as a quality assurance measure in both IS 9510 and international guides.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Primary Recommended MaterialsBitumen felts, Hessian based felts, Plastic films (polythene), Bitumen mastic.Liquid-applied membranes (LAMS), Sheet membranes, Cementitious waterproofing. Materials are performance-classified (e.g., Class I, II, III).AS 3740:2021
Membrane Upstand Height (General)At least 150 mm.At least 150 mm above finished floor level for walls enclosing a shower, 100mm for other walls in the room.BS 5385-4:2015
Membrane Upstand Height (In Shower)150 mm (no specific separate requirement for shower area).1800 mm minimum height from the finished floor level, or 150 mm above the shower rose if higher.AS 3740:2021
Wall/Floor Junction TreatmentProvide a cement mortar fillet (gola) with a minimum 20 mm radius.A bond breaker system (tape or sealant) must be installed at the junction to accommodate movement.AS 3740:2021
Flood Test Duration48 hours at 25 mm depth.Minimum 24 hours. Water level to be just below the termination height (e.g., doorway water stop).TCNA Handbook
Sheet Membrane LapNot less than 100 mm for bitumen felts.Minimum 50 mm, or as per manufacturer's specification.AS 3740:2021
Floor Fall/Slope to Drain1 in 48 to 1 in 60 is generally satisfactory.Showers: Between 1:60 and 1:80. Other floors: Minimum 1:100.AS 3740:2021
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum floor slope for drainage1 in 100
Minimum waterproofing upstand on walls150 mm
Minimum side overlap for membrane sheets75 mm
Minimum end overlap for membrane sheets100 mm
Recommended curing period for substrate concrete28 days
Minimum thickness of protective screed over membrane20 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Materials
Clause 4 - Design Considerations
Clause 5 - Workmanship
Clause 5.4 - Application of Membrane

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 702:2017Industrial Bitumen - Specification
→
IS 1322:1982Bitumen felts for waterproofing and damp-proo...
→
IS 3384:1986Code of practice for laying bitumen felt for ...
→
IS 7193:1994glass fibre base bitumen felts
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the required slope for a floor in a wet area?+
A minimum slope of 1 in 100 should be provided towards drains to ensure no water stagnation (Clause 4.2).
How far up the wall should the waterproofing membrane extend?+
The membrane should be taken up the face of the walls to a height of at least 150 mm above the finished floor level (Clause 4.3).
What is the minimum overlap for waterproofing membrane sheets?+
A minimum side overlap of 75 mm and an end overlap of 100 mm is required to ensure a continuous waterproof layer (Clause 5.4.1).
What kind of protection is needed over the waterproofing membrane?+
A protective layer of cement concrete or mortar screed of at least 20 mm thickness should be laid over the membrane to protect it from damage (Clause 5.5).

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