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IS 9627:1980 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for asbestos cement pressure pipes (light duty). This standard specifies the manufacturing, dimensional, and testing requirements for light-duty asbestos cement (AC) pressure pipes. It covers pipes from 80mm to 250mm nominal bore, classifying them based on their working pressure for use in water supply, irrigation, and drainage systems.
! This standard has been 'WITHDRAWN' by BIS. The manufacture and use of asbestos-containing products are banned or heavily restricted in India due to severe health risks like asbestosis and cancer.
! This code is now only relevant for historical reference or for engineers dealing with the assessment, maintenance, or safe removal of existing old AC pipelines.
! Extreme caution and specialized safety protocols must be followed when cutting, handling, or demolishing existing AC pipes to prevent the release of harmful asbestos fibers.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
asbestos cementcementasbestos
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ISO 160:1980ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighWithdrawn
Asbestos-cement pressure pipes and joints
Covers asbestos-cement pressure pipes, with IS 9627's 'light duty' corresponding to lower pressure classes in ISO 160.
BS 486:1981BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for asbestos-cement pressure pipes and joints
Specifies requirements for pipes and joints; very similar in technical approach and material basis to the Indian standard.
ASTM C296 / C296M - 00ASTM International, USA
MediumWithdrawn
Standard Specification for Asbestos-Cement Pressure Pipe
Covers asbestos-cement pipe for pressure service, but uses different class designations (e.g., Class 100, 150, 200) based on psi.
EN 512:1994CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighWithdrawn
Asbestos-cement products — Pressure pipes and joints
Harmonized European standard for AC pressure pipes, covering similar testing and performance criteria as IS 9627.
Key Differences
≠IS 9627:1980 defines only a single 'Light Duty' class, whereas international standards like ISO 160 and BS 486 specify a range of pressure classes (e.g., Class 5, 10, 15, 20 bar).
≠The Indian standard uses metric units of N/mm² and kgf/cm², while ASTM C296 uses imperial units (psi) for pressure class designation.
≠Specific dimensional tolerances for diameter, wall thickness, and length can have minor variations between IS 9627 and its international counterparts.
≠Marking requirements differ in detail; for instance, international standards often required marking the specific pressure class, which is not applicable to the single-class IS 9627.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are based on the same composite material: a mixture of asbestos fibres (typically chrysotile) and Portland cement, with or without silica.
≈The fundamental performance tests required are consistent across all standards, including a hydrostatic pressure test, a bursting pressure test, and water absorption tests.
≈All standards specify requirements for straightness and concentricity to ensure proper installation and hydraulic performance.
≈The types of joints used with these pipes (e.g., asbestos-cement couplings with rubber sealing rings) are conceptually similar and are addressed by all related standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Pipe Classification
One single 'Light Duty' class.
Multiple classes based on nominal pressure (e.g., Class 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 in bar).
ISO 160:1980
Hydrostatic Test Pressure
0.5 N/mm² (~5 bar) for 5 minutes.
Pressure equivalent to the pipe's class rating (e.g., 5 bar for Class 5 pipe).
ISO 160:1980
Minimum Bursting Pressure
1.0 N/mm² (~10 bar).
Typically 2 times the class pressure (e.g., 10 bar for Class 5 pipe, 20 bar for Class 10 pipe).
BS 486:1981
Crushing Strength (for a specific diameter)
34.0 kN/m for 100 mm nominal bore pipe.
35.0 kN/m for 100 mm nominal bore pipe (Class B).
BS 486:1981
Water Absorption Limit
Shall not exceed 28% by mass.
Shall not exceed 27% by mass.
BS 486:1981
Straightness Tolerance
Deviation not to exceed 3 mm per metre length.
Deviation not to exceed 0.3% of the length (equivalent to 3 mm per metre).
ISO 160:1980
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Classes of pipes specifiedL1, L2, L3, L4 and L5
Working pressure for Class L5 pipe0.5 MPa (5 kgf/cm²)
Hydraulic test pressure for Class L5 pipe1.0 MPa (10 kgf/cm²)
Bursting test pressure for Class L5 pipe1.5 MPa (15 kgf/cm²)
Can I specify IS 9627 pipes for a new water project?+
No. This standard is withdrawn and asbestos products are not used for new construction due to being a major health hazard.
What does 'Light Duty' mean for these pipes?+
It refers to pipes designed for low internal working pressures, such as 0.5 MPa (5 kgf/cm²) for the highest light-duty class (L5), suitable for small-scale irrigation or low-pressure water mains.
How can I identify these pipes on-site?+
They are typically grey, brittle-looking pipes. Markings on the pipe may include the manufacturer's name, 'AC', the pipe class (e.g., L5), and the IS 9627 mark, if visible.