IS 1239, IS 3589 & IS 1161 PipesMS tubes, water & sewage pipes and structural tubes · Manufacturer, stockist & exporter, India
Three Indian Standards cover most mild steel pipe bought in India: IS 1239 for tubes that carry water, gas and air; IS 3589 for larger water and sewage pipes; and IS 1161 for structural tubes. The standard you order to decides wall thickness, testing and what the pipe may be used for.
- IS 1239 Part 1
- IS 3589
- IS 1161
- Black / galvanised
- EN 10204 3.1
IS 1239 vs IS 3589 vs IS 1161 at a glance
| Standard | Covers | Classes / grades | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| IS 1239 (Part 1) | Mild steel tubes for water, gas, air and steam | Light (A), Medium (B), Heavy (C) | Plumbing, utilities, low-pressure services; black or galvanised |
| IS 3589 | Steel pipes for water and sewage | Fe 330, Fe 410, Fe 450 | Water mains, sewage and pumping lines in larger diameters |
| IS 1161 | Steel tubes for structural purposes | YST grades (yield strength) | Scaffolding, trusses, columns, poles and frames |
IS 1239 vs IS 1161: the difference
IS 1239 (Part 1) is a conveying standard. Tubes are made welded or seamless in nominal bores from 6 to 150 mm, in light, medium and heavy classes, and each length is hydrostatically tested. They are supplied black or galvanised, with plain ends or screwed ends and sockets.
IS 1161 is a structural standard. The tubes look similar and share many outside diameters, but they are ordered by a yield-strength grade (YST) for load-bearing frames, scaffolding and poles. They are not meant to carry pressure.
If the drawing says "MS pipe" for a water or air line, it almost always means IS 1239. If it is for a frame or a railing, it is IS 1161.
IS 3589 for water and sewage mains
IS 3589 covers larger welded pipes — ERW and spiral or longitudinal submerged-arc welded — for water supply, sewage and pumping mains, in grades Fe 330, Fe 410 and Fe 450. Coating and lining (for example epoxy or cement mortar) are specified by the project.
How to order
- Standard and part — e.g. IS 1239 (Part 1)
- Nominal bore or OD, and class or grade (light / medium / heavy, Fe 410, YST 240)
- Black or galvanised; plain, bevelled or screwed-and-socketed ends
- Length — random or fixed, and quantity in metres
- Test certificate and any third-party inspection
For pressure and temperature
For steam, hydrocarbons and hot process lines, specify ASTM A106 Gr B seamless pipe; for low temperature, ASTM A333 Gr 6; for chrome-moly service, P11 or P22.
IS 1239, IS 3589 and IS 1161 — questions buyers ask
What is the difference between IS 1239 and IS 1161?
IS 1239 (Part 1) covers mild steel tubes for carrying water, gas, air and steam, made in light, medium and heavy classes and hydrostatically tested. IS 1161 covers steel tubes for structural purposes — scaffolding, trusses, columns and poles — and is specified by a yield-strength grade (YST). Sizes overlap, but IS 1161 tubes are not intended as pressure pipe.
What do light, medium and heavy mean in IS 1239?
They are wall-thickness classes for the same nominal bore. Heavy class has the thickest wall and is used for higher pressure and threaded joints. The classes are commonly identified by colour bands: yellow for light, blue for medium and red for heavy.
What is IS 3589 used for?
IS 3589 covers larger-diameter welded steel pipes for water and sewage mains — supplied in grades Fe 330, Fe 410 and Fe 450, usually with protective coatings and lining specified by the project.
Which pipe should I use for high-temperature process lines?
Neither. For steam and hot process piping use seamless ASTM A106 Gr B (or A333 Gr 6 for low temperature), which is tested for pressure-temperature service under ASME piping codes.
Are IS 1239 pipes available galvanised?
Yes. IS 1239 tubes are supplied black or galvanised, with plain ends or screwed ends and sockets.
Sources: the ASTM / ASME specifications named on this page and producer datasheets · Last updated October 2026