- Steel cylinder pipes are critical for carrying water, oil and industrial fluids.
- The BIS Certification ensures the steel cylinder pipes are manufactured meeting IS 15155:2020 and other safety and durability requirements.
- Diligence Certification is also a requirement in order to be compliant and audit-ready.
- Manufacturers need BIS approval regardless of whether you are supplying to the Indian government or any infrastructure projects.

Introduction
In 2022, one of our long-standing clients in Gujarat—one of the major EPC contractors—was stunned to have a government tender it had hoped to be awarded suddenly rejected because their Steel Cylinder Pipes did not have BIS certification and the standard is IS 15155:2020. In fact the contractor had produced a pipe that complied in every technical manner with the descriptions set out in IS 15155:2020. However, because they did not have the BIS marking, they lost the tender.
This isn’t a one-off instance. Across India, PSUs (government Public Sector Under takings) and infrastructure projects are mandating products be certified with BIS—including steel cylinder pipes. Whether it is a pipe in any kind of water, sewage, or industrial distribution; from now on, this certification will be a compliance requirement, not just a product requirement!
BIS Certification for Steel Cylinders
Steel cylinders are integral to modern industries and everyday life. From domestic LPG cylinders to medical oxygen cylinders and industrial gas cylinders, safe design and their manufacture are paramount. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set standards for the design and manufacture for all steel cylinders ensuring safety, reliability and compliance. By certifying a steel cylinder, BIS certifies that the steel cylinder complied with specific Indian Standards (IS). This is where the BIS Certification for Steel Cylinders comes into play. It is a mandatory certification that indicates that the steel cylinders complies with rigorously stringent safety and quality standards in India, before being marketed or used.
What is BIS Certification for Steel Cylinders?
BIS Certification is a license granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the ISI Mark Scheme. To have a BIS Certification that relates to steel cylinders, the steel cylinder has been tested, inspected and verified with respect to quality to conform with Indian Standards.
Key aims are to: –
- Ensure acceptable levels of safety when storing and/or transporting compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gases.
- Verify the quality of the materials, welding, pressure and coating.
- Protect consumers and businesses from accidents, leaks, or explosions.
- Legally allow only certified manufacturers to supply cylinders in India.
- Due to the safety criticality of steel cylinders, BIS Certified is required by Indian law.
What Are Steel Cylinder Pipes?
Steel cylinder pipes are large diameter pipes that are used for transporting water, sewage, and in some cases oil or gas. These pipes can have a concrete lining or coating, and are specifically engineered to withstand harsh operating conditions in high-pressure settings.
- Typical applications: Irrigation canals, municipal water pipelines, and industrial drainage.
- Materials typically used: Carbon steel, mild steel with concrete cladding.
- Applicable Indian standard: IS 15155:2020.
Overview of IS 15155:2020
IS 15155:2020 specifies the design, material, and manufacturing requirements for BIS Certification for Steel Cylinder Pipes. This standard focuses on ensuring the structural integrity, durability, and environmental sustainability of steel cylinder pipes. To mitigate corrosion and wear, the pipes are designed with mortar lining and protective coatings, enhancing their performance and lifespan. These features make the pipes particularly suitable for underground water transmission systems and diverse industrial applications. Adherence to this standard guarantees high-quality manufacturing processes and materials, meeting the requirements for BIS Certification for Steel Cylinder Pipes.
Types Of Steel Cylinders Covered
BIS certification is applicable to various types of cylinders, including:
- Household LPG cylinders – For cooking and home usage, domestic use.
- Commercial LPG cylinders – For restaurants, hotels, and industries.
- Medical gas cylinders – oxygen, nitrous oxide, etc.
- Industrial gas cylinders – Nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, acetylene.
- High-pressure seamless cylinder – For special gases.
- Low-pressure welded cylinder – Used for LPG and industrial reasons.
This makes BIS certification applicable across households, the healthcare and industries.
Key Features of IS 15155:2020
- Material specifications : The standard specifies the types and qualities of the raw materials needed, including the various grades of steel and the specifications for mortar and coatings.
- Manufacturing Process: It prescribes the modes of production and necessitates that pipes are produced in a consistent and reliable way and meet the safety and performance requirements.
- Quality control: These are strict parameters of quality control which will apply throughout the production process and guarantee that all the products conform to the laid-down specifications.
Why is Certification of Steel Cylinders by the BIS Mandatory?
Steel cylinders operate at extraordinarily high pressures. Due to the extreme pressure, any flaw in the manufacturing process can lead to leaks, fire hazards, or even explosion. To remove or reduce any such risk, the law requires steel cylinders being manufactured in India are BIS certified.
Six main areas warranting mandatory certification are:
- Consumer Safety – Protect end-users from accidents.
- Compliance with the Law – It is a requirement under Indian laws.
- Quality Control – Verify adherence to IS specifications.
- Commercial & Trade – Manufacturers must not sell without certification in India.
- Global Acceptance – Opportunities for exports are better.
Major Aspects of IS 15155:2020 Certification Compliance
Diligence certifications form a significant element of the manufacturing process and procurement of IS 15155:2020. Diligence certification certifies each component for any defined quality benchmarks and thus establishes confidence in the finished product. The salient aspects include:
- Raw Material Certification: All raw materials to be used in making pipes should be certified by reputed authorities. This covers chemical compositions, mechanical properties, and those which conform to the industry’s standards.
- Supplier Audits: These audits shall be conducted regularly for suppliers in order to validate their qualification regarding quality standards. This shall include entries with respect to quality control.
- Traceability: There would be proper documentation throughout the manufacturing process from raw material procurement through production to the final product; therefore, enabling manufacturers to trace raw materials throughout the whole process, ensuring accountability and quality assurance.
Key Parameters for Material and Component Classification
This standard has some guidelines for grouping which will help in classifying the materials and or components as per these characteristics. Such categorization should simplify the testing and inspection procedures and hence increase efficiency. The Key grouping parameters are:
- Pipe Diameter: Pipes can therefore be grouped according to their diameters that facilitate the application of a common testing technique for specific sizes which is important for performance assessment.
- Coating Types: Differentiate between various types of mortar linings and the corresponding thicknesses so that the specific testing requirements can also apply to the type and thus be consistent in the quality checks.
- Special Components: Specials, such as bends, tees, and junctions, require distinct treatment. Such standard provides identification and categorization guidelines for such components and therefore ensures that these are subject to correct inspection and testing.
List of Test Equipment
In fact, IS 15155 pertains only to a complete list of test equipment required for quality assurance tests for pipes. These test instruments include:
- Mechanical Testing Instruments: Equipment for tensile, compressive, and bending testing are required with respect to finding out the structural strength of the pipe, weaknesses, and potential failure points of the pipe.
- Corrosion Testing Apparatus: Assessment of mortar linings and coatings with respect to corrosion resistance has been vital. It helps simulate an environment to predict the longevity of the pipes over various applications.
- Hydrostatic Test Equipment: Hydrostatic testing is done to assess the pressure capacity of the pipes and to ensure that they have no leakages. This is the equipment that aids in proving that the pipes will withstand the operational pressures that they would face.
- Non-Destructive Testing Devices: For example, ultrasonic and radiographic testing techniques fall under these types of methods through which internal defects in pipes may be detected without damaging them. This is again essential for the product to maintain integrity.
Scheme of Inspection and Testing
IS 15155:2020 prescribes a systematic scheme of inspection and testing which ensures compliance in all stages of the manufacturing process. The major activities associated with it include:
- Pre-Production Inspections: The pre-manufacturing inspection is carried out to ensure that the raw materials and manufacturing methods meet standards. This enables any potential problems to be isolated at an early stage in production.
- In-Process Quality Checks: The process must rely on continuous monitoring throughout its manufacturing phase. Having regular checks will bring trouble detection and solution to occur early, and defects will not only complete products.
- Final Inspection: It is necessary for a final inspection to be completed after production. This involves checking the finished pipes to ensure all have been manufactured in accordance with IS 15155.2020 before being made ready for ex-mill distribution.
- Documentation and Reporting: All inspections and tests conducted must be properly documented. This documentation forms an essential backbone to the quality assurance process in that it provides evidence for compliance and traceability.
Key Documents Required for BIS Certification
- Factory layout and manufacturing process flow chart
- Quality control manual and internal test procedures
- Raw material procurement records
- In-house testing reports
- Third-party lab reports (if applicable)
- Authorization letter from the firm (for consultants)
BIS Certification for Steel Cylinder Pipes: Step-by-Step Process

BIS Certification is governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act and entails the following process:
Step 1: Application Submission
- Submit filled application form with test reports, layout drawings, and plant details
Step 2: Factory Audit by BIS Officials
- Inspection of production line, testing lab, and quality management systems
Step 3: Product Sampling & Testing
- Samples are drawn randomly and sent to BIS-approved labs for testing against IS 15155:2020
Step 4: Grant of BIS Licence
- If all parameters are met, BIS issues a licence valid for 2 years, renewal
Advantages of BIS Certification for Steel Cylinders
- Legal Market Access – Trade all over India without restrictions.
- Consumer Trust – Improves brand credibility and buyer assurance.
- Safety Assurance – Assures product safety to end-users.
- Competitive Edge – Certified products are more visible in the market.
- Export Assistance – BIS certified cylinders carry worldwide credibility.
Validity & Renewal of BIS Certification
- The BIS Certification is initially valid for two years.
- It can be renewed for one or two years at a time.
- Renewal requires proof of continued compliance and payment of renewal fees
Conclusion
The IS 15155:2020 standard serves as the basis for ensuring quality, durability, and reliability as far as BIS Certification for Bar or wire wrapped steel cylinder pipes with mortar lining and coating are concerned. By complying with this standard, manufacturers can proved themselves in terms of the performance of their products related to the requirements of modern infrastructure projects.
By understanding the guidelines included under Diligence certifications, raw material specifications, grouping protocols, testing equipment and inspection schemes, the engineer helps the manufacturer to produce quality pipes fit for purpose. As the infrastructure continues to change, so will the quality of standards including IS 15155:2020, the greater itself in improving safe and reliable as well as efficient water supply and sewage systems across India and beyond.
How Diligence Certifications Can Assist you
BIS Certification for steel cylinders is an inherent process that is complex and time-consuming for first time applicants. Diligence Certifications provides a thorough and professional consultancy service to take the pain out of the process.
We help you with:
- Determining the applicable IS standards that are relevant to your business.
- Preparing and lodging the BIS application.
- Liaising with the BIS labs and officials.
- Supporting on the day of inspection of the factory.
- Ensuring quick approval with minimum rejections allowances.
- Managing renewals and surveillance audits.
With the support of Diligence Certifications, manufacturers and importers can achieve BIS certification effectively, efficiently and without undue dent in their business timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IS 15155:2020 standard?
The Indian Standard for steel cylinder pipes that specifies technical requirements.
Is BIS certification mandatory for supplying to the government?
Yes. It is required for all public sector and infrastructure supply contracts.
Can foreign manufacturers apply for BIS certification?
Yes, for all products via the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).
What are the main applications of steel cylinder pipes?
Irrigation, municipal water supply, and industrial fluid transfer applications.
Do periodic inspections occur after certification?
Yes, as BIS carries out surveillance audits and testing.
Is ISO 9001 sufficient for supplying steel pipes?
No. BIS certification shows the product is validated and ISO verifies that the system.
Can small manufacturers apply for BIS?
Yes, if they meet testing and facility requirements.
8. What happens if pipe samples fail in BIS lab?
The manufacturer must correct defects and reapply.
Are all types of steel pipes covered under IS 15155?
No, only steel cylinder pipes. Others have different IS codes.
Is the BIS logo mandatory on each pipe?
Yes, the BIS mark with the license number must be printed visibly.
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