MS ERW Pipe IS Code 1239 & 3589

MS ERW Pipe (Mild Steel Electric Resistance Welded Pipe) has multiple IS Codes (Indian Standard Numbers) in the Indian standards system, depending on the application scenario.

Common IS Codes for MS ERW Pipes:

IS Code	Standard Name	Applicable Scenarios	Specification Range	Material Grade
IS 1239 (Part 1)	General Purpose Steel Pipes	Water, Gas, Air, and Steam Transportation	1/2″ - 6″ NB	A/B/C Class (Fe 330/Fe 410)
IS 3589	Large Diameter Water Supply Steel Pipes	Water Supply, Drainage, Sewage Treatment, and Fire Protection	6″ - 24″ NB (168.3-609.6mm)	Fe 330 / Fe 410 / Fe 450
IS 4270	Pipes for Water Wells Water	Well Casings and Deep Well Pump Pipes	≤ 200mm Diameter	Fe 410
IS 1161	Structural Pipes	Scaffolding, Steel Structures, and Utility Poles	1/2″ - 24″ NB	YST 210 / 240 / 310 / 350

Different standards are analyzed below:

1. IS 1239 (Part 1) - Most Common

IS 1239 is the most widely used MS ERW pipe standard in India, suitable for low-pressure fluid transportation. Its full name is IS 1239 (Part 1): Steel Tubes, Tubulars and Other Wrought Steel Fittings.

Specifications: 1/2″ NB (21.3mm) to 6″ NB (168.3mm)
Wall Thickness Classes: A Class (Light), B Class (Medium), C Class (Heavy)
Material Grades: Fe 330 (YST 330), Fe 410
Typical Applications: Water supply pipes, gas pipes, compressed air, fire branch pipes, steam
Corresponding International Standard: BS 1387 (British Standard)

2. IS 3589 - Standard for Large Diameter Water Pipes

When the pipe diameter exceeds 6 inches, IS 1239 is no longer applicable, and the IS 3589 standard must be adopted. Full name: IS 3589: Steel Pipes for Water and Sewage.

Specifications: 6″ NB (168.3mm) to 24″ NB (609.6mm)
Material Grades: Fe 330 (Yield ≥ 330 MPa), Fe 410 (Yield ≥ 410 MPa), Fe 450
Typical Applications: Main water supply networks, sewage treatment, fire main pipelines, industrial water pipelines
Connection Methods: Plain end, Bevel, Socket

3. IS 4270 - Standard for Water Well Pipes

The IS 4270 standard is specifically for casing of water wells and deep well pumps. Full name: IS 4270: Steel Tubes for Water Wells.

Specifications: Diameter ≤ 200mm
Material Grade: Fe 410
Typical Applications: Water well casing, deep well pump pipes, groundwater monitoring wells
Manufacturing Process: ERW (Electrical Resistance Welding)
End Treatment: Plain End
Surface Treatment: Bituminous Solution Coating

4. IS 1161 - Standard for Structural Tubes

IS 1161 standard applies to building structures and scaffolding applications. Full name: IS 1161: Steel Tubes for Structural Purposes.

Specifications: 1/2″ NB to 24″ NB
Material Grades: YST 210 / 240 / 310 / 350 (YST stands for Yield Strength)
Typical Applications: Scaffolding, structural columns, utility poles, machinery frames
Corresponding International Standards: BS 1139, BS 1775 (Scaffolding Pipes)

Key Requirements in the Standards:

According to relevant product information, MS ERW Pipes must meet the following requirements:

Raw Materials: Edge-trimmed hot-rolled low-carbon steel coils (compliant with IS 10748)
Manufacturing Process: High-frequency resistance welding (ERW)
Dimensional Control: Dimensional tolerances corrected by sizing section
End Treatment: Flat end / Bevel / Threaded with clamp
Hydraulic Pressure Test: Each pipe must pass a hydraulic pressure test
Non-destructive Testing: Eddy current/ultrasonic testing optional

Surface Treatment: Black paint / Hot-dip galvanizing (IS 10748) 4736) Marking Requirements: Manufacturer Name, Specifications, IS Mark, Year.

IS 1239 vs IS 3589 Steel Pipe Price and Cost:

Indian domestic market prices (excluding export packaging and sea freight), estimated at an exchange rate of 1 USD ≈ 83 Rs.
Multiple suppliers have stabilized their IS 1239 ERW black pipe prices at Rs. 38,000/ton.

IS 3589 prices fluctuate between Rs. 50-65/kg, with Jindal brand prices being higher (Rs. 64-65/kg), while other brands can be as low as Rs. 48-50/kg.

Reasons for Price Differences:

a. Specification Range: IS 1239 mainly covers small to medium diameters (1/2" - 6" NB), with wall thicknesses ranging from 2.0 to 14mm; while IS 3589 covers larger diameters (up to 60 inches), with larger diameter pipes having greater wall thicknesses (5.4 - 25mm), resulting in higher material costs and manufacturing difficulties.

b. Material Grade: IS 3589 requires Fe 330/410 grade, with higher strength requirements, resulting in higher raw material costs; IS 1239 commonly uses Class A/B/C materials, with relatively lower costs.

c. Application Areas: IS 3589 is used in critical projects such as main water supply and sewage treatment, with stricter quality requirements and testing standards; IS 1239 is mainly used in general projects such as water, gas, fire protection branch pipes, and structures.

d. Brand Premium: IS 3589 pipes from well-known brands such as Jindal are significantly more expensive than those from other brands.

Notes: 

The prices above are reference prices (IndiaMART platform data, 2025). Actual purchase prices vary depending on order quantity, brand, and delivery conditions.
IS 1239 prices are very stable; IS 3589 prices vary considerably.
Export purchases incur additional costs—the prices above are Indian domestic market prices; export requires additional costs for packaging, shipping, and customs duties.
It is recommended to request quotations from at least 2-3 suppliers and confirm quality documents such as material certificates and hydrostatic test reports.

Conclusion: 

MS ERW Pipe does not have a single IS Code; it encompasses multiple Indian national standards. IS 1239 is for small to medium diameter fluid transport (most common), IS 3589 is for large diameter water transport, IS 1161 is for structural applications, and IS 4270 is for well casing. When selecting a pipe, the appropriate standard must be chosen based on the pipe diameter, pressure, and intended use.

Read more: MS ERW Pipe Thickness and Weight Chart