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IS 5503-1 (1969): General requirements for silos for grain
storage, Part 1: Constructional requirements [FAD 16:
Foodgrains, Starches and Ready to Eat Foods]






( Reaffirmed 2005 )
IS:5503(PartI)-1969
I ndian Standard
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
SILOS FOR GRAIN STORAGE
PART I CONSTRUCTI ONAL REQUI REMENTS
Storage and Marketing Structures for Agricultural Commodities
Sectional Committee, AFDC 28
Chairman Representing
SHRI SHRI KRIsHNA
Central Public Works Department
Members
SHRI. V. S. AGGARWAL
Indian Produce Associafion, Calcutta
RAI BAHADUR G. S. SWAIKA ( Alternate )
AG;;~U;~ ENGXNEER ( I~XPLE - Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Punjab
SWR~ B. V. APTE
The Builders Association of India, Bombay
SHRI K. K. MADHOK ( Alternate )
SHRI S. K. BEDEKER
Directorate of Marketing & Inspection ( Ministry of
Food, Agriculture, Community Development &
Co-operation ), Faridabad
SHRI R. N. CHATURVEDI ( Alternate )
COL B. M. CHENGAPA
COL R. R. RAO ( Alternate )
Quartermaster Generals Branch, Army Headquarters
DIRECTOR ( STORAGE AND INSPEC- Directorate of Storage & Inspection ( Ministry of
I
TION)
Food, Agriculture, Community Development &
Co-operation )
SHRI V. K. GUPTA
Farmaids Corporation, New Delhi
DR D. S . KATHURIA
Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and
Storage ( Ministry of Food, Agriculture,
i
Community Development & Co-operation ),
Faridabad
SHRI S. T. KHUSHALANI
National Cooperative Development Corporation,
New Delhi
SHRI J. P. MITAL (Alternate)
SHRI J. N. MAHALANOBIS
Agriculture Department, Government of West Bengal
SHRI T. K. MAZUMDER ( Alternate )
21
SHRI S. K. MAJUMDER
Central Food Technological Research Institute
( CSIR ), Mysore
SHRI K. V. NATARAJAN
Planning Commission
DR~S.PRADHAN
Indian Agricultural Research Institute ( ICAR )+
New Delhi
DR RATTAN LAL ( Alternate )
SHRI I. C.PURI
Food Corporation of India, New Delhi
SHRI 0. N. BAJPAI ( Alternate )
( Continued on page 2 $
I NDI AN STANDARDS INSTITUTION
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MAR0
,
NEW DELHI 1
;





IS : 5503 ( Part I ) - 1969
( Continued from page I )
Members Representing
SIIRI P. RAMDAS (:mtraI Warehousing Corporation, New Delhi
SHR~ RAMESHWAR DAYAL Chamber of Commerce, Hapur
SHRI RHAGWATI PRASAD JAIN ( .dfu;I~;~)
SHRI ADUSUMILLI SUB~A RAO Pradesh Rice klillers Association,
Vijayawada
SHRI SHUUSHER SINGH
DR H. G. KHAISA ( Alternate)
Directorate of Standardization ( Ministry of Defence )
STATE MARKETING OFFICER Agriculture Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
ASSISTANT hlrZRKE.rINC OFFICER ! Alternate)
SUPERINTENDING SURVEYOR OF Central Public Works Department
WORKS ( Foon )
SHRI M. L. TANEJA Ministry of Food, Agriculhure, Community Develop-
ment & Co-operation
Aericuhure )
( Department of
&SRI S.S.vIRDX National Seeds dorporation, New Delhi
SHRI S. L. RAINA ( Alternate )
SHRI S. P. VIR~~ANI Roller Flour Millers Federation of India, New Delhi
DR 1). V. KARMARKAR ( Alternate )
DR HARI BHAGWAN, Director General, ISI ( Ex-ofi& Member)
De,mty Director ( Agri & Food )
Secrttnry
SHRI MAITOE<AK T. SANTWANI
Assistant Director ( Agri & Food ), ISI
Associate Sew tafy
SH~U I.. RAMACI~ANDRA RAO
Drprtty Director ( Ci5, Eng ), IS1
Mechanically Operated Storage Structures Subcommittee, AFDC 28 : 4
Convener
SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER ( ELEC-
TRICAL ) ( FOOD STORAGE ELEC-
TRICAL CIRCLE )
Members
SHRX R. K. ADYA
SHRI M. S. ASTHANA
SHRI S. V. BHAT
SHRI D. GANGULY ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING
DIRECTOR ( STORAGE & INSPEC-
TXON )
Z&RI NAZAR R. N. FUTEHALLY
MAJ-GEN HARKIRAT SINGH
SIIRI A. S. ASTALA ( Alternate )
Central Public Works Department
Martin Burn Ltd, Calcutta
Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Community Develop-
ment & Co-operation (Department of Co-
operation )
Larsen & ?oubro Ltd, Bombay
Ministry of Food, Agriculture. Community Develop-
ment gi Co-operation ( Department of Food )
Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Community Develop-
ment & Co-operation
Dynacraft Machine Company Private I.imited,
Bombay
Associated Cement Companies Limited, Bombay
( Contirrtred onfiugc 12 )
2




,
I S : 5503 ( Part I ) - 1969
I ndian Standard
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
SILOS FOR GRAIN STORAGE
PART I CONSTRUCTI ONAL REQUI REMENTS
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard ( Part I ) was adopted by the Indian Standards
Institution on 22 December 1969, after the draft finalized by the Storage
and Marketing Structures for Agricultural Commodities Sectional
Committee had been approved by the Agricultural and Food Products
Division Council.
0.2 In India, agriculture contributes nearly 50 percent of total national
income and of which food grains are the most important. There is a huge
loss of food grains in storage. The loss can be minimized by scientific
storage and by employing proper storage structures which can protect the
grain from rodents, insect pests and outside humidity and temperature.
0.3 For the purpose of handling, transporting and storage of large
quantities of food grains in bulk, special storage structures are required.
Such structures are needed where:
a) grains from producers are collected at a central shipping point,
b) grains are brought and stored to be used by the processing or
manufacturing plants,
c) grains are stored for transferring from one vessel to another or to
railway wagons, and
d) grain exporting and importing ports.
Accordingly, these are named as interior storage silos, mill silos,
transfer silos and sea-board silos respectively. This standard primarily
applies to the storage and sea-board silos.
0.4 This standard is a necessary adjunct to IS: 5503 ( Part II )-1969
General requirements for silos for grain storage : Part II Grain handling
equipment and accessories .
0.5 This code is not intended .to restrict the initiative and ingenuity of
diseng and construction engineers.
0.6 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated,
expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance
3





IS : 5583 ( Part I ) - 1969
with IS : 2-1960*. The number of significant places retained in the rounded
off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard ( Part I ) prescribes the basic constructional require-
ments for steel and reinforced cement concrete silos.
1.2 This standard primarily applies to the storage and sea-board silos.
2. TERMINOLOGY
2.0 For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply.
2.1 Grains -All cereals, pulses, millets, milled products, oilseeds and
the grain intended to be used as seed.
2.2 Silo - A unit consisting of several tall bins having height greater than
their diameter used for storage and handling of grains in bulk and fitted
with necessary equipment and accessories.
2.3 Storage Block - A portion of the silo used for the storage of grain.
2.4 Headhouse - A portion of the silo which houses elevator and other
accessories, such as weighing and c!eaning machines for grains.
2.5 Distribution Gallery- The structure on top of bins for housing
conveyor system for distribution of grain into bins.
2.6 Marine Tower -A structure located on the quay side for either
loading or unloading of food grains into and from ships. This may be
stationary or portable.
2.7 Collection Gallery - A portion of the silo at or below ground level
for housing collection equipment.
2.8 Angle of Repose-An angle formed with the horizontal plane, at
which the loose grain, when piled, will retain its position.
2.8 Garner -An intermediate hopper for storage of grains to ensure
desired flow for further handling of grains.
3. LOCATION
3.1 The structure shall be located on a site having proper drainage and
not liable to flooding or inundations, and which has adequate load bearing
capacity.
*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised).
4





IS:5503( PartI)-
3.2 The structure, as far as possible, shall be well away from source of
contamination, such as slaughter-house and tanneries, and possible sources
of fire-hazard, such as timber stores and petrol pumping stations.
3.3 The construction of structure in residential areas shall be avoided.
3.4 Silos, as far as possible, shall be located near railheads. There shall
be loading and unloading facilities and sufficient space for manoeuvring
vehicles and railway line. Where silo is near water-ways, such as docks
and ferry heads, sufficient berthing, loading and unloading facilities shall
be made available.
3.5 Silos shall be located with due regard to the maximum possible
expansion facilities.
3.6 In case the location is near air-port, necessary permission shall be
obtained from the aviation authorities.
4. SILO AND ANCILLARY STRUCTURES
4.1 A silo shall generally consist of truck and wagon dump or both, head-
house, storage block, and distribution and collection galleries ( see Fig. 1 ).
Besides, it may have a number of ancillary structures at each site, such as
a small block consisting of office and store rooms, a laboratory, a non-
combustible store-building for storing fuels, a bagging shed, a track shed
where the wagons or lorries may be handled under cover, repair shop,
weigh bridges for lorries and wagons, an electrical substation, and a control
room.
5. TRUCK OR WAGON DUMP
5.1 Truck dump shall consist of a single hopper or series of hoppers where
the grain is dumped by trucks, wagons or carts.
5.2 Truck dump shall be generally located near the headhouse by the
side of a road.
5.3 Wagon dump shall be located near the headhouse by the side of a
railway track.
5.4 Truck dump and wagon dump shall be adequately protected against
rain and shall be provided with suitable metal sieves with sufficient strength
for separation of foreign matter, such as hay or other bigger sized grains,
5.5 The hopper may be made of steel with suitable slope for easy flow of
the grains.
5.6 The dump shall have adequate provision for drainage in case of water
accumulation.
L
5





- - - - - -
,-HEAD HOUSE
I
RAfiWAY LINES
II\
CROS$ CONVEYOR
f
LQNGITUDINAL CONVEYOR
\
L PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE
\
PLANT (MARINE TOWER)
FIG. 1 GENERAL LAYOUT PLAN FOR A GRAIN SILO





IS : 5503 ( Part I ) - 1969
6. HEADHOUSE
6.1 A headhouse shall consist of basement and a number of floors. It shall
accommodate chiefly the bucket elevators for vertical elevation of grains,
automatic weighing and cleaning machines, garners and other handling
equipment.
6.2 The height of the headhouse shall be determined by the height of the
elevators. The top floor shall accommodate driving equipment of the
bucket elevators.
6.3 The various floors of headhouse shall be designed for actual loads
due to various types of machines installed plus 400 kg/ m2. For preliminary
design purposes, in the absence of details of actual loads of the equip-
ment, the loads given in Table 1 may be adopted.
TABLE 1 LOADS FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF DIFFERENT
FLOORS OF HEADHOUSE
( Clauses 6.3 and 8.3 )
SL
FLOORS OF HEADHOUSE LOADS IN kg/m2 FOR RATED CAPACITY
No.
OF HANDLING EQUIPMENT
~_--~~~h__~~~~__~
up to 100 101-500 500-1000 Above 1000
t/h t/h t/h t/h
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
i) Top floor ( accommodating 500 750 1000 1200
the driving ~equipment
of bucket elevator )
ii) Despatch conveyor floor 500 650 750 1000
iii) Scale floor 500 750 1000 1200
iv) Distribution floor 500 750 1000 1200
v) Cleaner floor 500 650 750 1000
6.4 The structural provisions, such as necessary openings and supports for
various equipment [ see IS : 5503 ( Part II )-1969 ] shall be provided for
in the design of the headhouse.
L
6.5 In case the silo is situated near airways, suitable obstruction markings
shall be provided on the headhouse in accordance with the existing Civil
Aviation Standards.
6.6 The headhouse may be of reinforced cement concrete or steel
construction.
*General requirements for silos for grain storage : Part II Grain handling equipment
and accessories.
7





IS : 5503 ( Part I ) - 1969
6.7 The basement shall be of sufficient depth to receive the grains from
the collection conveyors and of adequate dimensions to accommodate the
truck or wagon dump, the boot of the elevator, and conveyor equipment.
6.8 The basement shall be waterproof,
7. STORAGE BLOCK
7.0 The storage block shall consist of a number of storage bins which
receive the grain from the headhouse through the distribution gallery.
7.1 Storage Bins - The silo bins may be circular, rectangular or of any
other shape. The dimensions of the bins shall be decided by considerations,
such as load bearing capacity of the soil, quantity and variety of food grains
to be handled, workable height of a bucket elevator, and stresses induced
by grains, wind and seismic loads.
reinforced cement concrete or of steel.
The bins may be constructed of
7.1.1 The circular bins shall be constructed with the following
dimensions:
Mb1 Max
Diameter in metres 8 10
Height in metres 40 50
NOTE - Silo bins with smaller dimensions than those specified above and silos with
lesser overall capacity than 50 01)O tonnes have been proved to be uneconomical and
hence are not recommended.
7.1.2 Arrangement - The silo bins may preferably be arranged in rows
(not exceeding four rows ) with the headhouse located in a convenient
position. The interspaces between the bins may also be used for storage
purposes. The general plans of a typical silo structure are given in Fig. 1
for guidance only.
7.1.2.1 The rows of bins shall be uniformally numbered according to
the system described below and shown in Fig. 1, to facilitate easy
identification and management:
4
b)
c>
Facing headhouse from track line, storage block on the left shall
be numbered as Block 1 and on the right side as Block 2.
The rows of bins, including rows of star bins or interspace bins,
shall be serially numbered as 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . . . . . etc, starting from
the track side. Even if the interspace bins are not utilized, these
shall be assigned numbers according to the plan.
The bins shall be numbered as No. 01, 02, . . . . . . . etc, starting
from the headhouse. Thus, bin No. 1104 will indicate the fourth
bin in the first row in the left block.
8





IS:5503(PartI)-1969
7.1.3 Criteria for Design of RCC Bins -- The criteria for design of RCC
bins shall be as given in IS : 4995-1968*.
7.1.4 Criteria for Design of Steel Bim - The criteria for design of steel bins
shall be as given in Indian Standard code of practice for design,
fabrication and erection of steel silos and bunkers . ( under preparation,
see Note ).
NOTIC- Until this standard is published, this criteria shall be as agreed to between
the concerned parties.
7.2 Foundation-The silo structure shall rest on reinforced cement
concrete raft foundation supported on piles or laid directly on soil,
depending on the soil condition. In any case, site investigations for
foundation shall be carried out ( see IS : 1892-1962t ).
7.2.1 While laying down the foundation, due consideration shall be
given to the wind forces (see IS : 875-1964$ ) and seismic conditions of the
zone (see IS : 1893-19665 ).
7.2.2 In case the reinforced cement concrete raft is to be laid over the
piles, the top of the mat shall be at the plinth level.
7.2.3 The type of foundation for the storage bins shall be decided taking
into account the layout, nature of soil and the loads transferred.
7.3 Plinth -The concrete mat on which the silo bins stand shall be
deemed as the plinth, unless the mat is laid directly on hard soil or rock.
In the latter case, suitable plinth walls shall be provided outside with
masonry work and the space between the reinforced cement concrete mat
and the hopper of the silos shall be used for housing the collection
conveyors.
7.3.1 The plinth level shall be at least 0.5 m higher than the maximum
rain water level.
7.4 Other Requirements - The requirements for floors, walls, roofs and
bin bottoms of the reinforced cement concrete bins shall be as given
in IS : 4995-1968*. In case of the steel bins, the requirements shall be as
given in 7.4.1 to 7.4.4 [see also Indian Standard code of practice for
design, fabrication and erection of steel silos and bunkers ( under
preparation ) 1.
L
*Criteria for design of reinforced concrete bins ( silos ) for bulk food grain storage.
tCode of practice for site investigations for foundations.
SCode of practice for structural safety of buildings : Loading standards.
SCriteria for earthquake resistant design of structures (first reuision ).
9





IS : 5503 ( Part I ) - 1969
7.4.1 Floor
7.4.1.1 Basement floors shall be of reinforced cement concrete and
properly waterproofed.
7.4.1.2 The side walls shall also be waterproofed.
7.4.2 Walls
7.4.2.1 The exterior surface of the walls shall be given suitable water-
proofing treatment.
7.4.2.2 The walls shall preferably be painted with aluminium paint
from outside.
7.4.3 Roof
7.4.3.1 The roof over the silos shall be waterproofed.
It shall be laid
giving a suitable slope for proper drainage of rain water.
7.4.3.2 Suitable air-tight openings for spouting, aeration, fumigation,
etc, shall be provided for in the design of the roof,
7.4.4 Bin Bottom
7.4.4.1 The bins shall be provided with flat or hopper bottom. In
case of hopper bottom, the slope adopted shall be suitable for material to
be handled and the material of the hopper to ensure easy gravity flow. It
shall be at least 10 deg more than the angle of repose.
7.4.4.2 Suitable air-tight openings for discharge of grains, aeration,
fumigation, etc, shall be provided for in the design of bin bottom.
8. GALLERIES
8.1 Distribution Gallery - Distribution gallery shall accommodate the
conveying equipment for receipt of grains from the distribution elevators
of the head house for spouting to the various bins.
8.1.1 Dimensions-The type and number of galleries and their
dimensions shall depend upon the number of conveyors to be housed and
the rows of bins. While designin g the gallery, care shall be taken to
provide sufficient space for distribution arrangement, dust control equip-
ment, and for inspection and maintenance.
8.2 Collection Gallery - It shall house the conveying equipment for
receipt of grains from the bins and shall be located below the bins.
The
type and number of galleries and their dimensions shall depend upon the
number of conveyors to be housed and the rows of bins.
While designing
the gallery, care should be taken to provide sufficient space for distribution
arrangement, dust control equipment, and for inspection and maintenance.
8.3 The loads for preliminary design of galleries shall be adopted as given
in Table 1. The actual load of mechanical equipment plus 400 kg/m
shall be adopted for design of galleries.
10





IS:5503(PartI)-1969
9. ANClLLARY STRUCTURES
9J Track Shed - The track shed shall be separated from the headhouse
by a fire-proof and dust-proof partition.
9.1.1 Fixed glass windows shall be provided in the partition.
9.1.2 The doors in the partition shall be self-closing.
9.2 Ragging Shed
9.2.1 The bagging shed shall be so located as to facilitate receipt of bulk
grains from the headhouse and despatch of bags by trucks or rail cars.
9.2.2 It shall also be rodent-proof and fire-proof.
10. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
10.1 Doors and Windows
10.1.1 Doors and windows shall be of non-combustible material.
10.1.2 Adequate doorways shall be provided in the basement and in the
gallery floor for easy access to fire-escape exits in case of emergency.
10.2 Stairways and Exits
10.2.1 Stairways shall have an easy slope and shall be provided with
suitable landings at intervals.
10.2.2 Stairways, required for exit purpose and passenger lifts, shall be
in shafts formed of non-combustible material.
10.2.3 Openings in the stairways shall have self-closing shutters hinged
to open in the direction of exit.
10.2.4 At least two exit doors, as remote from one another as practicable,
shall be provided in the basement and preferably in each floor.
10.2.5 A separate fire escape ladder shall be provided from the gallery
floor and from the headhouse.
10.2.5.1 The fire escape ladder shall be provided with suitable
protection caging.
10.2.5.2 The fire escape ladder shall be easily accessible.
10.3 Ventilation - Ventilation for the buildings, operating rooms and for
the areas, where protection for explosion is necessary, shall be as permitted
by the factory regulations in force.
10.3.1 In the case of basements, the venting area shall be the maximum,
that is practicable consistent with stability.
10.3.2 Wired glass may be used only as protection against explosions
and, where it is included in explosion-venting areas, explosion-type hard-
ware shall be used.
11
c





IS:5503(PartI)-1969
( Continuedfrom page 2 )
Members
SHRI JAYANT V. KANJI
SHRI V. P. S. KASHYAP
SHRI SANMUKHLAL G. MEHTA
SHRI B. I. PATEL
SHRI P. RAMDAS
MR S. R. ROESSLER
SHRI T. J. JEORCE ( Alternate)
SHRI ADUSUMILLI SUBBA RAO*
SUPERINTENDING SURVEYOR OF
WORKS ( FOOD )
SHRI R. SWARUP
Representing
The Roller Flour Millers Federation of India,
New Delhi
Government Engineering Workshop, Nilokheri
Federation of ,A11 India Foodgrain Dealers
Association,, Bombay
Elton Engineermg Works, Vallabhanagar, Anand
Central Warehousing Corporation, New Delhi
Howe ( India ) Private Limited, New Delhi
Andhra Pradesh Rice Millers Association, Vijayawada
Central Public Works Department
Triveni Structurals Limited, Naini, U.P.
SHRI V. SUBRAMANYAM ( Alternate 1
SHRI J. B. TALATI The Commissioner for the Port of Calcutta
SHRI M. R. SAHA ( Alternate )
SHRI FERNANDO VIEGAS Port Trust, Bombay
L
*He is also alternate to Shri Sanmukhlal G. Mehta representing Federation of All India
Foodgrain Dealers Association, Bombay.
12