MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG, NEW DELHI 110002

DRAFT IN WIDE
CIRCULATION
DOCUMENT DESPATCH ADVICE
Reference
CED 13/T-65 & 66

Date
31 October 2011

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: Building Construction Practices

Sectional Committee, CED 13
ADDRESSED TO:
1. All Members of Civil Engineering Division Council, CEDC
2. All Members of Building Construction Practices Sectional Committee, CED 13
3. All others interests
Dear Sir(s),
Please find enclosed the following drafts:

Doc. No.

Title

CED 13(7828)

Draft Indian Standard Code of Practice for Anti-Termite Measures

in Buildings: Part 2 Pre-Constructional Chemical Treatment
Measures [Third Revision of IS 6313(Part 2)]

CED 13(7829)

Draft Indian Standard Code of Practice for Anti-Termite Measures

in Buildings: Part 3 Treatment for Existing Buildings [Third Revision
of IS 6313(Part 3)]

Kindly examine the drafts and forward your views stating any difficulties which you are likely
to experience in your business or profession if these are finally adopted as National Standards.
Last Date for comments: 31 January 2012.
Comments if any, may please be made in the format as attached, and mailed to the
undersigned at the above address. You are requested to send your comments preferably through email to [email protected].
In case no comments are received or comments received are of editorial nature, you may
kindly permit us to presume your approval for the above documents as finalized. However, in case of
comments of technical nature are received then it may be finalized either in consultation with the
Chairman, Sectional Committee or referred to the Sectional Committee for further necessary action if
so desired by the Chairman, Sectional Committee.
These documents are also hosted on BIS website www.bis.org.in.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
-sd(A.K. Saini)
Sc F and Head (Civil Engg)
Fax: 011 23235529

Encl: as above

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CED 13(7828)WC
October 2011

FORMAT FOR SENDING COMMENTS ON BIS DOCUMENT

[Please use A4 size sheet of paper only and type within fields indicated. Information in column (3) should
include reasons for comments, technical references and suggestions for modified wording of the clause
when the existing text is found not acceptable. Comments through e-mail ([email protected] & copy to
[email protected] ) shall be appreciated.]

Name of the Commentator/ Organization: ________________________________

BIS Document No.:__CED 13(7828)WC____
Title:___ Code Of Pracice For Anti Termite Measures In Buildings
Part 2 : Pre-Constructional Chemical Treatment Measures ____
BIS Letter Reference No.___CED 13/T-65______Dated___31 October 2011___
Clause/
Table No.

Comments/ Modified Wordings

Justification of Proposed Change

(1)

(2)

(3)

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CED 13(7828)WC
October 2011

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

DRAFT FOR COMMENTS ONLY
(Not to be reproduced without the permission of BIS or used as an Indian Standard)
Draft INDIAN STANDARD
CODE OF PRACICE FOR ANTI TERMITE MEASURES IN BUILDINGS
PART 2 : PRE-CONSTRUCTIONAL CHEMICAL TREATMENT MEASURES

[Third Revision of IS 6313 (Part 2)]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Building Construction Practices
Last Date for Receipt of
Sectional Committee, CED 13
Comments is 31 January 2012
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOREWORD
(Formal clause of the foreword will be added later)
This standard (Part 2) was first published in 1971 and subsequently revised in 1981
and in 2001. In view of the developments since the last revision and based on the
further knowledge that has become available, the Committee responsible for
formulation of this standard decided to take up its revision. Considerable assistance
has been provided by Central Building Research Institute (CSIR), Roorkee in this
revision of the standard. Part 1 of this standard deals with constructional measures
and Part 3 deals with treatment for existing buildings. Information with respect to
Banning of lindane has also been included for specific views from the various
stakeholders.
In this revision, the following changes have been made:
i)

ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

Imidacloprid has been added to the existing chemicals namely

Chlorpyrifos and Lindane recommending its use as anti-termite
treatment.
Use of watering cans for disposal of chemical emulsion has been
dispensed.
New and detailed provisions on treatment to RCC basement
buildings has been included.
Informative Annex on short note on termites has been updated.
References included to all the available latest Indian Standards.

Termite control in buildings is very important as the damage likely to be caused by

the termites is huge. Wood is one of the cellulosic materials which termites damage,
cellulose forming their basic nutrient. They also damage materials of organic origin
with a cellulosic base, household articles like furniture, furnishings, clothings,
stationery, etc. Termites are also known to damage non-cellulosic substances in
their search for food. Rubber, leather, plastics, neoprene as well as lead coating
used for covering of underground cables are damaged by termites. The widespread

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damage by termites, high constructional cost of buildings have necessitated evolving

suitable measures for preventing access of termites to buildings.
On the basis of their habitat, termites are divided into two types, namely (a)
Subterranean or ground nesting termites, and (b) Non-subterranean or wood nesting
termites having no contact with soil (see Annex A). The subterranean termites are
most destructive and are mainly responsible for the damage caused in buildings.
Typically, they form nests or colonies underground in the soil, near ground level in a
stump or in other suitable piece of timber, and some species may construct a conical
or dome shaped mound. These colonies may persist for many years and, as they
mature, contain a population running into millions. All attacks by subterranean
termites originate from the nest but timber either lying on or buried in the ground
maybe reached by means of shelter tubes constructed within, or over such materials
or else by the erection of an independent, free standing mud structure. Chemical
barriers which prevent the termites from reaching the super-structure of the building
will protect the building and its contents. Treating the soil beneath the building and
around the foundations with a soil insecticide is a good preventing measure which is
attracting attention throughout the world. The purpose of this treatment is to create a
chemical barrier between the ground from where the termites come and woodwork,
cellulosic materials and other contents of the buildings which may form food for the
termites. Timber which is seasoned and is naturally durable in heartwood may be
used in the building structure. However, non-durable timbers and sapwood of all
timbers should be treated to withstand the attack of drywood termites (see IS 401
and IS 1141).
The provisions of this Standard are without prejudice to the various Acts, Rules and
Regulations including the Insectides Act, 1968 and the Rules framed thereunder.
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 with IS 2:1960 Rules for rounding off
numerical values (revised). The number of significant places retained in the rounded
off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

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BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

DRAFT FOR COMMENTS ONLY
(Not to be reproduced without the permission of BIS or used as an Indian Standard)
Draft INDIAN STANDARD
CODE OF PRACICE FOR ANTI TERMITE MEASURES IN BUILDINGS
PART 2 : PRE-CONSTRUCTIONAL CHEMICAL TREATMENT MEASURES

[Third Revision of IS 6313 (Part 2)]

1. SCOPE
This standard (part 2) gives recommendations for the chemical treatment of soils for
the protection of building from attack by subterranean termites. It includes reference
to the chemicals to be used, lays down minimum rates of application for usage, and
outlines procedure to be followed while the building is under construction.
2. REFERENCES
The Indian Standard given in Annex B contain provisions, which through reference in
this text, consitute provision of this standard. At the time of publication, the editions
indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to
agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of
applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated in Annex B.
3. TERMINOLOGY
For the purpose of this standard , the following definitions shall apply.
3.1 Chemical Barrier
The layer of chemically trated soil in immediate contact with the foundation and floor
structure of a building which kills or repels termites thus forming a barrier which is
impervious to termite entry.
3.2

Soil Treatement

The application of chemicals (toxicants) to the soil adjacent to and under a building
to form a chemical barrier which is lethal or repellent to termites.
3.3 Pre-Construction Soil Treatment
This is a process in which soil chemical treatment is applied to a building during the
early stage of its construction .
4 SITE PRERATION
The removal of trees, stumps, logs or roots from a building site reduces the hazards
from subterranean termites. Similary, the sub floor area should be kept free form all
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debris in which new colonies of termites might be established. In order to ensure

uniform distribution of the treating solution and to assist penetration, some site
preparation, may be necessary. The information given 4.1.1 to 4.1.4 is for guidance
in preparing a building site for chemical treatment.
4.1.1

Heavy Soils and Sloping Sites

On clay and other heavy soils where penetration is likely to be slow and on sloping
site where run off of the trating solution is likely to occur, the surface of the soil
should be scarified to a depth of at least of 75 mm.
4.1.2 Sandy or Porous Soils
On loose, sandy or porous soils where loss of treating solution through piping or
excessive percolation is likely to occur, preliminary moistening to fill the capillary
spaces in the soil is recommended.
4.1.3

Levelling, Excavations and Filling

All sub floor levelling and grading should be completed; all cuttings, trenches and
excavations should be completed with backfilling in place, borrowed fill must be free
from organic debris and should be well compacted.
If this is not done,
supplementary treatement should be made to complete the barrier.
4.1.4

Concrete Formwork

All concrete formwork, levelling pegs, timber off-cuts and other builder's debris
should be removed from the area to be treated.
5

CHEMICALS AND RATE OF APPLICATION

5.1 Basic Principle

Chemicals toxic to subterranean termites may be used effectively to check termite
infestation in the soil. These are useful in the treatment of new building sites and
may also be used to eradicate existing infestation in buildings and to prevent
reinfestation. The effectiveness and/or residual activity depend upon the choice of
the chemicals, the dosages adopted and the thoroghness of application. The
chemical solutions or emulsions are required to be dispersed uniformly in the soil
and of the required strength so as to form an effective chemical barrier which is
lethal and repellent to termites.
5.2 Mound Treatment
If termite mounds are found within the plinth area of the buildings these should be
destroyed by means of insecticides in the form of water suspension or emulsion
which should be poured into the mounds at serveral places after breaking open the
earthen structure and making holes with crow-bars. The quantity to be used will
depend upon the size of mound. For a mound volume of about 1m3, 4 litres of water
based chemical emulsion shall be used.
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5.3 Chemicals to be Used for Soil Treatment

Treating the soil beneath the building and around the foundations with a soil
insecticide is a preventive measure. The purpose of the treatment is to create a
continious chemical barrier between the ground from where termites come and
woodwork or other cellulosic materials in the buildings.
The following chemicals conforming to relevant Indian standards (as may be
available) in water emulsion are effective when applied uniformly over the area to be
treated.
S.No.

Chemical

1.

Chlorpyriphos 20% EC

2.

Imidacloprid 30.50% SC

3.

Lindane 20% EC

Relevant Concentrat
Indian
ion by
Standard
weight,
percent
(active
ingredient)

Dosage

IS 8944

1.0

250 ml in 5 litre water

**

0.075

10.5 ml in 5 litre water

IS 632

1.0

250 ml in 5 litre water

- Lindane (Banned vide Gazette Notification No S.O. 637(E) Dated

25/03/2011)-Banned for Manufacture,Import or Formulate w.e.f.
25th March,2011 and banned for use w.e.f. 25th March,2013.

**

FAD 1(1999) - Draft Indian Standard Specification for Imidacloprid suspension

concentrate (SC) [to be printed]

NOTE:
1. The above mentioned chemicals are registerd (as on date) chemicals with the Central
Insecticides Board Registration Committee (CIB RC). Efforts will be made to update
(add/delete) the list of chemicals (Termiticides) as obtained time to time from the CIB RC for
incorporation in the above table appropriately. However, the chemicals from the above table
as available in the CIB RCs approved list at any point of time, shall only be used.
2.The chemicals described in this standard are insecticides with a persistent action and are
regarded highly poisonous. These chemical can have an adverse effect upon health when
absorbed through the skin, inhaled as vapours or spray mist or swallowed. Detailed
precautions for the safe handling of these chemicals are given in Annex C. Persons carrying
out chemical soil treatment in accordance with this code should familiarize themselves for
these precautions and exercise due care when handling the chemical whether in concentrate
or in diluted form. The use of the chemical should be avoided where there is any risk of wells
or other water supplies becoming contaminated.

6.
ESSENTIAL
APPLICATION

REQUIREMENTS

FOR

BARRIER

AND

METHOD

OF

6.1 Conditions of Formation

Barrier shall be complete and continuous under the whole of the structure to be
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protected. All foundations shall be fully surrounded by and in close contact with the
barrier or treated soil. Each part of the area treated shall receive the prescribed
dosage of chemical.
6.2 Time of Application
Soil treatment should start when foundation trenches and pits (in case of Load
Bearing Structure and Basements) are ready to take mass concrete in foundations.
Laying of mass concrete should start when the chemial emulsion has been absorbed
by the soil and the surface is quite dry. Treatment should not be carried out when it
is raining or when the soil is wet with rain or sub-soil water. The foregoing
requirements applies also in the case of treatement to the filled earth surface within
the plinth area before laying the sub-grade for the floor.
6.3 Disturbance
Once formed, treated soil barriers shall not be disturbed. If, by chance, treated soil
barriers are disturbed, immediate step shall be taken to restore the continuity and
completeness of the barrier system.
7. TREATMENT
7.1 Soil Treatment
The chemical emulsions described in 5.3 shall be applied uniformly at the prescribed
rate in all the stages of the treatment. Hand operated pressure pump or an
electrically operated pump shall be used for uniform spraying of the chemical from
graduated containers. Proper check shall be kept so that the specified quantity of
chemical is used for the required area during the operation.
7.1.1 In the event of waterlogging of foundation, the water shall be pumped out and
the chemical emulsion applied when the soil is absorbent .
7.2 Treatment for Masonry Foundations and Basements (Load Bearing
Structures)
7.2.1 Treatment to trenches made for foundation of Masonary walls or
Basement
The bottom surface and the sides (upto a height of about 300 mm) of the
excavations made from masonry foundations and basements shall be treated with
the chemical at the rate of 5 l/m2 surface area (see Fig.1).
7.2.2 Treatment to Vertical Backfilled Soil along masonary Foundation/
retaining wall
After the masonry foudations and the retaining wall of the basements come up, the
backfill in immediate contact with the foundation structure shall be treated at the rate
of 7.5 l/m2 of the vertical surface of the sub-structure for each side. If water is used
for ramming the earth fill, the chemical treatment shall be carried out after the
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ramming operation is done by rodding the earth at 150 mm centres close to parallel
to the wall surface and spraying the chemical emulsion at the above dosage. After
the treatement, the soil should be tamped in place. The earth is usually returned in
layers and the treatement shall be carried out in similar stages. The chemical
emulsion shall be directed towards the masonry surfaces so that the earth in contact
with these surfaces is well treated with the chemical (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
7.2.3 Treatment of top Surface of Plinth Filling
The top surface of the consolidated earth within plinth walls shall be treated with
chemical emulsion at the rate of 5 l/m 2 of the surface before the sand bed or subgrade is laid. This traetment shall also be carried out on DPC provided on plinth
wall. If the filled earth has been well rammed and the surface does not allow the
emulsion to seep through, holes up to 50 to 75 mm deep at 150 mm centres both
ways may be made with 12 mm dimeter mild steel rod on the surface to faciliatate
saturation of the soil with the chemical emulsion .
7.2.4 Treatment at Junction of the wall and the floor
Special care shall be taken to establish continuity of the vertical chemical barrier on
inner wall surface from ground level (where it had stopped with the treatment
described in 7.2.2) up to level of the filled earth surface. To achieve this, a small
channel 30 mm x 30 mm shall be made at all the junction of wall and columns with
the floor (before laying the sub-grade) the rod holes made in the channel up to the
ground level 150 mm apart and the iorn rod moved backward and forward to break
up the earth and chemical emulsion poured along the wall at the rate of 7.5 l/m 2 of
vertical wall or column surface so as to soak the soil right to the bottom. The soil
should be tamped back into place after the operation .
7.2.5

Treatment of Soil Along External Perimeter of Building

7.2.5.1 After the building is complete, the earth along the external perimeter of the
builiding should be rodded at intervals of 150 mm and to a depth of 300 mm. The
rods should be moved backword and forward parallel to the wall to break up the
earth and chemical emulsion poured along the wall at the rate of 7.5 l/m 2 of the
vertical surface. After the treatment the earth should be tamped back into place.
Should the earth outside the building be graded on completion of building, this
treatment should be carried out on completion of such grading.
7.2.5.2 In the event of filling being more than 300 mm, the external perimeter
treatment shall extend to the full depth of filling upto the ground level so as to ensure
continuity of the chemical barrier.
7.3

Treatment For RCC Foundations (Buildings without Basements)

In the case of RCC foundations, the treatment shall start at a depth of 500 mm below
the ground level except when such ground level is raised or lowered by filling or
cutting after the foundations have been cast. In such cases, the depth of 500 mm
shall be determined from the new soil level resulting from the filling or cutting
mentioned above, and soil in immediate contact with the vertical surfaces of RCC.
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Foundations shall be treated at the rate of 7.5 l/m2 (see Fig.4).

7.3.1 Treatment of top Surface of Plinth Filling
The top surface of the consolidated earth within plinth walls shall be treated with
chemical emulsion at the rate of 5 l/m2 of the surface before the sand bed or subgrade is laid. If the filled earth has been well rammed and the surface does not
allowe the emulsion to seep through, holes up to 50 to 75 mm deep at 150 mm
centres both ways may be made with 12 mm dimeter mild steel rod on the surface
to faciliatate saturation of the soil with the chemical emulsion.
7.3.2

Treatment at Junction of the wall and the floor

Special care shall be taken to establish continuity of the vertical chemical barrier on
inner wall surface from ground level (where it had stopped with the treatment
described in 7.2.2) up to level of the filled earth surface. To achieve this, a small
channel 30 mm x 30 mm shall be made at all the junction of wall and columns with
the floor (before laying the sub-grade) the rod holes made in the channel up to the
ground level 150 mm apart and the iorn rod moved backward and forward to break
up the earth and chemical emulsion poured along the wall at the rate of 7.5 l/m 2 of
vertical wall or column surface so as to soak the soil right to the bottom. The soil
should be tamped back into place after the operation.
7.3.3 Treatment of Soil Along External Perimeter of Building :
After the building is complete, the earth along the external perimeter of the builiding
should be rodded at intervals of 150 mm and to a depth of 300 mm. The rods should
be moved backword and forward parallel to the wall to break up the earth and
chemical emulsion poured along the wall at the rate of 7.5 l/m 2 of the vertical surface.
After the treatment the earth should be tamped back into place. Should the earth
outside the building be graded on completion of building, this treatment should be
carried out on completion of such grading.
7.3.3.1 In the event of filling being more than 300 mm, the external perimeter
treatment shall extend to the full depth of filling upto the ground level so as to ensure
continuity of the chemical barrier.
7.3.4 Treatment of Soil Surrounding Pipes, Wastes and Conduits
When pipes, wastes and conduits enter the soil inside area of the foundations, soil
surrounding the point of entry shall be loosened around each such pipe, waste or
conduit for a distance of 150 mm and to a depth of 75 mm before treatment is
commenced. When they enter the soil external to the foundation, they shall be
similarly treated at a distance of over 300 mm unless they stand clear of the walls of
the building by about 75 mm.
7.3.5 Treatment for Expansion Joints
Expansion joints at ground floor level are one of the biggest hazards for the termite
infestation. The soil beneath these joints should receive special attention when the
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treatment under 7.3.1 is carried out. This treatment should be supplemented by

treating through the expansion joints after the sub-grade has been laid, at the rate of
2 litre per linear metre.
7.4 Treatment to RCC Basement Buildings: (Please refer fig 5 for details of
treatment)
The treatment starts after the excavation for basement is complete and before laying
soling and PCC. The treatment shall be carried out in the following stages.
7.4.1 Treatment to soil below raft
Before laying the rubble soling and PCC, the compacted and levelled soil shall be
treated at 5 l/m2 .
7.4.2 Treatment to soil along the retaining wall
The soil retained by the walls (soil coming in contcat with retaining wall) shall be
treated at the rate of 7.5 l/m2 of the vertical surface so as to effect a continuous outer
chemical barrier, in continuation with that of the one formed under 7.4.1. The
treatment shall follow the backfilling as backfilling is done in stages of 30 cms but not
to exceed a depth of 1 metre. Rodding may be carried out to facilitate the treatment.
7.4.3 Treatment of Soil Along External Perimeter of Building
After the building is complete, the earth along the external perimeter of the builiding
should be rodded at intervals of 150 mm and to a depth of 300 mm. The rods should
be moved backward and forward parallel to the wall to break up the earth and
chemical emulsion poured along the wall at the rate of 7.5 l/m2 of the vertical surface.
After the treatment, the earth should be tamped back into place. Should the earth
outside the building be graded on completion of building, this treatment should be
carried out on completion of such grading .
7.4.4 Treatment of Soil Surrounding Pipes, Wastes and Conduits
When pipes, wastes and conduits enter the soil, the inside area of the foundations,
soil surrounding the point of entry shall be loosened around each such pipe, waste
or conduit for a distance of 150 mm and to a depth of 75 mm before treatment is
commenced. When they enter the soil external to the foundation, they shall be
similarly treated at a distance of over 300 mm unless they stand clear of the walls of
the building by about 75 mm.

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Stage of Treatement
A - Bottom and side of Trenches (see 7.2.1)
B - Backfill in Immediate Contact with Foundation (see 7.2.2.)
C - Junction of Wall and Floor (see 7.5)
D - Top Surface of Plinth Filling (see 7.4)
E - External Perimeter of Building (see 7.6)
Fig 2: Treatment for Masonry Foundation without Apron

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Stage of Treatment
A - Bottom and sides of Trenches (see 7.2.2.1)
B - Backfill in Immediate Contact with Foundation walls (see 7.2.2)
C - Junction of Wall and floor (see 7.5)
D - Top Surface of Plinth Filling (see 7.4)
E - External Perimeter of Building (see 7.6)
F - Soil Below Apron (see 7.6)
Fig.3 Treatment for Masonry Foundations With Apron Along External Perimeter

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Stage of Treatment
A - Backfill in Immediate Contact with Foundation Structure (See 7.2.3)
B - Juntion of Wall and Floor (see 7.5)
C - Top Surface of Plinth Filling(see 7.4)
D - External of Building (see 7.6)
Fig.4 Treatment for RCC Foundations

Fig 5 Treatment for RCC Basement Building

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ANNEX A
[Foreword]
A SHORT NOTE ON TERMITES

A-1. CLASSIFICATION
A-1.1 Termites constitute a separate order of insects called 'Isoptera' [isos is 'equal '
and pteron means 'wing' in Greek). Although, they are commonly called white ants,
they are not related to ants who have a thin waist in contrast to the thick waist of the
termites. Furthermore, the front pair of wings of the ants are longer than their
hindpair whereas in termites, both pairs are equal. There are over 2300 species of
termites out of which about 220 are found in India. All these species are not
considered to be serious pests.
A-1.2 According to their habits, termites can be divided into two well defined groups:
a) Subterranean termites which build nests and live in the soil, and
b) Non-subterranean termites which live in wood and do not require
contact with the soil.
A-1.3 Subterranean termites require moisture to sustain their life. They need access
to ground at all times. They build tunnels between their nest and source of food
through earth and earth-like covered run-ways around obstructions. These covered
tunnels provide humidity conditions and darkness necessary for their movement and
for maintaining contact with earth. The subterranean termites enter a building from
ground level, under the foundation, working their way upwards through floors,
destroying all before them. So little is seen of these termite operations that
sometimes the structural member attacked is found to be merely a shell with the
inside completely riddled and eaten away.
A-1.4 The drywood termites on the contrary are able to live even in fairly dry wood
and without contact with ground. These frequently construct nests within the roofs
and other parts of houses, which they destroy, if not speedily exterminated.
However, they are not as prevalent and common as subterranean termites, and are
generally confined to coastal regions.
A-1.5 A subterranean termite colony consists of a pair of reproductives, the so-called
king and queen and a large number of sterile workers and soldiers. If however, the
queen is lost or destroyed, her place is taken by number of supplementary
reproductives, thus even by removing the queen, the colony will not be destroyed.
All the work of the colony is carried out by the workers. Guarding the colony is the
work of the soldier. The adult workers and soldiers are wingless. The workers are
gernerally greyish white in colour. The soldiers are generally darker than the
workers and have a large head and longer mandibles. There are, however, other
types of soldiers whose mandibles are small, degenerated and functionless; instead,
the frontal part of the head is prolonged to form a long nasus; they dispel the enemy
by squirting out of white poisonous fluid through the nasus. The reprodutives, that is,
the flying adults, have brown or black bodies and are provided with two pairs of long
wings of equal size in contrast to the reproductives of ants which have two pairs of
wings of unequal size.

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A-1.6 The food of the termite is cellulosic material like timber, grass, stumps of dead
trees, droppings of herbivorous animals, paper, etc. Once termites have found a
suitable foot-hold in or near a building, they start spreading slowly from a central nest
through underground and overground galleries in the case of subterranean termites
and galleries within the structural member, once they get direct access to them, in
the case of drywood termites. In their search for wood they bypass any obstacle
like concrete or resistant timber to get a suitable food many meters away.
A-1.7 In subterranean termite colony, the worker feed the reproductives, soldiers,
winged adults and young nymphs. One of the habits of the termites which is of
interest is the grooming of their own bodies and the bodies of their nest mates by
licking. This grooming habit is associated with their eagerness to obtain the
glandular secretions that are extruded over the body surface. During the course of
grooming, any dust particle that may be adhering to the body surface are removed
and ingested, so that this habit plays an important role in the poisoning of termites
for control operations. If finely powdered toxic material is introduced into termite
runways, particles of the powder will adhere to the body of the termite and will kill
any termite that subsequently grooms the dusted one.
A-2 DEVELOPMENT OF TERMITE COLONY
A-2.1 At certain periods of the year, particularly after a few warm days followed by
rain, emergence of winged adults on colonising flights, frequently occurs. This
swarming, also called the nuptial flight, may take place any time during the monsoon
or the post monsoon period. The flight is short and most of the adults perish due to
one reason or another. The surviving termites soon find their mates, shed their
wings and establish a colony if circumstances are favourable. The female of the pair
or queen produces a few eggs in the first year. The first batch of the brood
comprises only of workers. The rate of reproduction, however, increases rapidly
after 2-3 years. Although a colony may increase in size comparatively rapidly very
little damage may occur in a period less than 8-10 years. Any serious damage that
may occur in a short time is perhaps due to heavy infestation in the initial stage due
to large population of termites existing in the soil before the building is constructed.
A-3 RECOGNING THE PRESENCE OF TERMITE INFESTATION IN BUILDINGS
A-3.1 Swarms of winged reproductives flying from the soil or wood are the first
indication of termite infestation in a building. Often the actual flight may not be
observed but the persence of wings discarded by them will be a positive indication of
a well established termite colony nearby. Termite damage is not evident from the
exterior in the case of subterranean termites, since they do not reduce wood to a
powdery mass or push particles like some of the wood borers or drywood termites.
These termites are also recognised by the presence of earth-like shelter tubes which
afford them the runways between soil and their food .
A-3.2 Drywood termites on the contrary may be recognised by their pellets of
excreta. Non-subterranean termites excrete pellets of partly digested wood. These
may be found in tunnels or on the floor underneath the member which they have
attacked. These termites may further be noticed by blisters on wood surfaces due
to their forming chambers close to the surface by eating away the wood and leaving
only a thin film of wood on the surface. Also the hollow sound on tapping structural
timber will indicate their destructive activity inside .
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For BIS use only

CED 13(7828)WC
October 2011
ANNEX B
(Clause 2)
LIST OF REFERRED INDAN STANDARADS

IS No

Title

401:2001

Code of pracitce for preservation of timber

( Fourth Revision )

632:1978

GammaBHC (Lindane) emulsifiable

concentrates ( Fourth Revision )

1141:1993

Seasoning of Timber code of practice

( Second Revision )

2568:1978

Malathion dusting powder ( Second Revision )

4015
Part 1 : 1988

Guide for handling cases of pesticides poisoning.

First aid measures ( First Revision )

8944:2005

Chlorpyrisfos emulsifiable concentrate ( First Revision)

FAD 1(1999)

Draft Indian Standard Specification for Imidacloprid

suspension concentrate (SC) [to be printed]

15

For BIS use only

CED 13(7828)WC
October 2011
ANNEX C
(Clause 5.3)
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

C-1 PRECAUTIONS FOR HEALTH HAZARDS AND SAFETY MEASURES

C-1.1 All the chemical mentioned in 5.3 are poisonous and hazardous to health.
These chemical can have an adverse affect upon health when absorbed through the
skin, inhaled as vapours or spray mist or swallowed. Persons handling or using
these chemical should be warned of these dangers and advised that absoroption
through the skin is the most likly sources of accidental poisoning. They should be
cautioned to observe carefully the safety precautions given in C-1.2 to C-1.5
particularly when handling these chemicals in the form of concentrates.
C-1.2 These chemicals are brought to the site in the form of emulsifible
concentrates. The container should be clearly labelled and should be stored
carefully so that children and pets cannot get at them.They should be kept securely
closed.
C-1.3 Particular care should be taken to prevent skin contact with concetrates.
Prolonged exposure to dilute emulsions should also be avoided. Workers should
wear clean clothing and should wash thoroughly with soap and water specially
before eating and smoking. In the event of severe contamination, clothing should be
removed at once and the skin washed with soap and water. If chemicals splash into
the eyes they shall be flushed with plenty of soap and water and immediate medical
attenntion should be sought.
C-1.4 The concentrate are oil solutions and present a fire hazard owing to the use of
petroleum solvents. Flames should not be allowed during mixing.
C-1.5 Care should be taken in the application of soil toxicants to see that they are
not allowed to contaminate wells or springs which serve as sources of drinking
water.
C-1.6 In case of poisoning, suitable measures shall be taken for protection in
accrodace with IS 4015.

CED 13\Drafts CED 13\6313

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