DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD         TDC 3 (1142)  CD 3 
                                                                                                First Edition                                           
©TBS 2018 All right s reserved                                                                      First edition 202 2 
  
 
  
 
Textiles — Travelling Bags  – Part 1: Suitcase type  — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
  
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©TBS 2018 All right reserved                                                                      Second edition 2020  
              TDC 3 (1142)  CD 3 
Foreword  
This Draft Tanzania Standard is being developed by the Household  Textile Technical Committee 
under supervision of the Textile and Leather Division Standards Committee and it is in accordance 
with the procedures of the Bureau.  
 This Draft Tanzania Standard has been prepared with assistance drawn from:  
 KS 2746 - 1 Travel bags — Specification (First Edition) Part 1: Suitcase type travel bags.  
 IS 8518 – Specification for suitcase air travel.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 1.  Scope  
This Draft Tanzania Standard specifies requirements , sampling,  and test methods for  suitcase type of 
travel bag made of textile fabrics, leather or plastic materials.  
2.  Normative References  
For the purpose of this Draft Tanzania Standard the following references shall apply :  
a) TZS 4 , Rounding  off numerical values .  
b) TZS 21 , Textiles – Woven  or knitted fabrics – Determination of mass per unit length and per 
unit area . 
c) TZS 22, Textiles - Woven fabrics - Determination of breaking load and extension .  
d) TZS 40 , Textiles - Tests for colour fastness to light : Daylight .  
e) TZS 43 , Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Fastness to washing: Test 1 .  
f) TZS 44, Textiles - Woven or knitted fabrics - Determination of length and width.  
g) TZS 27 , Textiles determination of dimensional changes of fabrics by cold water immersion  
h) TZS 138 , Textile -test for colour fastness to rubbing.  
i) TZS 280, Textiles – Test for colour fastness – Colour fastness to perspiration.  
j) TZS 326, Textiles – Ternary fibre mixtures – Quantitative analysis.  
k) TZS 327, Textiles – Binary fibre mixtures – Quantitative chemical analysis.  
l) TZS 531, Textiles – Tests for colour fastness – Colour fastness to spotting: Water.  
m) TZS 1 136, Textile – Zippers – Specification . 
n) TZS 1425, Textile - Sewing Threads Specification - Sewing threads made wholly or partly 
from synthetic fibres.  
o) TZS 2510, Leather for upholstery – Specifications.  
p) TZS 3200, Textile – Requirements for flat woven lining material.  
q) ISO 62, Plastics — Determination of water absorption.  
r) ISO 180, Plastics — Determination of Izod impact strength.  
s) ISO 527 -1, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 1: General principles.  
t) ISO 898 -2, Mechanical properties of fasteners made of carbon steel and alloy steel — Part 2: 
Nuts with specified property classes — Coarse thread and fine pitch thread.  
u) ISO 13936 – 1, Textiles — Determinati on of the slippage resistance of yarns at a seam in 
woven fabrics — Part 1: Fixed seam opening method.  
v) ISO 13936 – 2, Textiles — Determination of the slippage resistance of yarns at a seam in 
woven fabrics — Part 2: Fixed load method.  
w) ISO 13937 - 1, Textil es — Tear properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of tear force 
using ballistic pendulum method (Elmendorf).  Check TZS available  
x) ISO 13938 – 2, Textiles — Bursting properties of fabrics — Part 2: Pneumatic method for 
determination of bursting strength and bursting distension.  Check TZS available  
y) ISO 6383, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of tear resistance — Part 2: 
Elmendorf method   
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 z) ISO 6940, Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Determination of ease of ignition of 
vertically orien ted specimens.  
aa) ISO 6941, Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Measurement of flame spread properties of 
vertically oriented specimens  
 
3.  Terms and T erminolog ies  
 
For the purpose of this Draft Tanzania Standard the following definitions shall apply:  
3.1 travel bag   
bag usually made out of plastics, leather or textile material and of specified shape and dimensions 
used for carrying personal belongings while travelling such as hand bag or suit case.  
3.2 suitcase type of travel bag  
portable cuboid shaped case designed to hold travellers clothing and personal belongings,  
 
4. Requirements  
4.1 Materials  
4.1.1 Textile fabric  
The fabric structure shall be woven or knitted.  
4.1.1.1 Fibre composition and proportion  
The fibre composition  of the fabric shall be of any natural or manmade textile fibre of quality as 
specified in this Draft Tanzania Standard.  
4. 1. 2 Leather  
4.1.2.1  The grain of the leather for making up the travelling bag shall be free from flays and grain 
defects that affect its appearance in accordance with TZS 2510.   
4.1.2.2  The flesh side of the leather shall have been shaved and shall be free from any cuts and l oose 
flesh.  
4.1.2.3  The leather shall be firm, pliable and  shall not be pipy.  
4.1.2.4  The colour of the leather and the nature of the grain surface (whether smooth or printed) shall 
be as per agreement between buyer and seller .  
4.1.3 Plastics  
The plastic material making up the travel bag shall be hardened and stiffened able to withstand 
strains, stresses, and deformations caused by loading, handling and changes in temperature. The 
plastic material shall also comply with the requirements in Table 2.  
4.2 Construction.  
4.2.1 Foundation  
The suit case shall be constructed on a foundation made out of plastic sheet and formed so as to 
assume the cuboid shape of the bag. The characteristics of the plastic sheet shall be such that the 
entire internal depth and girth of the cuboid is covered and also have a thickness of not less than 0.76 
cm. 
  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 4.2.2 Lining  
The travelling bag  interior shall be lined with a lining fabric complying with TZS 3200  and of a hue 
close to that of the panels of the suitcase.  
4.2.3  Lifting handles  
The suit case type of travel bag shall have a top and side lifting handles made of plastic and a base of  
light metal or any other suitable materials. The lifting handles shall be fixed on the plastic sheet of the  
foundation and comply with  the requirements of Tables 1 and 2.  
4.2.4  Piping  
The stitched seams shall be reinforced with piping made out of material preferably similar to that of 
the panels of the bag, with a core material strong enough to serve the intended purpose. The piping  
expressed as diameter and measured with a Vernier caliper shall be as specified in Table 3. 
4.2.5  Studs  
The suit case type of travel bag shall have suitable studs fixed by screws on the foundation, face 
adjacent to the one housing the carriage.  
4.2.6  Seams and stitches  
The suit case shall have a face, back and middle panels forming the cuboid shape The panels 
constituting the suit case shall be joined with stitched seams. It shall have at least one pocket stitched 
on the face panel. The stitched seam s shall bear a piping complying with the specifications of table 3. 
The stitches per centimeter shall be as specified in table 1 and 3  and be tested in accordance with 
Annex B.  
4.2.7 Sewing thread  
The sewing threads used for making up the seams of the sui t case type of travel bags shall be of 
synthetic fibre preferably polyester and comply with TZS 1425.  
4.2.8 Zippers  
The openings of  the suitcase type of travel  bag and pocket s shall have zippers complying with the 
requirements as specified in Table 1 and attached to the middle panel of the bag with a double stitch.  
4.2.8 Size codes and Dimensions  
The dimensions of suit case type of travel bags shall be as specified in Table 3.  
4.3 Accessories  
4.3.1 Foundation   
The suitcase type of  travelling bag shall be constructed on a foundation made out of suitable material 
preferably plastic sheet and formed so as to assume the cuboid shape of the bag. The characteristics 
of the plastic sheet shall be such that the entire internal depth and gi rth of the cuboid is covered and 
also have a thickness of not less than 0.76 cm.  
4.3.2 Locks   
The suit case type of travel bag shall have a lock fixed on the plastic sheet of the foundation and 
operating with the pullers of the zippers. The dimensions of the locks shall be as given in table 3 .  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 Instructions for operating the programmable locks shall be provided with the suitcase bag in a legible 
and indelible format . 
.4.3.3 Carrier assembly  
The suit case type of travel bag shall have a carrier assembly wit h a plate fixed at the base and made 
from suitable material preferably hardened plastic for ease of transporting the bag by rolling. The 
carrier shall be fitted with wheels on a spindle or clamps at least at the four corners of the base of the 
suit case. T he carrier shall have an adjustable and self -locking pulling handle fitted on double or 
single tubes at the top. The carrier and associated parts shall comply with the requirements of Table 
3. 
4.3.4 Fasteners  
Where provided, the carrier assembly shall be fastened on the plastic sheet constituting the 
foundation of the hand bag with appropriate fasteners as specified in ISO 898 -2. 
4.4 Flammability  
The burning behaviour of suitcase type of  travel bag fabrics shall be tested in accordance with 16 
CFR Part 16 10 and be of at least Class 1. See ISO 6940 and ISO  6941.  
5. Specific requirements  
The specific requirements of suitcase type of travelling bags  shall comply with the requirements 
specified in Table 1 
 
Table 1 – Table of requirements of suitcase type of travelling bag made from 
fabric.  
SN Parameter   Requirements  Test 
Method  
1 Fibre composition  As declared subject to a tolerance of 2%  TZS 326  
TZS 327  
2 Mass per unit area  of fabric ,  
g/m2, min  330 TZS 21  
3 Mass per unit area lining ,  
g/m2, min  33.1 TZS 21 
4 Stitches per cm along the 
seam, min   2 Visual  
5 Seam strength N, min  235 ISO 13936 - 
1 
6 Seam Slippage   N, min   ISO 13936 - 
2 
Warp  100 
Weft 100 
7 Bursting strength Kpa, min  160 ISO 13938 - 
2  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 Table 2 – Table of requirements of suitcase type of travel bag made from 
plastic materials  
Parameters  Requirements  Test Method  
Tensile strength,  MPa, minimum  50 ISO 527 -1:2019  
Tensile elongation at break, % 
maximum  60 ISO 527 -1:2019  
Water absorption, (immersion 24 
hours)%  0.15 ISO 62:2008  
Impact strength ,kJ/m2
 ,Minimum   30 ISO 180:2019  
Tear resistance , kN/m  120 ISO 6383 -2 8 Dimensional change after five 
washing, %  ≥3 TZS 27 
9 Zipper specification  pass  TZS 1136  
10 Drop test based on 5 -14 kg 
load, at 1 metre height   
 Pass  Annex c  
11 Handle attachment strength, 
in N min.  
 305 Annex D  
 
12. Breaking strength (N), min  
  
Warp  445  
TZS 22  
Weft 445 
13 Tear strength, N, min  
      
Warp  63  
ISO 
13937 -1  
 Weft 52 
14 Colour fastness  
Agency  Colour Change  Staining   
a) light, min  5 NA TZS 40  
b) to rubbing, min  
i) wet 
ii) dry  
3 
4  
NA  
TZS 138  
c) washing, min  4 NA ISO 105:B04  
d) perspiration  
i) acid 
ii) alkali  
  
4 
4  
4 
4  
TZS 280   
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
Table 3  - Size code and dimensions of Suit case type of travel bag  
Size Code And 
Characteristic  1 2 3  4 5 6 7 Test 
Method  
Length, cm  ≤ 49.5  49.5 - 
51.27  51.27 -
53.92  53.92 - 
58.34  58.34 - 
65.11  65.11 -
76 ≥ 76 Annex A  
Width, cm  ≤ 14.5  14.5 -
16.73  16.73 -
20.08  20.08 - 
26.66  26.66 - 
35.22  35.22 -
48 ≥48 Annex A  
Depth, cm  ≤14.5  14.5-16 16-18.25  18.25 -
22.6 22.6-
28.35  28.35 -
37 ≥37 Annex A  
 
Table 4 - Dimensions of accessories of suit case type of travel bag  
 
6. Packing  
6.1 Unit Packaging  
Each  suitcase type of travelling  bag shall be wrapped with suitable material which conform to TZS 
2709.  
6.2 Bulk  Packaging  
The suitcase type of travel bags shall be wrapped with suitable material which conform to TZS 2709.  SN Characteristics  
   Dimensions  Test Method  
1 Carrier mechanism,  
dimensions in cm  Bottom width  25 – 27.2 Annex A  
Top width  19 – 19.1 Annex A  
Height  72 – 97.5 Annex A  
2 Wheels dimension in 
cm Diameter  14 – 23.7 Annex A  
Thickness  2.8 – 3.75 Annex A  
3 Locks dimension in cm  Length  10.7 – 11.2 Annex A  
Width  2.87 – 3.16 Annex A  
Depth  0.15 – 1.5 Annex A  
4 Piping, diameter ,in cm  0.3-0.6 Annex A  
5 Tubes, diameter in cm  Width  1.82 – 3.2 Annex A  
Thickness  1.13 – 2.47 Annex A   
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 7. Marking  
6.1 Unit packages  
The following information shall indelibly have marked on a label sewn or marked at an appropriate 
position on the travelling bag;  
a) Manufacturers name, address and registered trade mark;  
b) Name and description of the product;  
c) Batch number;  
d) Size code and dimensions in cm;  
e) Composition of the material  
f) Country of manufacture.  
7.2 Bulk Packages  
The following information shall indelibly have labeled/printed on the bulk package;  
g)  Manufacturer's name, address and registered trade mark;  
h) Suit case type of travel bag  
i) Number of unit packages in the bulk package;  
j) Gross Mass;  
k) Batch number;  
l) County of origin.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 ANNEX A  
(Normative ) 
Determination of Dimensions  
 
A1 Determine the dimensions of the suit case as specified in A1, A2. A3 and A4 by use of a steel rule 
and Vernier calliper under standard laboratory testing conditions. For details See Figures 1, 2,3 and 4  
 
A2 Apparatus  
Steel rule and Vernier calliper.  
 
A3 Testing Condition.  
The testing shall be done under the Standard Laboratory testing Condition.  
 
A4 Suit case dimensions  
A4.1  Length  
A4.1.2  Width  
A4.1.3  Height  
A5 Locks  
A5.1  Width  
A5.2  Length  
A5.3  Depth  
A6 Carrier Assembly  
A6.1  Pulling handle Mechanism  
A6.1.1  Length  
A6.1.2  Width  
A6.2  Wheels  
A6.2.1  Diameter  
A6.2.2  Width  
A6.3  Tubes  
A6.3.1 Width  
A6.3.2  Thickness  
 
A7 Lifting handles  
A7.1  Span  
A7.2  Depth  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
Figure 1 – Rear Elevation of Suitcase.  
 
 
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
Figure 2 – Side Elevation of Suitcase.  
 
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
 
Figure 3 – Front Elevation of Suitcase  
 
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 Key  
L – Suitcase Length  
W – Suitcase width  
W2 – Carrier assembly width  
L1 – Carrier assembly length  
S – Lifting handle  
K – Wheel diameter  
N – Wheel width  
V – Tube width  
P – Carrier width  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 ANNEX B  
Normative  
Determination of Stitches per cm  
 
B1 Count the number of stitches along a seam length of known distance in centimetres and determine 
the number of stitches per centimetre.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 ANNEX C  
(Normative ) 
Drop test (Life Performance)  
 
C1 Procedure  
A suitcase type of travel bags  of specified dimensions (see table C1) is loaded with relevant personal 
items of mass (8 – 25 kg) collated with the size of bag. The loaded bag is dropped from the edge of a 
bench, 1-metre -high, to a flat floor. The drop test is repeated 10 times. After the test, the tested bag is 
examined; the stitches and seams shall not open and the locks, handl es and carrier assembly, shall 
not break or come out of their positions.  
TABLE C 1: Preferred suit case dimensions related to carrying capacity  
Category of size  Preferred Bag Dimensions and carrying capacity  
Length, cm  Width, cm  Depth, cm  Carrying capaci ty, kg  
1 49.5 – 51.27  14.5 – 16.73  14.5 - 16 8 – 9.13 
2 51.27 – 53.92  16.73 – 20.08  16 – 18.25  9.13 – 10.83  
3 53.92 – 58.34  20.08 – 26.66  18.25 – 22.6 10.83 – 13.66  
4 58.34 – 65.11  26.66 – 35.22  22.6 – 28.35  13.66 - 18 
5 65.11 - 76 35.22 - 48 28.35 - 37 18 - 25 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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©TBS 2022  All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 ANNEX D  
(Normative ) 
HANDLE ATTACHMENT STRENGTH  
 
D1 The travel ling bag shall be securely fixed in an inverted position on a rigid support, leading the 
handle free for applying the load. The handle shall be suitably harnessed to  distribute the load applied 
over the entire handle. A load of 100  N (10  Kgf) shall be applied suddenly to the handle and repeated 
10 times.  
D2 The weight may be applied either by means of a spring balance or weights, suitable placed on 
stirrup. During or after the test, the handles shall not have snapped or shall not have loosened in 
fittings.