KENYA STANDARD   KS 2746 -1_2017  
                                                                                                          ICS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Travel bags -Specification  
Part 1:Suitcase  type of travel bags  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEBS 2 017        First Edition 20 17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 KS 2746 -1_2017  
ii First Edition            © KS 2017 — All rights reserved  TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
Egerton University  
University of Nairobi  
University of Eldoret  
Alliance Garments  
Bedi Investments  
Manchester Outfitters  
Spinners and Spinners  Ltd 
Consumer Information Network  
Kenyatta University  
Kenya Association of Manufacturers  
Export Processing Zone Authority  
Kenya Shirts  
RIVATEX E ast Africa Ltd 
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute  
Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development  
Milbrook Garments  
Kenya Suitcase Manufacturers  
Supra Textiles  
Kenya Bureau of Standards (Secretariat)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed.  Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
©Kenya  Bureau of Stan dards, 2017  
 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 136  of 2001  of the Laws of 
Kenya, copyright subsists in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 26 of this Act, no Kenya 
Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Standards may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form 
or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the Managing Director . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       KS 2746 -1_2017  
   
© CD/— All rights reserve d                    iii KENYA STANDARD                         
                                                                                                         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Travel bags  — Specification  (First Edition)  
Part 1:Suitcase  type of travel bags  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi -00200, Tel.: (+254 020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020)  604031  
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org   
 
Coast Region     Lake Region          Rift Valley Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa -80100   P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu -40100        P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru -
20100  
Tel.: (+254  041) 229563, 230939/40  Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396        Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555  
Fax: (+254  041) 229448    Fax: (+254 057) 21814  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 KS 2746 -1_2017  
iv First Edition            © KS 2017 — All rights reserved  Foreword  
 
This First Edition of this Kenya Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on  Ready Made Garments  
under the guidance of the Standards Project s Committee and it is in accordance with the procedures  of Kenya 
Bureau of Standards   
A sizeable number  of passengers hav e been reported in the recent past as having used air transport in Kenya. 
Coupled with the  others  travelling to  particular destination s normally by road, rail, air or sea transportation who 
might carry personal items in suit cases , demand for suitcases will continue to rise  . Handling of the suit cases  
before embar king, while travelling using any  particular mode of transport ation  and after disembarking subjects 
the suit case to various adverse effects which might interfere with serviceability of the item. This Kenya standard 
therefore has been developed with a view to establish quality requirements for suit cases  such as life 
performance, preferred sizes related to optimum carrying capacities , packaging and labeling requirements 
among others  
 
During the preparation of this Kenya standard the Technical commi ttee relied on data  on suit cases from local 
manufacturers  and those imported from overseas  
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance received from th ese  source s. 
 
 
 
 
.KENYA STANDARD         KS 2746 -1_2017  
© CD/  — All rights reserved  1  
 
Travel bags  — Specification  (First Edition)  
Part 1:Suitcase type travel bags  
  
1 Scope   
 This Part 1  of this Kenya standard specif ies requirements for  suit case type travel bags of different  
composition and design  including fabric material type,  dimensions, accessories,  performance , packaging 
and labelling requirements  
 
2 Normative References  
The following referenced documents are indispensible for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies:  
2.1       KS 665:Specification for textile label s 
2.2       KS ISO 1833 -27 Textiles - Quantitative chemical analysis  
2.3       KS ISO 11827 Textiles -Composition testing -Identification of fibres  
2.4       KS ISO 2076  Textiles -Man made fibres -Generic names  
2.5       KS ISO 6938  Textiles -Natural fibres -Generic names  
2.6       KS 212 Definitions of general terms, basic weaves and plans for drafting  
2.7        KS ISO 3759 Textiles -Preparation, marking and measuring of fabric specimens and garments  in tests 
for determination of dimensional change  
2.8      KS ISO 6330 Textiles -Domestic washing and drying procedures for textiles testing  
2.9      KS ISO 5077 Textiles -Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying  
2.10 KS ISO 3801Textiles -Woven fabrics -Determination of mass per unit length and mass per unit area  
2.11      KS ISO 13934 -1Textiles -Tensile properties of fabrics -Part 1:Determination of maximum force   and    
elongation at maximum force using the strip method  
2.12.1  KS 665  Specification for textile labels  
2.13       KS 212 Definitions of general terms, basic weaves and plans  for drafting  
2.14      KS 2659  Packaging of textile products -Code of practice  
2.15      KS 2660 School bags -Specification  
2.16      KS 479 -2  Sewing threads -Part 2:  sewing threads made wholly or partly from    fibres  
2.17     KS ISO 3081 Textiles –Woven fabrics -Deter mination of mass per unit length and mass per unit area  
2.18      KS ISO 13935 -1&2 Seam Tensile  properties  
2.19     Part 1:Strip test  
2.20      Part 2:Grab test  
2.21     EAS 223 Zippers -Specification  
2.22       KS ISO 6941 Textile fabrics -Burning behavior -Measurement of spread p roperties of vertically        
oriented specimens  
2.23     KS ISO 6940 Textile fabrics -Burning behavior -Determination of ease of ignition  
2.24      KS 12947 -2 Textiles -Determination of abrasion resistance of fabrics by the martindale     method - 
     Part 2:Determination of specimen breakdown  
2.25     KS 214 -3 Specifications for woven linings Part 3 woven lining for mens and boys apparel  
2.26     KS 628 Specifications for elastic webbings  
2.27     KS ISO 811Textile fabrics -Determination of resistance to water penetration  
2.28     KS ISO 105 B02Textiles -Colour fastness Part B02 Determination of colour fastness to artificial       light: 
Xenon arc fading lamp test  
2.29     KSISO 105 B04 Textiles -Colour fastness Part B04 Determination of colour fastness to weathering:  Xenon 
arc fa ding lamp test  
2.30    KS ISO 105 E04Textiles -Tests for colour fastnes s  Part E04 Colour fastness to perspiration  
2.31    KS ISO 105 C10 Textiles -Colour fastness Part C10 Colour fastness to washing with soap or soap with 
soda  
2.32    KS ISO 105 E01 Textiles -Tests for col our fastness Part E01 Colour fastness to water   
2.33    KS ISO 105 X12 Textiles -Tests for colour fastness Part X12 Colour fastness to rubbing  
2.34    KS 944 -1 Specification for woven bags (100 percent) for green tea leaves Part 1:Three  dimensional type  
2.35    KS ISO 898-1Mechanical properties of fast eners made of carbon steel and alloy steel  
 KS 2746 -1:2017  
2 First  Edition           KEBS 2017   All rights reserved  3.        Terms and Definitions  
For the purposes of this  standard the following definitions  shall apply:  
3.1      Travel  
To go on a journey to a particular place, usually using a form of transportation such as by road, rail, air 
or water  
3.2      Travel  bag 
A 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  
3.2.1  Suitcase type of travel bag  
A portable cuboid shaped case designed to hold travellers clothing and personal belongings , referred to 
as ‘suit case’ in this Kenya Standard  
4 Requirements  
 4.1   Materials    
4.1.1  Textile Fabric  
4.1.1.1   Fabric Structure  
The fabric  structure shall be woven or knitted in accordance with the descriptions given in  KS 212 and 
KS ISO 8388  respectively.  
4.1.1.2    Fibre Compos ition and proportion  
The fibre compositio n and proportion  of the fabric shall be any of the textile  fibres complying with the 
descriptions given in KS ISO 2076 and KS ISO 6938 and when tested in accordance with KS ISO  11827 
and KS ISO  1833 ,1-28 
4.1.2     Leather  
          The grain of th e leather f or making up the suitcase type o f travel  bag shall be free from flays and grain 
defects   that affect its appearance in accordance with KS . The flesh side of the leather shall have been 
shaved and shall be free from any cuts and loose flesh. Th e leather shall be firm, pliable  and shall not 
be pipy. The colour of the leather and the nature of the grain surface (whether smooth or printed) shall 
be as specified in table s 1and 2  
4.1.3   Plastics  
The plastic material making up the suit case type of 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 r equirements  in  Tables 1 and 2  
4.2     Physical characteristics  
The physical characteristics o f suit case  including mass per unit area, tensile strengt h, tear strength,  
seam strength, water resistance and life performance (drop tests) shall be as specified  in table 1  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   KS 2746 -1_2017  
KEBS 20 17— All rights reserved  3 Table 1:Physical Requirements   
 
Sl No  Parameter  Requirement  
 Test Method  
 
1 Tensile strength 
in N, min  Warp  445 KS ISO 13934 -1 
Weft 445 
2 Tear resistance in 
N, min  Warp  63 KS ISO 13937 -1 
Weft 52 
3 Bursting Strength, in Kpa min  160 KS ISO 
13938,1&2  
4 Seam strength in N, min   
 
235 KS ISO 13936 -1 
 5 Water resistance, mass in g, min  0.5 KS ISO 22958  
6 Abrasion resistance, number of rubs, min  1250  KS ISO 12947 -2 
7 Seam Slippage, at 3mm 
opening, load in N, min  Warp  100 KS ISO 13936 -2 
Weft 100 
8 Stitches per cm  2-3 Annex B  
 
9 Mass in g/m2-Fabric  
, min  330  
KS ISO 3801  
10 Mass in g/m2-Lining  33.1  
11 Drop test based on 8 -25 kg load, at 1 metre 
height  Pass  Annex C  
12  Lifting Handle attachment strength, in N min  305 KS 944 -1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical requirements of zippers, in N min  Puller attachment  200 EAS 223  
Closed end test  80 EAS 223  
Top stop test   
90 EAS 223  
Open end fast e 
 ner box test  90 EAS 223  
Lateral strength 
test 250 EAS 223  
Lateral strength of 
open end  90 EAS 223  
Slider locking test  25 EAS 223  
 
4.3     Dimensional Stability  
The dimensional change after five washings of the fabric constituting the travel bag shall not be greater  
than 3 % when tested in accordance with KS ISO 3759, KS ISO 6630 -4N and KS ISO 5077  
4.4      Restricted Colo urants  
The fabric s constituting  the suit case type of travel bags shall be  free from restricted colo urants listed 
and when tested in accordance with  KS ISO 1 4632 Part 1 and 3, KS ISO 16373 -2&3  
Colourants on textiles shall be identified  and classified  in accordance with KS ISO 16373 -1 KS 2746 -1:2017  
4 First  Edition           KEBS 2017   All rights reserved   
4.5       Colour  Fastness  Requirements  
 Colour fastness requirements for suit case type of travel bags shall be as specified in table 2  
 
Table 2 :Colourfastness  requirements  for suitcase  
 
Sl 
No Agency  Rating, Min  Test Method  
Colour 
change  Staining  
1 Light  5  KS ISO 105 
BO2 
2 Weathering  5  KS ISO105 
B04 
3  
Water spotting  4 4 KS ISO 105  
4 Water  4 4 KS ISO105  
E01 
5 Perspiration  Acid 4 4 KS ISO 105 
E 04 
 Alkali  4 4 
6 Rubbing  Dry 4  KS ISO 105 
X12 Wet 4  
 
 
4.6 Design and Construction  
4.6.1  Size codes and  Dimensions  
 The dimensions of suit case type of travel bags shall be as specified in table 3  
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 in 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 in cm  ≤ 14.5  14.5-
16.73  16.73 -20.08  20.08 -
26.66  26.66 -
35.22  35.22 -48 ≥48 
Depth in cm  ≤14.5  14.5-16 16-18.25  18.25 -22.6 22.6-28.35  28.35 -37 ≥37   KS 2746 -1_2017  
KEBS 20 17— All rights reserved  5  
4.6.2 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  
4.6.3  Lifting Handles  
The suit case type of travel bag shall have a  top and side lifting handle s 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 th e requirements of tables  2 and 3  
4.6.4 Lining  
The travel bag interior shall be lined with a lining fabric complying with KS 214  and of a hue close to  that 
of the panels of the bag  
4.6.5 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 measure d with a vernier  caliper shall be as specified in table 4  
4.6.6 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 carriag e 
4.6..7 Seams and Stitches   
The suit case  shall have a face, back and middl e panels forming the cuboid shape  The pa nels 
constituting the suit case  shall be joined with stitched seams.  The stitches and seams shall comply with 
the descriptions given in KS 836,1&2 .The suit case  shall  have at least one  pocket stitched on the face 
panel .The stitched  seams shall  bear a piping complying with the specifications of table 4  
The stitches per centimetre s hall  be as specified in table 4  and be t ested in accordance with Annex B  
4.6.8   Sewing Thread  
The sewing threads used for making  up the seams of the suit case type of travel bags shall be of 
synthetic fibre  preferably polyester and comply with KS 479 -2  
4.7. Accessories  
4.7. 1 Fasteners   
Carrier assembly , locks and handles shall be fastened on the plastic sheet consti tuting the foundation of 
the suit case  with appropriate fast eners specified in KS ISO 898 Part  2 
4.7.2 Lock s 
The suit case  shall have a programmable 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 4 
Instructions for operating the programmable locks shall be provided with the suitcase bag in a legible  
and indelible  format . 
 
4.7.3  Carrier Assembly  
The suit case type of travel bag shall have a carrier assembly  with 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 o n a spindle or clamps  at least at the four corners of t he base of the suit case . 
The 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 req uirements of table 4  
       
 
 
 KS 2746 -1:2017  
6 First  Edition           KEBS 2017   All rights reserved  Table 4:Dimensions of accessories of suit case type of travel bag  
Characteristic  Dimension  Test Method  
Carrier mechanism, 
dimensions in cm  Bottom Width, in cm  25-27.2 Annex A  
Top width, in cm  19-19.1 Annex A  
Height, in cm  72-97.5 Annex A  
Wheels, dimensions in 
cm Diameter, in cm  5.2-5.38 Annex A  
Thickness, in cm  1.2-3.36 Annex A  
Lifting Handles, 
dimensions in cm  Span, in cm  14-23.7 Annex A  
Depth, in cm  2.8-3.75 Annex A  
Locks, dimensions in 
cm Length  10.7-11.22  Annex A  
Width  2.87-3.16 Annex A  
Depth  0.15-1.5 Annex A  
Piping, diameter ,in cm  0.3-0.6 Annex A  
Tubes, diameter in cm  Width  1.82-3.2 Annex A  
Thickness  1.13-2.47 Annex A  
 
   KS 2746 -1_2017  
KEBS 20 17— All rights reserved  7 4.8    Flammability  
The burni ng behaviour  of suit case type of travel bag fabrics  shall be tested in accordance with 16 CFR 
Part 1610 and be of at least Class 1.  
See KS  ISO 6940 & 6941 
5         Packaging  
5.1      Unit Packaging  
          Each piece of suit case travel bag  shall be wrapped  with suitable material and in accordance    
           KS 2659 .  
5.2      Bulk Packaging  
           A number of suit case type travel bags shall be packaged  in accordance with KS 2659  
6         Marking and Labelling  
6.1      Unit Pieces  
           Each suit case  shall bear the following information contained on  a label complying with the  requirements 
of KS 665:  
a) Manufacturers name and/or trade mark  
b) Suit case type of travel bag  
c) Size code and Dimensions of suit case type of travel bag in cm  
d) Maximum carrying capacity of the suit case in kg  
e) Fibre composition of the textile material  or description of the type of leather or plastic  
f) Instructions for use  
g) Instructions for disposal  
h) Mass of bag in kilograms  
i) Care instructions in accordance with KS ISO  3758  
j) Inscription ‘Made in Kenya ‘ or ‘Country of origin’  
 
6.2 Bulk Packages  
  
(a) Manufacturer's name, address and  registered trade mark;  
 
(b) Suit case type of travel bag  
 
(c) Number of unit packages  in the bulk package ; 
 
(d) Gross Mass;  
 
(e) Batch number ; 
 
(f)  The inscription: Made in Kenya or name of ‘Country of manufacture ’ 
 for imports  
 
       7 Criteria for Acceptance  
Each suit case  shall comply w ith all of the  tested  requirements  of this Kenya Standard  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 KS 2746 -1:2017  
8 First  Edition           KEBS 2017   All rights reserved   
ANNEX A  
 
Determination of Dimensions  
Determine the dimensions  of the suit case  as specified  in A1,A2.A3 and A 4 by use of a steel rule  and vernier 
caliper  under standard laboratory testing conditions.  
For details See Figures  1,  2,3 and 4  
A1 Suit case  dimensions  
A.1.1Length  
A1.1.2  Width  
A1.1.3 Height  
A 2 Locks  
A2.1 Width  
A2.2  Length  
A2.3 Depth  
A 3 Carrier Assembly  
A3.1 Pulling handle Mechanism  
A3.1.1 Length  
A3.1.2 Width  
A3.2  Wheels  
A3.2.1 Diameter  
A3.2.2 Width  
A 3.3  Tubes  
A3.3.1Width  
A3.3.2 Thickness  
A4 Lifting handles  
A4.1 Span  
A4.2 Depth  
    
 
 
 
 
  
 
   KS 2746 -1_2017  
KEBS 20 17— All rights reserved  9  
Figure 1: REAR ELEVATION OF SUITECASE  
s
n n nkL L1w
w2
s
PIPING
p p pStudRETRACTABLE TUBE
LIFTING HANDLEHandle with locking
button
FIXING PLA TE
LIFTING HANDLE
FIXING PLA TEArv
rKS 2746 -1:2017  
10 First  Edition           KEBS 2017   All rights reserved   
                                                 Figure 2:  SIDE ELEVATION  OF SUIT CASE  
kLL1h
TOP OPENING
FLAP OF
SUITCASE
StandRETRACTABLE TUBE
Face pocketLIFTING HANDLE
LIFTING HANDLEPIPINGSerial
suitecase
lockHandle with locking
button
t
Wheel
carrier  KS 2746 -1_2017  
KEBS 20 17— All rights reserved  11  
Figure 3: FRONT ELEVATON  OF SUITCASE  
 
 
 
 
sL1
Lw2w
STANDTOP OPENING
FLAP OF
SUITCASEHandle with
locking button
RETRACTABLE TUBE
STUDSLIFTING HANDLE
Serial
suitecase
lock
PIPING
STUDS
FACE POCKET
LIFTING HANDLE
rvKS 2746 -1:2017  
12 First  Edition           KEBS 2017   All rights reserved   
 
 
 
KEY  
 
L W h W2 L1 s r k n t v p 
Suit 
case 
lengt
h  
Suit 
case 
widt
h Suit 
case 
heigh
t Carrier 
assembl
y width   
Carrier 
assembl
y  
length  Liftin
g 
handl
e 
span Liftin
g 
handl
e 
heigh
t Wheel 
diamet
er Whee
l 
width  Tube 
thicknes
s Tub
e 
widt
h Carrie
r 
wheel  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNEX B  
(Normative)  
Determination of stitches per centimetre  
 
B1 Count the number of stitches along  a seam length of known distance in centimetres and determine the 
number of stitches per centimetre  
 
ANNEX C  
(Normative)  
Drop Test  (Life performance)  
 
C1 Procedure  
A suit case type of travel  bag of  s pecified dimensions (see table C 1) 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 ca se  dimensions related to carrying capacity  
 
Category of size  
 Preferred Bag Dimensions  and Carrying capacity  
  
Length , in cm  Width , in cm  Depth , in cm  Carrying Capacity , in 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 
   KS 2746 -1_2017  
KEBS 20 17— All rights reserved  13  
 
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY  
 
KS 1829  Labelling of products -General requirements  
 KS ISO 17 Guide to the use of preferred numbers and series of preferred numbers  
KS ISO 497 Guide to the choice of series of preferred numbers and series containing more rounded 
values of preferred numbers  
SANS 1147:2015 Leather school bags and brief - cases  
KS 325 Engineering drawing practice