KENYA STANDARD        DKS 1267 -2: 201 9 
ICS 59.080.30; 97.160  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pillows for domestic use — Specification  
 
Part 2:  
 
Synthetic -fibre filled  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
©KEBS 201 9         Third  Edition 20 19 
 DKS 1267 -2: 2019  
 
ii  ©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved  TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Co mmittee:  
 
Kenya Utalii College  
Consumer Information Network  
Futons and Furniture Ltd.  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)  
Foam Mattresses Ltd . 
Bobmil Industries Ltd . 
Vitafoam Products Ltd . 
Slumberland Kenya Ltd . 
Silentnight(K) Ltd . 
Nakumatt Holdings Ltd . 
Spinners & Spinners Ltd  
Spinknit ltd  
Kenknit Ltd  
Kenya Association  of manufacturers(KAM)  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards sh all be regularly reviewed. Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2019  
 
 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of S ection 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 12 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 Standa rds may 
be reproduced, stored in a retr ieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the Managing 
Director . 
 
 
 KENYA STANDARD         DKS 1267 -2: 2019 
ICS 59.080.30; 97.160  
©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved    iii  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pillows for domestic use — Specification  
 
Part 2:  
 
Synthetic -fibre filled  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  
 DKS 1267 -2: 2019  
 
iv  ©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved  Foreword  
 
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the  Mattresses Technical Committee under the guidance of the Standard 
Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya Bureau of Standards.  
 
This standard gives the requirements for pillows that are filled with synthetic fibres. Th e main fibre in use is 
polyester but some manufacturers have been known to fill with a mix of different fibres. It is necessary to 
determine the filler material because some people are sensitive to synthetic fibres.  
 
The following are the changes incorpora ted in this Third  edition of this standard:  
 
i) Table 1 has been updated and test methods reviewed in accordance with ISO  
test methods.  
ii) In Clause 4.3,4.4, the stated test procedure s have  been reviewed  
iii) Annex C on mass per unit area for synthetic filling introd uced to the standard  
iv) The test procedure in annex A on mass per unit area of casing fabric has been reviewed  
 
 
 
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following document : 
 
SABS 1394 -2: 2003, Specification for duvets and pillows — Part 2: Synthetic -fibre filled.  
SABS 79:2004, Mass  per unit area of conditioned fabrics  
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assis tance derived from this source . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  KENYA STANDARD           DKS 1267 -2: 201 9 
 
 
©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved    1  
Pillows for domestic use — Specification  
 
Part 2 : 
 
Synthetic -fibre  filled  
 
 
1 Scope 
 
This Kenya Standard covers the requirements of synthetic -fibre filled pillow for domestic use.   
 
2 Normative references  
 
This Kenya Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference s, provisions from other publications. These 
normative references are  cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter.  
 
For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of these publications apply to this Kenya Standard 
only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. F or undated references, the latest edition of the 
publication referred to applies.  
 
KS 68 , Textile care labelling code  
 
KS ISO 13934 -1, Textile — Tensile properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of maximum force and 
elongation at maxim um force using th e strip method  
 
EAS 237 , Methods for the determination of colour fastness of textile materials to washing  
 
EAS 236 , Method for determination of colour fastness of textile materials to dry cleaning   
 
KS ISO 1833  (Series  of standards ) Textiles — Quantitative  chemical analysis  
 
KS 438,  Method  for determination of pilling resistance of fabrics (brush pilling tester)  
 
KS 32 , Conditions for the testing of textile  
 
KS 264 , Methods for estimation of moisture, total size or finish, ash, fatty matter and determinatio n of water 
soluble matter in textiles  
 
3 Definitions  
 
For the purpose s of this standard, the fol lowing definitions shall apply:  
 
3.1  
acceptable  
 acceptable to Kenya Standards  
 
3.2 
casing  
the textile fabric envelope that contains the filling  
 
3.3 
filling  filler 
the insulating material within the casing of a pillow  
  KS 1267 -2: 2019  
 
2  ©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved  3.4 
gauge (stitch -bond fabric ) 
the number of row of stitches per 25 mm width of fabric  
 
3.5 
nominal  
subject to the relevant tolerances of ±3 % given in the regulatory provision of the Trade Metrolo gy Regulations  
 
3.6 
outer cover  
a textile fabric envelop that contains a pillow and that is easily removable for cleaning purposes  
 
4 Requirements for pillows  
 
4.1 General  
 
Pillows shall be  
 
a) Cut and made with first -class workmanship throughout.  
 
b) Free from  defects that could affect their appearance or their serviceability (or both).  
 
c) Made such that all seams are smooth and all sewing is free from twists, pleats and puckers, and 
sufficiently extensible to prevent seam -cracking and undue shrinkage in use.  
 
d) Made such that all ends of sewing have been trimmed and loose threads removed.  
 
e) Made such that ends of sewing that are not secured in seams or in other sewing are adequately 
backstitched . 
 
f) Made of uniform,  acceptable colour and finish . 
 
g) Capable of being clea ned in accordance with the care instructions, without giving rise to any defect, such 
as puckering, lumpiness, tears, etc.  
 
h) Delivered in a clean and commercially dry condition . 
 
4.2 Materials and components  
 
4.2.1  Casing fabric  
 
The casing fabric shall either  be a woven fabric or a stitch -bond fabric of at least 14 gauge that complies with the 
appropriate requirements given in Table 1 . 
 
4.2.2  Synthetic -fibre filling  
 
The synthetic -fibre filling shall, when tested in accordance with KS ISO 1833  consist  entirely of c lean, crimped 
continuous filame nts or staple synthetic fibres.  The length of staple fibres shall be at least 30 mm (Annex E ). The 
fibres shall be thermo bonded or resin -bonded and the blend of melting fibres shall not exceed 30  %. 
 
 
4.2.3  Sewing thread  
 
Any appr opriate type of sewing thread may be used, provided that the minimum breaking strength of the thread is 
at least 8 N.  The colour of the sewing thread shall be such as to be acceptable.   
 
  KS 12 67-2: 2019  
 
©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved   3  
Table 1 — Casing fabric requirements  
 
1 2 3 
Property  Requirements  Test method  
Fibre composition, %  Shall comply with the stateda) 
composition  B.4.1 
Mass per unit areaa), g/m2, min.  90 Annex A  
 
Breaking strengthb) N, min.  
 
Warp  
Weft  
 
350 
200  
 
 
KS ISO 13934  
 
Resistance to opening at seamsc), N, min.  65 Annex D  
 
Colour fastness to : 
 
a) Washingd) 
 
Change in colour, rating, min.  
Staining of transfer cloths, rating, min.  
 
b) Dry -cleaningd) 
 
Change in colour, rating, min.  
Staining of transfer cloths, rating, min.   
 
 
 
 
 
4 
4  
 
 
 
 
 
 
KS ISO 105 -C10 
 
 
 
4 
4  
 
 
KS ISO 105 -D01 
 
 
a)  As stated on the label (see 5.2.1 c)), subject to tolerance of ±  3 % of the indicated value in the  case of blended fabrics.  
 
b)  Application to non -woven fabrics only.  
 
c)  Applicable to woven fabrics only.  
 
d)  Applicable only as indicated by t he care instructions (see 5.2.1 d)).  
 
4.3 Finished dimensions  
 
Unless o therwise specified , the nominal dimensions of the made -up pillow shall be one of the combinati ons given 
in Table 3 , Columns 2 and 3 .  The actual dimensions, determined in accordance Clause  B.3, shall be equivalent 
to the stated dimensions, subject to the relevant toleranc e given in the Trade Metrology R egulations.  
 
Table 3 — Unfilled casing dimensions  
 
1 2 3 
 
Pillow size  Dimensions , cm 
Width  Length  
Baby  30 40 
Standard  45 70 
Contin ental  80 80 
 
 
 
 
 
  KS 1267 -2: 2019  
 
4  ©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved  4.4 Construction  
 
A pillow shall consist of a casing made from one piece of fabric (or from two equally size pieces of fabric) 
enclosing a synthetic -fibre filling. The mass per unit area of the filling (including the surface stabilizer),  tested in 
accordance with Annex C , shall be at least  1250 g/m2 for baby pillows and at least 1 450 g/m2 for the other sizes.  
 
4.5 Stitches and seams  
 
4.5.1  Stitches shall be of the following types  — 
 
a) Stitch type:  
 
 1) binding:  S titch type 301 or 401;  
 2) edge -overlocking:  S titch type 505 or 502;  and 
 3) all other stitching:  S titch type 301; and  
b) Number of stitches per 10 cm: At least 24 per 10 cm . 
 
4.5.2  Seams  
 
Seams shall comply with the following requirements : 
 
a) General:  Edge -over locked closin g seams of seam type SSn -1 shall be of width at east 4  mm.  All other 
seams shall be of width at least 8 mm.  
 
b) Closing seams:   Seam type SSc -a, BSc -1, SSa -1, SSav -2 or SSn -1. 
 
5 Packing marking  
 
5.1 Packing  
 
Unless otherwise required, pillows  shall be wr apped individually in an acceptable wrapper and then packed in a 
suitable bulk container.  Unless the quantities ordered are such that packing of the same colour of casing and 
nominal dimensions is not justified, only pillows of the same colour of casing a nd nominal dimension and that 
contain the same type of filling shall be packed together in a bulk container.  
 
5.2 Marking  
 
5.2.1  Pillows  
 
The following information shall appear in legible and indelible marking on label securely attached to an edge of, or 
on top (near one of the comers) of each pillow:  
 
a) the manufacturer’s name or trade  mark or both;  
 
b) the nominal dimensions, in centimetres;  
 
c) the composition of the casting fabric and of the filling, for example; Casing fabric:  All cotton; filling 
polyester f ibre; 
 
d) care instruction  in accordance to KS ISO 3758  
 
e) The declaration made in Kenya or country of origin.  
 
5.2.2  Bulk containers  
 
The following information shall appear in legible and indelible marking on the  outside of each bulk container:   KS 12 67-2: 2019  
 
©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved   5  
a) the informatio n required in 5.2.1; 
b) a description of the contents;  
c) the quantity of pillows .  KS 1267 -2: 2019  
 
6  ©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved  Annex A  
(Normative)  
  
Mass per unit area of casing fabric  
 
A.1 Principle  
This method specifies the procedures for determining the mass per unit area of woven fabrics ( including those of 
the stretch type ), knitted  fabrics, nonwoven  fabrics, composite fabrics and narrow fabrics.  
 
A.2 Apparatus  
 
Table, that has a smooth flat surface and is of a size that exceeds that of the fabric to be measured  
 Cutter, that is capable of cutting a  square or circular specimen of area,0,01m2 to an accuracy of 1% or better.  
Metal plate, that  is 5mm smaller than the cutter and  that has a thickness of 10mm.  
Balance, that  is capable  of determining the mass of the specimen to an accuracy of 0,2 % or, in  the case of 
0,01m2 specimens, to  an accuracy of 0,001g.  
 
A.3 General  
Condition the sample in accordance to KS ISO 139 
 
A.4 Procedure 1 : Full  width specimen  
 
Ensure that the fabric, which  should preferably be selected be selected from the middle of a piece, is not less 
than 0,5 m and not more than 4 m long, and  lay it flat, and  without tension, on  the table. Cut  at both ends ,across 
the full width of the sample ,along parallel lines at right angles to the selvedge .if the mass per unit area of a 
selvedge on a  full –width piece appears to deviate a ppreciably from the mass per a rea of the body of the fabric, or  
if so agree upon between the parties concerned, trim  off the selvedge along the outermost threads of the body of 
the fabric and use only the body of the fabric for the determination of the mass per unit area .measure the width 
and length  of the specimen, using  KS 814  
 
A.5 Procure 2: for representative for  large cuttings  
Ensure that available cutting is representative  of the sample. Trim  the cutting into a square or rectangle  specimen 
by cutting along parallel lines at right angles to the warp(length) direction and at right angles to the weft(width) 
direction.  
Measure the width and length of the specimen, using  KS 814  
 Use the balance  to determine the mass o f the specimen  
 
A.6 Procedure 3: for several small (0,01m2) specimens  
 
NOTE On fabrics with large in woven designs, which involve  local areas of appreciably different mass per unit 
area, the use of procedure 1 or procedure 2 is preferable.  
 
A.6.1  Cut at le ast three square pieces, of  side length of approximately 150 mm, from  areas of the fabric selected 
to represent the samples as fully as possible but not within 50mm of the selvedge.  
 
A 6.2  Lay each piece flat, and  without tension, on  a suitable cutting surface. place  the metal plate and  cutter on 
each piece in turn and cut out a 0,01 m2 specimen from each piece, ensuring  that no loss of threads occurs.  
Use the balance to determine the mass of the 0,01 m2 specimens, and  calculate the mean mass  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  KS 12 67-2: 2019  
 
©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved   7  
 
 
 
A.7 Calculation  
 
A.7.1  In the case of procedure 1 and procedure 2, calculate the mass per unit area  M in grams per square metre, 
using  the following formula:  
 
M = 
  
 
Where  
m is the mass of the specimen, in grams  
L is the length of the specimen, in  millimetres; and  
            w is the width of the specimen, in millimetres  
 
 
A.7.2  In the case of procedure 3, calculate  the mass per unit area  (M in grams per  square metre) by multiplying 
the mean mass (in grams) by 100 . 
 
 
 
 
Annex B 
(normative)  
 
Inspect ion 
 
B.1 Pillows  
 
After checking for compliance with the relevant requirements given in Clause 4, visually examine each pillow in 
the sample for compliance with the requirements of 3.1 and 3.5.  
 
B.2 Conditioning  
 
The fabric should be conditioned according to KS ISO 139  
 
B.2.1 Pillows  
 
After carrying out the test given in Clause B .3, cut from the samples the test specimens required for the test given 
in Annex C and fibre composition test in table 1.  In the case of the casing fabric, cut from the sample (see Note 
Clause A.4) the test specimens required for the test given in  Clause  B.4 
 
B.3 Finished dimensions  
 
B.3.1 Lay the pillow flat on a plain surface. Gently pat the pillow (without subjecting it to tension) with the hands 
until it is free from all storage folds and wrinkles.  
 
B.3.2 Use an accurately graduated steel tape of length greater than the length of the pillow to determine, to the 
nearest 1cm, at approximately three equal intervals in each direction, the width and the length of the pillow.  
 
B.3.3 Calculate the arithmetic mean of each set of measurements and record the results as the width and the 
length, respectively, of the pillow.  
  KS 1267 -2: 2019  
 
8  ©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved  B.3.4  Check for compliance with 4 .3 
 
B.4 Properties of casing fabrics  
 
NOTE  Testing for compliance with the fabric req uirements given in table 1 requires a length of at least 1m, full width, of the casing fabric.  
 
B.4.1 Composition  
 
Determine the composition of casing fabrics by chemical analysis  in accordance to  KS ISO 1833  
 
  KS 12 67-2: 2019  
 
©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved   9 Annex C  
(normative)  
 
mass per unit area  of synthetic –fibre filling  
 
 
C.1 Determine, in grams, the mass of the finished pillow and calculate, in grams per square  metre, the mass per 
unit area from the mass of the pillow and its dimensions ( see B.3)  
 
C.2 Determine, in grams per square metre, the mas s per unit area of the casing fabric. If a  separate sample of 
the fabri c is available,  use annex  A. If a separate sample of  the casing fabric is not available, cut a suitably sized 
specimen of the fabric from the pillow, remove  any filling adhering to the inner surface of the casing fabric, and 
then use annex A 
 
C.3 Calculate the ma ss per unit area of the filling, Mf, using the following formula:  
 
Mf = A − 2B 
where  
A is the mass per unit area of the pillow, in grams per square metre; and  
B is the mass per unit area of the casing fabric, in grams per square metre.  
 
NOTE The mass per unit area of the casing fabric is doubled to make allowance for the upper a nd lower  
surfaces of the casing.  
 
C.4 Check for compliance with  clause 4 .4. 
 
 
 
  KS 1267 -2: 2019  
 
10  ©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved  Annex  D  
(normative)  
 
Resistance to opening at seams  
 
D.1 Apparatus and materials  
 
D.1.1  Sewing thread, core -spun with a polyester core and cotton sheath of ticket No. 80 and ticket No. 50 (see 
Table 1)  
 
Table D.1 —  Requirements for stitching  
 
1 2 3 4 
Mass per area of test 
specimen g/m2 Sewing thread ticket No.  Sewing machine needle 
size Metric (imperial)  Stitch rating Number 
of stitches per 10cm  
< 250  80 90 (No. 14 ) 50 ± 2 
≥ 250 50 100 (No. 16)  40 ± 2 
 
D.1.2  Sewing machine needles of size 90  (No. 14) and size 100 (No. 16), examine the points of the sewing 
machine needle for signs of damage.  
 
D. 1.3  Sewing machine,  electrically operated, single -needle, lock -stitch, capable  of producing stitch type 301 
and provided with the appropriate throat -plate(s) and feed -dog(s) for use with the sewing threads.  
 
D.1.4  CRE tensile -strength testing machine, that is capable of constant rate of extension of 100mm/min, 
fitted with jaws.  
 
D.1.4.1 Of a type that will not weaken the test specimen during test and  such that each jaw has a front face of 
size 25 mm x 25 mm and a back face of size at least 25 min x 40 mm. the longer dimension being at right angles 
to the direction of the applied loa d. 
 
D.1.5   Transparent template , of size approximately 125 mm x 30 mm ruled with three lengthways and parallel 
lines, the clear distance between adjacent lines being 3 mm ± 0.05 mm.  
 
D.2 Sampling and preparation of test specimens  
 
D.2.1  Take a laboratory s ample as specified in the relevant product specification.  
 
D.2.3  From the conditioned laboratory sample, cut 10 test specimens, each of approximately 200 mm x 75 mm, 
so that in five of the test specimens the longitudinal yarns are warp yarns and in the oth er five test specimens the 
longitudinal yarns are weft yarns.  
 
D.2.4  Cut the two sets of test specimens so that their longitudinal yarns all represent different threads and, if 
possible different portions of the warp and the weft respectively.  Do not cut any warp -direction test specimen 
closer to a selvedge than 8 mm.  
 
D.2.5  Select the sewing thread and the sewing machine needle size appropriate to the mass per area of the 
test specimen (see Table D.1) and fit the corresponding throat -plate and feed dog to the sewing machine.  
 
D. 2.6  Fold each test specimen in half by placing the two shorter ends together and while maintaining a 
constantly sewing speed, sew a row of stitches parallel to and at a distance of 15 mm from the fold at the stitch 
rating (see Table  D.1) appropriate, to the mass per area of the test specimen.  
 
D. 2.7  Cut each test specimen on the fold and parallel to the line of stitching so as to provide a seam of width 
approximately 1 mm.   KS 12 67-2: 2019  
 
©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved   11 D.3 Procedure  
 
D.3.1 Clamp a test specimen symmetrically in the jaws of the CRE tensile -strength testing machine with the 
sear midway between and parallel to the edges of the jaws so that the free distance between the jaws at the start 
of the test is 75 mm.  
 
D.3.2  Hold the transparent template in front of the clamp ed test specimen so that its centre line is parallel to the 
line of stitching at the seam of the clamped test specimen and set the CRE tensile -strength testing machine in 
motion.  
 
D.3.3  Stop the CRE tensile -strength testing machine and record the load, in newtons, when  
 
D.3.3.1  Any part of the opening of the seam reaches a width of 6 mm (reduced to 32 mm in the case of test 
specimens that have warp threads and weft threads of contrasting colours).  
 
D.3.3.2  A failure owing to the breakdown of the fabric or s ewing thread occurs, whichever occurs first  
 
D.4  Repeat D 3.1 to D 3.3 (inclusive) until all 10 test specimens have been tested.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  KS 1267 -2: 2019  
 
12  ©KEBS 2019  — All rights reserved                                                                                   Annex E 
(normative)  
 
Determination of f ibre length  
 
H.1 Apparatus and materials   
 
H.1.1  Polished glass plate , with millimetre scale engraved or photographed on it.  
 
H.1.2  Pointed forceps  
 
H.1.3  White petroleum jelly or liquid paraffin  
 
H.2 Procedure  
 
H.2.1  Measu re the fibre length of individual fibres on a graduated glass plate.  
 
H.2.1.1 . Smear the glass plate with a small quantity of the white petroleum jelly or liquid paraffin.  Using the 
forceps arrange a fibre in a straight line on the glass plate and along t he scale, keeping it straight by applying a 
minimum tension at its two extremities.  Measure the length of the fibre along the scale.  Repeat the operation for 
each fibre to be tested.