SZNS 018 :2015 
 
ICS 75.160.20                               Edition 1              
 
 
 
 
 
 
ESWATINI  NATIONAL STANDARD  
 
 
 
Kerosene /paraffin  for domestic heating and  
illuminating  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Published by: Eswatini  Standards Authority  
Marble Construction B uilding, Plot 247, 11th Street King Mswati III Avenue West  
P. O. Box 1399, Matsapha, Kingdom of Eswatini   
Telephone: +268 2518 4633, Facsimile: +268 2518 4526  
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
©Eswatini  Standards Authority 2015  
    
COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
SZNS  018:2015  
Edition 1  
ii           © SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   
This Eswatini  Standards Authority (SWASA) document is a n Eswatini  National  Standard and is 
copyright -protected by SWASA. Neither this SWASA draft nor any extract from it  may be 
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, 
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Eswatini  Standards Authority  
P.O. Box 1399, Matsapha  
Tel. + 268 2518 4633  
Fax: + 268 2518 4526  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
 
Reproduction  may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         SZNS 018: 2015  
                                         Edition 1  
© SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   iii Table of changes  
Clause Changed  Date  Change  
 
Title  2013  Change title to read “Kerosene/paraffin for domestic heating and 
illuminating”  
Clause 2  2013  Change the  Normative references as per SANS 1913:2013  
Clause 3  2013  The following definitions were added:  
3.4 defective  
3.5 lot  
Clause 4  2013  
 Sub-clause 4.2 removed and clause renumbered.  
Sub-clause 4.3: Change Table 1 to be in accordance with Ta ble 1 of 
SANS 1913:2013.  
Clause 5  2013  Sub-clause 5.1  : “4.2 to 4.4” changed to “4.1 to 4.3”.  
Sub-clause 5.2: “4.3 and 4.4”changed to “4.2 and 4.3”.  
Clause 6  2013  Clause replaced by Clauses 6 and 7 of SANS 1913:2013.  
Insert 7.2.3 e): material safety data  sheet (MSDS).  
Annex A  2013  (see 4.4) changed to (see 4.3)  
Annex B  2013  B.1.3: after ASTM D 4177, add “or ISO 3170”.  
Bibliography  2013  Add: SANS 1243 Pressurised paraffin -fuelled appliances  
  and SANS 1906 Non-pressure paraffin stoves and heaters.  
 
NAT IONAL FOREWORD  
 
This Eswatini  National  Standard was prepared by Technical Committee SWASA/ TC 23 Petroleum 
products and lubricants  in accordance with procedures of the Eswatini  Standards Authority, in 
compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT Agreement. This Eswatini  National  Standard is a 
modified  implementation  of SZNS 018:2012, Edition 1.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS  018:2015  
Edition 1  
iv           © SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   
Contents                                                                                                                               Page  
1 Scope ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 1 
2 Normative references ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  1 
3 Definitions and Abbreviations  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  3 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 3 
4.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  3 
4.2 Burning quality  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  3 
4.3 Storage stability ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  4 
5 Inspection and methods of test ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  4 
5.1 Inspection ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4 
5.2 Methods of test ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  4 
6 Precision and dispute  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  5 
7 Logistics requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  5 
7.1 Packing and transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  5 
7.2 Classificat ion and labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  5 
7.3 Storage equipment for kerosene  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 6 
Annex A (normative)  Note to purchasers ................................ ................................ ..........................  7 
Annex B (normative)  Sampling and compliance with  this standard ................................ ...............  8 
Annex C  (informative)   Quality verification of kerosene for domestic use  ................................ ...........  9 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  10 
 
 
 
    SZNS 018: 2015 
                  Edition 1  
 
© SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   1 Kerosene/paraffin  for domestic heating and illuminating 
1 Scope 
This standard specifies the requirements for a hydrocarbon fuel suitable for use in wick-fed, 
pressure vaporizing and other kerosene burning appliances for space heating, cooking and 
illumination. 
2 Normative references 
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute 
provisions of this standard. All standards are subject to revision and, since any reference to a 
standard is deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that standard, parties to agreements 
based on this standard are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the most recent editions of 
the standards indicated below. Information on currently valid national and international standards 
can be obtained from Eswatini  Standards Authority ( SWASA). 
ASTM D 56, Standard test method for flash point by tag closed cup tester. 
ASTM D 86, Standard test method for distillation of petroleum products at atmospheric pressure. 
ASTM D 130, Standard test method for corrosiveness to copper from petroleum products by 
copper strip test. 
ASTM  D  156,  Standard  test  method  for Saybolt  color  of petroleum  products  (Saybolt  
chromometer method). 
ASTM D 187, Standard test method for burning quality of kerosine. 
ASTM D 1266, Standard test method for sulfur in petroleum products (Lamp method).  
ASTM D 1322, Standard test method for smoke point of kerosine and aviation turbine fuel.  
ASTM D 2622,  Standard test method for sulfur in petroleum products by wavelength dispersive x -ray 
fluorescence spectrometry.   
ASTM D 3227, Standard test method for (Thiol Mercaptan) sulfur in gasoline, kero sine, aviation 
turbine, and distillate fuels (Potentiometric method).  
ASTM D 3244, Standard practice for utilization of test data to determine conformance with 
specifications.  
ASTM D 4057, Standard practice for manual sampling of petroleum and petroleum products.  
ASTM D 4177, Standard practice for automatic sampling of petroleum and petroleum products.  
ASTM 4952, Standard test method for qualitative analysis for active Sulfur species in fuels and 
solvents (Doctor test).  
ASTM D 5453,  Standard test metho d for determination of total sulfur in light hydrocarbons, spark 
ignition engine fuel, diesel engine fuel, and engine oil by ultraviolet fluorescence.   
IP 10, Determination of kerosine burning characteristics – 24 hour  method. 
IP 17, Determination of colour – Lovibond  tintometer method. 
IP 30, Detection of mercaptans, hydrogen sulfide, elemental sulfur and peroxides – Doctor test 
method.   
IP 57, Petroleum products – Determination of the smoke point of kerosene. 
IP 107, Determination of sulfur – Lamp combustion method. 
IP 123, Petroleum products – Determination of distillation characteristics at atmospheric 
pressure. SZNS 018: 2015  
Edition 1  
2   © SWASA 2015 – All rights reserved  
 IP 154, Petroleum products – Corrosiveness to copper – Copper strip method. 
IP 170, Petroleum products and other liquids – Determination  of flash point – Abel closed cup 
method. 
IP 447, Petroleum products – Determination of sulfur content – Wavelength dispersive X -ray 
fluorescence spectrometry.  
IP 497, Petroleum products – Determination of sulfur content of automotive fuels – Wavelength -
dispersi ve X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.  
ISO 3170, Petroleum liquids – Manual sampling.  
ISO 3405, Petroleum products – Determination of distillation  characteristics at atmospheric 
pressure 
ISO 42 60 , P e t r o l e u m    products and  h y d r o c a r b o n s    –  Determination   of sulfur  
c o n t e n t  –  Wickboldb combustion method. 
SZNS SANS 1518 , Transport of dangerous goods  – Design requirements for road vehicles and 
portable tanks. 
SZNS SANS 10131 , Above -ground storage tanks for petroleum products.   
SANS 10187 -1, Load securement on vehicles – Part 1: General requirements.    
SANS 10187 -6, Load securement on vehicles – Part 6: Containers.  
SZNS SANS 10187 -8, Load securement on vehicles – Part 8: Dangerous goods.  
SZNS SANS 10228 , The identification and classification of dangerous goods  for transport by road 
and rail modes.   
SANS  10229-1,  Transport  of dangerous  goods  – Packaging  and  large  packaging  for  road  
and  rail transport  – Part 1: Packing. 
SANS 10229 -2, Transport of dangerous goods – Packaging and large packaging for r oad and rail 
transport – Part 2: Large packaging.   
SANS 10231, Transport of dangerous goods – Operational requirements for road vehicles.  
SZNS SANS 10232 -1, Transport of dangerous goods  – Emergency information systems  – Part 1: 
Emergency information system for road transport. 
SZNS SANS 10232 -3, Transport of dangerous goods – Emergency information systems – 
Part 3: Emergency response guides.   
SANS 10232 -4, Transport dangerous goods – Emergency information systems – Part 4: 
Transport emergency card .  
SANS 10 233, Transportation of dangerous goods – Intermediate bulk containers for road 
and rail transport.   
SZNS SANS 10234 , Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of 
chemicals (GHS). 
SZNS SANS 10263 -2, The warehousing of dangerous goods – Part 2: The storage and 
handling of gas cylinders.   
SZNS SANS 10089 -1, The petroleum industry – Part 1: Storage and the distribution of 
petroleum products in above -ground bulk installations.  
     SZNS 018: 2015 
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© SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   3 SZNS SANS 10089 -2, The petroleum industry – Part 2: Electrical an d other installations 
in the distribution and marketing sector.  
SZNS SANS 10089 -3, The petroleum industry – Part 3: The installation modification, and 
decommissioning of underground storage tanks, pumps/dispensers and pipework at service 
stations and cons umer installations.   
SANS 11014/ISO 11014 , Safety data sheet for chemical products – Content and order of 
sections  
3 Definitions and Abbreviations  
3.1  
acceptable  
acceptable to the authority administering this standard, or to the parties concluding the pu rchase 
contract, as relevant  
3.2 
ASTM  
American Society for Testing and Materials, available on the Internet: < http://www.astm.org > 
3.3 
Institute of Petroleum, available on the Internet: < http://www.energyinst.org. uk> 
3.4 
defective  
test sample of the kerosene that fails in one or more respects to comply with the relevan t requirements 
of this standard.  
3.5  
lot 
that quantity of kerosene in containers bearing the same brand name or trademark, grade designation 
and batch identification, from one manufacturer, and submitted at any one time for inspection and 
testing  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General  
Kerosene   (illuminating   paraffin)   shall   be   a homogeneous    mixture   consisting   of   highly   
refined hydrocarbon distillates .  It  shall  be  clear  and  free  from  water,  suspended  matter,  
sediment  and  other impurities. It shall possess an acceptable odour. It shall also comply w ith the 
requirements listed in T able 1.  
4.2 Burning quality  
When the kerosene is tested in accordance with the method described in either IP 10 or ASTM D 187, 
using the IP burner, at a fuel consumption rate not exceeding 23 g/h, at the end of the 24 h test period:  
a) any difference between the width of  the flame and its initial width shall not be more than 2 mm,  
b) any decrease in the height of the flame, as compared with its initial height, shall not be more than 3 
mm, 
c) the chimney shall not show more than a slight bloom,  
d) there shall be no appreci able quantity of hard incrustation on the wick, and  
e) the char value shall be less than 10 mg/kg of fuel burnt.  
 
 SZNS 018: 2015  
Edition 1  
4   © SWASA 2015 – All rights reserved  
 Table 1 — Requirements for kerosene  
  
1  2  3  
Property   Requirements  Test method   
Flash point a, °C, min.  40  ASTM D 56b  
Distillation :  
  
a) final boiling point, °C, max.  
  
b) residue, % (by volume), max.    
  
280  
  
2,0    
  
ASTM D 86b or IP 123 or 
ISO 3405  
Sulphur content, mg/kg, max.  500  ASTM D 1266,  
ASTM D 2622b,  
ASTM D 5453, IP 447 or  
IP 497 or IP 107 or  
ISO 4260  
Smoke point, mm, min.  23  ASTM D 1322b or IP 57  
Char value, mg/kg c  10  IP 10b  
Colour d:  
  
b) Saybolt, min.    
  
  
+22    
  
  
ASTM D 156b  
Copper corrosion (3 h at 50 °C), ASTM scale 
classification, max.  1  IP 154 or ASTM D 130b  
Mercaptan sulphur, % mass, ma x or  Doctor 
test  0,003  
Negative  ASTM D 3227b  IP 30 or 
ASTM D 4952  
a  
   Subject to a minimum result of 38 °C being obtained using IP 170 the result(s) may be accepted.  
 b  
Referee methods.  
 
c   
Refer to 4.2.  
 d  
The colour specification is before  the addition of any markers (see 4.5).  
 
 
4.3 Storage stability 
After storage in the original containers under normal storage conditions for a period of at least 12 
months after the date of receipt, the kerosene in full, unopened containers shall comply with all 
requirements of this standard. 
5 Inspection and methods of test 
5.1 Inspection 
Inspect the containers taken in accordance with B.1.3 for compliance with all the relevant 
requirements of this standard for which tests to assess compliance are not given in 4.1 to 4.3.  
5.2 Methods of test 
For all properties, use the applicable method or, when relevant, one of the applicable methods 
listed in column 3 of Table 1 and those given in 4.2 and 4.3.    SZNS 018: 2015 
                  Edition 1  
 
© SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   5 6 Precision and dispute  
All test methods referred to in th is standard include a precision statement according to ASTM D 3244. 
In cases of dispute the procedures for resolving the dispute and interpretation of the results based on 
test method precision, described in ASTM D 3244 shall be used.  
In accordance with A STM D 3244, the properties of commercial petroleum products are measured by 
standardized laboratory test methods to check their conformance to specifications. Two or more 
measurements of the same property of a specific sample by any given test method usual ly will not 
give precisely the same answer. Therefore, the test methods generally include a paragraph on the 
precision of results. This precision is an expression of the reliability of the value of the measured 
property. Many difficulties that arise in int erpreting specifications are due to test imprecision. 
Because of this, a true value of a property can never be determined exactly; and it is necessary to infer 
from measured values the range within which the “true value” is likely to lie. The main purpose of 
this practice is to indicate how test imprecision should be interpreted relative to specification values.  
7 Logistics requirements  
7.1 Packing and transport  
7.1.1   The condition of the drums, intermediate bulk containers, rail and road tank vehicles and 
shipping cargo tanks shall be of sound construction, clean, dry and of suitable material such as not to 
be detrimental to the quality of the kerosene during normal transportation and storage.   
7.1.2  The following standards apply for the packing and tr ansport of kerosene: SZNS SANS 1518 , 
SANS 10187 -1, SANS 10187 -6, SZNS SANS 10187 -8,, SANS 10229 -1, SANS 10229 -2, SANS 
10231, SZNS SANS 10232 -1, SZNS SANS 10232 -3, SANS 10232 -4 and SANS 10233.  
7.2 Classification and labelling  
7.2.1  The following informati on shall appear in prominent, legible and indelible marking on each 
drum or, in the case of kerosene filled in bulk storage tanks or bulk carriers, in the storage and 
consignment documents of each bulk carrier:  
 a) the manufacturer’s (or the supplier’s) n ame or the brand name of the product (or both);  
 b) a description of the product;   
c) batch identification; and  
d) the quantity of the contents.  
7.2.2   The classification and labelling information on each drum, bulk storage tank or bulk carrier 
shall be  in accordance with the following standards: SANS 10229 -1, SANS 10229 -2, SANS 10233, 
SZNS SANS 10232 -1, SZNS SANS 10234 , SZNS SANS 10228  and SANS 11014.  
7.2.3  For the labelling, placarding and preparation of shipping documents for fuel that complies with 
the requirements of this standard, the following shall apply:  
a) the hazard -class diamond, as for class 3 dangerous goods;  
b) the proper shipping name: "KEROSENE FOR DOME STIC HEATING AND ILLUMINATING";  
c) the UN number: 1223;    
d) other information including the su pplier's brand name or trademark, the description "KEROSENE 
FOR DOMESTIC USE" and the quantity.  
e) material safety data sheet (MSDS)  
 SZNS 018: 2015  
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6   © SWASA 2015 – All rights reserved  
 7.3 Storage equipment for kerosene  
The following standards shall apply for storage equipment for kerosene: SZNS SANS 10089 -1, SZNS 
SANS 10089 -2, SZNS SANS 10089 -3, SZNS SANS 10263 -2 and SZNS SANS 10131 .  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    SZNS 018: 2015 
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© SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   7 Annex A 
                                                                     (normative) 
Note to purchasers 
The following requirement shall be agreed upon between the supplier and the purchaser: when the 
kerosene is to be stored for a period exceeding 12 months, any additional requirements  for 
storage stability shall be ascertained (see 4.3). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 018: 2015  
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8   © SWASA 2015 – All rights reserved  
 Annex B 
(normative) 
Sampling and compliance with  this standard 
B.1 Sampling 
B.1.1 General 
The sampling procedure given  in B.1.3 shall be applied in determining whether  a lot complies 
with the relevant requirements of this standard. The samples so drawn shall be deemed to represent 
the lot. 
B.1.2 Definitions 
B.1.2.1 defective  
test sample of the kerosene that fails in one or more respects to comply with the relevant 
requirements of this standard. 
B.1.2.2 lot 
that quantity of kerosene in containers bearing the same brand name or trademark, grade 
designation and batch identification, from one manufacturer, and submi tted at any one time for 
inspection and testing. 
B.1.3 Samples for inspection and testing 
After inspecting the lot for compliance with the relevant requirements of 6.1 and 6.2, use the relevant 
sampling procedure given in ASTM D 4057 or ASTM D 4177, or ISO 3170,  as appropriate, to 
determine whether a lot compl ies  with  this  standard,  and  deem  the  samples  so  taken  to  
represent  the  lot  for  the  respective properties. 
B.2 Compliance with this standard 
The lot shall be deemed to comply with the relevant requirements of this standard if, on inspection 
of the containers or tankers in the lot, and on testing of the samples taken in accordance with B.1.3, 
no defective is found. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    SZNS 018: 2015 
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© SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   9 Annex C  
(informative)  
Quality verification of kerosene for domestic use  
When a purchaser requires ongoing verification of the quality of kerosene, it is suggested that, instead 
of concentrating solely on evaluation of th e final product, he also direct his attention to the 
manufacturer's quality system. In this connection it should be noted that SZNS ISO 9001 covers the 
provisions of an integrated quality system.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 018: 2015  
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10   © SWASA 2015 – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
SZNS ISO 9001:2008 Quality  management systems –Requirements  
SANS 1243 Pressurised paraffin -fuelled appliances  
SANS 1906 Non-pressure paraffin stoves and heaters.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    SZNS 018: 2015 
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© SWASA 2015  – All rights reserved   11  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ICS 75.160.20  
Price  based  on 10 pages .