KEBS warns Kenyans over unmarked pipes amid fears of bursts, water losses

Unbranded polyethylene (PE) pipes seized by KEBS in Machakos County over failure to display mandatory technical markings required to guarantee their safety and performance. (Photo: KEBS/X)

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has seized unbranded polyethene (PE) pipes in Machakos County over concerns that the products lack essential technical information required to guarantee their safety and performance.

In a statement on Tuesday, November 10, KEBS said its Market Surveillance Team confiscated the pipes after finding that they did not have the required permanent markings showing important technical details.

The agency warned that the absence of information such as pressure ratings, polyethene material designation, Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR) ratings and batch numbers makes it difficult for consumers, contractors and water utilities to establish whether the pipes meet the required specifications.

KEBS explained that these details are important in determining the safety and performance of the pipes before they are purchased or installed.

It further cautioned that using unmarked PE and High-Density Polyethene (HDPE) pipes could expose users to the risk of pipe failures and bursts, particularly when the products are subjected to pressure levels they cannot withstand.

According to the agency, “failure to have clearly printed technical specifications makes it difficult for users to establish the operating limits of the pipes, increasing the possibility of water system failures, water losses, property damage and expensive repairs.”

To prevent such risks and protect consumers as well as water infrastructure, KEBS pointed to KS ISO 4427-2, the applicable Kenyan Standard governing polyethene piping systems used for water supply.

The standard requires polyethene pipes to carry clear and permanent markings displaying essential identification and performance details.

KEBS said the markings are necessary to help buyers and other users establish the specifications of the pipes and determine whether they are suitable for their intended applications.

The seizure comes as the country marks World Quality Week, during which the standards body has reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers through the enforcement of quality requirements.

KEBS said it would continue removing products that fail to meet the required standards from the market to safeguard consumers and infrastructure.

“Quality performance iko KEBS. Verify before you buy,” the agency said, urging Kenyans to check product compliance before making purchases.