September 08, 2008

Kenya releases new standards for rebars

The Kenya Bureau of Standards has streamlined the manufacture of steel bars by publishing new standards which provide for the measurement of steel bars for concrete reinforcement in weight and not in length. The new guidelines provides for standard weights that must be adhered to by manufacturers of steel bars to ensure that underweight and weak steel bars are not sold to building constructors.

According to the new regulations, a Y8 steel bar of the standard 12 meters used in concrete reinforcement must now weigh 4.7 kilograms. Previously buyers were unable to tell the weight and strength of the steel bars because they were sold in terms of length.

Kenya Bureau of Standards, in a notice to manufacturers, contractors, structural engineers and the general public said that “This is in line with the current practice prevailing in the international market and is aimed at streamlining trade in steel bars and at the same time safeguarding the safety of the end users.

Kenya Bureau of Standards said that “Manufacturers, traders, consumers and all other businesses involved in the trade of square twisted bars are hereby advised to sell and or buy in weight only. Constructors, home builders and structural engineers have been unable to detect the strength of steel bars because length has been the determining factor in setting the price.”