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Conservatory Awnings
Drop & Sliding Arm Awnings
Fixed Louvre Arrays
Folding Arm Awnings
Motorisation
Moveable Louvre Arrays
Parasols
Roller Blinds / Screens
Tensile Stuctures / Shade Sails
Traditional Shop Blinds
Vehicle Awnings
Venetian Blinds
Walkways & Awning Stuctures
Window Canopies
Window Film
Anti-glare Blinds
Black-out Blinds
Cellular Blinds
Conservatory Blinds
Dim-out Blinds
Energy Saving Blinds
Insect Screens
Internal Planation Shutters
Mid-pane blinds
Non-Retractable Louvre Arrays
Panel Blinds
Pinoleum Blinds
Pleated Blinds
Roller Blinds
Rooflight Blinds
Shaped Blinds
Soft Blinds
Tensile Structures
Timber Venetian Blinds
Timber Vertical Blinds
Vertical Blinds
Bar &/ Servery Shutters
Bar / Servery Grilles
Industrial Folding Doors
Industrial Rolling Shutter Doors
Office Roller Shutters
Roller Garage Doors
Shop Front Shutters and Grilles
Q. I have a shaped window, what blind can be used to provide shade? A . It all depends on the size of the window and the shape. Sloping windows can be shaded with pleated, vertical, cellular and even venetian blinds. Circular glazing can be covered with rollers and venetian blinds. Other shapes may require the blind to be non-retractable but you will still be able to open and close the blind. See the section on shaped blinds or run a search on this blind type to find a member nearest to you who can help.
Q: Do blind fabrics have to be flame retardant (FR) in commercial an public buildings? As far as the BBSA is aware there are no mandatory requirement to use FR materials in commercial or public buildings. It is the responsibility of the building owner to carry out a risk assessment on the premises to determine if blinds with FR materials are required. FR materials may also be a requirement of the local Fire Officer who may not grant a fire certificate if non-FR materials are used. Your insurer may also require FR materials. Although there is no obvious mandatory requirement the BBSA recommends that only FR materials are used in commercial and public buildings.
Q: Should the blinds in my school be fitted with child safety features?
The proposed changes to the safety aspects of EN 13120 (Internal Blinds. Performance requirements including safety) ensures blinds have in-built or supplementary safety devices on all looped operating cords or chains to prevent a hazardous loop forming where children up to 42 months may be present. Blind cords and chains must be kept out of a child’s reach. BBSA members will be able to advise you based on your specific situation.
Q: Are external blinds better than internal blinds for rejecting unwanted summer heat?
External blinds and shutters are invariably better performing than internal products as they prevent the heat from entering through the glass. But correctly specified and operated internal blinds can significantly reduce heat gain as well. The optimum solution is external solar shading for primary heat reduction and an internal shade for user comfort and control over glare.
Q: Can awnings be used all year round? Traditional and folding arm awnings are designed as sun protection devices and are not recommended for use in wet weather, windy conditions or other inclement weather. All responsible manufacturers and installers will support this advice. For external dining areas there are fabric structures and specific awning systems designed to provide the cover required, deal with rain water removal and be suitable for use in inclement conditions.
Q: Can blinds and shutters be made to link to building management systems? Virtually all blinds and shutters can be motorised and once the motor is fitted invariably links to building management systems (BMS), audio-visual systems or other environmental systems can be provided to make the blinds run automatically or in tandem with other electrical items. Make sure you contact a BBSA member to get expert specialist advice.
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