This European Standard specifies the requirements which internal blinds shall fulfil when fitted to a building. It deals also with the significant machinery hazards relating to construction, transport, installation, operation and maintenance of internal blinds (see list of significant hazards in Annex B).
It applies to internal blinds, whatever their design and the nature of the materials used, as listed below:
- venetian blind: free hanging, guided, non-retractable;
- roller blind: free hanging, side guided, with tensioned fabric;
- vertical blind: free hanging, with top and bottom track, sloping headrail;
- pleated and honeycomb blind: free hanging, guided, laterally moving, tensioned;
- Roman Shades;
- Austrian / Festoon blinds;
- panel blinds;
- plantation shutters;
- roll-up blinds.
These products may be operated manually, with or without compensating springs, or by means of electric motors (power operated products).
This standard does not apply to draperies and insect screens. It does not apply to blinds in sealed glazed units with the exception of requirements related to protection from strangulation.
NOTE Insect screens may be installed either internally or externally. However, because they are always exposed to external conditions in use ( windows/doors opened), insects screens are covered by EN 13561 applying to external blinds and awnings.
Noise aspects are not treated in this standard because this is not considered a safety issue.
This standard is not applicable to internal blinds which are manufactured before the date of publication of this standard.