Thermal management

Internal windowshading - blindsAsset Management Directorate

What are the benefits of window blinds?

Where the fitting of external louvers is not possible, the installation of window blinds, either in an opaque or translucent material will reduce the amount of solar energy entering the classroom.

Blinds also provide a flexible, cost effective shade device which can be easily adjusted throughout the day to achieve the desired levels of light and shade.

Shade levels can be specified depending on activity requirement ie blockout, brownout or filtered light.

Window blinds are availableon the current State Contract No. 295 (Floor Coverings and Window Furnishings).

Energy Management Information Sheet E2 - September 2008

Most of the solar energy gained by buildings in summer occurs through unshaded or poorly shaded windows and other glazed openings. This brochure provides a guideline for schools to follow when considering the selection and installation of internal window blinds.

What are the types of blinds suitable for schools?

Block out - opaque blinds

Blinds using opaque materials have greater capacity for preventing solar energy from entering the space than sunscreen materials. The following figures indicate the percentage of solar energy entering a room (compared with an unshaded window taken as 100%):

Dark colour (fully closed) 85%•Medium colour (fully closed) 65%•White (fully closed) 55%•

Filtered light - translucent fabrics

These blinds have the following characteristics (when fully closed):

Blinds made of translucent fabrics •maintain a filtered view to outside and maximise the use of natural light which reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day.

They also reduce glare and •reflection levels providing uniform shading across a window while maintaining cross flow ventilation.

Provide protection against UV •radiation.

Installation

Note 1: All chain drive or looped chord drive systems must incorporate a mandatory ‘child safety’ tie-down chord tensioner.

Note 2: Where blinds are located over gas room heaters, both the chain and blind are to be sized to finish above the heater, in accordance with the supply authority requirements.

Note: Lighter colours and less open fabrics reflect more heat than darker, open weave fabrics.

Energy Management Information Sheet E2 - September 2008Thermal management: Internal window shading - blinds page 2

Photos of Hunter Douglas Commercial fabrics used with permission of Hunter Douglas Limited.

Transparent (Sunscreen) Semi-transparent (Translucent Sunscreen)

Suppliers and products: what type of window blinds should be installed?These window blinds (State Contract No. 295) comply with various Building Regulations and are covered by a two year warranty. The recommended range of Roller (Holland Blinds) for particular applications is for:

Blockout

Chain Operation

Twilight (blockout fabric) Brand nameLuxaflex®

SupplierHunter Douglas Commercial

Brownout Plaza Plus/Calypso (brownout fabric)

Sunscreen Extraview Plus/Ultraview Plus fabric.

Dim-out (Brownout) Blockout