EN 13120:2004

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2004
1RWUDQMDVHQþLOD=DKWHYDQHODVWQRVWLYNOMXþQR]YDUQRVWMR
Internal blinds - Performance requirements including safety
Abschlüsse innen - Leistungs- und Sicherheitsanforderungen
Stores intérieurs - Exigences de performance, y compris la sécurité
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13120:2004
ICS:
91.060.50 Vrata in okna Doors and windows
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 13120
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2004
ICS 91.060.50
English version
Internal blinds - Performance requirements including safety
Stores intérieurs - Exigences de performance y compris la Abschlüsse innen - Leistungs- und
sécurité Sicherheitsanforderungen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 6 February 2004.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2004 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13120:2004: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
page
Foreword.3
Introduction .4
1 Scope.5
2 Normative references.5
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Operating effort.7
5 Design of the operating mechanism −−−− Diagrams HPV ("human pull value") .8
6 Misuse.10
7 Mechanical endurance (repeated operation cycles) .13
8 Safety in use.14
9 Hygiene, health and environment .15
10 Thermal resistance.15
11 Appearance.15
12 Durability.20
13 Handling and storage .21
14 Information for use .22
Annex A (informative)  Definition of internal atmospheric conditions (Interior surroundings).25
Annex B (normative)  List of significant “machine” hazards .27
Annex ZA (informative)  Relationship of this document with EC Directives.28
Bibliography .29

Foreword
This document (EN 13120:2004) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 33 “Doors, windows,
shutters, building hardware and curtain walling”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by November 2004, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest
by November 2004.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European
Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
This European Standard is a part of a series of standards dealing with blinds and shutters for buildings as defined
in EN 12216.
This European Standard specifies the requirements for internal blinds, the levels of performance and where
applicable, the associated classes.
It is completed by test standards as well as by the standards referring to specific performance requirements.
No existing European Standard is superseded.
Annex A is informative. Annex B is normative.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Introduction
The performances given in this European Standard which illustrate suitability for use, are required for every type of
internal blind (intrinsic performances).
Other performances are only required as a complement (specific performances) and result in specific products.
Some of them are described in European Standards (e.g. EN 1522, EN 1523). Others are described in prEN 14500
and prEN 14501 in the process of preparation and deal with the important subject such as thermal comfort, i.e.:
− solar factor;
− shading factor;
− secondary heat transfer factor;
− direct solar transmittance;
− solar radiation reduction factor;
and visual comfort, i.e.:
− light control;
− night privacy;
− visual contact with the outside;
− glare control;
− rendering of colours.
NOTE Health and Safety regulations require that the workplace receives as much natural light as is reasonably practical (see
EU Directive 89/654/EEC) and protection of operators working with VDV screens against glare and reflected light (see EU
Directive 87/391/EEC).
The list of these documents is given in the Bibliography.
With the aim of clarifying the intentions of the standard and avoiding doubts when reading it, following assumptions
was made related to power operated product while producing it:
— Negotiations occur between the manufacturer and the purchaser concerning particular conditions for use and
places for use such as for nursery schools or for buildings for disabled people which need specific risk analysis;
— The risk analysis carried out in this European Standard and the significant hazards listed in annex B suppose a
normal use or normally predictable use e.g. which excludes deliberate and conscious risks taken by the user (see
Interpretative Document “Safety in use” of EU Construction Products Directive).
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the requirements which internal blinds shall fulfil when fitted to a building. It
deals also with the significant machinery hazards for construction, transport, installation, operation and
maintenance of the blinds (see list of significant hazards in annex B).
It applies to all internal blinds as well as similar products whatever their design and nature of the materials used as
follows:
− 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, and sloping headrail;
− Pleated blind: free hanging and guided.
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 Roman Shades, Austrian, Festoon, Pinoleum, Side Drawn pleated blinds, Insect
screens or blinds in sealed glazed units.
This document is not applicable to internal blinds which are manufactured before the date of publication of
this document.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at appropriate places in the text, and the publications are listed hereafter. For dated
references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European Standard
only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the publication
referred to applies (including amendments).
EN 1050:1996, Safety of machinery — Principles of risk assessment.
EN 1070:1998, Safety of machinery — Terminology.
EN 1670, Building hardware — Corrosion resistance — Requirements and test methods.
EN 12045, Shutters and blinds power operated — Safety in use — Measurement of the transmitted force.
EN 12194, Shutters, external and internal blinds — Misuse — Test methods.
EN 12216:2002, Shutters, external blinds, internal blinds —- Terminology, glossary and definitions.
EN 13125, Shutters and blinds — Additional thermal resistance — Allocation of a class of air permeability to a
product.
EN 13527, Shutters and blinds — Measurement of the operating forces — Test methods.
EN 14201, Blinds and shutters — Resistance to repeated operations (mechanical endurance) — Methods of
testing.
EN 20105-A02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour (ISO
105-A02:1993).
EN 60335-1, Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety — Part 1: General requirements (IEC 60335-
1:2001, modified).
EN 60335-2-97, Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-97: Particular recuirments for drives
for rolling shutters, awnings, blinds and similar equipment.
EN 61310-1, Safety of machinery – Indication, marking and actuation – Part 1: Requirements for visual, auditory
and tactile signals (IEC 61310-1:1995).
EN ISO 105-B04, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness —- Part B04: Colour fastness to artificial weathering: Xenon
arc fading lamp test (ISO 105-B04:1994).
EN ISO 10077-1, Thermal performance of windows, doors and shutters –Calculation of the thermal transmittance –
Part 1: Simplified method (ISO 10077-1:2000).
EN ISO 12100-2:2003, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design - Part 2: Technical
principles (ISO 12100-2:2003).
ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in EN 1070:1998 and EN 12216:2002
and the following apply.
3.1
internal blind
blind fitted in front of or on a window or in between glazing or anywhere within the internal surface of the building
3.2
intrinsic performance
overall performances of the blind regardless of its application as opposed to specific performance
3.3
specific performance
performance which may be additional and complementary to the intrinsic performances and refers to a specific
product
3.4
curtain
part of the product which is set in motion by the operating mechanism and ensures its function
3.5
extension/retraction
movement of the curtain resulting in an increase/decrease in the surface area covered
3.6
opening/closing
terms used to describe the increase in light (opening) or reduction of light (closing) in an extended position for
products with slats or louvres which can be tilted or adjusted
3.7
rough operation
sharp action on the operating mechanism or directly on the curtain, resulting in excessive speed at the beginning
and a sudden stop at the end
NOTE Rough operation is only possible if the moving part has significant inertia (mass and speed).
3.8
forced operation
excessive force exerted on the operating mechanism or directly on the curtain with the aim of causing movement in
spite of resistance to the travel of the curtain
3.9
reversed operation
extension or retraction of the curtain occurring in the opposite direction to that intended without use of abnormal
force
3.10
winch handle
operating mechanism consisting of a reel rotated by an operation handle which allows accumulation of a cord,
cable or chain
3.11
gear with crank handle
operating mechanism consisting of a gear attached to an axle, a drive shaft, an universal joint, a rotating rod and a
crank handle
3.12
one direction movement of the operating mechanism
operating mechanism operated by a single cord, tape, etc., extension / retraction being effected by relying on
gravity or the potential energy stored up during retraction / extension (respectively)
3.13
endless movement of the operating mechanism
operating mechanism operated by a loop, movement in one direction extends the curtain (or tilts the laths), and in
the reverse retracts the curtain (or tilts the laths) in the opposite direction
3.14
monocommand
same operating mechanism which achieves both opening / closing and extension / retraction
3.15
determination of performance
means of verification of the performance relating to the corresponding requirement
4 Operating effort
4.1 General
Does not apply for power operated products.
The operating effort F necessary to extend, retract, open or close the blind is a function of the type of operation.
M
4.2 Determination
Shall be in accordance with the test methods specified in EN 13527.
4.3 Performance requirement
The operating effort F shall not exceed the values in Table 1.
M
Table 1 — Maximum values F for operating force
M
TYPES OF OPERATION F
M
N
Class 1 Class 2
a, c
crank or winch handle , wand 30 15
a, ,b, c
tape, cord or chain 90 50
Rod, vertical plane 90 50
hand horizontal or sloping plane 50 30
For spring loaded systems, 1,5 F may be reached for locking in the fully extended or retracted position.
M
A blind belongs to class 2 if both the operations of moving the curtain and tilting the laths belong to class 2. Otherwise
the blind is class 1.
a
Operation mechanism shall also fulfil the requirements in clause 5.
b
One direction movement and endless movement of the operating mechanism.
c
Monocommand.
5 Design of the operating mechanism −−−− Diagrams HPV ("human pull value")
5.1 General
Geometrical characteristics of operating mechanisms taking into account the comfort of the operation.
5.2 Performance requirement
Gear operation:
Gear with crank or winch handle shall have:
— a handle R of length less or equal to 0,20 m (R ≤ 0,20 m);
— a reduction ratio r of the gear less than 1 : 10 (average or mean reduction ratio when, for the same gear,
several reductions exist).
NOTE A reduction ratio of 1:10 means it is necessary to make ten turns of the crank to achieve one rotation of the roller tube
or axle.
Tape, cord or chain operation:
Operating mechanisms shall have minimal dimensions as given in the HPV diagrams (see Figures 1 and 2).
Apparent cord diameter for HPV
for n cords with diameter d
dHPV (mm)
n d
HPV
z
1 1d
zz
2 1,5 d
z
3 2 d
zz
zz
4 2,4 d
zz
zz
5 2,7 d
zzz
z 6 3 d
zz
zzz
0,5
d is the diameter of a single cord F (N)
or the diameter of the ball of a ball chain
50 90
Key
1 Acceptable
2 Non acceptable
3 Operating effort
Figure 1 — Diagram HPV for a cord or chain operation
L (mm)
L
12,5
6 F (N)
0 36 3 90
Key
1 Acceptable
2 Non acceptable
3 Operating effort
Figure 2 — Diagram HPV for a tape operation
6 Misuse
6.1 Curtain and slats - General
6.1.1 General requirement
Under the action of abnormal but foreseeable use (misuse), the internal blind shall not become misshapen or
damaged to the extent that:
a) The damage impairs its correct operation;
b) The damage which leads to a deterioration in appearance as defined in clause 11.
Misuse operations are related to the displacement of the curtain and to the tilting of the laths.
6.1.2 Displacement of the curtain
−− Rough operation
−−
As the conditions of a rough operation are not likely to occur (excessive speed, inertia of curtain), rough operation
is not possible.
−− Forced operation
−−
Forced operation occurs in the direction of extension or retraction, the curtain being either stopped or blocked in
extended or retracted position, or blocked in an intermediate position.
Figure 3 illustrates the six possibilities of forced operations.

a)       b)      c)

Figure 3 — Illustration of the six possibilities of forced operation

Key
1 Direction of extension
2 Direction of retraction
3 Obstruction
a) Curtain fully extended
b) Curtain fully retracted
c) Curtain in intermediate position, obstructed during extension and/or retraction

−−−− Reversed operation
Reversed operations are only applicable to roller blinds or to products using a rolling mechanism for extension or
retraction.
For these products, operation in situation a1 or b2 illustrated Figure 3 is a reversed operation when the movement
in the opposite direction is possible with an effort less than the limit of the class of operation. If the movement is not
possible, it is a forced operation.
Reversed operation occurs on extension with the curtain fully extended and on retraction with the curtain fully
retracted.
6.1.3 Tilting of the slats / louvres
−−−− Rough operation
As the conditions of a rough operation are not likely to occur (no excessive speed, no inertia of laths), rough
operation is not possible.
−−−− Forced operation
Forced operation occurs in both closed positions, which are the result of tilting laths/slats in both directions from the
open position.
−− Reversed operation
−−
The operating mechanisms do not allow reversed operation.
6.2 Determination
Shall be in accordance with test methods specified in EN 12194.
6.3 Performance requirement
On completion of each of the tests, using forced and reversed operations, with the values given in Table 2:
− There shall be no visible defects other than those allowed in clause 11;
– and, for manual operation, the value of operating force shall be maintained within the limit of the initial class
(see Table 1).
Certain products are not designed to withstand obstruction of the curtain in the situations b1, c1 or c2 and for
automatic spring roller blind, in situation a1 illustrated at Figure 2. They will not be subjected to the corresponding
tests if the technical instructions of the manufacturer have a warning for the user of the risk of damage when the
curtain is obstructed in these situations.
The manufacturer shall ensure his installation instructions emphasise that the operating procedures shall be
provided to the end user.
Table 2 — Misuse values relative to the type of operation
Effort of misuse operation Misuse operation
a b
Force Torque
(N)
(N ×× m)
××
Not concerned Rough
c
P = 1.2 F + 20 Forced
F M C = P × R
F F
P = F Reversed
I M C = F × R
I M
F = value of the measured operating effort
M
P = exerted misuse force
C = exerted misuse torque
= forced, = reversed
F I
R = the maximum length or crank handle described in the technical instructions with R ≤ 0,20 m
a
Operation by tape, cord or chain, rod, hand operation.
b
Operation by crank or winch handles, wand.
c
For power operated operations, the effort to be applied is the one produced by the motor.
NOTE There are no performance classes.
7 Mechanical endurance (repeated operation cycles)
7.1 General
Ability of the internal blind to withstand a number of operating cycles corresponding to a given usage:
−−−− the curtain: one cycle corresponds to a complete operation of curtain extension and retraction including the rest
times;
−−−− the laths: one tilt cycle is defined as a complete movement of the pivoting mechanism, moving the slats or
vanes from one extreme position to the other and then back again.
7.2 Determination
Shall be in accordance with the test methods specified in EN 14201.
7.3 Performance requirement
7.3.1 General
After carrying out the cycles relating to the appropriate class, the following requirements shall be fulfilled.
7.3.2 Manual operation
− The value of operating effort shall be maintained within the limit of the initial class.
−−−− Appearance criteria shall be fulfilled: there shall not be visible defects other than those detailed in clause 11.
− Operating mechanisms shall not sustain significant damage.
7.3.3 Power operated operation
Appearance
−−−− There shall not be visible defects other than those allowed in clause 11.
Variations of the speed under load
Τ1−Τ2
×100
Τ1
The ratio shall be less or equal to 20 %.
where
T1 time take
...