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EN 13120 European Standard for Curtain Safety
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European Curtain Safety Standard EN 13120
Child safety is a critical concern, and ensuring the safe use of window coverings in households with infants, young children, and pets has long been a priority. The European Commission has recently revised the child safety requirements for indoor blinds under EN 13120 — Internal blinds: Performance requirements including safety.
EN 13120 includes two new test standards:
● EN 16433 Test method for anti-strangulation protection of full-length curtains
About EN 13120 Introduction
EN 13120 applies to all types of internal blinds, including but not limited to:
● Venetian blinds: free-hanging, guided, and non-retractable.
● Roller blinds: free-hanging, side-guided, and tensioned fabric blinds.
● Vertical blinds: free-hanging, guided by top and bottom tracks, and blinds with angled headrails.
● Folding and honeycomb blinds: free-hanging, guided, horizontally movable, and tensioned.
● Roman shades.
● Austrian blinds / fan-shaped blinds.
● Panel blinds.
● Roller blinds.
EN 13120 does not apply to curtains, draperies, or insect screens, nor to blinds installed inside sealed glass units, except for requirements related to strangulation hazards. It also does not apply to internal blinds manufactured before the publication date of this standard or blinds intended for installation in locations inaccessible to children.However, this standard applies to products where the intended use is unknown and/or where the blinds are supplied to the final destination.
Operating length
When only a single cord tensioner is used (see the following section on child safety components), the following table and information explain how this information should be presented in the technical documentation provided by distributors.
|
The height of the blinds ranges from (mm) |
Blinds height to (mm) |
Operating length (mm) |
|
300 |
700 |
400 |
|
701 |
800 |
500 |
|
801 |
900 |
600 |
|
901 |
1000 |
700 |
|
1001 |
1100 |
800 |
|
1101 |
1200 |
900 |
|
1201 |
2600 |
1000 |
|
2601 |
2750 |
1100 |
|
2751 |
3000 |
1250 |
|
3001 |
3250 |
1500 |
|
3251 |
3500 |
1750 |
|
3501 |
4000 |
2000 |
|
4001 |
4500 |
2500 |
|
4501 |
9999 |
3000 |
Technical Reseller Information:
● This table applies only to orders where no installation height is specified.
● If an installation height is specified, the maximum operating length shall be the installation height minus 150 cm, rounded to the nearest chain link length specified in this table.
● Each chain shall be equipped with a chain tensioner to ensure that the chain is securely fixed to the wall.
● This table specifies only the operating height for each product and does not indicate the product’s maximum possible height.
Children’s safety components
Below are some of the most important requirements and solutions. For more detailed information, please contact us.
Chain tensioner
● The chain tensioner must withstand a 6 kg lateral tensile force without breaking or becoming non-functional.
● If the tensioner is installed 10 mm above the intended position, it must still function properly.
● The maximum distance between the two strands shall not exceed 50 mm.
Solution
● The simpler version, typically made of plastic, is mounted to the wall, window frame, or windowsill with screws.
Fracture-chain connector
● This component must undergo mechanical performance testing, as well as UV resistance and temperature stability testing.
● Under a 6 kg tensile force, the chain must break. Therefore, the component itself must be able to release at 3 kg.
Solution
● Two-part system. The breaking force does not depend on the ball size.
Rope splint
● The product must be installed with the mounting plate positioned at least 150 cm above the floor.
● When a 6 kg weight is applied to pull the cleat or cord, no more than 10 cm of loose cord is permitted.
Solution
● Cord cleat, typically made of plastic, must be secured to the wall and must not rotate after installation.
● Two buttons, available in two sizes, are mounted to the wall or windowsill using screws and can be installed in different positions.
Breakaway rope connector
● This component must undergo mechanical performance testing, as well as UV resistance and temperature testing.
● Suitable for up to four cords.
● When a maximum force of 6 kg is applied to the ring-shaped component, the cord must be released.
Solution
● Various solutions are available on the market.
Child safety buckle
● This component must undergo mechanical performance testing, as well as UV resistance and temperature resistance testing.
● When the distance between the two attachment points on the fabric exceeds 20 cm (typically the height of a fabric section), this component shall be used.
● When a maximum force of 6 kg is applied to the ring, it must open/release.
Operating system
Cord-operated blinds
Pull cord
● The operating length must be limited. A cord cleat must be included, and when packaging the blind, the cords must be pre-wrapped around the cleat.
● Specific installation instructions must be provided.
● If two cords exit the headrail, they must not become entangled. If up to four cords exit the headrail, they must be connected using cord connectors.
● If more than four cords exit the headrail, a cord-break connector may be omitted. These cords must be connected to a single cord within 5 cm of the headrail using a breakaway device.
Single retractable rope
● The operating length must be limited. A cord cleat is not required.
Operating rope
● Each cord must be secured with a restraint. No cord cleats are required.
● These cords must not become entangled.
Single pull rope
● To eliminate the risk of strangulation, the cord length must not exceed 20 cm.
Crank operation
This operating system is safe for children because there is no risk of strangulation.
Cordless blinds
Without operating cords or chains, the blinds are raised and lowered by directly touching the bottom rail. Since this operation poses no strangulation risk, it is safe for children.
Electric / Motorized blinds
This operating system is child-safe because there is no risk of strangulation.
Solution for each product
In this section, only aspects that may render the product non-compliant are highlighted. The most important feature of EN 13120 child safety requirements is to always limit the operating length of window blinds, as described above.
Roller blinds
● On chain-operated roller blinds, a tension device or chain-break connector must be installed.
● Manual, crank-operated, or electric roller blinds are safe.
● If applicable, limit the length of the pull cord suspended from the middle of the bottom rail.
Roman shade
● Please note that loops may form on the back of Roman shades, between the lift cords and the fabric.
● Add a cord cleat to all cord-operated window coverings. When four or fewer cords extend from the headrail, use a single-cord connector. When more than four cords extend from the headrail and the shade is in the lowered position, secure the cords together within 5 cm of the headrail.
● Add a tension device or chain-break connector to chain-operated Roman shades.
Venetian blinds
● Add a cord cleat to cord-operated blinds. When four or fewer cords extend from the headrail, use a breakaway cord connector. When more than four cords extend from the headrail and the blinds are in the lowered position, secure the cords together within 5 cm of the headrail. The cords should not be pulled back through the headrail, as this could create a hazardous loop.
● On chain-operated blinds, a tension device or chain-break connector must be installed.
● Tension-operated models are safe as long as there are no cords or chains that could form hazardous loops.
Vertical blinds
● A cord cleat should be added to cord-operated vertical blinds.
● On chain-operated vertical blinds, a tension device or chain-break connector must be installed.
● For vertical blinds with both cord loops and chain loops, several options are available:(1) Use two tension devices and pass both cord loops through the tension devices. (2) Use breakaway connectors on chains and tension devices on cord loops.
● Tension-operated models are safe as long as there are no cords or chains that could form hazardous loops.
Panel blinds
● A clamp should be added to rope-operated blinds.
● On chain-operated blinds, a tensioner or a break‑chain connector must be installed.
● Rope-operated or motorized blinds are safe.
Please is & Duets ® curtain
● On pull-cord blinds, a cord cleat should be installed. When four or fewer cords extend from the headrail, use a breakaway cord connector. When more than four cords extend from the headrail and the blinds are in the lowered position, secure the cords together within 5 cm of the headrail. Note that the operating cords should not be pulled back through the headrail, as this could create a hazardous loop.
● On chain-operated blinds, a tension device or chain-break connector must be installed.
● Tension-operated models are safe as long as there are no cords or chains that could form hazardous loops.
Curtain European standard EN 13120 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
EN 13120 European-standard blinds —— Safety device
EN 13120 European-standard blinds —— Interpretation of the Anti-Strangulation Safety System
SATISFY provides professional services and support to manufacturers and distributors regarding window blind regulations, including EN 13120 and EN 16433/EN 16434 testing, to ensure that products are manufactured and sold in compliance with applicable requirements.
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