Child safety legislation…

Hallis Hudson are proud to be able to offer child safe products that have been tested to comply with current legislation. We offer a range of solutions including finished pre-pack and made to measure products alongside component parts that have been tested to work together.

To view the latest product information & test certificates for blinds click here

To view the latest product information & test certificates for tracks click here

To view the latest product information & test certificates for poles click here

Where the legislation affects…

The standards are applicable to all homes, all public buildings and any other premises where babies and young children aged 0 - 42 months are likely to have access or be present.

Exceptions where the legislation may not apply are where internal blinds are installed in premises where children are unlikely to have access with examples being factories, laboratories, etc. In these cases specific labels must be used as a notice "product intended to be installed in premises where children are not likely to have access (offices, factories, etc)".

Does this legislation apply to you?

If you design, make, supply or install internal window blinds the new standards apply to you.

What does the legislation mean for you…

  • Limitations on cord and chain lengths
    Specifically the correct length being chosen taking into account the installation height and the safety devices being used on the system. Choosing the right length of cord or chain is made easier by following the flow chart provided as a centre page pull out for your easy reference.
    Some notes to assist are provided below also:

  • To make a correct decision on making/ordering a compliant product, having as much information as possible is essential. If children are likely to be present where the blind/track is being installed, the installation height, the type of safety device being used/is required.

  • Low level blinds with a fitting height below 150cm (without a breakaway device on the cord/chain) can be used with a chain/cord loop of 20cm as this is deemed as not forming a hazardous loop.

  • The legislation does not make allowances for items such as kitchen units or other obstructions preventing easy access to the chain/cord, the advice from the BBSA is to fit an alternative compliant product such as a system without cords/chains, curtains or other suitable systems.

Inner Cords on Roman Blinds are specifically effected (as noted on the flow diagram). If your blind panels are less than or equal to 20cm apart you can use any of the traditional methods of fixing the cord to the blind/bottom rod pocket - i.e. 20cm is the maximum distance between the rods/attachment points across all areas of the Roman blind. Where the distance between the rods/attachment points is greater than 20cm a rear cord breakaway device can be used.

  • Safety devices for preventing cords and chains from creating a hazardous loop

  • The testing of all safety critical components of internal window blinds
    All Hallis Hudson blind & track systems/kits come with a safety device appropriate for the system which has been tested to the standards. You can purchase separate components to make your system up, however it is your responsibility to test the end product to ensure it complies with BS EN 13120.

  • The fitting of safety devices on cords and chains at the point of manufacture
    All of our blind kits are supplied with the correct safety devices in place. It is your responsibility to ensure these devices are supplied to the end user in place, intact and fitted in accordance with the instructions.

  • Safety warnings and product instructions
    All systems supplied by Hallis Hudson are supplied with the appropriate labelling which includes a general warning notice, a safety device label and appropriate fitting instructions. The headrail of all kits/systems are supplied with a label marking it as a Hallis Hudson supplied product – you may choose to leave this in place or remove and add your own label/marking.

Explain What the Legislation Names Are…

You may well have heard the names of the pieces of legislation involved and many customers that we have spoken to are confused by what the names/numbers are. For simplicity these are provided below with a brief explanation of what they cover/mean in practical terms:

Standard

Description

Revised BS EN 13120 Internal blinds – performance requirements including safety

This standard has been revised with specific alterations to the child safety elements of the existing standard.

BS EN 16433 Internal blinds – protection from strangulation hazards – test methods

This is the functionality test method standard for device(s) used in conjunction with blinds to make them child safe. NOTE: All devices supplied by Hallis Hudson sold as part of a kit/system are compliant to this standard.

BS EN 16434 Internal blinds – protection from strangulation hazards – requirements and test methods for safety devices

This details the test method standards for the suitability of safety devices which includes UV, heat, cold and impact resistance tests.
NOTE: All safety devices supplied by Hallis Hudson have been tested to this standard.

The information should not form the basis upon which the reader makes any decisions or conclusions concerning their own rights or their obligations under the General Product Safety Regulations. Hallis Hudson strongly recommend that the reader obtains detailed and specific legal advice from their own legal counsel concerning their position. No warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, is given by Hallis Hudson in respect of the information or as to the fitness and suitability of the information for any purpose whatsoever. This guidance is based upon the standards and regulation in force at the date of this document and the standards or regulations may be subject to change, amendment or reinterpretation. Hallis Hudson are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or statements made.

Hallis Hudson are not responsible for any loss, howsoever caused, and whether arising directly or indirectly from reliance upon the information and any recommendations provided by Hallis Hudson for any reader of this material.

 

services_article_image

Useful Links

Make it Safe Website www.makeitsafe.org.uk

British Blinds and Shutters Association www.bbsa.org.uk