Standards set for applied window film.

Standards Set for Applied Window Film by Klingshield

 
Although organic coated glazing materials were introduced into South Africa over 40 years ago, specifiers and buyers have limited knowledge of these products in the absence of any local standards. Klingshield recently formed a category of membership to cater for the needs of this growing industry and has worked closely with the South African Bureau of Standards so that acceptable standards can be set in the foreseeable future.
 
In the meantime, specifiers are urged to ensure that any film they buy meets the following recommendations.
 
These guidelines cover polyester type film (sun control or safety/security film) applied to glass in areas such as windows, doors, rooflights, shopfronts and interior partitioning with regard to material installation, appearance, performance standards and data, maintenance and warranty.
 
Definitions- for the purpose of these guidelines the following definitions will apply.
 
Organic coated glass – a glazing material consisting of a pane of glass coated and bonded on one side with a continuous polyester film.
  • Safety – Human impact safety.
  • Security – Outside attack, vandalism, bomb blast, smash and grab.
  • Sun Control – Heat and glare and ultra violet control.
  • Film – A polyester type plastic film.
  • Reflective Film – A film of two sheets or more, laminated together, containing a sandwich of a precision controlled thickness of metalizing.
  • Non-Reflective Film – A tinted film consisting of either single or laminated ply.
  • Clear Film – A transparent film consisting of either single or laminated ply.
  • Nano- Ceramic-A premium film with no dyes or metal in its make up.
 
Material – The film should be of a uniform thickness and appearance. The film should have an adequate adhesive system that is resistant to damp and condensation. The film must further be able to retain its adhesive characteristics under normal conditions of sunlight, humidity and extremes of temperature, indoors and out, beyond the guarantee period.
 
The film and adhesive should be weatherable and able to resist any degree of ultra violet rays of the sun and moreover degradation by sun attack.

Installation

Film should be installed in accordance with recommendations issued by the Window Film Association.

Installation companies should provide evidence of previous successful installations.
 
Film should be fitted and accurately bonded securely to the glass surface.
 
Film edges should be cut neatly and square to the frame and should come to within a maximum of 3mm of the edges of the exposed glass.
 
While joints are permissible on larger window panes, these should be kept to a minimum, using maximum material widths wherever possible. These joints should be butt jointed unless otherwise specified and should be straight cut and neat.
 
 
Most film adhesive systems require a drying time of approximately three weeks. During this drying period there may be visual distortion due to entrapped bubbles of moisture.
 
After the drying period the film should have a uniform undistorted appearance, free from streaks, pinholes, bubbles, creases or marks, visible at a distance of three metres.
 
The film should have become an integral part of the glass and, as such, should adhere to the total surface of the glass covered.
 
Performance test standards
 

Safety

Film shall comply with SABS Specification 1263 Part 1 covering human impact glazing material and/or international test performance standards.
 

Security

In the absence of any SABS standard at present, material offered shall comply with international test performance standards.
 

Sun Control Film

In the absence of any SABS standard at this period of time, material offered shall comply with international test performance standards.
 

Thickness of film

Film thickness should be expressed in millimeters or microns, or both Sun Control films should have a minimum thickness of ,015mm (15 microns).

Safety and Security films should have a minimum thickness of ,05mm (50 microns).

Thickness of film recommended for safety/security applications
 

The following table recommends the film thickness to be used for particular situations :

Types of impact /attack ,05mm ,10mm

  • Residential Safety ,05mm
  • Residential Security ,10mm
  • Industrial ground floor Safety ,05mm
  • Industrial ground floor Security ,10mm
  • Industrial above ground floor Safety/Security ,05mm
  • Commercial Shop Fronts Safety ,05mm
  • Commercial Shop Fronts Security ,10mm
  • Commercial above ground floor Safety/Security ,05mm
  • High Risk areas all levels Security ,10mm
 
Note: Government and office block buildings as above.
 
Maintenance: The film side of the window must not be washed during the drying period. The treated glass should be cleaned with soap and water, using a soft cloth or a good quality squeegee.
 
Note: Cleaning abrasives must not be used. Avoid the use of any hard sharp edged implement in contact with the film. The film must not be abused or tampered with in any way – such action will render the guarantee null and void.
 
Warranty Internal Application – if the maintenance detailed above is carried out, the film and workmanship shall be guaranteed against latent defects such as peeling, losing reflective properties, cracking, crazing, loosening and discolouration for a minimum period of three years after installation.
 
External Application – As above, but for a minimum period of one year.
 
Note: The warranty shall not cover glass failure which may arise due to the increase in the temperature of glass when exposed to sunlight.