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READ AND REMOVE THIS PAGE BEFORE PLACING
THE SPECIFICATION SECTION IN THE CONTRACT

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DIVISION 12:  FURNISHINGS

SECTION 12511 ‑ HORIZONTAL LOUVER BLINDS

USE:	Furnishing and installing "venetian" blinds and operating hardware at windows. 

NOTES TO SPECIFIER:

	A.	Options within paragraphs are identified by enclosure in brackets; blank spaces enclosed by brackets [_____] provide for information to be inserted, as appropriate, to individual projects.

	B.	TO AVOID CONFLICTING REQUIREMENTS AND COSTLY MISTAKES, the specifier must edit (delete, substitute or add to the text).  The remaining paragraphs must be renumbered.

	C.	DELETE FOR FINAL COPY: Notes to the Specifier, located between lines of asterisks; all [brackets], underlining, boldface, and italics, within the paragraphs; and this page.  (Open Reveal Codes [alt F3] to do this accurately.)

	D.	To Edit “(Footer B)”: (Corel 8).  ENTIRE FOOTER SHOULD BE BOLDED.  Click in the footer and delete the “Project Name (ftr B)” text and replace it with the Name of the Project (upper and lower case).  Replace date with current MM/YY (WITHOUT BRACKETS).

	E.	The Guide Specifications are intended to be continuously reviewed and revised.  User’s technical comments are appreciated.  Also, other related or similar specification that are written “from scratch” that could benefit others, or other questions can be sent to NSTC A/E Group, ST 110, or call (303) 987-6868.

DRAWING DATA REQUIRED: 

REQUIRED SPEC MODIFICATIONS:

GENERAL NOTES

A.	Whenever entire articles, paragraphs or subparagraphs are not applicable, the articles, paragraphs or subparagraphs should be deleted; when necessary, reletter or renumber articles, paragraphs or subparagraphs.

B.	See sample Work Data Sheet format enclosed with this Outline Guide for developing the sheet to be included in the Contract.  Work data Sheets should not include items shown in the Bid Schedule, except those developed for Contracts involving more than one project.  The Work Data Sheet is placed in the Invitation for Bids immediately preceding the drawings.

C.	THIS GUIDE IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR READING THE ENTIRE SECTION.

TECHNICAL NOTES

A.	1.01B:  Select or add applicable specification sections.  Do not list specification sections from Division 12.

B.	1.02A: Select applicable words.

	C.	1.03A;  Select applicable phrase.

D.	1.03B:  Insert number of copies of manufacturer's descriptive literature required.  Normally 5 copies are required.  Distribution after review is normally 1 copy to the COR, 3 copies to the Contractor, and 1 copy to the project file.

E.	1.03C:  Insert number of copies of the manufacturer's  installation instructions required.  Normally 5 copies are required.  Distribution after review is normally 1 copy to the COR, 3 copies to the Contractor, and 1 copy to the project file.

F.	1.03D:  Insert number of copies of shop drawings required.  Normally 5 copies are required.  Distribution after review is normally 1 copy to the COR, 3 copies to the Contractor, and 1 copy to the project file.

G.	1.03E:  Insert number of samples required.  Normally 2 samples are required.  Distribution after review is normally 1 sample to the COR, and 1 sample to the Contractor.

H.	1.04A:  Insert number of years required.

I.	1.05A:  Insert number of slats required.

J.	1.05B:  Insert number of assemblies required.

K.	2.01J:  Select applicable cord lock and tilter operation location.

L.	2.01M:  Select applicable words.

M.	4.01 and 4.02:  When a "lump sum" Contract is used, delete the title PART 4:  MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT, and both articles from specification section.  Measurement and payment will be addressed in Part 4 of Section 01010.

REVISIONS OF THIS SECTION:
CSI format, editorial changes:  11/01
Metric:  
Technical Update: 06/92

SECTION 12511

HORIZONTAL LOUVER BLINDS

PART 1:  GENERAL

1.1  SUMMARY:

	A.	Section Includes:  Furnishing and installing horizontal venetian blinds and operating hardware.

1.2  SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:

	A.	Performance Requirements:  Horizontal metal slat louver blinds installed at window openings, manual control of raising and lowering by [cord;] [blade angle adjustable by [cord.] [control wand.]

1.3  SUBMITTALS:

	A.	General:  Submittals shall be according to [Section 01009 - General Information and Requirements.] [and] [Section 01300 - Submittals.] [and] [SEction 01365 - Certificates of Conformance.]

	B.	Manufacturer's Literature:  Submit [  ] copies of the manufacturer's descriptive data for the horizontal louver blinds to be used on this project.

	C.	Installation Instructions:  Submit [  ] copies of the manufacturer's installation instructions for the horizontal louver blinds.

	D.	Shop Drawings:  Submit [  ] copies of shop drawings for the horizontal louver blinds to be used on this project.  Shop drawings shall indicate the following:

1.	ab	Field‑measured dimensions of openings scheduled to receive blinds.

2.	ab	Illustrations of special accessory components not included in manufacturer's product data.
	3.	Details of head and sill conditions, corner conditions, and conditions between adjacent blind units.
	4.	A numbering plan for identification of each blind with the proper installation location.

	E.	Samples:  Submit [ ] samples of each [color] [and] [pattern] [style] of the slats to be used on this project.  Samples shall be 6 inches long.  Samples shall be actual material in [Colors required] [the full range of colors required.]

1.4  QUALITY ASSURANCE:

	A.	Manufacturer Qualifications:  Company specializing in manufacturing the products specified in this Section with [        ] years [documented] experience.

	B.  Failure Criteria:  Not limited to the following:
		1.  Cord breaking.
		2.  Cord lock malfunction.
		3.  Tilter malfunction.
		4.  Mounting brackets loosening.

1.5  MAINTENANCE:

	A.	Extra Materials:  Furnish [      ] additional slats.

	B.  Furnish [      ] additional complete blind assemblies [of each size].

PART 2:  PRODUCTS

2.01  MATERIALS:

	A.	Steel Channel Headrail:  "U" shaped 1 inch high and 1‑1/2 inches deep channel, fabricated from .025 inch thick sheet steel with rolled edges at top.  Head channel shall have two metal end support braces, 3/4 inch in height with full‑length double ribs for added rigidity.

	B.	Head Channel Hardware:  Metal hardware shall be electroplated with lift cords and ladders guided by grommets in the head channel which prevent discoloration.  Operating hardware shall be mechanically locked into head channel.  Cord lock and tilter shall be machine riveted to assure accurate alignment.

	C.	Enclosed Metal Bottom Rail:  Completely enclosed tubular shape, .030 inch thick electro‑galvanized and bonderized steel with prime coat of chromate epoxy primer and finish coat of polyester baked enamel.  Bottom rail shall be formed after coating with locking groove to receive dust cover.  Thermoplastic protective caps in bottom of rail shall be used to secure ladder ends and assure window sill protection.  Bottom rail thermoplastic end caps shall have a projecting bottom flange for window sill protection and hold‑down bracket pins shall be molded in place.

	D.	Slats:  Aluminum 1 inch wide, .010 inch thick before coating.  Slats shall have a precoating treatment to bond polyester baked enamel finish coating.  Total coating thickness shall be 1 mil.  After coating, thickness shall be .011 inch.

	E.	Ladder Drum and Cradles:  Blinds shall have a cradle and ladder drum for each ladder.
		1.	Cradle:  .040 inch thick electroplated steel.  Cradle shall support tilting rod, provide a smooth bearing and center ladder drum over ladder hole.  Incorporated with cradle shall be a separate grommet guide lift cord and ladder through bottom of headrail.  Grommet shall have rounded edges to prevent cord and ladder wear and discoloration.
		2.	Ladder Drum:  .031 inch thick electroplated steel with a smooth rolled edge hole each side to attach braided ladders.

	F.	Low Friction Cord Lock:  Cord lock shall have 9/16 inch diameter nylon main roller in conjunction with a sliding bar‑type locking mechanism.  Locking mechanism shall be free of abrasive locking teeth and offer minimum wear to cord.  Locking mechanism shall be of crash‑proof type and shall lock automatically upon release of cord.

	G.	Tilter:  A tilter and gear case arrangement shall be used on the wand tilter.  Gear case shall be enclosed type with worm‑and‑gear construction.  Gear shall be factory lubricated, designed for smooth operation and shall hold slats at any angle and prevent movement of slats due to vibration.
	1.	Wand Tilter:  Operated by a length of transparent extruded plastic rod with a multi‑sided cross section measuring approximately 3/8 inch across points.  Plastic wand shall hang vertically by its own weight and shall be of a convenient length for easy operation.  Plastic wand shall be easily detachable.  Tilter shall be securely riveted to headrail.

	H.	Braided Slat Supports:  Blinds shall have braided ladder which will assure proper control and adequate overlap of slats.
	1.	Material:  Polyester yarn.  Vertical component shall be not less than .045 inch diameter nor greater than .066 inch diameter, which will provide maximum strength and flexibility with minimum stretch.  Horizontal component, or rungs, shall be not less than four threads and shall be 1‑3/16 inch long.  There shall be 15 rungs per foot equally spaced for proper support.

	2.	Metal Clip:  Machine clinched to end of each braided ladder to lock in holes of drum and removable metal clip wire shall join braided ladders at bottom rail.  Distance between end support and end of slats shall not exceed 6 inches.  Distance between braided ladders shall not exceed 22 inches.

	I.	Lift Cord:  Braided with polyester jackets and rayon center core.  Cords shall be detachable, if required, and shall be of sufficient length to properly control the raising or lowering of the blind.  Lift shall be equipped with tassel.

	J.	Cord Lock and Tilter Operation Locations:  The cord lock and tilter operating location when viewed from within the room:  shall be located with the [Tilter at left, cord lock at right (standard).] [Tilter at right, cord lock at left.] [Tilter and cord lock at left.] [Tilter and cord lock at right.]

	K.	Installation Brackets:  Conventional hinged brackets, .042 inch thick electrogalvanized and bonderized steel with prime coat of epoxy primer and finish coat of polyester baked enamel in color to match headrail.  Brackets shall be marked left and right to facilitate installation and shall have 1‑1/4 inch extrawide top to accommodate power screw driver.  Brackets shall facilitate easy removal of head channel.  Optional headrail pocket support brackets shall be electroplated, and shall facilitate installation of blind in pocket.

	L.	Intermediate Support Brackets:  Brackets shall be furnished for blinds over 60 inches wide.  Maximum spacing for intermediate support brackets shall be 48 inches.

	M.	Size:  Lengths and widths shall be as required for installation [between the jambs] [and mullions] [outside the jambs] [and mullions] [as shown on the drawings.]

	N.	Audio‑Visual Blinds:  In addition to requirements for blinds, each unit shall include light traps at headrail, sides and sill.  Light traps shall be constructed from aluminum or sheet steel, not less than 0.10 inch thick, U‑shaped, with legs not less than 1‑3/4 inches long.  Edges contacting blinds shall be rounded or beaded.  Inside surfaces of light traps shall be finished in a dull black color.

PART 3:  EXECUTION

3.1  EXAMINATION:

	A.	Verification of Conditions:  Verify that surfaces and conditions in which blinds will be installed are free of conditions interfering with blind installation.

3.2  INSTALLATION:

	A.	General:  Install blinds upon completion of construction and finish processes in the rooms receiving blinds.

	B.	Horizontal Louver Blinds:  Install blinds level and at a height to permit full length operation.  Use suitable type and size fasteners for the application.  Isolate metal parts from direct contact with concrete, mortar, or dissimilar metals.  Blinds installed in recessed pockets shall be removable without disturbing the pocket.  The entire blind, when retracted, shall be contained behind the pocket.  For blinds installed outside the jambs and mullions, overlap each jamb and mullion 3/4 inch or more when the jamb and mullion sizes permit.  Include hardware, brackets, anchors, fasteners and accessories necessary for a complete finished installation.

	C.	Identification: According to the numbering plan, mark each opening and the corresponding blind with identical numbers.  For multiple windows separated by mullions, the space required by each blind shall be numbered separately.  Use brass or aluminum plates, or stamp corresponding numbers on unexposed surfaces of openings and the head box.  Fasten plates to the back of head box and sill track.

3.3  FIELD QUALITY CONTROL:

	A.	Audio‑Visual Blinds Field Test:  When closed against full midday summer sunny conditions, installed audio visual blinds shall be capable of reducing the natural light level of the space to an average of 0.16 footcandles as measured by a footcandle meter.

3.4  ADJUSTING:

	A.	Requirements:  Adjust clearances and overlaps to permit unencumbered operation.

3.5  CLEANING:

	A.	Requirements:  Clean soiled blind surfaces and components.

PART 4:  MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

4.1  METHOD OF MEASUREMENT:

A.	ab	Units:  The work described in this section will not be measured for payment.

4.2  BASIS OF PAYMENT:

	A.	Payment:  No direct payment for the work described under this section will be made.  The Contractor shall include consideration for this item in the bid price for other items of the Contract.

END OF SECTION