Industry Guidelines

BMAA ‘Fit for Purpose’ Statement

• BMAA members’ products are specifically designed to be used for the recommended purpose and are guaranteed to be supplied free of defects.
• ‘Free of Defects’ means that the product meets its published description and specification, and is homogeneous in appearance after allowance for minor variance that is inherent on the processes of production.
• The product has performed satisfactorily when used in its design context in all of the climatic extremes experienced throughout Australia.
• ‘Satisfactorily’ means with continued but gradually diminished utility over its expected life, due to the unavoidable effects of Ultra Violet Radiation and weathering, such as colour variation, strength loss and dimensional change.
• ‘Expected life’ is at least the period covered by warranty, provided the product is installed properly, and cleaned and maintained as recommended.

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BMAA has prepared an Industry Guideline to assist manufacturers and retailers deal with customer queries regarding the final product. This guideline is in no way a substitute for legal advice. Businesses are bound by legislation such as Australian Consumer Law and Australian Standards such as AS2663.2-1999, Textiles – Fabrics for window furnishings – Coated curtain fabrics.

This Guideline is one that is accepted by the industry and should be seen as a “reasonable” test for looking at a perceived fault.

Recommended Industry Guideline for Faults:

The acceptable guideline for imperfections, marks, dots etc. on completed product is:

• If an imperfection is visible with the naked eye in natural daylight at a distance of 1.2 metres, it is not acceptable.
• If an imperfection is not visible with the naked eye in natural daylight at a distance of 1.2 metres it is acceptable.

Minor colour variations may occur between any colour swatch supplied and the order received, as the colour swatch is a guide only, this includes paint, stain and lacquers.

This Guideline does not override any rights under Australian Consumer Law

References:

Standards Australia AS 2663.2-1999, Textiles – Fabrics for window furnishings – Coated curtain fabrics. Available from SAI Global.
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL)

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BMAA has prepared an Industry Guideline regarding Plantation Shutters.

Plantation Shutters are an appealing window and door dressing, considered to be at the pinnacle of window covering types. They are manufactured from robust materials, and are considered to be fine furniture that typically increases the value of a home.

Compared to other window covering types, the robust nature of Plantation Shutters also makes them substantially heavier, and when gravity combines with a Hinged or Bi-fold installation method, it is usual for slight dropping or sagging to occur to the panels when operated out of their closed position.

The louvres of the shutter are used to control the light entering a room, but where access to the window is required for opening or cleaning the window, the shutter panels can be swung out of the way. It is expected that the panel will need to be lifted or assisted back into the window frame when closing, to support the panel and avoid damage to the window frame. To maintain structural integrity, shutter panels should be returned to their closed position promptly.

Shutters are not expected to provide complete blockout, and are designed primarily to allow the user to easily and efficiently control light and airflow.

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BMAA has prepared an Industry Guideline regarding Awnings.

Important Note: Acrylic Fabrics Common Irregularities

The nature of the fabric is that, regardless of all the attention that is paid during manufacturing and preparation, you might note some natural “imperfections” after your awning is installed. These small irregularities in your fabric are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

Waffelbuilding or Veining – Subsequent to handling during fabrication and assembly, acrylic fabrics treated with resins containing fluoride may show “veining” visible against the sunlight caused by an optical effect (differences in the refractions of light).

White Lines or Folds – Subsequent to handling during fabrication and assembly, acrylic fabrics treated with resins containing fluoride may show small white traces that appear on the fabric due to the stiffness that is caused by the fluoride treatment. These lines are particularly visible in light fabrics as they are held up against the light.

Waviness or Corrugation in the seam/weld area – As the fabric rolls up along the roller tube on the awning the seams will roll up with more accumulated material than the areas surrounding it. This difference in thickness may cause the fabric to wrinkle slightly around the seams. This may affect one seam but not the seam next to it.

These small irregularities in your fabric are normal and nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if you notice the slightest problem concerning the major qualities of your fabric within its warranty please let the supplier know.

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