A Safety-Compliant Roman shade complies
fully with the Second Provisional American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products published on September 3, 2010. My premise in making Roman shades (and explaining to you how to make your own) is that they be easy and economical to make, look professional and operate flawlessly. I kept these premises in mind when I modified my construction techniques to comply with the new Safety Standards. After careful reading of the document I determined that I had to change only four things when making my shade:
- I had to add a cord shroud to the lift (back) cords and attach the shroud to the lift rings.
- I had to limit the spacing between the lift rings so that the combined loop created by the shrouded cord and the shade did not allow the passage of the hazardous loop test device.
- I had to add the proper Warning Tags on both the Operating (pull) Cord and Lift (back) Cords.
- I had to mark my shade using a permanent pen with my company name, city and date of manufacturer (so they would know who to sue).
Which Type of Shade-Maker are You? Who should be taking the extra steps required to assure their shade is compliant: a homeowner with young children, a home sewer making shades for a friend and a seamstress who makes and sells Roman shades. Each of these people has slightly different requirements when making their shade. We will go through them one-by-one. Note that if you are making a shade for your own home and you want to make your corded shade without the added hassle of these new standards, you can do so by reading the Make a Classic Roman Shade section. If your neighbor admires your shades and asks you to make some for her, come back and read this section.
Safety-Conscience Homeowner The window treatment industry has been working very hard to develop new products to make corded shades safer for your home. It is well worth your while to invest a few extra hours and a couple more dollars to make your shade safe for your children. Your Operating Cord should not form a loop when then shade is fully covering the window. This means that you either braid all cords together before inserting them into a cord drop (this has always been our standard instructions) or you should use completely separate lift cords that each end in a Cord Tassel. You should follow the cord shroud instructions so that the lift (back) cords don’t pose an accidental strangulation hazard. You should read the Warning Tag and labeling section. No, you do not have to purchase and hang Warning Tags on your own shade. After all, if someone else made and installed them for you, you would remove the tags as soon as the installer left.
Seamstress Making and Selling Roman Shades You are
required, as of December 3, 2010, to fully comply with the new Standards. It makes no difference if you make and sell one Roman shade, or if you make hundreds. The Standard is voluntary in that the window treatment industry volunteered to determine and publish safety requirements. Compliance is not voluntary, it is mandatory. You have to follow all steps for the operating cord, shrouded lift cords, Warning Tags and labeling. It does not matter if your client says she doesn’t care if they are safe. It doesn’t matter if the shade will be installed in a room where no child will ever enter. It doesn’t matter if the shade will be installed 25-feet off the floor.
All Roman shades delivered after December 3, 2010 must comply with the new standards. Note that if you will be using a looped operating cord such as a clutch system, you have until April 3, 2011 to have a compliant cord release device. However, your lift cords must be shrouded right now.
Home Sewer making a Shade Free-of-Charge for a Relative or Friend This is the gray area. I feel that you should carefully discuss the options with your beneficiary (of the shade, not your estate). I have made well over 1,000 Roman shades using the “old” construction techniques. Many have been for nurseries and playrooms. I’ve never had an issue. I have always delivered the shades with a “Cleaning and Safety Instructions” sheet, which I have discussed with my client. From now on, I will only deliver safety-compliant shades, even if they are given to my children. I absolutely do not want to be responsible for any harm to my grandchildren.
The Requisite Disclaimer I must add that all statements on this web site are my own personal interpretation of the standards and the implications of the standards. My sample shade made using these techniques did pass the requirements for the operating cord, lifting cords and required warning tags and labeling. By using these instructions and reading my ranting statements, you will not hold me legally responsible for anything what-so-ever! If you have any doubts about constructions techniques you should make a sample shade and have it tested. If you modify the instructions, you may inadvertently end up with a shade that is not compliant.
The first part of designing and making your Safety-Compliant Classic Shade is to read the entire section
Measure and Sketch Your Pattern. When you have completed that you will have:
· Decided how to mount your shade.
· Measured your window and determined your Finished Shade Width, Finished Shade Length and Ideal Stackage.
· Used the Hardware (Folding) Calculator to determine the fold depth and number of lift lines for each shade.
· Sketched a Pattern for each shade.
· Purchased fabric, lining and hardware for your shade.
· Gathered your measuring and manufacturing tools.
It is very important to read the Calculator Tips for Safety-Compliant shades before sketching your pattern.
Continue the instructions for Make a Safety-Compliant Classic Roman Shade by scrolling up and clicking on Sew Hem and Side Seams in the left-hand navigation column.
