EXTERNAL GLARE PROTECTION: Dazzle-resistant shades improve crew well-being
Protection from the sun’s heat and glare is important for the bridge crew’s working environment, says Bergaflex managing director, Anders Bertilson. Recognizing this, most marine customers want protection on all the windows in the bridge, even though this is not a regulatory requirement.
Bergaflex shades are made of metallized polyester foil using a special process. Aluminum is boiled in a vacuum and the steam containing tiny particles condenses onto the polyester film in an even layer. The aluminum reflects both glare and heat. The polyester film is supplied from the US in colors exclusive to Bergaflex, which are chosen for their effect in reducing glare intensity.
The company claims that its shades reduce solar energy by 70% behind a 4 mm pane of glass, but in practice the proportion can be in excess of 90%, Bertilson says. In the case of the film most frequently used for ship’s bridges, the figure is 83-85%. Up to 93% of the sun’s glare is also reflected.
The shades allow a visible light transmission of between 2% and 13%, depending on the customer’s stipulation. Effective shades on all windows can also be a good solution for older vessels where it may be too expensive to install air conditioning.
Different arrangements are available for deploying the shades. The simplest is merely to pull them down with a cord. However some customers, including most German owners, prefer them to be fitted with a bandbox - a box fitted at the base of the window which collects the band by which the shades are pulled down. A bandbox is a very good solution if the windows are tall, otherwise there is a lot of loose cord hanging below the window when the shades are fully extended, Bertilson says.
Alternatively, the shades can be drawn by means of a motorized roller operated by remote control. Bergaflex also supplies blackouts for cabins in different types of fabric, including fire-retardant types.
The company is a well established supplier of equipment to the marine sector, with deliveries to two newbuild Stena Line ferries under construction in Norway among its latest orders. It is a regular supplier of bridge shades and cabin blackouts to shipyards in northern Europe and China, and recently made its breakthrough into the Japanese market.
For more information contract Anders Bertilson, Bergaflex. Tel +46 4216 5200, fax +46 4216 5150,[email protected], www.bergaflex.com
