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• In spite of technological advances, the primary function of any building structure
remains the same – protection from the outside environment.
• That being said, the art of building design, both interior and exterior, has evolved
to combine that critical and basic function with style and overall end user comfort.
• The one key factor that affects all 3 design goals is geographical location of a
residence.
• Is your home in an area that gets all four seasons like Pennsylvania or Maryland?
Is the home near the beach or in the mountains?
• One of the 5 external climatic factors that affect a residential design project is the
amount of direct sunlight entering a space, as daylight impacts temperature, visual
environment, space usage, and overall mood.
• Daylight is referred to as ―kinetic lighting‖ because the light from the outside
moves. It is one of the least reliable types of light available as it is affected by the
seasons and the weather
• Daylight, however, can produce an effect unequaled by any electric light source
when properly used.
• So, before we study the incredible benefits of an automated window
treatment, we must first examine the overall impact daylight has on a
residential design
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Direct Daylight
• Has the highest intensity where the sun is unobstructed and at an orientation that
allows the daylight to have a heavy impact on the space
Reflected Daylight
• Sunlight reflected off a building, water, snow, etc
• Often enters a space at a different angle than direct sunlight. Direct sunlight is one
that tends to have a bit more predictability.
Diffused Daylight
• Scattered light comes from the whole sky. Diffused light from the sun does not
exist on blue sky days where there are not clouds. On the other hand, it is found a
lot in areas of smoggy or cloudy weather.
• Because all 3 types of daylight impact the look & feel of a space, we must consider
this when specifying a window treatment option, as fabric type, shade style & control
functionality are all impacted by the 3 types of daylight
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Daylight is very dynamic; the type and intensity of the sunlight available to a home changes
every day with weather conditions and season
Weather
• On a clear sunny day, more direct light is available to create glare or disruptions to the visual
environment. On an overcast day, the clouds create diffused sunlight, softening it before it
reaches the space.
• Homes in different climates will have different types of daylight consistently available. For
example, in the United States, job sites in Arizona typically experience direct sunlight from
cloudless skies and reflected sunlight off of surrounding sand, while sites in Seattle are
predominantly exposed to diffused daylight because of frequent cloud cover.
Season - Daylight availability also changes with the seasons.
• The arc of the sun across the sky differs from season to season. The sun stays closer to the
horizon in winter & climbs higher during the summer, therefore, the angle and intensity of
daylight varies throughout the year. This change in arc also affects the length of time from
sunrise to sunset.
• For example: In NYC in January, the sun rises around 7:20am and sets around 4:40pm,
providing about 9 hours of daylight. In August, the sun rises around 5:50am and sets around
8:15pm, providing over 14 hours of daylight – a 5-hour difference.; Must be able to make
seasonal adjustments to window treatments – i.e. use astronomic time clock
Diffused Daylight
• Scattered light comes from the whole sky. Diffused light from the sun does not exist on blue
sky days where there are not clouds. On the other hand, it is found a lot in areas of
smoggy or cloudy weather.
•B/c all 3 types of daylight impact the look and feel of a space, we must consider this
when specifying a window treatment, as fabric type, shade style & control
functionality are all impacted by the 3 types of daylight
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Location and Orientation
• Strongly impact angle and intensity of available daylight
• As the Earth rotates on its axis and travels around the sun, the most intense solar
energy is delivered along the Equator. Locations further from the equator have
greater seasonal solar variation, while buildings closer to the Equator receive
intense daylight on the East and West façades during sunrise and sunset.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, north-facing façades receive mostly diffused
sunlight. South-facing façades experience intense, direct sunlight. Exposure to
this intense direct sunlight can make south-facing façades susceptible to glare.
• The fact that the sun is lower in the sky in the Winter than in the Summer allows
us to plan and construct buildings that capture that free heat in Winter and reject
heat in the Summer. The orientation of the building plays an important part in
ensuring that this process works
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Siting
• Neighboring homes can provide shade by blocking direct sunlight or create glare
by reflecting light onto the building’s façade.
• Homes built near a mountain, large hill or other tall structure such as trees, will
probably receive shade.
• Dwelling units located near a highly-reflective skyscraper are likely to receive
glare in the form of sunlight bouncing off of the other building’s façade.
Window Size
• Daylight can penetrate the space up to 1.5x the height of the window
Window Composition
• Tinted or Reflective glass can reduce solar heat gain, but also limit the amount of
visible light
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Uncertainty of Daylight means that we can never be exactly sure when
a space will be flooded with daylight and when it will not be based on
previous factors – weather, siting, window composition, etc.
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Eyestrain
• Glare from uncontrolled daylight can wash out television screens and computer
monitors. Imagine the investment one of your clients make on either a dedicated
media room or the AV equipment for a multi-purpose family room. Without the
proper control of daylight, the enhanced image quality they invest in is lost.
• In addition, research shows that people have the reduced ability to adapt to
extreme changes in brightness after they turn 65 (Baby Boomers). It is critical
for us to be aware that as our eyes age, less light actually gets to the retina to
stimulate the nerves, meaning a more senior client requires more light with less
glare in a space.
Safety
• Significant glare in a stairwell can hinder one’s ability to see and potentially
threaten safety
• Aging Eye – a more elderly person may not be able to tell if a hardwood floor
was slick or not, even though there is a glare on those floors from the daylight
streaming in
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In an effort to create a more energy efficient space, the use of automated window
treatments becomes a pertinent consideration.
• Summer Day - Close shades – if possible, specify a fabric with a white or
reflective backing that can reflect daylight away from the space, reducing heat
gain in space and minimizing A/C costs
• Summer Night – Open shades to let heat out, reducing need for additional A/C
from HVAC system
• Winter Day – Open shades to let heat into space, increasing heat gain and
minimizing heating costs
• Winter Night – Close shades, keeping in the heat, using it like a blanket to
warm space and reduce the needs for addition heating from HVAC system
• Uncertainty of Daylight - When attempting to harness daylight and make it a
useable lighting & energy source, one must be conscious of the fact that the
availability of daylight as a heat source & light source fluctuates with outdoor
conditions.
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The information below is taken from a study on ―The Effects of Daylight‖ by Rebecca
Ellison from the Building Conservation Society
• How does this work? – When sunlight falls on an object, the high energy provided
by this radiation excites electrons and in some cases causes them to be displaced
from bonds between atoms, particularly organic compounds. This movement can
lead to stress resulting in damage to the structure of rigid materials.
• Drying oils – medium used for oil paint are bleached by light and tend to increase
in transparency over time.
• Auto-oxidation to varnishes and wood surfaces also causes the above harsh
effects.
• A homeowner spends a significant amount of time choosing all of the objects they
want to display in their home and they make a large investment on these items, but
without the proper window treatment to protect these valuables, that time and
money is lost
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Roller Shades: Style Options
• Sheer Fabrics: Have the ability to diffuse daylight coming into the space while preserving the outdoor view. Clients can enjoy the feeling of soft, filtered daylight while enjoying a glare-free space at any time of day.
• Dim-Out Fabrics: Further reduction of heat gain in a space while providing enhanced privacy – only shapes & shadows can be seen
• Blackout Fabrics: Block light penetration for a total privacy & light blockage
• Dark fabric: Maintain view; Clients can be hesitant to install a window treatment in certain rooms that overlook a scenery. They may even tell you ―I don’t want to cover this up; I paid for the view‖. With a sheer, dark, roller shade fabric, they are able to preserve their view while preserving their precious furnishings from harsh UV damage.
• Gray Fabric: View is partially maintained and color offers a softer look to the space
• White Fabric :Light is reflected to reduce heat gain in space
• Dual-sided: reflect light away from space (white); Maintain outdoor view (dark)
Considerations
• Inside mount, outside mount, pocket mount
• Do they want to control each shade individually or multiple shades as a group?
• What is the application? Are the shades in a bay window? Are they on ―his‖ and ―her‖ side of the bed and need individual control?
• Performance-based vs. designer on fabric
Best Application
• Specify two rollers on one window: Blackout for privacy & elimination of glare; sheer to maintain view outdoors in the daytime
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Roman Shades: Style Options
• Soft fabrics have not experienced gravity. They are typically stored on a roll until made into a drapery or Roman shade. It is natural for fabrics to ―relax‖ and lengthen over time. Be sure that installer adds a little extra length to shade, allowing proper clearances for sills. Lining fabric adds structure & can minimize relaxation.
• Woven woods are a natural and thus, sometimes heavy. These materials may relax over time as well. However, edge binding restricts the natural stretching of woven wood shades. which may result in a bowed center, causing a ―smile‖ at the bottom of the shade, or a pucker just above the bottom batten. The larger the shade, the more pronounced this effect tends to be.
Drapery Track
• Pinch pleat style is named for the pleated look created by pinched gatherings of the fabric at the top of the drapery.
• Ripplefold pleat style is named for the soft, consistent ripples created by the drapery as it hangs from the track. It offers an elegant, contemporary look — ideal for both residential & commercial settings.
• ―Stack back‖ is often a desired look in a space, showing off the fabric on both ends of the window/wall to soften up the space. Be sure to measure appropriately so that you are not covering the desired view, especially important if drapery going over a television in a media room
Venetians
• Custom staining is typically available for genuine hardwoods; aluminum slats are a functional solution for a commercial application
• Valances hide the headrail while giving the blind a sophisticated, finished look.
Decorative tapes conceal lift cords while increasing light-blocking performance, all while adding a colorful accent to a venetian blind
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Installation must be a consideration early in the specification process so
the shade provider can plan appropriately to achieve the desired look.
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• Think about the last time you looked at a building from the outside. Now try to
picture the window treatments. Did they all line up perfectly for a uniform look?
• Or were they at varying heights? Automated roller shades have the ability
to line up at the exact same height at all times to enhance the aesthetic
from the inside of the space and out.
• In addition, roller shades come in a number of tube diameters to accommodate
both narrow & wide windows, as well as openings that are both short & tall.
• When it comes to fabrics, this solution comes in a number of high performance
solutions that we will later discuss, creating a strong marriage of function & style.
• Also, the nature of this window treatment allows for seamless movement up &
down the window for a subtle & sophisticated look
• Lastly, when specifying roller shades, be aware of the amount of light leakage
around the window sill. You will want to choose one with minimal light gaps to get
the overall, desired effect.
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• They get their energy efficiency from the pockets of air that the cells create,
trapping air in the shade & away from the space, making it cooler in the summer &
warmer in the winter
• Reduce noise as they absorb sounds that would typically be reflected off of the
hard surface of the window. This is helpful in home theater rooms or multi-purpose
rooms where one is attempting to isolate that space for a full theater effect.
• By having the ability to open top down or bottom up, these shades allow light into
the space while still preserving the view and offering partial privacy.
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Can also open top down or bottom up for more flexibility
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Elegant use of soft fabric that not only controls the light but also adds a
decorative element to a home
Next, we will take a more detailed look at all of the available style options.
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Flat – a simple, flat structure with no seams or horizontal stitching; best showcases
fabric with pattern
Hobbled – a tailored, cascaded design with a waterfall effect; add softness to a space &
showcases how light plays off of the cascade of fabric
Knifed – A clean, modern flat style with distinct horizontal seams; structured look lends
itself to formal spaces or contemporary settings
Casual – a softer, unstructured shade; looks best with light-colored fabrics with little or
no pattern.
Austrian – offers a very traditional look to the space, and is a nice style for a classic
theater room or an old-world feel
• Depending on fabric and style, Roman shades can have a wide range of looks and
applications.
• They can have a formal appearance for a dining or living room or they may take on a
casual look in kitchens and bedrooms.
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Lift Cords vs. Bands
Lift Cords: Become tangled in motion vs. Bands: Lay seamlessly on top of each other
Lift Cords: Made of organic material that can deteriorate over time vs. Bands:
Oftentimes, made of man-made material for additional durability
Lift Cords: Stack & slip as they travel vs. Bands: Consistently smooth & even motion
Lift Cords: Uneven motion can cause a noticeable snapping noise to occur vs.
Bands: have near-silent operation
CPSC called for a recall on Roman shades with string uptake system as exposed inner
cords may pose a strangulation hazard to children
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Drapery tracks give a soft look to a space and can be layered to compliment other
window treatment solutions
Ex – Roller shade underneath a drapery track to create an inviting look
When automated, right, left & center draw tracks have just one motor that moves the
fabric either left/right
A tandem track is one track with two motors to allow for increased system capacity;
long center draw, heavier fabrics, wider application
Benefits
Drapery acts like a blanket for your windows. When closed, provides added insulation
to the room while reducing noise in a space
Drapery can be a nice substitute for padding on the walls in a media room
Add drama and ―wow‖ factor to a theater room or multi-purpose space
Give your end users the convenience of sleeping on their own schedule by providing
them total blackout in their master bedroom at any time of day
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• The pleated fabric rolls around the tube & rises seamlessly and silently out of view.
• An innovative and architecturally astute window treatment style
• An industry first – draperies that travel up & down versus left & right
• Its clever design provides the soft look of a drapery panel without the often
undesired ―stack back‖ that can take up to 1/3 the length of the drapery track
obstructing outside views and window openings
• ex) 12 ft wide sliding glass doors with traditional drapery would always have
4 ft of views blocked with stack back
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• Venetian blinds give a very timeless look to any interior. By adding automation to this
traditional window treatment, you will be giving this solution an entirely new appeal
• This window treatment is one of the most flexible shading solutions as it not only
allows for the adjustment of the blind’s height but also of the angle of the slats.
• With this added functionality, you are able to direct daylight throughout the space
• Angle blinds upwards and away from furnishings – allowing daylight to filter in,
but reducing the effects of UV damage
• Angle blinds downwards to provide daylight to certain areas of the room and
allowing the space to warm up
• Close the slats for complete privacy and elimination of glare
• Maintain a uniform appearance in the space as the height of the blinds stay perfectly
aligned and the slats move in unison
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• Inside Mount is the most common way to install a tensioned shade system
• Recessed Inside Mount is typically done in New Construction applications
where the frame of the shade can be completely concealed
• Surface Mount – Ideal for Retrofit
Benefits
• Reduce glare
• Manage HVAC costs to save energy
• Bottom-Up shades – Ideal for spaces located on the ground floor especially if
there is an abundant amount of foot traffic near or around home
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Now that we have a strong understanding of why daylight control is necessary for occupant
comfort and how to choose the right shading solution for each application, it is time to
explore how an automated shading solution can positively impact a residential space. As
you will learn, the ability to control a window treatment adds an entirely new list of unique
benefits.
Motor - Responsible for the motion of the window treatment. Please note that the noise
level of operation can vary from system to system
Tube - Houses the motor. Roller shade fabric is affixed to the tube
Brackets - Utilized to mount the window treatment – wall, ceiling, jamb available
Power - Depending on the type of motorized solution you are using, this could be line
voltage, low voltage or even battery operated
Controls - Wall mounted, tabletop, handheld remote controls; user interfaces that are able
to recall presets – opening & closing individual shades or a group of window treatments
Additional processors (optional)
• To allow time clock functionality – adjustment of shades in relationship to sunrise & sunset
• Sensor integration – daylight sensors (too bright, lower shades), electric light sensors (turn
on electric lights automatically when walking into room)
• 3rd party control – control shades from mobile devices – iPad, iPhone, etc.
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The most important differentiating factor between automated window systems is how they are motorized. 3 popular ways to motorize window systems are Line Voltage, Battery Powered, and Low Voltage, including Digital Low Voltage.
Line Voltage - Traditionally used for exterior shade & awning systems. These powerful motors can support heavy fabric loads and are durable enough to withstand outdoor elements, like wind & rain. However, these motors can be noisy (e.g. can opener) and distracting when operated and due to inherent variations in AC motor technology, these systems can not be relied upon to track evenly over time.
Battery-powered - Provide wireless power and control making them great fit for retrofit projects. Lift capabilities and system size may be limited due to battery power. Consider the life of the battery as it relates to cost and convenience of replacement.
Low-voltage - AC power to a transformer that then converts power into DC (low voltage). Lower installation cost due to the fact that one would not have to use conduit in installation. Low voltage systems that do not have intelligence built in are known to track unevenly over time. The data that tells the shades where to go is sent through wires, and if the length of the wires are different, the various shades may receive the command at different times, causing uneven movement.
Digital Low-voltage - Certain low voltage systems have intelligence built in allowing for shades to move in complete unison. A number of low voltage shades today also move in near-silent operation, avoiding noise disruption.
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What is one thing that makes an automated window treatment different from a
simple manual shade?
Control
• Have you ever had a window that was way out of reach? If so, think about how
often you moved the shade covering that window? Did you even bother to cover it?
• Automated shades give your customers control of hard-to-reach shades by
pressing a button that will trigger smooth movement up and down.
• Think back to the last time you wanted to open up all or most of the window
treatments in a space or in the house. What did you have to do? Walk up to each
one and manually pull open the shade, right?
• Automated window treatments give you presets where one button press can
trigger a number of shades to open, close or go to a predetermined level
(e.g. halfway) all at the same time
• Think of the last bright sunny day, middle of the afternoon when the sun is glaring
into the house. If you’re sitting in a space that has direct sunlight, you begin to get
uncomfortable, so you walk up to the shade and lower them.
• Now think about yourself away from the house. The sun is beaming into the
room, allowing the space to heat up and the A/C to kick in. With an automatic
shade, you can have it set on timers so that, midday, the shades close
automatically, reflecting light away from the space & keeping the space
cool.
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• Think back to projects you have worked on where the windows were over 10
feet tall. Now, imagine your client wanting to open the blinds on a nice spring day
to let the daylight in, but they are out of reach. Now, with the simple press of a
button from a couch or even their mobile device, they open and close those
shades – conveniently.
• Now think about a house with a lot of windows, or at least 3-4 windows side-by-
side. Instead of having to walk up to each treatment and pull cords to open &
close the shade, they can now press one button and all shades will move
together for faster, easier control.
• Next, imagine that same client in the morning, just waking up & wanting to open
the blinds for a wake-up call from the sun. They can simply press one button
―Good Morning‖ to open the shades, and welcome the daylight in, without even
getting out of bed.
• By integrating a shading system into an electric light control system, a
homeowner can now, from the bedside, press one button to lower the shades,
close the drapes, and turn off the lights to ensure a deep slumber that will not be
interrupted by harsh daylight
• Or by pressing the button on an integrated mobile device, one could ensure
that the shades in the home were in the closed position after leaving the home
for a day or weekend trip.
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• Press one button that adjusts all of the desired shades and all of the lights to create the
perfect scene.
• Maybe you have a gorgeous painting that you would like to highlight & a piece of
furniture in the room that you’d like to mute because of its scale in the space.
• Here, you would put the sheer shade down allowing daylight to gently filter into the
space and make the lights above the painting brighter; dim the lights above the
couch to create movement in the space towards the artwork
• Press another button that recalls a different lighting atmosphere that would be appropriate
for a different activity
• Recall a preset that brings a horizontal blind all the way down, but adjusts the slats
so that they point slightly upward, allowing daylight to warm up and brighten the
space while not flooding the room with light. That same button would dim the electric
lights – saving energy while creating a warm atmosphere
• It is critical that these seamless transitions are done silently so that the automation is not
disruptive and the only thing a client notices is the overall effect.
• How many of you all would say that a significant portion of your business is based off of
referrals? For this reason, it is critical to leave a client ―wowed‖. Your signature must be on
every one of those completed residential spaces.
• By combining a window treatment that has a unique design characteristic – custom
printing, unique fabrics – with automation that is able to compliment the
overall aesthetic, you are giving your clients a solution that many have
never experienced and one they will never forget.
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• If there are multiple shades in a single space, you can ensure that window
treatments are moving up & down at the exact same speed and level. You can also
ensure that slats on a horizontal blind move in unison
• To achieve this effect, ensure that you are specifying a solution with an
advanced microprocessor that calculates hembar alignment
• This type of precision is a reflection of your attention to details
• When specifying a solution, choose one that requires minimal wire connections to
achieve a clean, finished look
• Layer fabrics to create depth in space
• It is also critical you compliment the décor with coordinating accessories – keypads
that match the wall color and blend into the design
• Label buttons with permanent engraving so that wording does not fade or fall off
over time and so that an end user is left with an easy-to-use interface
• An automated shading solution can be tied into a time clock to make shades close
when the sun is brightest, preserving artwork from harsh, UV rays
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• During peak hours of sun, the shades would close & eliminate glare, making it
safer for a client to walk through the stairwell (critical for elderly who are
especially affected by glare)
• Either automatically or by single-touch control, all the window coverings can
come down at once.
• One can tie a security system into an interface so that when a security system
is breached, the shades would open and lights would flash, allowing onlookers to
see inside the home and scare away a potential intruder.
• In addition, an automated shading system could be integrated with lights that
has a feature enabling proactive security. In order to prevent a break-in from ever
happening, one could recall a preset labeled ―vacation‖ or ―away‖ that would
move the shades throughout the day and night, making the house look lived in
while occupants are not home. Your shades would also close while away so no
one could see the expensive furnishings inside the home.
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Manage HVAC Costs
• Summer Day: Lower shades to block out daylight and reduce cooling cost in
a space while decreasing glare and filtering out UV rays
• Winter Day: Open shades let daylight in, warming up the space & reducing
heating costs; utilizing sunlight also reduces the amount of electric light used
• A properly controlled automated shading system can reduce HVAC costs
up to 10%
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PVC-free
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is used in many fabrics to make them more durable
• Additives of PVC off-gas and create the familiar ―new car‖ smell when the shade is
first installed
• PVC-free fabrics do not contain these additives
Recycled Content
• Made in part or whole from materials which contain either reused, remanufactured,
or reconditioned material, and includes recycled raw materials
GREENGUARD Certification
• GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is an independent organization that tests &
certifies materials used for furnishings to ensure they contain non-existent levels of
contaminants that could impact indoor air quality
• It’s the ENERGYSTAR of fabrics
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification
• Similar to GREENGUARD
• Harmful substances must be non-existent or at trace levels in order to receive this
certification
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