BLIND SOLUTIONS
Motorisation Selection & Specification | Technical Shading Professional CPD Module
Technical Shading Professional CPD module: Motorisation Selection & Specification. R3,000. For South African architects and specifiers.
Published 27 May 2026
Technical Shading Professional (TSP)
Motorisation Selection & Specification
R3,000
Specify the right motor, controls and integration strategy for South African shading projects—across climate, compliance and real-world occupancy demands.
Why This Module?
- South African façades face extreme solar exposure in Gauteng, the Highveld and the Northern Cape; the wrong motor torque or control logic can leave blinds hunting, stalling or underperforming exactly when glare and heat gain are at their worst.
- Load shedding, backup power systems and intermittent supply mean motorisation cannot be treated as an afterthought—specifiers need to understand low-voltage, battery-backed and fail-safe options that keep buildings operational.
- SANS 10400-XA and SANS 204 place increasing emphasis on energy performance and daylighting; automated shading must be coordinated with glazing, orientation and HVAC to avoid overheating, glare and wasted cooling capacity.
- Coastal corrosion, dust, high-cycle institutional use and maintenance access constraints in SA projects require durable motors, appropriate ingress protection, and specification language that protects the client over the full lifecycle.
Pro tip: For east- and west-facing glazing in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, specify sensor-driven solar control rather than simple time schedules. Fixed timers often miss the actual peak glare window and frustrate occupants.
Detailed Curriculum
1. Project drivers and performance criteria — How orientation, façade type, occupancy profile and climate zone determine the right motorisation strategy for South African buildings.
2. Motor types and power options — Tubular motors, low-voltage systems, battery-backed solutions, wired power, and where each is appropriate in new-build and retrofit scenarios.
3. Control architectures and integration — Local switches, group controls, scene setting, time schedules, sensors, and integration with BMS platforms such as KNX, BACnet and dry-contact interfaces.
4. Specification parameters that matter — Torque, duty cycle, lift capacity, speed, noise, tube compatibility, end limits, fabric weight and how to avoid under- or over-specification.
5. Compliance, standards and coordination — Coordinating automated shading with SANS 10400-XA, SANS 204, electrical requirements, fire and egress considerations, and consultant interfaces.
6. Sensor logic and automation strategy — Sun, wind, temperature and occupancy inputs; override logic; holiday settings; and how to prevent “blind chasing” and occupant dissatisfaction.
7. Detailing for installation and retrofit — Headbox space, concealment, access panels, wiring routes, service clearances, and specification notes that reduce site variation.
8. Commissioning, handover and maintenance — Functional testing, end-user training, O&M documentation, spare parts planning and lifecycle considerations for commercial and institutional buildings.
Pro tip: In load shedding-prone projects, ask early whether the client expects the shading to function on backup power. A motor that is brilliant on mains supply can become a liability if it cannot recover after outages or integrate with UPS / battery backup.
Learning Outcomes
- Assess a project’s façade, climate and occupancy conditions and determine the most suitable motorisation approach.
- Differentiate between motor types, control methods and power options for new-build and retrofit applications.
- Specify torque, duty cycle, tube compatibility and control interfaces with confidence.
- Align shading automation with SANS 10400-XA / SANS 204 energy-performance objectives and consultant coordination requirements.
- Write clearer specification clauses that reduce site substitutions, coordination errors and commissioning issues.
- Identify maintenance and access implications that affect long-term operational reliability and client satisfaction.
Who Should Take This Module
This module is designed for South African architects, architectural technologists, specifiers, sustainability consultants, façade consultants and project managers who are responsible for high-performance shading decisions. It is especially relevant for professionals working on commercial offices, schools, healthcare, hospitality, mixed-use and high-density residential projects where daylight control, heat gain, glare and operational reliability matter.
Pro tip: Don’t specify the motor in isolation. Coordinate the blind size, fabric type, tube diameter, control logic and access strategy together—this is where most performance failures and costly redesigns begin.
Prerequisites
None — suitable for all registered professionals.
CPD Points
Pending accreditation with SACAP, SAICE and ECSA. This module is intended to carry 1 structured CPD point.