In newbuild projects, the specification of navigation bridge window fittings is rarely treated as a design-stage decision. Window blinds and anti-glare screens tend to be handled at the outfitting stage, when the vessel’s structural drawings are already fixed and the classification society’s design review is either complete or well advanced. By this point, the opportunity to integrate the fitting correctly has already passed.
The consequences are predictable. Mounting conflicts with other bridge equipment emerge during installation. Screen geometry does not align with the window framing that was drawn without it. Specified products lack the Type Approval required under IMO SOLAS. Retrofitting at this stage is expensive and disruptive. This guide sets out why early specification matters, what architects and outfitters need to know about the regulatory framework, and how to avoid the most common errors before they become problems on the build.
Why Specification Timing Matters in Newbuild Projects
Newbuild vessel design progresses through distinct phases, and decisions made in early phases constrain what is possible in later ones. The structural design and window framing dimensions are resolved long before the outfitting schedule begins. Classification society plan approval, including review of navigation bridge arrangements, happens during the design phase. Once the structural drawings are submitted and approved, changes that affect window openings, mounting points, or bridge equipment arrangement become costly engineering change orders.
Window fittings, including anti-glare screens and roller blinds, affect the structural drawing in ways that are not obvious until installation is underway. The roller housing requires clearance above the window frame. The mounting mechanism requires fixings that must be planned into the structure. The screen geometry must match the window dimensions exactly. None of this can be resolved easily once the structural drawing is fixed. Specifying the window fittings at the drawing stage eliminates all of these conflicts before they arise.
The correct time to specify navigation bridge window fittings is at the same time the window arrangements are being drawn — not at the outfitting stage when the structure is already determined.
The practical implication for architects and outfitting managers is that window fitting suppliers should be engaged during the design phase, not during procurement. A supplier who can provide certified technical drawings, dimensional data, and Type Approval documentation at the design stage is a design partner, not a vendor.
What Architects and Design Engineers Need to Know About Bridge Window Fittings
IMO SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 22 requires that navigation bridge windows and their fittings do not impair the officer of the watch’s field of vision. IMO Resolution MSC.64(67) Annex 1 sets the specific performance standards that navigation bridge window fittings must meet. A fitting that does not meet this standard is not compliant, regardless of how it performs in other respects.
Type Approval from a recognised classification society is the mechanism by which a product is independently confirmed to meet this standard. Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA each maintain Type Approval programmes for navigation bridge equipment. A product without Type Approval from one of these societies cannot be used on a commercial vessel subject to SOLAS requirements without creating a compliance risk.
From a structural drawing perspective, window fittings introduce the following design considerations:
- Roller housing depth: The roller mechanism sits above the window opening and requires a defined clearance zone. This must be planned into the headliner or deckhead arrangement above the bridge windows.
- Fixing point loads: Mounting brackets transfer load to the window frame or surrounding structure. The structural drawing must accommodate the fixing pattern.
- Screen sweep geometry: For anti-glare screens, the swept area must correspond to the usable window opening. Dimensional coordination between the screen and the window frame must happen at the drawing stage.
- Cable and control routing: Motorised or operated fittings may require conduit routes planned into the bridge structure.
The Five Specification Errors That Cause Problems at Outfitting Stage
| Error | Consequence | How to Avoid |
| Leaving specification to the outfitter without design input | Products selected on price without reference to Type Approval or dimensional fit; rework required on site | Include window fitting specification in the design phase brief and assign responsibility to the design team |
| Not specifying Type Approval as a mandatory requirement | Non-approved products ordered and installed; compliance deficiency identified at survey or inspection | Include Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, or RINA as a non-negotiable specification requirement in all tender documents |
| Failing to coordinate roller housing clearance with deckhead design | Roller housing conflicts with deckhead liner or overhead equipment; installation requires unplanned structural modification | Request dimensional drawings from the window fitting supplier during the structural design phase and incorporate clearances into the deckhead arrangement drawing |
| Specifying screen dimensions without reference to usable window opening | Screens do not cover the required area or overlap adjacent fittings; remade products required | Confirm usable window dimensions from the structural drawing before finalising the window fitting specification |
| Using a generic procurement specification that accepts equivalent products | Substitution of non-approved products by procurement teams or outfitters who treat the specification as approximate | Name the required Type Approval societies explicitly in the specification and require certificate copies before acceptance of delivery |
Working With the Right Supplier From the Drawing Stage
Engaging the window fitting supplier at the drawing stage rather than the outfitting stage provides four practical benefits: dimensional data that can be incorporated directly into the structural drawing; certified technical drawings that support classification society plan review; Type Approval documentation that can be included in the vessel’s certification file from the outset; and confirmation that the specified product is in production and available within the build schedule.
Solar Solve Marine supplies certified technical drawings and full Type Approval documentation for all SOLASOLV® and ROLASOLV® products. The technical team can support design engineers and outfitters through the specification process, from initial dimensional coordination to final certification. Technical information for newbuild specification is available on the technical information page.
Certified Technical Drawings Available on Request
Solar Solve Marine can provide certified technical drawings for SOLASOLV® and ROLASOLV® products on request. These drawings include roller housing dimensions, fixing patterns, swept area geometry, and clearance requirements. They can be supplied in formats suitable for direct incorporation into the structural drawing package. To request technical drawings, contact Solar Solve with the window opening dimensions and vessel type.
Type Approval Documentation for Classification Society Review
Full Type Approval certificates for SOLASOLV® screens, covering Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA, are available for inclusion in the classification society design submission. These documents confirm that the specified fitting meets the IMO MSC.64(67) Annex 1 performance standard. Certificate copies are available from the Solar Solve downloads page.
ROLASOLV® and SOLASOLV® — Products Designed for Newbuild Specification
Solar Solve Marine manufactures two product ranges for navigation bridge window fittings, both Type Approved and both available with full dimensional and certification documentation for design-stage specification.
| Product | Application | Type Approval | Key Feature |
| SOLASOLV® Anti-Glare Screens | Navigation bridge windows requiring solar glare and heat reduction | Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, RINA | Up to 93% glare reduction, up to 87% heat rejection, clear undistorted outward view maintained at all times |
| ROLASOLV® Specialist Fabric Roller Blinds | Navigation bridge windows requiring fabric roller blind with compliance certification | Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, RINA | Specialist marine-grade fabric, designed for commercial vessel navigation bridge requirements |
Both product ranges are manufactured at the Solar Solve facility in South Shields, UK and have been supplied to more than 20,000 vessels across 108 countries. For a full overview of marine sector applications, visit the Solar Solve marine sector page.
A Specification Checklist for Architects and Outfitters
- Include window fitting specification in the design brief at the same time as the window arrangement drawing
- Confirm the vessel’s flag state and classification society to determine which Type Approval is required
- Specify Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, or RINA as a mandatory procurement requirement in all tender documents
- Request dimensional drawings from the window fitting supplier during the structural design phase
- Incorporate roller housing clearances and fixing points into the deckhead and framing arrangement drawings
- Confirm usable window opening dimensions from the structural drawing before finalising product dimensions
- Request Type Approval certificates for inclusion in the classification society design submission
- Name the specific approved product in the procurement specification to prevent substitution
- Confirm product availability and lead time against the outfitting schedule before locking in the specification
- Retain copies of the Type Approval certificates in the vessel’s permanent certification file
Frequently Asked Questions
At what stage of a newbuild project should navigation bridge window fittings be specified?
Window fittings should be specified during the structural design phase, at the same time as the window arrangement drawings are being developed. This allows roller housing clearances, fixing points, and screen geometry to be incorporated into the structural drawing before it is fixed. Leaving specification to the outfitting stage means structural constraints are already determined, which often results in rework costs and installation conflicts.
Do navigation bridge roller blinds and screens need Type Approval for newbuild vessels?
Yes. IMO SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 22 requires that navigation bridge window fittings do not impair the field of vision, and IMO Resolution MSC.64(67) Annex 1 sets the performance standard. Type Approval from a recognised classification society — Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, or RINA — is the independent confirmation that a product meets this standard. A non-approved product creates a compliance risk that will typically surface during the classification society survey or a port state control inspection.
Can Solar Solve Marine provide drawings and documentation for newbuild specification?
Yes. Solar Solve Marine can supply certified technical drawings, dimensional data, and full Type Approval certificates for SOLASOLV® and ROLASOLV® products to support design-stage specification. These documents are suitable for inclusion in the structural drawing package and the classification society design submission. Contact the Solar Solve technical team with the window opening dimensions and vessel type to request the relevant drawings.
What is the difference between SOLASOLV® and ROLASOLV® for newbuild specification purposes?
SOLASOLV® is a rigid anti-glare screen that reduces solar glare by up to 93 per cent and solar heat by up to 87 per cent while maintaining a clear, undistorted outward view. ROLASOLV® is a specialist fabric roller blind range for navigation bridge windows. Both are Type Approved by Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA and both are available with full dimensional and certification documentation for design-stage specification. The choice between them depends on the vessel operator’s preference and the specific requirements of the navigation bridge design.
