9
Polythene Information Sheet
Discount
Failure in 1st year
100%
Failure in 2nd year
80%
Failure in 3rd year
60%
Failure in 4th year
40%
Failure in 5th year
20%
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Type of polythene (ie, Clear, Thermal or White)
■
Date polythene was purchased
■
Date polythene was installed
■
Size of polythene sheet (width and length)
■
Date when problem was noticed
■
Invoice number
■
Description of the problem
■
You will also be required to provide a written letter
and photograph(s) of the fault.
Recommendations & Conditions
The way in which polytunnel films are handled, installed
and looked after, can greatly influence the lifetime of
the film and its effectiveness in use. The following gives
recommendations of use, and factors, which will limit the
life of the polytunnel film and therefore the extent of our
guarantee.
Prior to fitting the polytunnel film, it should be stored
away from heat and light – preferably indoors, in the
original wrapping. If outside, cover the polythene with
an opaque heat reflecting tarpaulin. Film should be used
within 12 months of purchase.
Heaters must be placed so that hot air is directed away
from the film.
The metal structure must be insulated from the film with
good quality anti-hot spot tape. The lifetime of anti-hot
spot tape is not likely to be more than ten years, so new
tape will be needed for the second or third cladding. Old
tape may have breaks in the foam or in the polyester
facing, and this should certainly be replaced.
Avoid excessive use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides,
fertilisers, etc. Avoid chemicals coming into direct
contact with the film, for example by spray drift.
Agrochemicals can interact with the UV stabilising
systems and deactivate them with the risk of premature
failure. Chemicals containing sulphur or chlorine have
been found to be the most harmful in this respect.
Ensure that structures are free from corrosion, as this will
adversely affect the life of the film. Iron contamination
from rusted structures acts as a photo-degradation
promoter. In the event of failure, evidence of high levels
of sulphur, chlorine or iron will invalidate the guarantee.
It is regretted that it is not possible to give compensation
for consequential claims.
Polythene Care
A cleaning agent called Algon is ideal for cleaning covers.
Repairing holes in the tunnel can be done with repair
tape
This is available from First Tunnels.
Introduction
Polythene is a flexible membrane, which is used to
create a micro-climate in which plants grow better than
they would if they were unprotected. Polytunnels not
only allow you to grow crops which are from a more
temperate climate, but also to grow crops earlier in the
year, and later in the year, so lengthening the growing
season.
Modern polythene films are extruded and are made up
from 3 layers with different filters in each layer. This is one
of the reasons they are incredibly strong and can often
be stretched more than 500% before they break.
We are committed to providing the highest standard of
product and service to our customers. We will continue
to invest in the latest technology and use materials best
suited to meet the needs of the grower.
Our Quality Policy is to aim to deliver defect free
products and services that conform, every time, to the
requirements agreed with our customers.
Guarantee
The polythene sheet supplied is guaranteed for 5 years
against breaking down through exposure to sunlight.
However, if it is correctly applied to the structure,
it is not uncommon to get 7 or even 10 years out
of a cover. In the unlikely event that you have been
supplied a defective cover we will give you another
cover completely free if it fails in the first year. The only
manufacturing defect however where this is likely to
happen is where the fold splits.
However you are not
covered if the fold splits and the cover is not tight.
After the first year we will give you a new cover less the
amount of use you have had from it already. i.e. the cover
is guaranteed for 60 months and if you have used it for
24 months you will have to pay a fifth of the cost towards
the cost of a new cover.
In the event of the premature failure, the following
discounts will be given on the purchase of a replacement
film:
To register a claim, contact the polythene supplier from
whom the film was purchased and have the following
information available:
