DSS-P.04.01 — Ceramic Frit Pattern Boundaries (design)

Ceramic frit (silk-screened/enamel) is a fired, glass-ceramic coating applied in controlled patterns (e.g., dots, lines, gradients, bands) for solar control, opacity, or aesthetics. Pattern boundaries (dot-matrix edges, band terminations, registration seams) are intentional design features, not worked-surface defects. Observation follows VIS inspection geometry; post-restoration acceptance for any worked area remains distinct from factory/product acceptance.

• Uniform, repeatable geometry (dot pitch, line spacing, edges) that stays consistent across the lite or series.
• Angle-dependent contrast: edges may read more strongly in oblique/raking views; a non-invasive reveal (clean & dry) does not change the boundary.
• On spandrel/frit bands, transitions may be feathered (dot gradient) or hard-edge by design.

Surface-catch class (MSRT):

• On the intended frit face, record the MSRT result without probing; run one light, non-marring pass only. Treat frit as product geometry/finish; on coated systems or IGUs default to visual morphology + location if any risk exists. (MSRT supports classification only.)

Visual signature:

• Pattern-true edge with no worked transition ring, no chip flanks/pits, and no directional swirl/web typical of mechanical/chemical damage.
• Boundary aligns with screen registration or design intent; adjacent glass face shows SC-0 and no perimeter.

Viewing/lighting:

• Inspect at 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal + oblique sweep (~60°-120°); use raking to document edge clarity/regularity; surfaces clean & dry (non-invasive reveal).

Location/access:

• Log pane ID and surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal). Note if frit is inboard of IGU (#2/#3) or exposed. Acceptance in VIS pertains to the exposed surface being evaluated.

• Design/processing feature - not surface damage. When the observation is a uniform, repeatable frit boundary with no worked-area perimeter and SC-0 on adjacent face, record “Design Feature - Not Surface Damage (outside CAT-1...CAT-4).”
• Escalate when:
• Frit over-spray / smear / offset appears outside the intended pattern (see Co.05.01 / Co.05.03) or a rub/scuff changes sheen (Co.02.02 / Co.01.01). → Classify under Coating Anomalies by morphology and assign CAT per VIS (appearance-only).
• Between-pane indication (fixed parallax at #2/#3 in an IGU) or otherwise inaccessible → CAT-5 by location/condition; refer per project protocol.

• Fired frit typically reads SC-0 at adjacent clear glass; the frit itself may present micro-texture/orange-peel inherent to the product but not a worked transition. Numeric depth is not required for classification; acceptance remains appearance-based in VIS.

• vs. Paint overspray (R.02.01 / Co.05.03): Overspray leaves random, non-registered specks/film beyond design edges; may soften with reveal or show directional deposition. Frit boundaries are registered, uniform.
• vs. Coating rub/patchiness (Co.01/Co.02/Co.03): Rubs create sheen shifts or streaks that may have a worked perimeter; VIS disallows anomalies on the worked surface at acceptance. Frit edges do not present a worked ring.
• vs. Abrasion fields (M.02): Abrasion shows swirls/web/cross-hatch and can escalate to SC-1/SC-2; frit boundaries remain pattern-true and non-tactile at adjacent clear glass.

• Photo set (VIS): 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal + oblique; include raking macros of the boundary and context frames proving pattern continuity (not a localized worked patch). Note lighting/time and reveal status.
• MSRT result: Record SC class at adjacent clear face (avoid probing into frit). One pass only; non-marring. On suspected coated surfaces, prefer polymer stylus or visual-only.
• Forms: Pane ID; surface numbering; worked surface Y/N; functional coating present on worked surface? (Y/N/Unknown); geometry checklist; photos attached.
• Acceptance split: VIS governs post-restoration appearance (no transition edge/directional patterning in any worked area); factory frit patterning remains a design/product attribute.

Attempting to “blend” a frit boundary to “soften” its appearance will create a worked region on the clear glass with a visible transition edge, which VIS disallows at acceptance (CAT-0...CAT-4). Do not alter design pattern geometry.

• P.04.01 Ceramic Frit Pattern Boundary (Design Feature) - Uniform, registered frit boundary observed at VIS geometry; adjacent clear face MSRT = SC-0 (no relief). No transition edge, no chip-flank/pit morphology beyond the designed pattern. Logged as design/processing feature - not surface damage under VIS-DA. If over-spray/smear or coating rub is present beyond design edges, classify under Co family by CAT; if between-pane, record CAT-5 and refer per protocol.