4bird

Every year, hundreds of millions of birds die in Europe as a result of collision with transparent glass. Environmental protectionists and ornithologists are concerned that it is a serious problem of nature conservation and on the population dynamic of bids.

A significant factor is the increased amount of construction over the last decades, which has made a drastic impact on the activity spaces of birds. The often used bird of prey stickers have proven to be completely ineffective and cannot prevent bird collision.

Since humans and birds share the same space, it is our responsibility to confront this issue.

1 | effective protection is standardised

In October 2010 - Bird protection glass, proof of effectiveness - with the ONR 191040 has for the first time been published in a standard which determines the measures necessary for effective bird protection.

In recent years, many products have been offered which claim to reduce bird impact on glass surfaces, so it was high time that the term "bird protection glass" was clearly defined. Leading ornithologists from Germany who have been concerned about the development of measures for avoidance of bird impact on glass surfaces, have agreed on strict criteria. Only when in detailed description of test reports do 90 of 100 bids recognise the obstacle is it permitted to use the term "Bird protection glass in accordance with ONR 191040".

2 | Austria sets benchmarks

The Austrian environmental ministry has supported research in recent years to achieve meaningful and reproducible test methods.

Environmental protection in Austria has a high priority. This is proven by the legislation – ON Regulation 191040 – Bird protection glass – testing of effectiveness. The scientific foundation has been established by the test methods provided by the Biological Station Hohenau-Ringelsdorf with its Flight Tunnel II. This reproducible method is suitable for reliable evaluation of collision risk. The birds are not harmed – they are used for one test and then immediately let free.

International recognition has been found in the USA – similar facilities are currently being built.

The Hohenauer experiments clearly indicate that only high effectiveness (9:1) as recommended by Rössler & Laube 2008, can bee seen as the target level of protection. This is possible today by using intelligent products.

The many propagated action mechanisms which are based on the theory of birds recognising UV light have not yet been documented by the Hohenauer Method.

- Method Hohenau - test methods bird protection

4BIRD is a permanent marking on fully tempered safety glass with tested designs and harmonised colours on fully tempered glass with heat soak test. The known characteristics of Tempered Safety Glass allow the use in any construction application and with a combination into a laminated safety glass it also provides safety against falling. Achieving up maximum transparency – up to 94 % of the glass surface can remain transparent but still retain their maximum effectiveness. All designs fulfil Category A and are therefore “very effective”. Discreet but effective, permanent and economical.

- 4BIRD brochure

3 | applications

• facade systems
• lift enclosures
• balustrades
• noise barriers
• street furniture
• free standing partitions
• conservatories

1 | glass types

The carrier sheet of 4BIRD is typically made of fully tempered monolithic safety glass with heat soak test.

In laminated safety glass versions, the individual sheets are typically made of heat-strengthened with 0.76mm PvB interlayer. The 4BIRD marking is normally located on only one of the outer surfaces of the glass.

The minimum glass thickness for the carrier sheet is 4mm but the actual required thickness needs to be checked for structural capacity and prevailing local technical regulations. The glass thickness has no influence on the bird-protection function. Reflective glass coatings are not permitted. To improve the acoustic performance we recommend using glass laminated with acoustical foils (PVB-A).

In contrast to adhesive films or plastics, the fused-in ceramic 4BIRD marking is a permanent and proven solution. We strongly advise against subsequent application of films onto fully tempered glass since this will compromise the safety function should the glass break (shatter into small pieces).

- acoustic values of 4BIRD

2 | dimensions

3 | processing

› edge working

- edge-working

› drilled holes

Possible up to 12 mm glass thickness
The drilled hole diameter (D) cannot be smaller than the glass thickness (S).

Glass thickness 15 and 19 mm
Drilled hole diameter minimum of 18 respectively 25 mm

Production-determined minimum distances must be observed.

- production determined minimum distances

1 | marking

› fully tempered glass with heat soak test

In accordance with EN 14179 all Fully Tempered glass is permanently and visibly marked.

- standard marking and location for fully tempered glass with heat soak test

› laminated glass 

laminated safety glass of 2 x heat strengthened glass is marked as standard.

- standard marking and location for laminated safety glass comprising 2x heat strengthened glass pabels

2 | harmonisation certificate

The carrier sheets of 4BIRD are in accordance with the German Building regulation A Part 1 2004/1 Appendix 11.4.2 and part 1 Nr. 11.8.

		- certificate of conformity ESG-H
		- CE conformity certification
		- harmonisation certificate

our consultants from vandaglas eckelt

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