Bird safety should be taken into account from the early stages of building design to ensure that solutions can be integrated into the building in an efficient way. Windows, for example, can be positioned so that they reduce the risk of collisions.
The risk of birds colliding with a building is particularly high in places where there are trees and shrubs close to the building. It is also difficult for birds to detect reflective glass and glazing that provides an unobstructed view through a building or corner.
There are a number of ways to reduce collisions. The size, placement, texture, glass properties and other solutions of windows and other glass structures on the facade as well as the lighting of the building affect the risk of bird collisions.
The new instructions are part of the city’s efforts to take into account the values of the local natural environment as the city is built more densely.
Instructions Birdsafe Construction (pdf, in Finnish) are available on the City of Helsinki’s website at Building Control Services’ instructions.