Glass facades cause an estimated 750 million bird deaths each year, according to estimates by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
At some properties, the problem is so bad that skyscraper owners hire workers to remove dead birds from the base of their buildings. To address the problem, the American Bird Conservancy created two avian research facilities at the Powdermill Nature Reserve near Pittsburgh and another inside a modified shipping container at the Bronx Zoo.
The group partnered with the US Green Building Council to develop a LEED pilot credit for incorporating bird collision deterrence into new buildings. This credit aims to make buildings as visible to birds as possible by incorporating through-glass technologies, exterior building treatments like screens and louvers, and decreased night lighting levels.
That measure has become LEED’s most popular pilot credit. Legislation in San Francisco, Oakland, and other Bay Area cities established citywide bird safe building standards. Mandatory and voluntary ordinances have also been passed in New York, Minnesota, and Toronto.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 10, 2019
Ontario building first to achieve zero-carbon designation by Canada GBC
Geothermal heating, living wall among notable features.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2019
Policymakers need to act to alleviate affordable housing crunch
Moody’s economist says costs including mortgage rates worsening situation.
Codes and Standards | Jan 8, 2019
Pittsburgh launches task force on construction industry fraud
Focus will be on wage violations.
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2019
Program uses low-cost sensors to monitor impact of stormwater mitigation systems
University/municipal partnership in Philadelphia aims to improve green infrastructure design.
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2019
Washington, D.C., to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2032
Includes measures to reduce emissions from buildings and transportation.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2019
Canada’s National Building Code will include climate change obligations
New durability requirements for new buildings in the works.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2019
LEED v4.1 beta registration begins in January
First releases are O+M, BD+C, and ID+C.
Codes and Standards | Jan 3, 2019
U.S. Appeals Court says general contractors can be cited for subcontractor violations
Ruling will prompt review of OSH decision that said GCs cannot be held liable for subs’ violations.
Codes and Standards | Jan 3, 2019
Tall mass timber code changes receive final approval
New provisions to be included in the 2021 International Building Code.
Codes and Standards | Jan 2, 2019
ASHRAE’s Low-Rise Residential Buildings standard update now available
Performance measures are at least 50% more efficient than 2006 IECC.
