Everything you need to write Flyway into a specification: geometry, spacing, gloss, substrate options and unit configurations. All five patterns were evaluated by the American Bird Conservancy and the Bird-Safe Buildings Alliance and found to satisfy ABC's criteria for bird-friendly materials.
Common to all five patterns: a permanent etch on surface 1, gloss < 6 at 60°, acceptable on any vision glass or tinted glass unit, with all coatings behind the surface 1 etch. Any lite size, as long as it is under 72″ in at least one dimension.
| Pattern | Marker | Spacing (o.c.) | Orientation | Gloss @ 60° | Threat Factor™ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 6 mm dots (∅ ¼″) | 2.00″ × 2.00″ grid | Grid | < 6 | 20 |
| B | 6 mm dots (∅ ¼″) | 2.00″ vert. × 4.00″ horiz. | Grid | < 6 | 25 |
| C | 3 mm lines (⅛″ wide) | 2.00″ o.c. · 1.875″ gap | Vertical, full height | < 6 | 20 |
| D | 3 mm lines (⅛″ wide) | 4.00″ o.c. · 3.875″ gap | Vertical, full height | < 6 | 25 |
| E | 3 mm lines (⅛″ wide) | 2.00″ o.c. · 1.875″ gap | Horizontal, full width | < 6 | 20 |
Threat Factor™ is a trademark of the American Bird Conservancy. Lower is better; ABC's bird-friendly threshold is 30 or below. Ratings assigned by evaluation are conservative maximums. See how the rating was assigned.
Swatches are drawn to scale. Each square shows a 12″ × 12″ field of glass at true marker size and spacing.
Our default recommendation. Densest coverage, best rating, and the pattern that most directly answers a 2″ × 2″ ordinance rule.
Half the marks of Pattern A. The most visually open dot option, still comfortably inside the bird-friendly threshold.
Reads as a fine reeded texture at close range and nearly disappears at distance. Sits naturally with vertical mullion rhythm.
The lightest touch in the range. For facades where the glazing has to stay as quiet as the architect intended.
Same rating as Pattern C with a horizontal emphasis, which is the right choice on banded or spandrel-heavy elevations.
Need the best number? A, C or E, all at Threat Factor 20.
Need the most open glass? D, then B.
Ordinance says 2″×2″? Pattern A.
Vertical facade? C or D. Banded facade? E.
The ABC evaluation covers the etch pattern, and states plainly that the patterns are acceptable on any vision glass or tinted glass unit, with all coatings behind the surface one etch. Practically, that means:
The evaluated sample was 12″ × 12″ monolithic clear glass; the approval extends the patterns beyond that specific makeup.
Two ways to get Flyway on an IG unit, and the choice usually comes down to whether your project requires IGCC certification.
Your IG unit is built by an IGCC-certified manufacturer such as Oldcastle, and we apply the Flyway etch to surface 1. Use this where IGCC certification is required.
We fabricate the IG unit here to whatever configuration you want, then etch it. Faster, simpler and a single source. Where the spec calls for certification, Option 1 is the route.
Worth understanding before you defend the number in a submittal review.
ABC partners with the Bird-Safe Buildings Alliance, a group of architects experienced in bird-friendly design, conservation biologists and collision experts, to assign Threat Factors™ to materials similar to those already rated. Flyway was rated through this evaluation protocol.
In ABC's words, these ratings are “very conservative: the rating assigned is the maximum expected TF; lower ratings might be obtainable through actual tunnel testing, product dependent.” A Flyway Threat Factor of 20 is a ceiling, not a midpoint.
A Threat Factor can be assigned by evaluation to products that:
| Protocol | ABC / Bird-Safe Buildings Alliance Evaluation |
| Evaluation period | June to August 2026 |
| Report date | August 26, 2026 |
| Submitted | Five surface-1 etch patterns |
| Outcome | All five samples found to satisfy ABC's criteria for bird-friendly glass and/or materials |
| Assigned Threat Factors™ | 20 (Patterns A, C, E) · 25 (Patterns B, D) |
A complete, editable glazing section in CSI three-part format. Copy it straight into your project manual and delete the options that don't apply. We'll review a draft section at no charge before it goes out to bid.
Pattern data, material and performance values, the full guide spec, compliance references and the contractor checklist.
Physical 12″ × 12″ samples of the patterns you're considering, on the actual makeup you intend to specify.
SECTION 08 80 00 - GLAZING
BIRD-FRIENDLY GLAZING
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1 SUMMARY
A. Section includes bird-friendly glazing with permanent visual
markers applied to surface 1.
1.2 REFERENCES
A. American Bird Conservancy (ABC) Bird-Friendly Materials
Evaluation Program - Material Threat Factor rating.
B. ASTM C1036 - Standard Specification for Flat Glass.
C. ASTM C1048 - Heat-Treated Flat Glass.
1.3 SUBMITTALS
A. Product Data: Manufacturer's data for each glazing type.
B. Samples: 12" x 12" sample of each specified pattern on the
proposed glass makeup.
C. Evaluation Report: ABC / Bird-Safe Buildings Alliance evaluation
report showing the assigned Threat Factor for each pattern.
D. Shop Drawings: Elevations showing pattern extents, coverage
limits, and treatment of transoms, corners and returns.
1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE
A. Fabricator: Single firm performing glass fabrication and
marker application, with not less than 5 years of experience.
B. Mockup: Provide one full-size unit for review prior to
fabrication of remaining units when required by the Architect.
1.5 WARRANTY
A. Marker Warranty: Markers shall be integral to the glass
surface and shall not delaminate, peel or wear off.
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.1 MANUFACTURER
A. Basis of Design: Flyway Bird-Safe Glass by River City
Creative Glass, 3550 W 145th St, Burnsville, MN 55306.
Telephone 952-224-9030.
2.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
A. Provide bird-friendly glazing with visual markers applied to
surface 1 having a material Threat Factor of 25 or lower as
assigned by the American Bird Conservancy.
B. Markers shall be applied to surface 1. Low-E and other
coatings shall be located behind the surface 1 marker.
2.3 MATERIALS
A. Marker Type: Permanent etched marker, applied to
surface 1.
B. Gloss: Less than 6 at 60 degrees.
C. Substrate: Any vision or tinted glass unit. Clear, low-iron,
tinted, laminated, and insulating units are acceptable.
2.4 PATTERNS
A. Pattern: [Select one]
1. Pattern A - 6 mm dots at 2" x 2" grid. Threat Factor 20.
2. Pattern B - 6 mm dots at 2" x 4" grid. Threat Factor 25.
3. Pattern C - 3 mm vertical lines at 2" o.c. TF 20.
4. Pattern D - 3 mm vertical lines at 4" o.c. TF 25.
5. Pattern E - 3 mm horizontal lines at 2" o.c. TF 20.
2.5 INSULATING GLASS UNITS
A. [Option 1] Insulating glass units shall be IGCC-certified
units furnished by others and etched by the bird-friendly
glazing fabricator.
B. [Option 2] Insulating glass units shall be fabricated by the
bird-friendly glazing fabricator to the configuration
scheduled.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1 EXAMINATION
A. Verify openings are plumb, square and within tolerance prior
to glazing.
3.2 INSTALLATION
A. Install units with the marked surface oriented outboard
(surface 1) in every opening. Units installed with the
marker inboard do not provide the specified performance.
3.3 CLEANING AND PROTECTION
A. Clean with mild detergent and water. Do not use abrasive
cleaners, scrapers or blades on the etched surface.
END OF SECTION
Sample language for a mockup. Confirm final wording against your project's governing ordinance and rating-system requirements before issuing.
We'll come back with a pattern recommendation, a layout drawing and a price.