cologne’s school prioritizes bird safety with saflex's reflective glass

bird safety with Saflex™ Flysafe™ 3D at helios school cologne

Designed as a peaceful educational sanctuary, the Helios School in Cologne also provides a measure of safety to the birds that flock to the green campus. Eastman, one of the world’s largest suppliers of PVB interlayers for glass, worked with the school’s architect to install the bird-friendly Saflex™ FlySafe™ 3D PVB interlayers for laminated glass on the 8-meter-tall glass windows.

The Helios School Cologne provides a measure of safety to the birds with Saflex™ FlySafe™ 3D PVB interlayers

all images courtesy of Eastman

Eastman produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, the global specialty chemical company works with customers to deliver products and solutions that maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The Helios installation of FlySafe 3D, officially launched in May 2022, was a pilot project for Eastman. Although bird-safe glass has been available in many forms for several decades, Eastman’s product takes it a step further: three-dimensional reflective ‘sequins’ capture light at different angles so birds are deterred by the flash and pass by the glass panels.

The Helios installation of Saflex FlySafe™ 3D, officially launched in May 2022, was a pilot project for Eastman

eastman’s saflex flysafe 3D combines security with safety

Eastman collaborated with the school’s architect to create a project that aligns with Cologne’s bird safety guidelines. The architects specified the use of Saflex FlySafe 3D combined with Saflex Acoustic PVB interlayers and a protective coating in the outer lite, merging in this way safety, security, structural integrity, aesthetics, UV screening and acoustic control. Tested using flight tunnels and recognized by ornithologists as an optimal solution, the glass panels grant long-lasting durability, without obscuring views.

Saflex™ FlySafe™ 3D PVB interlayers uses sequins that catch and reflect light to deter birds from glass

To dive into further detail, Saflex™ FlySafe™ 3D PVB interlayers uses sequins that catch and reflect light to deter birds from the glass. Unlike current alternatives on the market, the sequins are discreet and don’t compromise the aesthetics of exterior glass designs. The grid pattern consists of rows and columns of sequins available in two sizes, 0.24 in. (6mm) and 0.35 in. (9 mm) in diameter, separated on all sides. This includes two sequin options of silver matte and silver shiny, while the product can be configured with a shiny sequin for both the interior and exterior sides.

the panels include two sequin options of silver matte and silver shiny