U.S. General Services Administration
Historic Preservation Technical Procedures
10296-02
INSTALLING THE NEEDLE STRIP BIRD DETERRENT SYSTEM ON HORIZONTAL
PROJECTING SURFACES
BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE WORK IN THIS PROCEDURE, CAREFULLY
REVIEW PROCEDURE 10296-01-S WHICH DESCRIBES THE ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF BIRD DETERRENT SYSTEMS
USED ON BUILDINGS. ALL METHODS OF BIRD CONTROL HAVE LIMITED
EFFECTIVENESS, MAKING THE SELECTION OF A SYSTEM DIFFICULT.
SPECIFIC FACTORS, INCLUDING CLIMATE, BUILDING LOCATION, AND BIRD
SPECIES MUST BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN ORDER TO SELECT THE MOST
APPROPRIATE SYSTEM. ALL BIRD DETERRENT SYSTEMS ARE TEMPORARY
SOLUTIONS TO A PROBLEM AND, AS SUCH, SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN A
MANNER WHICH IS REVERSIBLE AND DOES NOT DAMAGE THE STRUCTURE OR
MATERIALS DURING INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL.
PART 1---GENERAL
1.01 SUMMARY
A. This procedure includes guidance on installing the needle
strip bird deterrent system. This type of system is most
commonly used on horizontal projecting surfaces such as
ledges and window sills.
B. The needle strip system consists of rows of needles or
spikes pointing vertically upwards. These spikes are
intended to make it difficult for larger birds such as
pigeons to land. This type of system is easy to install,
has a long life-span, and is environmentally safe.
However, the design of this system enables debris to
collect between the spikes (including nesting material)
and requires routine cleaning to be effective.
Furthermore, this type of system is designed to deter
larger birds and, therefore, is not as effective on
smaller species.
C. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be
reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines
cover the following sections:
1. Safety Precautions
2. Historic Structures Precautions
3. Submittals
4. Quality Assurance
5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
6. Project/Site Conditions
7. Sequencing and Scheduling
8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing
this procedure and should be followed, when applicable,
along with recommendations from the Regional Historic
Preservation Officer (RHPO).
1.02 PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS
A. Environmental Requirements: Do not use adhesive on wet or
damp surfaces or when temperatures are above 120 degrees
F or below 45 degrees F.
PART 2---PRODUCTS
2.01 MANUFACTURERS
A. Nixalite of America, Inc.
1025 16th Avenue
P.O. Box 727
East Moline, IL 61244
800/624-1189 or 309/755-8771
2.02 MATERIALS
A. Needle Strip: Stainless steel strips with 120 needle-
sharp points per foot, such as "Nixalite Architectural
Bird Control Systems" (Nixalite of America, Inc.), or
approved equal. Specific model type will depend on the
desired location for installation and the species of
bird.
B. Anchors: RB clip with nylon anchors and stainless steel
nails, recommended for use on masonry such as (Nixalite
of America, Inc.), or approved equal.
C. Adhesive: Cartridge adhesive (Nixalite of America, Inc.),
or approved equal.
2.03 EQUIPMENT
A. Masonry drill
B. Hammer
PART 3---EXECUTION
3.01 PREPARATION
A. Surface Preparation: Remove all bird excrement, from the
application area. See 04510-02-R for guidance.
Application must take place after masonry cleaning
operations are completed, but may be scheduled for work
while staging is in place.
3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION
NOTE: OBTAIN APPROVAL FROM RHPO BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THIS
WORK.
A. Mark on mounting surface where holes for nylon anchors
are to be drilled at ends and intersections of strips, as
recommended by manufacturer and approved by RHPO. Place
base strip of system not more than 1-1/4" from outside
edge and not more than 2-1/2" from building wall. Follow
manufacturer's recommendations for spacing between rows.
B. Drill 5/16" diameter holes, 1" deep.
C. Insert nylon anchors in holes and insert stainless steel
nails with RB clips with nylon anchors as recommended by
manufacturer. Drive flush with a hammer.
D. Apply a 1/2" bead of adhesive directly to the surface
where the base bar will be positioned, as required.
Apply adhesive to the underside of the Nixalite base bar.
Do not apply more than 8' of adhesive at one time.
E. Firmly press bar of Nixalite into center of adhesive with
a slight sliding motion. Slip ends and intersections of
bar into RB clips.
END OF SECTION