We are spandrelizing a significant portion of our project's glazing. But we cannot find any "Threat Factor" rating for our selected spandrel glazing type in the Threat matrix provided by the Bird Conservancy. WE are opacifying our IGUs that are in spandrel locations by applying continuous colored film (white, I think) to surface #4. I don't think it really affects the reflectivity of the glass much, but you certainly cannot see through it, and it looks VERY different from the vision glass on the project.
Should we still account for that glazing area as having a factor of 100? Or is there some other guidance out there for "frits" that are opaque, but not designed as patterns? Thanks
Louise Schlatter
ArchitectSSOE Group
86 thumbs up
September 23, 2021 - 2:11 pm
We just registered to attempt this pilot credit and also have a portion of opaque glazing on our facade. I did not find any threat factor rating for white opaque spandrel glazing. I would definitely not assign a threat factor of 100, as I have photos of the exterior facade that shows reflection at clear glazing. I cannot detect reflection at the spandrel glazing on the east facade, but I do see a slight reflection on the north facade. I'm wondering since you posted this over a year ago, whether you have received any feedback on the threat factor?
Catherine Blakemore
Architect, LEED AP BC+DHOLT Architects
32 thumbs up
January 23, 2023 - 11:11 pm
Darryl / Louise - Did you ever get a response or find the info for the material threat factor for opaque spandrel glass?
emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
474 thumbs up
February 9, 2023 - 12:15 am
We used the guidance from this post several times: https://leeduser.buildinggreen.com/forum/where-can-we-find-correct-threa...
This one was also helpful a few times: https://leeduser.buildinggreen.com/forum/tinted-glass-material-threat-fa...
We used the logic and trends of the factor ratings and applied reasonable factors to our versions that weren't directly listed. We've submitted this credit several times and have not been questioned on it so far.