Water-filled Bird Ball™ at Brussels Airport

12 September 2016

In 2016, following a decision by flight safety experts at Brussels International Airport (Brussels-National/Brussel-Zaventem), water-filled Bird Ball™ cover balls were used to cover the fire water reservoirs next to the runways to reduce the risk of bird accidents. Using the balls, the airport staff was able to remove and disguise that particularly attractive open water surface from the birds, that used to be the usual habitat of those birds at any time. As a result that project was very successful, because the Bird Control of Brussels Airport achieved their goal: by using Bird Ball™ they could make the whole experience safer.

The choice of aviation safety experts was not an accident, but thoughtful and weighted decision, as several international organizations, such as the IBSC (International Bird Strike Committee) and the American FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), make recommendations to airports to avoid bird accidents at airports. There are a number of recommended precautions, methods, and devices that can be used to keep birds away from the airport’s airspace. One of the most important among them is the Bird Ball™, which allows airport open water surfaces to be hidden and camouflaged from birds.

Product

Cover balls

The Euro-Matic outdoor cover ball is the best choice for airports, mines, sewage treatment plants and livestock farms, as well as for covering reservoirs.

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What is a cover ball?

The cover ball is a hollow high quality plastic ball that can be used to create a continuous cover layer on the surface of liquids. Depending on the amount of balls placed on a given surface, they can cover up 91% of the surface in a regular shape, self-arranging next to each other. This cover layer separates and isolates the open surface of the liquid from its surroundings, i.e. it significantly reduces the effect of the liquid on the environment and vice versa. In English, several names are used for these balls, often referred to as ‘shade ball’, ‘cover ball’, ‘armor ball’, ‘barrier ball’, or ‘bird ball’. We, as a proud European Manufacturer, call them cover ball and Bird Ball™.

How does it work? What can it be used for?

The cover balls have countless benefits, so it can be used in many diverse areas. Those advantages usually help our partners to achieve their goals for cost-saving, more efficient water management, safer work environment, environment and nature protection. Thus, the Bird Ball™ is an excellent solution for reducing evaporation, preserving water quality, preventing algae formation, keeping birds away, camouflaging the water surface, thermal insulation, reducing heating costs, reducing the release of toxic gases and vapors, reducing unpleasant odors, covering hazardous materials and many more, where cost savings or other beneficial effects can be achieved as a result of use.

Types

	Bird Ball™	Water-filled Bird Ball™	Self-Filling Ball®
Diameter	100 mm	100 mm	100 mm
Weight	40 g	240 g	40 g
Material	HDPE	HDPE	HDPE
UV resistance	Yes	Yes	Yes
Color	Black	Black	Clear/black
Warranty	10 years	10 years	10 years
Wind resistance	Up to 80 km/h	Up to 150 km/h	Up to 150 km/h
Packaging	Big-bag, cardboard or in bulk	Big-bag or in bulk	Big-bag, cardboard or in bulk
Quantity	116 balls/m²	116 balls/m²	116 balls/m²